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Thanks Nik, appreciate the answer

Not much to report....other than that my latest op generated by a desperate brain storm has completed, once again with no interference from the acommidating Japanese. Intel has picked up 4 seperate units (including 17th Army HQ) preparing for Lunga. Thx to my opponent's inactivity, this is what he faces now.

Lunga

Past several turns have had nothing much worth reporting. Joe is definately "gearing up" for another operation given his force's complete absense from the battle area. Ultimately I feel this will be his undoing, for in doing so, he is allowing me both the ability to prepare unhindered, as well as allowing enough time to go by that my assets only grow stronger.

As the below printed events file shows, i received substantial reinforcements this round of turns.....in the form of 3 more powerful battleships. The modern will go to the carriers despite the temptation to lead a powerful surface TF. I need Indiana's powerful AA suite though given the inevitable carrier battle that will ensue over Henderson field. Even if i "lose" the confrontation my goal is to so damage his airgroups as well as carriers that they will be mostly impotent which in turn will allow surviving surface forces...(including the modern BB's) to run interference on any attempts to recapture the island.

I've also received additional BS's....too many to push forward of course (by design) but at least i know i can keep the pressure up if one or more squadrons get hard hit. I'm moving Fifth AF HQ to Port Morosby....and admitedly ahistorical move in one sense but given that i'm convinced that NG is now safe from further Japanese incursions based on INTEL reports, it makes sense to focus my heavy bomber campaign against Rabaul, and now the rudimentary airbase at Shortlands to make the Japanese stay on their toes.

I have fully refueled my carrier TF's as well as the Shortlands bombardment force. Fuel reserves stand at a modest 20,000 tons.....but this is actually fine. My carriers can lurk if they have too while this reserve builds. One advantage of not having any LCU's to move is that it showcases the logistical return on such.....Nomeau has about 35k of supply as well while Lunga, with 5 regiments of bored Marines along with several Arty, ENG and vehicle units, has 17k of supply and is 25% away from 5 full fortification levels. All told about 787 AV. Joe has his work cut out for him thx in part to his leaving me completely unhindered. In addition, i have nearly two dozen PT's guarding Lunga now and i even landed some fuel for them to replenish. Any way one looks at it......the Japanese have a tough fight ahead of them if they wish to assault to retake Henderson Field. (oh and nearly 80 fighters!)

aOPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Nov 26, 42

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tassafaronga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed 7 , Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed 19 , Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands , Speed 14 , Moving East
No additional repairs possible on DD Cummings
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
No additional repairs possible on APD McKean
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
No additional repairs possible on AP McCawley
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
TF 4 does not have enough fuel to complete mission
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 103,127 near Gasmata , Speed 21 , Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed unknown
Task Force 4 out of fuel at 92, 168
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 100,125 near Finschhafen , Speed 9 , Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 100,126 near Finschhafen , Speed 3 , Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 109,131 near Shortlands , Speed 6 , Moving West
SOC-1 Seagull reports shadow in water at 115, 160 near Noumea
SOC-1 Seagull sighting report: 7 Japanese ships at 114,160 near Noumea, speed 13, Moving Southeast
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
F-4 Lightning from 8th PRS is damaged on landing
SOC-1 Seagull reports diving submarine at 115, 160 near Noumea
SOC-1 Seagull sighting report: 7 Japanese ships at 115,160 near Noumea, speed 20, Moving Northwest
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports submarine at 116, 160 near Noumea
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports object near surface at 115, 159 near Noumea
Seagull V reports suspected submarine at 115, 160 near Noumea
J1N1-C Irving sighted over Lunga
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
Seagull V from S5/No.9 Sqd RAAF grounded due to maintenance
No additional repairs possible on DD Cummings
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
No additional repairs possible on APD McKean
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
No additional repairs possible on AP McCawley
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
TF 4 does not have enough fuel to complete mission
Planes arrived in the aircraft pool:
CVE Chenango arrives at Noumea
CVE Suwannee arrives at Noumea
BB Maryland arrives at Noumea
BB Colorado arrives at Noumea
BB Indiana arrives at Noumea
DD Ammen arrives at Noumea
DD Jenkins arrives at Noumea
DD LaVallette arrives at Noumea
DD Mullany arrives at Noumea
DD Nicholas arrives at Noumea
DD Radford arrives at Noumea
DD Strong arrives at Noumea
AM Motive arrives at Noumea
AK Crux arrives at Noumea

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Nov 27, 42


Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Munda
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 109,131 near Shortlands , Speed 8 , Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 100,125 near Finschhafen , Speed 16 , Moving Northeast
B-24D Liberator from 90th BG/319th BS grounded due to maintenance
B-24D Liberator from 90th BG/321st BS grounded due to maintenance
No additional repairs possible on DD Cummings
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
No additional repairs possible on APD McKean
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
No additional repairs possible on AP McCawley
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
TF 4 does not have enough fuel to complete mission
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Munda
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Torokina
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 109,131 near Shortlands , Speed unknown
TF 31 awaiting unloading at Port Moresby
Task Force 4 out of fuel at 91, 168
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed 12 , Moving Southeast
PBY-5 Catalina sighting report: 9 Japanese ships at 124,154 near Efate, speed 16, Moving Southeast
Hudson III (LR) sighting report: 10 Japanese ships at 124,162 near Anatom, speed 11, Moving Southeast
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
C5M2 Babs sighted over Lunga
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
SOC-1 Seagull reports shape below surface at 115, 160 near Noumea
SOC-1 Seagull sighting report: 1 Japanese ship at 116,160 near Noumea, speed 15, Moving Southeast
SOC-1 Seagull reports possible submarine at 115, 160 near Noumea
SOC-1 Seagull sighting report: 9 Japanese ships at 114,160 near Noumea, speed 16, Moving Northwest
PBY-5 Catalina reports submarine at 122, 154 near Efate
J1N1-C Irving sighted over Lunga
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
Japanese Fighter Bomber sighted over Lunga
No additional repairs possible on DD Cummings
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
No additional repairs possible on APD McKean
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
No additional repairs possible on AP McCawley
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
No additional repairs possible on AK Crater
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
8th PRS takes F-4 Lightning replacements
Planes arrived in the aircraft pool:

