IJ commander resurrected - Mundy (A) vs. Castor Troy (IJ) - restricted AAR

[castor troy]

Here's the point development since the Marcus Island operation. Up until today with the sinking of CV Franklin I would have rated the whole operation as Allied victory, at best a draw just because of the loss of Yamato. But with the kill of Franklin it turns into an IJN victory, not a decisive one as in the earlier years but still.

The enemy took Marcus Island (plain and simple only due to the reason of having the nuke LCI(G)), he sank Yamato and destroyed some 750 carrier based aircraft. We've also lost two or three subs so far in the operation. But it wasn't without a cost, when the operation first looked very good for the Allied it turned more and more into a meat grinder. 2 CVLs sunk, then CV Franklin, the loss of two dozen high value assault shipping, DDs and DEs and also the loss of over 700 carrier based aircraft.

The most important fact, we haven't lost a single carrier and only suffered a damaging 250lb bomb hit on a CVE that survived. The enemy fleet hasn't reached Hawaii yet so there might be more than another chance for our subs to do some damage.

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 09, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Tarawa at 136,128

Japanese Ships
xAKL P-89, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Bream


same as the last months there is always a sub parked in the Tarawa and Makin hex...


xAKL P-89 is sighted by SS Bream
SS Bream attacking xAKL P-89 on the surface
Massive explosion on xAKL P-89


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Tabiteuea at 137,134, Range 18,000 Yards [8|]

Japanese Ships
MTB G-879
MTB G-880
MTB G-881
MTB G-882
MTB G-883
MTB G-884

Allied Ships
DE Gilmore
DE Charles R. Greer
DE Griswold
DE William C. Miller
DE Stadtfeld
DE Tisdale
APA James O'Hara
APA Baxter
APA Comet
APA Storm King
APA Starlight
APA Kittson
APA Lowndes
APA Lycoming
APA Mellette
APA Napa
APA Edgecombe
APA Effingham
xAP Empire Raja
xAP Silksworth
xAK Thompson Lykes
xAK Stella Lykes
xAK Cape Gaspe
xAK Cape Juby
xAK Cape Lookout
xAK Cape Romano


after spotting carriers South of the Gilberts a couple of days ago our recon confirmed that it's an amphib group going to Tabitauea... we have ordered two PT groups to engage during the night, one doesn't even move to the target and the other one engages during the day, both groups full ops point available and set to retire... movement routine, pfffff.... lots and lots of APAs...


Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 24,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
MTB G-884 engages APA Lycoming at 18,000 yards
Kotani L. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 15,000 yards
APA Effingham , APA Edgecombe , APA Napa ,
APA Mellette , APA Lycoming , APA Lowndes ,
APA Kittson , APA Starlight , APA Storm King ,
APA Comet , APA Baxter , APA James O'Hara ,
xAP Silksworth , xAP Empire Raja , xAK Cape Romano ,
xAK Cape Lookout , xAK Cape Juby , xAK Cape Gaspe ,
xAK Stella Lykes screened from combat
- escorted by DE Tisdale , DE Stadtfeld , DE William C. Miller ,
DE Griswold , DE Charles R. Greer
MTB G-884 engages DE Gilmore at 15,000 yards
MTB G-883 engages APA James O'Hara at 15,000 yards
MTB G-881 engages APA James O'Hara at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
APA Effingham , APA Edgecombe , APA Napa ,
APA Mellette , APA Lycoming , APA Lowndes ,
APA Kittson screened from combat
- escorted by DE Tisdale , DE Stadtfeld , DE William C. Miller ,
DE Griswold , DE Charles R. Greer , DE Gilmore
Range increases to 27,000 yards
APA Effingham , APA Edgecombe , APA Napa ,
APA Mellette , APA Lycoming , APA Lowndes ,
APA Kittson , APA Starlight , APA Storm King ,
APA Comet , APA Baxter , APA James O'Hara screened from combat
- escorted by DE Tisdale , DE Stadtfeld , DE William C. Miller ,
DE Griswold , DE Charles R. Greer
APA Storm King collides with APA Kittson at 137 , 134
APA Effingham , APA Edgecombe , APA Napa ,
APA Mellette , APA Lycoming , APA Lowndes ,
APA Kittson , APA Starlight , APA Storm King ,
APA Comet , APA Baxter screened from combat
- escorted by DE Tisdale , DE Stadtfeld , DE William C. Miller ,
DE Griswold , DE Charles R. Greer
Range closes to 24,000 yards
APA Effingham collides with APA Starlight at 137 , 134
APA Effingham , APA Edgecombe , APA Napa ,
APA Mellette , APA Lycoming , APA Lowndes screened from combat
- escorted by DE Tisdale , DE Stadtfeld , DE William C. Miller ,
DE Griswold , DE Charles R. Greer , DE Gilmore
Range closes to 20,000 yards
Kotani L. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 17,000 yards
APA Effingham , APA Edgecombe , APA Napa screened from combat
- escorted by DE Tisdale , DE Stadtfeld , DE William C. Miller ,
DE Griswold , DE Charles R. Greer , DE Gilmore
MTB G-884 engages APA Lowndes at 17,000 yards
MTB G-884 engages APA Kittson at 17,000 yards
MTB G-884 engages APA Comet at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 24,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
APA Effingham , APA Edgecombe , APA Napa ,
APA Mellette , APA Lycoming , APA Lowndes ,
APA Kittson , APA Starlight screened from combat
- escorted by DE Tisdale , DE Stadtfeld , DE William C. Miller ,
DE Griswold , DE Charles R. Greer , DE Gilmore
Kotani L. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 21,000 yards
APA Effingham , APA Edgecombe , APA Napa ,
APA Mellette , APA Lycoming , APA Lowndes ,
APA Kittson , APA Starlight screened from combat
Range increases to 25,000 yards
APA Effingham , APA Edgecombe , APA Napa ,
APA Mellette , APA Lycoming , APA Lowndes ,
APA Kittson , APA Starlight , APA Storm King ,
APA Comet , APA Baxter , APA James O'Hara ,
xAP Silksworth , xAP Empire Raja , xAK Cape Romano ,
xAK Cape Lookout , xAK Cape Juby , xAK Cape Gaspe screened from combat
- escorted by DE Tisdale , DE Stadtfeld , DE William C. Miller ,
DE Griswold , DE Charles R. Greer
Range increases to 29,000 yards
APA Effingham , APA Edgecombe , APA Napa ,
APA Mellette , APA Lycoming , APA Lowndes ,
APA Kittson , APA Starlight screened from combat
- escorted by DE Tisdale , DE Stadtfeld , DE William C. Miller ,
DE Griswold , DE Charles R. Greer , DE Gilmore
Kotani L. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 30,000 yards
APA Effingham , APA Edgecombe screened from combat
- escorted by DE Tisdale , DE Stadtfeld , DE William C. Miller ,
DE Griswold , DE Charles R. Greer , DE Gilmore
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Beru at 137,133, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-843
MTB G-844
MTB G-875
MTB G-876
MTB G-877
MTB G-878

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
CVE Kadashan Bay
CVE Cape Esperance
CVE Hoggatt Bay
CVE Marcus Island
CVE Sitkoh Bay
CVE Steamer Bay
DD Wadleigh
DD Wadsworth
DD Walker
DD Waller
DD Nicholson
DD Meredith


that's the second PT squadron, engaging the Allied carrier group... only one carrier and six CVE, that would have been a nice target for KB...


Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 24,000 yards
Range closes to 29,000 yards...
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tarawa at 136,128

Japanese Ships
xAKL P-120, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Bream

xAKL P-120 is sighted by SS Bream
SS Bream attacking xAKL P-120 on the surface
Massive explosion on xAKL P-120


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tarawa at 136,128



Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84r Frank x 126

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 34
F6F-5 Hellcat x 17
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 3 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 4 destroyed
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 16 destroyed


while we lose two xAKL to the parked sub at Tarawa we get more than revenge in totally mopping up an incoming carrier strike... the Franks had the never ending dive, it was crazy to watch...


