Hi all,
The death flight of the Allied air force in Java..............
The 1st 2 days in February bring death to over 100 Allied airmen.
KB was ordered to patrol 120 miles east of Batavia after intel picked up signs of enemy shipping nearby. All bombers were ordered to arm for anti-shipping strikes. The Zero's were divided between escort and CAP duties. All men were ready and waiting........
The 1st bought about a series of confused messages for KB's commander...As such he f*cked up. Only a pathetic strike of Vals was launched against an enemy DD - Banckert which was pulverised into a sinking burning hulk.....
Whilst this strike was in the air 10's of enemy aircraft appeared overhead. Waiting for them were 71 of Japans finest airmen in their Zero's. Incredibly no enemy fighters were flying CAP! The air battles were a sight to behold. As far as the eye could see there were personal duels ongoing between fighter and bomber. The men were immense and despite many enemy bombers breaking through the CAP no losses were sustained in the air or any hit sustained on any ship.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71
Allied aircraft
Vildebeest IV x 24
Blenheim I x 11
Martin 139 x 16
Hudson I x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 17 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest IV: 21 destroyed
Blenheim I: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
Martin 139: 12 destroyed
Hudson I: 7 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Kaga
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Hiryu
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
1 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
1 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
1 x Martin 139 bombing at 5000 feet
1 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
2 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim I bombing at 5000 feet
This bought the air action near Java at an end for the 1st day. The 2nd produced more bloodshed for Allied leaders.......
In the morning the Allied decided to launch a lot of escorts to cover 2 Wildebeast to attack the KB. They fared no better....many enemy planes were smahed to bits. A torp plane did break through and launched its fish against Hiryu. It missed by 10's of metres.
Day Air attack on TF at 21,59
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 63
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 13
CW-21B Demon x 10
Brewster 339D x 9
Buffalo I x 18
Vildebeest IV x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 10 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 8 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Buffalo I: 15 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 1 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet
After an ear bashing from me by radio Yamaguchi got his arse in gear and launched a well co-ordinated strike against a large Allied TF nearing Batavia. Hell on the seas occured as the Zero's downed the enemy CAP. 244 of JApans finest attacked this convoy leaving it in ruins.....
Day Air attack on TF, near Batavia at 19,59
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68
D3A Val x 89
B5N Kate x 155
Allied aircraft
Hawk 75A x 7
CW-21B Demon x 4
Brewster 339D x 3
Buffalo I x 6
P-40B Tomahawk x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
D3A Val: 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hawk 75A: 7 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Brewster 339D: 3 destroyed
Buffalo I: 6 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
AK Ethel Edwards, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD John D. Ford, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Corregidor, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Isabel, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Peary, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Pillsbury, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AV Langley, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Sagoland, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Gertrude Kellogg, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Don Jose, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Compagnia Filipinas, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Tanager, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Anakan, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Palawan, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bittern, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AO Pecos, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Quail, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Madison, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AS Otus, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AS Holland, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Asheville, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Paz, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AO Trinity, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
Confirmation was later received that the following sunk:
2 x DD
2 x PG
4 x AK
AV Langley
AO Pecos
3 MSW
Well done lads [8D]
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Other notable news for the 2 days:
AS Canopus tried to flee the Phillipines but Betties from Davao found her and within minutes left her sinking by the bow............
An IJN CA was hit by an airborne torpedo inbetween Borneo and Sumatra. Minor damage sustained.
The first shells were fired by the IJA at Manila's defenders today. Both Singapore and Manila are to be starved to death. Not 1 man is to be left alive. Especially that Mac chappie.
P.S. Death to Nik