all this intel for coral sea area? [X(] my head is already swimming thinking of watching all this intel for the entire theatre...
it's been too long since playing WiTP...was there this much reporting? guess i better figure out that utility thingy... [8|]


aOPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Nov 26, 42

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tassafaronga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed 7 , Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed 19 , Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands , Speed 14 , Moving East
No additional repairs possible on DD Cummings
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
No additional repairs possible on APD McKean
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
No additional repairs possible on AP McCawley
using currently assigned resources at Noumea
TF 4 does not have enough fuel to complete mission
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 103,127 near Gasmata , Speed 21 , Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed unknown
Task Force 4 out of fuel at 92, 168
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 100,125 near Finschhafen , Speed 9 , Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 100,126 near Finschhafen , Speed 3 , Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 109,131 near Shortlands , Speed 6 , Moving West
SOC-1 Seagull reports shadow in water at 115, 160 near Noumea
SOC-1 Seagull sighting report: 7 Japanese ships at 114,160 near Noumea, speed 13, Moving Southeast
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
F-4 Lightning from 8th PRS is damaged on landing
SOC-1 Seagull reports diving submarine at 115, 160 near Noumea
SOC-1 Seagull sighting report: 7 Japanese ships at 115,160 near Noumea, speed 20, Moving Northwest
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports submarine at 116, 160 near Noumea
OS2U-3 Kingfisher reports object near surface at 115, 159 near Noumea
Seagull V reports suspected submarine at 115, 160 near Noumea
J1N1-C Irving sighted over Lunga
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga
Japanese Aircraft sighted over Lunga

Guadalcanal

Things might be starting again. My INTEL has picked up very heavy radio traffic NE of Shortlands (see pic, when INTEL gets enough of a scent it will also place a TF marker on the map) Fortunately i'm already in the neighborhood and ready due to my forces filling a dual role of counterstrike force 'and' covering a couple convoys of my own. INTEL and RECON reports courtasy of the F4 group based at PM show signifigant activity at Shortlands. Tempting to send an intruder force to Shortlands again but most of my assets are tied up for the covering ops leaving only a handful of DD's + the Leander CL group that hit Tass. I have Lungaville as well as a small PBY group in the nendei island group north of Luganaville on high alert.

Little else to report......I sent in a small 2 x CL with DD escort to bombard Tass to wake up the neighbors. I somehow convined MacNik to "lend" me his Beaufighter squadron for temporary South Pacific duty. They have the range to reach Shortlands and managed to lob bombs at a Heavy Cruiser! Hmmm....something definately up. With Fifth AF HQ now at PM my Liberator ops got a boost and a all time high of 15 Libs attacked Shortlands, losing one and shooting down one of those elusive Zero fighters we'd heard about in the process. We got 1-2 more on the ground. Unfortunately i also lost a couple Beau's in the process too.

Did we hit anything? course not, but we were going for near misses anyway. Nothing demoralizes sailors more than a drenching. Its strategy i tell you.

If Joe is coming......and its my guess he is if not now, very very soon given it's now Dec42 and his window of opp is closing fast. Lunga's 5 Marine regiments (15 battalions of red white and blue meanness) are 10% away from a level 5 fortification level and have large arty and AFV backup. 15,000 tons of supply (3x the minimum requirement at present) are on the base with another 10k from Convoy 2 loaded and ready to sail north under ultra heavy surface escort. Nomeau is down to 17k of fuel with another 8k in a replenishment TF thats sucking up the black go-juice faster than it's coming in from the States. All my TF's though left with full bunkers. As long as i don't run them around at full speed too much, i shouldn't use it all up, especially just operating primarily between Nomeau and Henderson

a dozen subs are reporting to patrol positions around the Shortlands/Rabaul/Truk route as well.

Map of my dispositions.

GREEN - marks the course designated for my four carriers.....(2 x CV per TF) I really should have them in 4 single CV TF's, but i also really like the massive AA firepower my ships have. (8000-9000 AAA each!) It won't be enough.....but then again, all i have to do at this late stage in the game is acheive MAD and i think the surface forces, now heavily reinforced with big boys can contest any effort against Lunga. Rabaul could prove a problem there....but Henderson Field can help negate that somewhat. The lower green track merging shows a small 3 x CVE TF that will provide additional fighter cover for the carriers. This tactic will probably not be available in a future build because normally 2 of the 3 CVE's have no organic air group. It seems that the USMC VF's are all carrier capable. This isn't accurate. Then again....all's fair in love and war. Having played Joe numerous times in the past, i know he's not above using CVE's on the Japanese side in this manner.

other TF's

RED - Tracks the course of 3 TF's...(1 of AK's with light DD escort bringing in supply reinforcements for Lunga, 3 surface TF's (2 x BB; 4xCA;1xCL;8xDD) (2xCA;2xCL;8xDD (Allied mixed TF)) (2xCL;5xDD (Allied mixed TF) Its obvious which is my 'heavy hitter' TF......if my ops are contested, i hope the enemy runs first into the warm up TF's and then my coup de grace TF. That would be nice. [:D]

ORANGE - Transport containing I US Corps. Given that XIV corps is not arriving for another 29 days, added to the fact that i'm hamstrung in not being able to release any army INF troops for Guad/Tulagi duty.....i made the decision to switch the HQ from PM duty to Lunga. MacNik would not approve....so i simply didn't tell him!