CAP engaged:
31st Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 28 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers
87th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 28 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
104th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 28 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tarawa at 136,128

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84r Frank x 123

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 25
F6F-5 Hellcat x 12
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 9 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 4 destroyed
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 4 destroyed


bad luck for the Allied to also launch a strike in the afternoon, even worse result than during the morning as this time not a single Frank was shot down or damaged... again the dive for the full duration of the engagement for the Franks... bullocks... ah, fixed for you![8|]


CAP engaged:
31st Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 28 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
87th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 28 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
104th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 28 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
19 planes vectored on to bombers

[castor troy]

just doesn't matter if I'm on the giving or receiving end, I just don't like these ridicoulos results and no, neither the routine nor the dive has ever been fixed... how many of these loops has this campaign seen already?

During the carrier engagements near Marcus Island the fighter vs fighter combat looked great, neither side had a long lasting dive and the results were within reasanable outcomes... this time (as so many times before) one side had the never ending dive, totally shredding the enemy fighters...

if we take fighter vs fighter kill rate we get a 27:1 for the Franks, if we would also include the shot down bombers it would be a 42:1 for the Franks... doesn't matter which side, it could be exactly the other way around as these same Franks were totally shot up over Roi Namur vs CAP that had the never ending dive...

dive, fixed... [8|]

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 10, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Johnston Island at 161,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-37

Allied Ships
DD Brush
BB Iowa
CA Boston
CL Miami
CLAA Juneau
CLAA Atlanta
DD Cooper
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Aulick
DD Fletcher


I-37 engages one of the destroyers in a CV group...


SS I-37 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Brush
DD Charles Ausburne fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Aulick fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Fletcher fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Aulick fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Aulick fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Johnston Island at 158,107



Japanese Ships
SS I-47

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 1
BB New Jersey
CL Montpelier
CL Honolulu
CLAA Reno
DD Caperton
DD Bryant


and then it's I-47 that is scoring on CV Wasp... I'm happy to see my subs succesfully attacking but it really strikes me to see only one torp hit over and over again... Wasp was also hit during the naval engagement but IIRC she didn't suffer any damage during the air attacks but with this additional torp hit it should put her into the yards for the next months...


SS I-47 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Wasp
I-47 diving deep ....
DD Caperton attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-47 eludes DD Caperton by diving deep
DD Bryant fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Caperton fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Caperton attacking submerged sub ....
DD Caperton is out of ASW ammo
DD Caperton is out of ASW ammo
DD Caperton is out of ASW ammo
DD Caperton is out of ASW ammo
DD Caperton fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Caperton fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[castor troy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Johnston Island at 157,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-27, hits 4, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Tabberer
DE Richard W. Suesens
DE Silverstein


I-27 takes heavy damage trying to engage the CVE task force or this is a dedicated ASW group... these DE are such a threat to our subs...


SS I-27 launches 4 torpedoes at DE Tabberer
DE Richard W. Suesens attacking submerged sub ....
DE Richard W. Suesens is out of ASW ammo
DE Richard W. Suesens is out of ASW ammo
DE Silverstein attacking submerged sub ....
DE Richard W. Suesens fails to find sub and abandons search
DE Silverstein fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Silverstein fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Silverstein fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Silverstein fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Silverstein fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134



Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 138 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y2 Frances x 12
Ki-84r Frank x 72

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 27
F6F-5 Hellcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y2 Frances: 4 damaged
Ki-84r Frank: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DE William C. Miller, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Empire Raja
xAK Cape Gaspe, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage


we've flown in 300 fighters and 150 torpedo bombers to attack the amphib shipping at Tabitauea... we get a whopping 12 bombers to fly against several dozen spotted ships at Tabitauea... applause...

the Franks do their job against leaking CAP from the carriers that are parked next to the dot base... considering we only had 12 bombers and 5 attacked from impossible angles the hit rate of the rest was an absolute success... not even 10% of the bombers launched... really next to impossible to get numbers with LBA strikes over and over again...


Aircraft Attacking:
6 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
14 x Ki-84r Frank sweeping at 15000 feet
11 x Ki-84r Frank sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VC(F)-20 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
VC(F)-21 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
VC(F)-90 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VC(F)-93 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
VC(F)-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
VC(F)-14 with F4U-1A Corsair (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes

[castor troy]

none of the Frances was lost today and the Franks get a 2:1 agianst leaking CAP...

[DesertWolf101]

You probably already know this but just in case: Did you order the attack the turn the the LBA arrived or did you rest them on the ground for a turn or two? Generally I find that with the exception of CAP, air raids don't fly well if they are ordered to go out as soon as they shift locations.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

You probably already know this but just in case: Did you order the attack the turn the the LBA arrived or did you rest them on the ground for a turn or two? Generally I find that with the exception of CAP, air raids don't fly well if they are ordered to go out as soon as they shift locations.

They have been there for two or even three days already.

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 11, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Johnston Island at 158,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-47, hits 8

Allied Ships
DE Shelton
DE Silverstein


DE knocks out another sub while not being in danger of being sunk...


SS I-47 is sighted by escort
DE Silverstein fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Silverstein attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-47 eludes ASW attack from DE Silverstein
DE Silverstein fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Silverstein fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Silverstein fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Johnston Island at 162,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-31, hits 8, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CVE Savo Island, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DE Shelton



nice one! Our subs are still succesfully operating against the enemy carrier groups and I-31 targets Savo Island with a spread of six... at some point it gets odd to literally always only score one hit with such spreads but Savo Island took two 800kg bombs earlier and with the fuel storage explosion from the torp she was confirmed sunk! BANZAI! BANZAI! BANZAI!

Brings the Allied carrier losses during operation Marcus Island to 1 CV, 2 CVL, 1 CVE with other carriers being damaged...

Fuel storage explosion on CVE Savo Island
SS I-31 launches 6 torpedoes at CVE Savo Island
I-31 diving deep ....
DE Shelton attacking submerged sub ....
DE Shelton fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Shelton fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Shelton attacking submerged sub ....
DE Shelton fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[castor troy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tanegashima at 104,66

Japanese Ships
E No.53, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
E No.43
xAK Teisen Maru
xAK Hiyama Maru
xAK Somedono Maru
xAK Kyokusei Maru
E No.81
E No.49
E No.45

Allied Ships
SS Blackfish, hits 3


I guess we lose at least three of our E class ships to one enemy sub sunk if not worse... they are hardly able to dodge torps it seems...


SS Blackfish launches 2 torpedoes at E No.53
Blackfish diving deep ....
E No.81 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E No.49 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E No.45 fails to find sub and abandons search
E No.81 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E No.49 fails to find sub and abandons search
E No.81 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E No.81 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E No.81 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E No.81 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Niihau at 174,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-32, hits 33, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Engstrom
DE Emery


damn destroyer escorts, I-32 is sunk...


SS I-32 is located by DE Engstrom
I-32 diving deep ....
DE Engstrom fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Emery attacking submerged sub ....
DE Engstrom fails to find sub and abandons search
DE Emery fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Emery fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Emery attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-32 forced to surface!
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Niihau at 174,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-38, hits 33, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Oliver Mitchell
DE Howard F. Clark
DE Kendall C. Campbell


getting even worse as we lose another sub today... I think the enemy has sent out at least one or two ASW groups from Pearl to help the returning carrier groups to fend off our subs...


SS I-38 is sighted by escort
DE Oliver Mitchell fails to find sub and abandons search
DE Howard F. Clark attacking submerged sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark attacking submerged sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Howard F. Clark attacking submerged sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark is out of ASW ammo
DE Howard F. Clark is out of ASW ammo
DE Howard F. Clark is out of ASW ammo
DE Howard F. Clark is out of ASW ammo
SS I-38 forced to surface!
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Oliver Mitchell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Oliver Mitchell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Oliver Mitchell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Oliver Mitchell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Oliver Mitchell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Oliver Mitchell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Oliver Mitchell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134



Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 43
P1Y2 Frances x 28

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16
F6F-5 Hellcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
P1Y2 Frances: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged
P1Y2 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAP Silksworth, Torpedo hits 1
APA Mellette
DE Tisdale
APA Napa, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
APA Baxter
xAK Cape Gaspe, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Empire Raja, Torpedo hits 1

Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)


we launch a strike against the unloading ships at Tabiteuea again and the strike routine, funny as it is, decided to send Frances from Tarawa (150 fighters present there) with escorts from Makin...

the 43 Georges weren't able to fend off all CAP fighters and they were also not doing as well as the Franks... add in 50% of the bombers attacking from bad angles and we get 3 torp hits from 25 dropped...