Though SouthPac HQ can add weight to the defenders covering Lunga, nothing beats also having a frontline HQ present to help the odds.

PURPLE - shows routes of the last of the two subs i have assigned to frontline duty, They will head for the Shortlands area to interdict any attempts to enter the Slot and proceed towards my vacation spot.

Guadalcanal

It is "ON"

Many Japanese ships sighted North and NW of the slot. Lunga raided by multiple Zero sweeps from a northern direction. Massive Japanese losses reported (and not believed)

I'm hoping i got more than a dozen. My CV's are untouched. We were at extreme range....neither side "reacted" to the other. Soooooooo close. (though my carriers are set to range 6....no repeating the mistake of the last skirmish)



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 04, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 15


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged




Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.76 Sqd RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 35


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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
Raid is overhead
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VMF-224 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 29000 feet

CAP engaged:
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VMF-224 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 05, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
VMF-224 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged



Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lunga , at 114,138

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed




Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 29000 feet

CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VMF-224 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes

Situation map (enemy forces tracked)

Plan

I've always been a Spruance man.....not a Halsey man....so i'm going to do something different. I am not charging into battle. A good motivation why is that Admiral Murphy struck again.....for some reason my CVE group did not "follow" leaving a small but signifigant part of my air cover out of the potential battle. I could have sworn i ordered them.....radio garble? fumble fingers? the Finger of War? who knows.

Tempting to move forward and accept battle after Joe "reportedly" loses nearly two dozen fighters....fighters that now can't cover his strikes or his carriers. But he'll be expecting me to do that, and he NEEDS me to engage him if he plans to retake his lost property.

So.....no.

We were well painted by searchplanes. He knows i'm there. We will head south but with react still on. He'll need to dash SE at full speed to engage me and i'm not sure he'll want that (farther from base, worse for him if he's hit hard) + he needs to cover his other assets detected heading W or SW towards Shortlands(?) which may be a ruse. (he could be just hovering) (GREEN)

My convoy group with supply (RED) heads SE towards Efate/Luganville.

HQ convoy (ORANGE) continues on course.

replenishment TF (not shown) has 32k of supply (leaving a whopping 2,000 tons at Nomeau) and will hover SW of Efate.

There's risk involved......my fear is a long range strike that i can't answer (hopefully "react" will counter that)
but i am hoping to confuse him (and make him burn fuel) he too has to worry about things, like an End-Around attack on what KB is guarding/scouting for.

Henderson reinforced. Now sports four squadrons....(3 x VF + 1 VB) 72 fighters and 16 bombers. A bit of an overstuff but we'll see how well they do.

Withdrew the Aussie Beaufighters....they would probably be a non factor against shipping. I have also moved up a P-40 squadron to Luganville to reinforce if needed.

Its knuckle biting time.

Guadalcanal

First skirmish. Torpedo strike hits Japanese battleship Kirishima yee haw. (2nd hit on Hiei reported but its a dud)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 06, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 100,126

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD-31



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb AP Bomb

a Japanese AM manuvering ...(Ev 56 / Sp 18)
a Japanese CL manuvering changes...(Ev 52 / Sp 12)
a Japanese APD manuvering changes...(Ev 57 / Sp 21)
a Mutsuki class APD manuvering changes...(Ev 58 / Sp 13)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 100,126

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD-31



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb AP Bomb

a Japanese APD manuvering ...(Ev 50 / Sp 18)
a Japanese APD manuvering changes...(Ev 53 / Sp 12)
a Minekaze class APD manuvering changes...(Ev 54 / Sp 15)
a Japanese APD manuvering changes...(Ev 50 / Sp 17)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 109,131

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 8


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb AP Bomb
1 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb AP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

CA Ashigara manuvering well...(Ev 31 / Sp 31)
CA Ashigara manuvering changes...(Ev 33 / Sp 32)
CA Ashigara manuvering changes...(Ev 36 / Sp 32)
CA Ashigara manuvering changes...(Ev 28 / Sp 34)
CA Ashigara manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 33)
CA Ashigara manuvering changes...(Ev 36 / Sp 27)
CA Ashigara manuvering changes...(Ev 29 / Sp 37)
CA Ashigara manuvering changes...(Ev 33 / Sp 34)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tassafaronga at 113,137

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 9


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Torpedo hits 1
BB Hiei



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

BB Kirishima manuvering well...(Ev 31 / Sp 30)
BB Kirishima manuvering changes...(Ev 35 / Sp 21)
BB Kirishima manuvering well...(Ev 42 / Sp 23)
BB Kirishima manuvering changes...(Ev 41 / Sp 25)
BB Kirishima manuvering changes...(Ev 46 / Sp 25)
BB Hiei manuvering well...(Ev 31 / Sp 30)
BB Hiei manuvering changes...(Ev 34 / Sp 21)
BB Hiei manuvering changes...(Ev 31 / Sp 25)
BB Hiei manuvering changes...(Ev 25 / Sp 37)
BB Hiei manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 26)
BB Hiei manuvering changes...(Ev 28 / Sp 29)


I have gotten my carriers together and am now going to advance. Looks like Joe was hovering north given all the DB flights over Henderson reported. I am following with my convoys in the wake of my carriers.

Guadalcanal

At long last, the carriers duke it out. Massive exchanges and losses, but the INTEL reports from the pilots indicate that we may have won a victory. Only CV Wasp received serious damage. Our plane losses are heavy though.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 08, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 115,135

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 60 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
B5N1 Kate x 68
D3A1 Val x 9
D3A2 Val x 77



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 117


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 42 destroyed, 9 damaged
D3A1 Val: 6 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 38 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 1
BB South Dakota, Bomb hits 1
CLAA Atlanta
CA Chester
CV Saratoga
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 2
CV Hornet



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A2 Val diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg AP Bomb
1 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
10 x D3A2 Val diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg AP Bomb
1 x D3A2 Val diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg AP Bomb, 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A2 Val diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg AP Bomb
2 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
3 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VMF-112 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 55 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-223 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-224 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers

BB Indiana manuvering ...(Ev 54 / Sp 28)
BB Indiana manuvering changes...(Ev 54 / Sp 22)
BB Indiana manuvering changes...(Ev 59 / Sp 32)
an Allied CV manuvering ...(Ev 55 / Sp 28)
BB South Dakota manuvering ...(Ev 54 / Sp 27)
BB South Dakota manuvering changes...(Ev 59 / Sp 29)
BB South Dakota manuvering changes...(Ev 53 / Sp 23)
CLAA Atlanta manuvering rapidly...(Ev 26 / Sp 32)
CLAA Atlanta manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 37)
a Hawkins class CA manuvering rapidly...(Ev 28 / Sp 32)
an Allied AV manuvering changes...(Ev 28 / Sp 29)
an Allied CV manuvering rapidly...(Ev 7 / Sp 33)
an Allied CV manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 35)
a Wasp class CV manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 31)
BB South Dakota manuvering changes...(Ev 56 / Sp 30)
BB South Dakota manuvering changes...(Ev 53 / Sp 25)
BB South Dakota manuvering changes...(Ev 52 / Sp 31)
a Wasp class CV manuvering ...(Ev 55 / Sp 29)
a Indomitable class CV manuvering changes...(Ev 61 / Sp 33)
an Allied CV manuvering changes...(Ev 56 / Sp 23)
an Allied CV manuvering changes...(Ev 55 / Sp 26)
an Allied CA manuvering changes...(Ev 49 / Sp 27)
an Allied BB manuvering changes...(Ev 48 / Sp 32)
a North Carolina class BB manuvering changes...(Ev 58 / Sp 21)
a Nevada class BB manuvering changes...(Ev 56 / Sp 30)
an Allied CVL manuvering well...(Ev 32 / Sp 32)
an Allied CV manuvering changes...(Ev 34 / Sp 30)
an Allied CV manuvering changes...(Ev 36 / Sp 41)
an Allied BB manuvering changes...(Ev 34 / Sp 32)
a Lexington class CV manuvering changes...(Ev 31 / Sp 25)
an Allied CV manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 28)
an Allied CVL manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 29)
a Lexington class CV manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 35)
an Allied CV manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 25)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 80



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 97
SBD-3 Dauntless x 120
TBF-1 Avenger x 42


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 27 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 45 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 23 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Chikuma, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires
DD Akizuki
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CL Kinu, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Tone
DD Makigumo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Chokai
CL Tenryu
DD Takanami
CA Maya, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 2, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
16 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
17 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
13 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
7 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 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 23 minutes
DII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
DIII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
CII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes

CV Zuikaku manuvering well...(Ev 31 / Sp 34)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 23 / Sp 40)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 32 / Sp 30)
BB Haruna manuvering ...(Ev 7 / Sp 30)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 21)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 28)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 34)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 28)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 33 / Sp 32)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 31 / Sp 29)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 35 / Sp 33)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 27 / Sp 39)
CA Chikuma manuvering rapidly...(Ev 6 / Sp 35)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 31)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 35)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 28)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 31)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 29)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 36 / Sp 29)
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 33 / Sp 38)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 29 / Sp 31)
CV Shokaku manuvering well...(Ev 31 / Sp 34)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 27 / Sp 35)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 27 / Sp 35)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 24 / Sp 27)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 35)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 32 / Sp 29)
DD Akizuki manuvering rapidly...(Ev 21 / Sp 32)
DD Akizuki manuvering changes...(Ev 21 / Sp 35)
DD Akizuki manuvering changes...(Ev 21 / Sp 35)
BB Kongo manuvering well...(Ev 31 / Sp 30)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 28 / Sp 26)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 27 / Sp 34)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 29 / Sp 22)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 31 / Sp 38)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 37 / Sp 33)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 22 / Sp 26)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 32 / Sp 34)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 25 / Sp 35)
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 29 / Sp 37)
CV Zuikaku manuvering rapidly...(Ev 26 / Sp 31)
CL Kinu manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 29)
CL Kinu manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 30)
CL Kinu manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 33)
CL Kinu manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 33)
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Kinu
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 23)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 34)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 21)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 28)
CV Zuikaku manuvering rapidly...(Ev 6 / Sp 35)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 29)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 31 / Sp 30)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 37 / Sp 38)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 42)
CV Zuikaku manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 28)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 36)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 28)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 37)
CV Zuikaku manuvering rapidly...(Ev 17 / Sp 33)
a Japanese PG manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 29)
a Japanese CA manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 38)
a Japanese CA manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 38)
a Myoko class CA manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 36)
CV Shokaku manuvering ...(Ev 30 / Sp 32)
a Japanese CL manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 35)
a Japanese CA manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 26)
a Myoko class CA manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 35)
a Takao class CA manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 40)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 32 / Sp 35)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 34 / Sp 28)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 29)
CV Shokaku manuvering rapidly...(Ev 6 / Sp 32)
CA Chokai manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 28)
CA Chokai manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 34)
CA Chokai manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 33)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 31)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 34)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 29)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 37)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 37)
CV Zuikaku manuvering rapidly...(Ev 5 / Sp 31)
CL Tenryu manuvering changes...(Ev 5 / Sp 32)
CL Tenryu manuvering changes...(Ev 5 / Sp 38)
CL Tenryu manuvering changes...(Ev 5 / Sp 26)
CV Zuikaku manuvering rapidly...(Ev 17 / Sp 33)
DD Takanami manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 29)
DD Takanami manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 28)
DD Takanami manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 39)
DD Takanami manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 30)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 29)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 33)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 31)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 33)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 21)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 31)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 31)
a Japanese CA manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 26)
DD Makigumo manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 30)
DD Makigumo manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 30)
DD Makigumo manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 32)
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Makigumo
CV Shokaku manuvering ...(Ev 30 / Sp 32)
a Maya class CA manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 31)
a Japanese CA manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 36)
a Myoko class CA manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 25)
a Takao class CA manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 35)
CV Shokaku manuvering rapidly...(Ev 26 / Sp 32)
CL Sendai manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 31)
CL Sendai manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 30)
CL Sendai manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 35)
CL Sendai manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 35)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 33 / Sp 31)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 31 / Sp 31)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 34 / Sp 32)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 27 / Sp 34)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 36 / Sp 30)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 34 / Sp 36)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 29 / Sp 26)
BB Kongo manuvering changes...(Ev 33 / Sp 28)
a Japanese CA manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 31)
a Japanese CA manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 40)
a Japanese BB manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 28)
a Japanese CA manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 34)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 38)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 29)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 28)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 25)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 22)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 34)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 32)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 23)
DD Takanami manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 31)
DD Takanami manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 32)
DD Takanami manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 40)
DD Takanami manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 35)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 40)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 39)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 36)
CA Chikuma manuvering changes...(Ev 6 / Sp 33)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 26)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 31)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 25)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 27)
CL Tenryu manuvering changes...(Ev 5 / Sp 27)
CL Tenryu manuvering changes...(Ev 5 / Sp 38)
CL Tenryu manuvering changes...(Ev 5 / Sp 37)
CL Tenryu manuvering changes...(Ev 5 / Sp 24)
a Japanese DD manuvering changes...(Ev 21 / Sp 26)
a Shiratsuyu class DD manuvering changes...(Ev 21 / Sp 29)
a Akitsuki class DD manuvering changes...(Ev 21 / Sp 33)
a Japanese DD manuvering changes...(Ev 21 / Sp 24)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 32 / Sp 34)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 34 / Sp 33)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 25 / Sp 40)
CV Shokaku manuvering changes...(Ev 28 / Sp 39)
a Takao class CA manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 25)
CA Maya manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 35)
CA Maya manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 28)
CA Maya manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 36)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 27)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 38)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 27)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 34)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 28)
BB Haruna manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 27)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 8 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 destroyed



CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
DII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
DIII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
CII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 8000 feet *
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
DII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
CII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
DIII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers

CV Hiyo manuvering ...(Ev 56 / Sp 25)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 55 / Sp 22)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 51 / Sp 26)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22



Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
DII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
CII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
DIII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18



Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed



CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
DII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
CII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
DIII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12



Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 8


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, on fire
CA Maya, on fire



CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
CII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
DII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
DIII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes

CL Sendai manuvering well...(Ev 34 / Sp 25)
CL Sendai manuvering changes...(Ev 36 / Sp 26)
CL Sendai manuvering changes...(Ev 38 / Sp 26)
CA Maya manuvering well...(Ev 41 / Sp 26)
CA Maya manuvering changes...(Ev 42 / Sp 26)
CA Maya manuvering changes...(Ev 45 / Sp 26)
CA Maya manuvering changes...(Ev 44 / Sp 31)
CA Maya manuvering changes...(Ev 47 / Sp 20)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Isonami



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes

DD Isonami manuvering rapidly...(Ev 3 / Sp 33)
DD Isonami manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 31)
DD Isonami manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 38)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 2



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Raid is overhead

CA Ashigara manuvering well...(Ev 31 / Sp 31)
CA Ashigara manuvering changes...(Ev 30 / Sp 31)
CA Ashigara manuvering changes...(Ev 37 / Sp 36)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 09, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
DII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
DIII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
CII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16
TBF-1 Avenger x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 2
BB Yamato
CVE Unyo



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
DII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 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 36 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
DIII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
CII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers

CV Hiyo manuvering ...(Ev 56 / Sp 25)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 53 / Sp 28)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 51 / Sp 24)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 53 / Sp 20)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 54 / Sp 23)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 54 / Sp 30)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 57 / Sp 25)
BB Yamato manuvering ...(Ev 58 / Sp 27)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 53 / Sp 24)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 55 / Sp 26)
CVE Unyo manuvering ...(Ev 56 / Sp 20)
CVE Unyo manuvering changes...(Ev 65 / Sp 18)
CVE Unyo manuvering changes...(Ev 55 / Sp 21)
CVE Unyo manuvering changes...(Ev 57 / Sp 14)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auki at 115,135

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 60 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N1 Kate x 11
D3A1 Val x 3
D3A2 Val x 5