Aircraft Attacking:
13 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-20 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-21 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-90 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-93 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-14 with F4U-1A Corsair (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y2 Frances x 20
Ki-84r Frank x 64

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4
F6F-5 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y2 Frances: 4 damaged
P1Y2 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Stella Lykes
APA Lowndes
DE Griswold
xAK Thompson Lykes
DE Tisdale
DE Charles R. Greer, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
APA Mellette, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)


next strike is escorted by the Franks from Tarawa which did a good job on the remaining leaking CAP... really wonder why the enemy hasn't put the CVE group into the base hex, most likely afraid to take hits on the carriers... that way we get a shot at his amphibs even though damage done in total is rather meager, considering we have 300 fighters and 150 bombers available...


Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
11 x Ki-84r Frank sweeping at 15000 feet
9 x Ki-84r Frank sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
VC(F)-90 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VC(F)-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VC(F)-14 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 41
P1Y2 Frances x 16

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1
F6F-5 Hellcat x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DE Stadtfeld, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK Cape Juby
APA Starlight
APA Kittson


I'm amazed to see another hit on a DE though...


Aircraft Attacking:
16 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
34 x N1K2-J George sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VC(F)-14 with F4U-1A Corsair (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Raid is overhead
VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 19
P1Y2 Frances x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 10
F6F-5 Hellcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
P1Y2 Frances: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
P1Y2 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
APA Lycoming
xAP Silksworth

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)


afternoon phase and despite having spotted like two dozen ships at Tabiteuea our strikes are even smaller than during the morning...


Aircraft Attacking:
5 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-20 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-21 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-90 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-93 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-14 with F4U-1A Corsair (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 11
P1Y2 Frances x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1
F6F-5 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
P1Y2 Frances: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
APA Edgecombe


while our strike packages are nothing but a joke at this stage the CAP can shoot up the bombers... having 25% of LBA airborne to fly a naval strike is already a success in this game...[8|]


Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-21 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VC(F)-14 with F4U-1A Corsair (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 93 minutes

[castor troy]

if the routine decided to send strikes in decent numbers and not ridicoulos ones all the time we would have a) wrecked havoc with the leaking CAP and b) the bombers would have sunk the majority of the amphib shipping... no, the way it works means we lose one and a halve dozen bombers with a 1.5:1 in escorts and some hits on enemy shipping... guess I have to cheer about that because if the enemy had more fighters on CAP our strikes would have been obliberated with no hits on ships at all...

the real success today goes to the Navy as a sub sank a CVE which is confirmed by the Hellcat and Avenger ground losses...

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 12, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub vs Sub: SS Halibut attacking SS RO-33 at 132,104



Japanese Ships
SS RO-33, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Halibut

SS Halibut launches 2 torpedoes at 2,000 yards


RO-33 was retiring from a succesful mission against the enemy CV groups and runs damaged into Halibut that sinks her...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near French Frigate Shoal at 169,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-44, hits 22, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Kendall C. Campbell
DE Oliver Mitchell
DE Howard F. Clark


next strike of the DEs... this is sub no six that is lost within the last couple days... not good...


SS I-44 is located by DE Kendall C. Campbell
I-44 diving deep ....
DE Oliver Mitchell fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Oliver Mitchell fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Oliver Mitchell fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Oliver Mitchell attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-44 forced to surface!
DE Howard F. Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Oliver Mitchell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Oliver Mitchell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Oliver Mitchell firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Howard F. Clark firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Kendall C. Campbell firing on surfaced sub ....
Contact with submarine is lost

[castor troy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near French Frigate Shoal at 171,107



Japanese Ships
SS I-28, hits 9

Allied Ships
CV Intrepid, Torpedo hits 1
CL Montpelier
CL Trenton
CLAA Reno
DD Caperton
DD Boyd
DD Bryant
DD Bell


Payback! Our subs suffer losses but we hit another CV today... I know it isn't but in this campaign it seems hardcoded to hit carriers with a maximum of 1 torp from a spread of 6... this is getting highly annoying, really... also Intrepid suffered during the naval engagements off Marcus Island so that makes it another carrier needing probably two or three months yard time...