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 49


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 7 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
VMF-224 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
SBD-3 Dauntless x 79
TBF-1 Avenger x 35


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 24 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 27 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Arashi
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Zuikaku, heavy damage
CV Junyo
DD Nowaki
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 1
DD Tanikaze
CA Aoba



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
13 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
16 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
11 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
DII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
DIII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
CII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes

CV Hiyo manuvering ...(Ev 75 / Sp 23)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 75 / Sp 29)
CA Myoko manuvering well...(Ev 31 / Sp 31)
CA Myoko manuvering changes...(Ev 39 / Sp 25)
CA Myoko manuvering changes...(Ev 33 / Sp 30)
CA Myoko manuvering changes...(Ev 29 / Sp 32)
CL Tatsuta manuvering rapidly...(Ev 24 / Sp 31)
CL Tatsuta manuvering changes...(Ev 24 / Sp 29)
CL Tatsuta manuvering changes...(Ev 24 / Sp 32)
CL Tatsuta manuvering changes...(Ev 24 / Sp 38)
CL Tatsuta manuvering changes...(Ev 24 / Sp 33)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 75 / Sp 17)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 75 / Sp 18)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 75 / Sp 20)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 75 / Sp 26)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 75 / Sp 18)
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hiyo
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 75 / Sp 27)
CV Hiyo manuvering changes...(Ev 75 / Sp 16)
CL Tatsuta manuvering changes...(Ev 24 / Sp 26)
CV Hiyo manuvering rapidly...(Ev 17 / Sp 33)
a Japanese APD manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 36)
a Shiratsuyu class DD manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 37)
a Shiratsuyu class DD manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 31)
a Fubuki(III) class DD manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 30)
BB Yamato manuvering ...(Ev 58 / Sp 27)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 64 / Sp 33)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 58 / Sp 31)
a Kaga class CV manuvering well...(Ev 49 / Sp 22)
a Japanese TK manuvering changes...(Ev 45 / Sp 16)
CV Junyo manuvering ...(Ev 56 / Sp 25)
CV Junyo manuvering changes...(Ev 53 / Sp 18)
CV Hiyo manuvering rapidly...(Ev 3 / Sp 33)
DD Nowaki manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 34)
DD Nowaki manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 36)
DD Nowaki manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 35)
CV Hiyo manuvering rapidly...(Ev 26 / Sp 31)
a Japanese BB manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 34)
a Japanese CL manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 26)
a Yubari class CL manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 33)
a Nagara class CL manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 30)
CA Haguro manuvering well...(Ev 31 / Sp 31)
CV Hiyo manuvering rapidly...(Ev 3 / Sp 33)
DD Tanikaze manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 35)
DD Tanikaze manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 27)
DD Tanikaze manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 35)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 49 / Sp 23)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 55 / Sp 25)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 64 / Sp 34)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 52 / Sp 30)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 56 / Sp 23)
DD Nowaki manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 30)
a Japanese CA manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 31)
a Yugumo class DD manuvering changes...(Ev 17 / Sp 25)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 57 / Sp 23)
DD Nowaki manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 40)
DD Nowaki manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 31)
DD Nowaki manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 27)
CA Myoko manuvering changes...(Ev 22 / Sp 36)
CA Myoko manuvering changes...(Ev 36 / Sp 32)
CA Myoko manuvering changes...(Ev 29 / Sp 33)
CA Myoko manuvering changes...(Ev 29 / Sp 36)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 57 / Sp 33)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 55 / Sp 32)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 57 / Sp 30)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 51 / Sp 27)
DD Nowaki manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 29)
DD Nowaki manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 37)
DD Nowaki manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 32)
DD Nowaki manuvering changes...(Ev 3 / Sp 32)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 51 / Sp 29)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 59 / Sp 29)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 57 / Sp 29)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 62 / Sp 26)
a Soryu class CV manuvering changes...(Ev 46 / Sp 21)
a Japanese CV manuvering changes...(Ev 52 / Sp 16)
a Akagi class CV manuvering changes...(Ev 54 / Sp 22)
a Japanese CS manuvering rapidly...(Ev 29 / Sp 31)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 61 / Sp 23)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 54 / Sp 27)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 55 / Sp 24)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 56 / Sp 24)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 58 / Sp 28)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 54 / Sp 24)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 62 / Sp 25)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 58 / Sp 34)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 51 / Sp 24)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 52 / Sp 21)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 58 / Sp 25)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 52 / Sp 27)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 61 / Sp 24)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 49 / Sp 22)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 59 / Sp 27)
BB Yamato manuvering changes...(Ev 64 / Sp 32)
CA Haguro manuvering changes...(Ev 35 / Sp 27)
CA Haguro manuvering changes...(Ev 32 / Sp 35)
CA Haguro manuvering changes...(Ev 34 / Sp 27)
CA Haguro manuvering changes...(Ev 33 / Sp 33)
a Japanese DD manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 32)
a Kitakami class CL manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 25)
CL Isuzu manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 24)
CL Isuzu manuvering changes...(Ev 26 / Sp 25)
CL Tatsuta manuvering changes...(Ev 24 / Sp 34)
CL Tatsuta manuvering changes...(Ev 24 / Sp 38)
CL Tatsuta manuvering changes...(Ev 24 / Sp 28)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
SBD-3 Dauntless x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
DIII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
CII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
DII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes

a Ryujo class CVL manuvering ...(Ev 7 / Sp 28)
a Ryuho class CVL manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 24)
a Japanese CVL manuvering changes...(Ev 7 / Sp 29)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Katori



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
DIII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
CII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

a Japanese CL manuvering ...(Ev 72 / Sp 0)
Katori dead in the water ...

with the reported damage to at least 3 major Japanese carriers + the massive plane losses reported suffered by their bombers, I am sending in the convoys with their heavy surface escort. The CV's will stand their ground this time and offer continued battle if Joe doesn't withdraw to lick his wounds. This is the "fight to the death" part of the game for me. Wasp will stay with the main group despite her damage. Its a brutal decision but if we face more attacks, i'd rather she absorbed a few more than one of my 3 intact flight decks. Besides which, the risk for sub interception with a minimal escort would also be high.

Rabaul remains Joe's only fully intact trump card. Henderson is choked right now with airplanes and has suffered heavy fighter losses. I've sent in the P-40 squadron as a reinforcement. The main protection for the convoys will be the mass AA firepower of the surface escorts.

.

Congratulants old chap… looks like you’ve won sea-control. [&o]

Thx...you may be right

Guadalcanal

The Battle of the Eastern Solomons "appears" to be over. The Japanese have bugged out.......no ships detected anywhere in the vicinity of my carriers or Lunga. My sub screen failed to intercept any ships....including possible cripples. [:@] Oh well....their torps would probably have been duds anyway.

I am of course, tempted to pursue....but like Spruance, its all about the mission, not the glory....besides which sailing into Rabaul's range with depleted airgroups would not be a smart move. Joe being Joe, he's kept Rabaul's airforce mostly grounded, save for the prior Surge that focused on Milne Bay so he has alot of 2E bombers that could tip the balance back in Japan's favor.

So no...the carriers will remain NE of Henderson covering my ops. Boring but safe. INTEL provided two interesting blurbs, (see photo). This would appear to indicate that Joe has given up trying to reinforce or invade Guadalcanal. If true, then final victory may be at hand. Lunga's survival is all but assured.

Shortlands

Recon flights had indicated a very large transport force was anchored in Shortlands. This was too good an opportunity to pass up, so I sent in the Australians....a powerful joint TF headed by 2 x CA's supported by a further 2 x CL's (including the well armed Boise) with a large DD escort.

Charging in at full speed, they caught the lightly defended force fully by suprise and commenced to deliver a beating that the Japanese command will not soon forget. All the anchored transports were sunk along with 2 of the converted escorts. The only real damage suffered by my force was when the Leander collided with the destroyer Case causing signifigant damage to both ships. A return more than worth the virtual destruction of the Japanese force.

Submarines take shots at ships heading away from Shortlands but either miss or get dud hits.



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 14, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Shortlands at 109,131, Range 25,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Harukaze
E Hatakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
PB Shosei Maru, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PB Sozan Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAK Canberra Maru, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
xAK Kano Maru, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
xAK Keiyo Maru, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
xAK Tatumiya Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Wales Maru, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAK Ikuta Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAK Kasyu Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Sansei Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Tangyang Maru, Shell hits 16, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 1
CA Canberra, Shell hits 1
CL Leander
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
DD Jarvis
DD McCall
DD Dunlap
DD Drayton, Shell hits 1
DD Lamson
DD Case
DD Shaw
DD Perkins, Shell hits 1



Reduced sighting due to 53% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 53% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 35,000 yards
Range closes to 30,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 25,000 yards
CL Boise fires at E Hatakaze at 25,000 yards
CA Australia fires at E Harukaze at 25,000 yards
CL Boise fires at PB Sozan Maru at 25,000 yards
CL Boise fires at PB Shosei Maru at 25,000 yards
CA Australia fires at xAK Wales Maru at 25,000 yards
CA Australia fires at xAK Keiyo Maru at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
CA Australia engages E Harukaze at 21,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Wales Maru at 21,000 yards
CL Leander engages xAK Wales Maru at 21,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Sansei Maru at 21,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Wales Maru at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CA Australia engages xAK Keiyo Maru at 20,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Sozan Maru at 20,000 yards
CA Australia engages xAK Wales Maru at 20,000 yards
CA Australia engages xAK Keiyo Maru at 20,000 yards
CA Australia engages xAK Canberra Maru at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Wales Maru at 18,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Harukaze at 18,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Wales Maru at 18,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Shosei Maru at 18,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Sansei Maru at 18,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Kasyu Maru at 18,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Wales Maru at 18,000 yards
DD McCall engages xAK Wales Maru at 18,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages xAK Wales Maru at 18,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Canberra Maru at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Hatakaze at 17,000 yards
xAK Wales Maru sunk by CL Boise at 17,000 yards
CL Boise engages PB Shosei Maru at 17,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Tangyang Maru at 17,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Sansei Maru at 17,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Kasyu Maru at 17,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Ikuta Maru at 17,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Tatumiya Maru at 17,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Kano Maru at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CL Leander collides with DD Case at 109 , 131
CL Boise engages E Hatakaze at 13,000 yards
CL Boise engages PB Sozan Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Shaw engages xAK Sansei Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Case engages xAK Kasyu Maru at 13,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Ikuta Maru at 13,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Keiyo Maru at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Harukaze at 11,000 yards
CL Leander engages xAK Keiyo Maru at 11,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Kasyu Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Lamson engages xAK Tangyang Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages xAK Keiyo Maru at 11,000 yards
DD McCall engages xAK Canberra Maru at 11,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages xAK Sansei Maru at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
xAK Kasyu Maru sunk by CA Canberra at 9,000 yards
xAK Sansei Maru sunk by CA Australia at 9,000 yards
CL Leander engages PB Shosei Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Keiyo Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Shaw engages xAK Tangyang Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Lamson engages xAK Keiyo Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Drayton engages xAK Tangyang Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages xAK Tangyang Maru at 9,000 yards
DD McCall engages xAK Canberra Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Canberra Maru at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Keiyo Maru at 10,000 yards
CL Boise engages E Harukaze at 10,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Tangyang Maru at 10,000 yards
CL Boise engages PB Shosei Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Keiyo Maru at 10,000 yards
DD McCall engages xAK Ikuta Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Case engages xAK Tangyang Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Drayton engages xAK Keiyo Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages xAK Keiyo Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Canberra engages xAK Ikuta Maru at 6,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Harukaze at 6,000 yards
xAK Keiyo Maru sunk by CL Leander at 6,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Tatumiya Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Shaw engages xAK Tangyang Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Case engages xAK Tangyang Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Lamson engages xAK Ikuta Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Drayton engages xAK Tatumiya Maru at 6,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages xAK Ikuta Maru at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CL Boise engages E Hatakaze at 7,000 yards
CA Australia engages E Harukaze at 7,000 yards
CA Canberra engages PB Sozan Maru at 7,000 yards
CL Leander engages xAK Canberra Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Drayton engages xAK Ikuta Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Shaw engages xAK Canberra Maru at 7,000 yards
xAK Tatumiya Maru sunk by DD Case at 7,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages xAK Canberra Maru at 7,000 yards
DD Jarvis engages xAK Canberra Maru at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Hatakaze at 9,000 yards
CA Australia engages E Hatakaze at 9,000 yards
CL Boise engages E Hatakaze at 9,000 yards
PB Shosei Maru sunk by CA Canberra at 9,000 yards
DD Lamson engages xAK Canberra Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages xAK Ikuta Maru at 9,000 yards
DD McCall engages xAK Canberra Maru at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Hatakaze at 10,000 yards
CA Australia engages E Harukaze at 10,000 yards
PB Sozan Maru sunk by CA Canberra at 10,000 yards
CL Leander engages xAK Ikuta Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Ikuta Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Drayton engages xAK Canberra Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Hatakaze at 8,000 yards
CA Australia engages E Hatakaze at 8,000 yards
CL Boise engages E Hatakaze at 8,000 yards
DD McCall engages xAK Canberra Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Kano Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Shaw engages xAK Canberra Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Case engages xAK Canberra Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Lamson engages xAK Kano Maru at 8,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages xAK Kano Maru at 8,000 yards
xAK Canberra Maru sunk by DD McCall at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Hatakaze at 9,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Harukaze at 9,000 yards
DD Case engages xAK Kano Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Perkins engages xAK Kano Maru at 9,000 yards
DD Drayton engages xAK Kano Maru at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Hatakaze at 10,000 yards
CA Australia engages E Harukaze at 10,000 yards
CL Boise engages xAK Kano Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Case engages xAK Kano Maru at 10,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages E Harukaze at 10,000 yards
DD McCall engages xAK Kano Maru at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Hatakaze at 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Harukaze at 8,000 yards
xAK Kano Maru sunk by CL Boise at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Hatakaze at 9,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Harukaze at 9,000 yards
DD Shaw engages E Harukaze at 9,000 yards
DD Case engages E Harukaze at 9,000 yards
DD Lamson engages E Harukaze at 9,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages E Harukaze at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Hatakaze at 14,000 yards
CA Australia engages E Harukaze at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
CA Canberra engages E Hatakaze at 21,000 yards
CA Australia engages E Hatakaze at 21,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards
CA Australia engages E Harukaze at 27,000 yards
Range increases to 34,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Buka at 108,128

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
DD Isonami
DD Yugumo

Allied Ships
SS Snapper, hits 6



SS Snapper launches 4 torpedoes at CA Ashigara
Snapper diving deep ....
DD Isonami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yugumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Isonami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yugumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Isonami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yugumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Isonami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yugumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortlands at 110,131

Japanese Ships
E Hatakaze
E Harukaze

Allied Ships
SS Wahoo, hits 2



SS Wahoo launches 6 torpedoes at E Hatakaze
Wahoo bottoming out ....
E Hatakaze attacking submerged sub ....
E Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hatakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hatakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hatakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Harukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 5


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD-38
DMS W.21



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb AP Bomb
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

APD-38 manuvering ...(Ev 57 / Sp 18)
APD-38 manuvering changes...(Ev 65 / Sp 19)
APD-38 manuvering changes...(Ev 62 / Sp 23)
APD-38 manuvering changes...(Ev 59 / Sp 22)
DMS W.21 manuvering ...(Ev 45 / Sp 19)
DMS W.21 manuvering changes...(Ev 49 / Sp 23)
DMS W.21 manuvering changes...(Ev 46 / Sp 25)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 109,131

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

CA Ashigara manuvering well...(Ev 31 / Sp 31)
CA Ashigara manuvering changes...(Ev 37 / Sp 32)

Ouch! What a beating!

I see the surface combat model has been tweaked muchly. I like. [:D]

Nik, thanks for the great AAR. I see a lot I like about AE in general and this scenario in particular. You've played very well to boot. [:D]

From a scenario balance standpoint, I have a concern that the IJA may not have enough LCUs to re-take Lunga or even to win on points. I don't base my opinion on the results of this playthrough, but rather on the database error you mentioned several pages ago that put significant US Army LCUs into a "hard-coded" restricted command. Even assuming the Japanese player makes a concentrated push, if the Allied player has the PPs (and I note that in the screenshot above you have 2726) to release numerous additional LCUs into the main theater, it could be very tough sledding for the Japanese side.

Of course, you know the OOBs better than I do, so please take this with a grain of salt. [;)]