SS I-28 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Intrepid
DD Bryant fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Bell attacking submerged sub ....
DD Bell attacking submerged sub ....
DD Bell attacking submerged sub ....
DD Bell is out of ASW ammo
DD Bell is out of ASW ammo
DD Bell is out of ASW ammo
DD Bell fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bell attacking submerged sub ....
DD Bell is out of ASW ammo
DD Bell is out of ASW ammo
DD Bell is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Marcus Island at 123,85

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-11

Allied Ships
DD Cassin Young

SSX Ha-11 is sighted by escort
DD Cassin Young fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Cassin Young fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[castor troy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134



Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 27
P1Y2 Frances x 15

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9
F6F-5 Hellcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
P1Y2 Frances: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
APA Kittson
APA Baxter
DE Tisdale


we launch another strike against Tabiteuea, coordination as silly as always... again bombers from Tarawa with escorts from Makin... one can't get strikes to work from the same airbase due to the usual nilly willy explanations but sheer impossible coordination with fighters from a base four hexes away works repeatadly...

we also have a glitch here as 12 bombers attack with bombs... all bombers have ever since been set to torp attacks and there is an air HQ with 200 torps in range... well done, means we don't get decent strikes to attack and those tiny numbers that attack get bombs instead of torps...

the task force to the SW are the carriers, our strikes are limited to Tabiteuea...


Aircraft Attacking:
6 x P1Y2 Frances bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x P1Y2 Frances bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-20 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-21 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-90 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-93 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-14 with F4U-1A Corsair (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y2 Frances x 9
Ki-84r Frank x 33

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 3
F6F-5 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y2 Frances: 4 damaged
P1Y2 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Empire Raja, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Cape Romano
APA Starlight, Torpedo hits 1

Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled



rest of the bombers are all armed with torps but the numbers are just getting more and more idiotic on a 10/10 spotted convoy...

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
2 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-20 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VC(F)-93 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 23000.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 23000.
Raid is overhead
VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 13, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Marcus Island at 123,85

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-11

Allied Ships
xAK Samuel Gompers II
xAK Norman J. Colman
DD Wickes

SSX Ha-11 is sighted by escort
DD Wickes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wickes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wickes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wickes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wickes fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


tomorrow should get interesting as our nav search has picked up lots of shipping at Marcus Island the last days and after repleneshing the carriers they have immediately set sail again to interdict enemy movements near Marcus... I guess the enemy is picking up his assault units that took the island and is replacing them with a better suited garrison so it might be possible to catch troops loaded aboard ships...

KB was not spotted moving to this position so the attack will come as a surprise... enemy carriers have retreated to Pearl so at best (or worst for the enemy) we could encounter some CVEs but nothing was spotted so probably just a big number of different transports... YUMMY...

I'm sure the enemy thinks our carriers will lick their wounds and wouldn't be close enough to strike...

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 14, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 128,85



Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 174
B7A2 Grace x 44
D4Y4 Judy x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A2 Grace: 1 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DE Jack Miller, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Mississinewa, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Conklin, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Corbesier, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Aucilla, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
AO Manatee, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Eversole, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Taluga
AO Nantahala, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Dennis, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
DE Edmonds, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Ashtabula, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
DE Jaccard, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AO Platte, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE LaPrade

KB makes it's move closer to Marcus Island to attack the spotted shipping there and nav search picks up several enemy convoys in range... KB wasn't spotted yesterday so the convoys that left Marcus were putting them still in range of our bombers... and while I expected to hit only some transports and freighters (with or without troops) at Marcus a fat replenishment task force stumbles into range of KB's bombers and is our primary target today... the bombers launch from four hexes distance and the Judies carry 800kg bombs to attack the fleet oilers... all of them are fully loaded with fuel so even a 60kg bomb would kill them as they would just burn down... so that attack has already killed 6 AOs and probably 5 DEs... huge escort for not that many bombers against an uncapped target...



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
7 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
2 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
2 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Mississinewa
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DE Conklin
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Aucilla
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Nantahala
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DE Eversole
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DE Edmonds
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Ashtabula
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Platte
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DE Jaccard
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DE Corbesier

[castor troy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 131,90



Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 37
B7A2 Grace x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A2 Grace: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Watts, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Cassin Young, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Gen. H.W.Butner, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP Gen. W.M.Mitchell, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP Gen. W.H.Gordon, Bomb hits 2, on fire


next strike targets a fast convoy heading South East that includes the big General transports, really high valuable targets... as the Allied I never use these ships near the frontline if I don't have to... the Graces are all set to attack with bombs and they kill two APs right away with two bomb hits on a third one...


Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AP Gen. H.W.Butner
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Cassin Young
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AP Gen. W.M.Mitchell


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 131,90

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 9
B7A2 Grace x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Gen. W.M.Mitchell, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage


targetting a dead ship...


Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AP Gen. W.M.Mitchell


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 131,90

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y4 Judy x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y4 Judy: 2 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
AP Gen. W.H.Gordon, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Gen. H.W.Butner, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP Gen. W.M.Mitchell, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP Gen. M.C.Meigs


the third AP should be in sinking condition now too but M.C.Meigs has not been hit yet...

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AP Gen. H.W.Butner
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AP Gen. W.M.Mitchell


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 128,85

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 40
D4Y4 Judy x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y4 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DE Jack Miller, on fire
AO Marias
AO Taluga, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires


had several airgroups failing to locate the targets due to range or weather and a couple of smaller strikes came uncoordinated but nothing that harms us as there is no enemy airthreat around...


Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Taluga


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 131,90

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y4 Judy x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y4 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
AP Gen. H.W.Butner, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Cassin Young, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AP Gen. M.C.Meigs


M.C.Meigs still dodging all attacks but DD Cassin Young takes a 500kg bomb...


Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Cassin Young

[castor troy]

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 123,85



Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 153 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 96
D4Y4 Judy x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y4 Judy: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Wickes
AK Australian Victory
DE Cloues, Bomb hits 1
DE Canfield, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
AKA Stokes, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Bedford Victory
xAK Samuel Gompers II, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKA Tolland, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ralph T. O'Neil, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKA Valencia, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Virginian, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage


no morning strike flown against the shipping spotted at Marcus but at least one is flown in the afternoon, even though total number of available bombers and number of bombers actually attacking is a joke once more... most likely 60% or more of the spotted shipping remains unharmed because we only get 30% of the available bomber sorties... nothing new there... we get two high value AKA and a DE at Marcus and damage/kill some other shipping there...


Aircraft Attacking:
18 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
20 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
8 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

Massive explosion on DE Cloues
Massive explosion on xAK Samuel Gompers II
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Samuel Gompers II
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AKA Tolland
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DE Canfield
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Ralph T. O'Neil
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AKA Valencia
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Virginian


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 128,85

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 37
B7A2 Grace x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A2 Grace: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DE Jack Miller, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Jaccard, on fire
DE LaPrade, Bomb hits 1
DE Eversole, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk


only this second small strike in the afternoon even though we have spotted dozens and dozens of enemy ships still around... that's a strike on the replenishment convoy's escorts...


Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DE Jack Miller

[castor troy]

I'm fine with the damage done by the bombers that launched against the helpless convoys in range but the numbers that actually attack piss me off as usual, just no sane reason not to launch more bombers...

funnily enough that our bombers didn't suffer more losses to flak or ops but 7 Sams crash flying unopposed escort missions...

[castor troy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 15, 44
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Sub attack near Marcus Island at 128,87



Japanese Ships
CVL Ryuho, Torpedo hits 1
DD Naganami
DD Akishimo
DD Hayashimo
DD Hamanami
DD Kiyonami

Allied Ships
SS Threadfin, hits 1


this just had to happen at some point again... the enemy has moved several subs into the area and even as we tried to avoid them Threadfin gets into our CVL/CVE group (that's actually the carrier group with the highest ASW rating) and torps Ryuho... the ship isn't in danger to sink if not attacked again and together with six DDs ordered back to Japan where she arrived safely seven days later... I see subs as being the biggest threat to my carriers as I think that both sides pretty much neutralize each other against airstrikes with the sheer size of CAP... the only chance to do serious damage would be a super strike against a separated CV group that would have most likely reacted away from the rest of the carriers...


SS Threadfin launches 4 torpedoes at CVL Ryuho
DD Akishimo fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hayashimo fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hamanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Kiyonami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiyonami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kiyonami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kiyonami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiyonami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiyonami fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub