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Posted: **Thu Jul 12, 2018 1:38 pm**

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Blame Ensign Palmer.

Who is this? A cross between Ensign Pulver and Jimmy Palmer from NCIS?

Posted: **Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:48 pm**

14 June 1942

His carriers are now just off Milne Bay, while mine just departed Townsville. I'm racing them north, so we should clash tomorrow. I've been looking forward to this.

P-39s for the 10th AF arrived at Cape Town. Shipping to India.

North Carolina will arrive on-map from Panama next turn. San Juan just departed there.

Stuff's unloading at Noumea. I'll have lots of forces there before I'm done. I may be able to kick off into the Solomons with what I'll have there. More likely, I'll secure Luganville and other bases first.

Posted: **Thu Jul 12, 2018 11:24 pm**

ORIGINAL: Mundy

His carriers are now just off Milne Bay, while mine just departed Townsville. I'm racing them north, so we should clash tomorrow. I've been looking forward to this.

Happy hunting!

Posted: **Fri Jul 13, 2018 2:36 pm**

Thanks.

15 June 1942

We clash. I appear to have caught him with his pants down, as I strike and he doesn't. My results weren't all that amazing.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 103,134

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 239

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 4
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3
Martlet II x 8
F4F-3A Wildcat x 13
F4F-3 Wildcat x 39
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
SBC-4 Helldiver x 7
SBD-2 Dauntless x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 106
TBD-1 Devastator x 45
TBF-1 Avenger x 29

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBC-4 Helldiver: 1 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 destroyed, 25 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBD-1 Devastator: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Zuikaku
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Ryujo
CVL Zuiho, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Akagi
CS Chiyoda
DD Kuroshio
DD Akigumo
DD Natsugumo
DD Kagero
DD Ariake

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
9 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBC-4 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBC-4 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1/A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
3rd Ku S-1' with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (5 airborne, 10 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1/B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Yokosuka Ku S-1/A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Yokosuka Ku S-1/B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Yokosuka Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1/C with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
3rd Ku S-1 Det B' with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (4 airborne, 11 on standby, 2 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 11 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers

Ammo storage explosion on CV Kaga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Kaga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Soryu
Fuel storage explosion on CVL Zuiho

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 103,134

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 235

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Soryu-1/A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
3rd Ku S-1' with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (12 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
Soryu-1/B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (4 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
Soryu-1/C with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 Det B' with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (18 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
18 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Raid is overhead
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 1 on standby, 2 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (8 airborne, 4 on standby, 2 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 69 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (5 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 80 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (5 airborne, 2 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (4 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (6 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (7 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

Intel screen shows Kaga and Zuiho dead, but the aircraft losses screen doesn't seem to reflect this. Either way, they're hosed. I'll keep my ships in the area for another shot. His fighter strength should be reduced from this and hopefully the other carriers will continue burning to help me. My fighter losses weren't too bad, so I should be good there. I have two S-boats a few hexes away, which could cause more trouble for him.

Bombers from Port Moresby also strike and mostly get shredded. They did put a hit on Africa Maru at Milne Bay.

He's attacked at Soerabaja for three days now, with my losses mounting. Odds have fluctuated a bit here. I'd give them two more days tops.

My heavy bombers from the States should reach Cape Town in a week. More weapons for India.

Posted: **Fri Jul 13, 2018 7:41 pm**

Good show really! You probably sunk 1 CV and a CVL and damaged 2 more CVs. He had massive CAP up and maybe the bad weather hid you but by the size of his CAP 239 based on 6 CVs and 2 CVLs, that would constitute almost all his Zeros anyways. So it may be that he was using max CAP and had not set his strike aircraft to naval attack hoping to weather a first strike and then counter the next day after you fighters and bombers had blunted themselves on his Zeros.

Posted: **Fri Jul 13, 2018 10:08 pm**

Weird...

Going through Combat Reporter, I go to the Combat section of the Ops Report and see this.

CVE Taiyo is reported HIT
CVE Taiyo is reported HIT
CV Kaga is reported HIT
a Mogami class CA is reported HIT

I'm guessing one of the search planes might have hit Taiyo. I couldn't tell, as Steve has the turn info set to extreme speedo setting, so all the messages fly by very quickly -- too fast to follow.

Posted: **Fri Jul 13, 2018 10:31 pm**

If the CR shows all the ships in his TF, it is very weakly escorted - one BB and some DDs. Unless he has separate SCTFs in the same hex, he is begging for a night intercept by a strong cruiser TF!

Posted: **Sat Jul 14, 2018 9:46 am**

I'm not confident the combat report shows everything. Just what was attacked.

Either way, I don't have the resources for a surface engagement. I've only CLs at Townsville and I'm not stripping my carrier groups for this.

Next turn will probably be bloodier for all involved. After that, I'll pull back to Noumea.

Stuff's unloading well at Noumea. Two divisions nearly unloaded. Lots more will be there within a week. All this is more of a sideshow to protect what's going on there.

Posted: **Sat Jul 14, 2018 10:59 am**

16 June 1942

My bombardment force reaches Colombo. The results were quite embarrassing.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Colombo at 29,48, Range 1,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranui
DD Nowaki
DD Umikaze, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire~
CL Enterprise~
CL Dauntless~, Shell hits 1
CL Mauritius~, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Norman
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Arrow
DD Fortune~
DD Griffin~
DD Hotspur~
DD Inconstant~
DD Isis~

Poor visibility due to Rain with 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 3% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
DD Umikaze engages DD Fortune~ at 1,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages CL Mauritius~ at 1,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Nowaki at 1,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Hotspur~ at 1,000 yards
Koga, Magatorou orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 2,000 yards
CL Mauritius~ sunk by DD Nowaki at 2,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DD Fortune~ at 2,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 2,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Norman at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CA Devonshire~ at 6,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 6,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Arrow at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 7,000 yards
DD Norman engages DD Nowaki at 7,000 yards
CL Enterprise~ engages DD Nowaki at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...

---------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Colombo at 29,48, Range 1,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire~, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Enterprise~
CL Dauntless~, Shell hits 1
DD Norman
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Arrow
DD Fortune~
DD Griffin~
DD Hotspur~
DD Inconstant~
DD Isis~

Low visibility due to Rain with 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 3% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
CA Devonshire~ engages DD Minazuki at 1,000 yards
Massive explosion on DD Satsuki
CA Devonshire~ sunk by DD Satsuki at 1,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Isis~ at 1,000 yards
Hirayama, Toshio orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 2,000 yards
DD Isis~ engages DD Minazuki at 2,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Isis~ at 2,000 yards
DD Satsuki sunk by DD Isis~ at 2,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Minazuki at 2,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Minazuki at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Minazuki at 6,000 yards
DD Minazuki engages DD Norman at 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...

---------------------------------------------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Colombo at 29,48, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranui, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Enterprise~
CL Dauntless~, Shell hits 2
DD Norman
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Arrow
DD Fortune~
DD Griffin~
DD Hotspur~
DD Inconstant~
DD Isis~

Reduced visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DD Arrow at 11,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DD Norman at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages CL Dauntless~ at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Shiranui at 10,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DD Norman at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Shiranui at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Shiranui at 14,000 yards
Koga, Magatorou orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 17,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DD Norman at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Shiranui at 20,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Shiranui at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Shiranui at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Shiranui at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Shiranui at 16,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DD Isis~ at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Shiranui at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Isis~ engages DD Shiranui at 11,000 yards
CL Enterprise~ engages DD Shiranui at 11,000 yards
DD Norman engages DD Shiranui at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CL Dauntless~ engages DD Shiranui at 16,000 yards
DD Arrow engages DD Shiranui at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Night Naval bombardment of Colombo at 29,48

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero-Reisen: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless~
CL Enterprise~
DD Isis~
DD Inconstant~
DD Hotspur~
DD Griffin~
DD Fortune~
DD Arrow
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Norman

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

CL Dauntless~ firing at 9th Division
Walrus II acting as spotter for CL Enterprise~
CL Enterprise~ firing at 9th Division
DD Isis~ firing at Colombo
DD Inconstant~ firing at 9th Division
DD Hotspur~ firing at 65th Brigade
DD Griffin~ firing at 9th Division
DD Fortune~ firing at 9th Division
DD Arrow firing at 9th Division
DD Tjerk Hiddes firing at 9th Division
DD Norman firing at 9th Division

Two cruisers lost to three destroyers. Definitely not worth the effort. I may need to keep a battleship in the area to help, but with my luck will probably get torpedoed also.

Forgot to mention, but Sabang fell some 5 days ago. Soerabaja just fell now. In both locations, many units retreated, so he'll be chasing them down for awhile. He's made some halfhearted attacks at Tarakan, and Balikpapan is still unmolested. He hasn't taken anything past Java at this point.

Wasp arrived in Panama and is now departed for Pearl. Her torpedo squadron only has 9 Devastators in it. They'll flip to TBFs when they get to Pearl.

Meanwhile, by New Guinea...

None of the carrier aviation flew this turn. Weather must be the issue. Planes from Port Moresby attempted to hit ships at Milne Bay, but were fought off. His carriers are headed back towards Rabaul. Mine are meeting up with my tankers near Noumea before heading back to Pearl. Everyone needs to get stocked back up, as I'm badly depleted. On the intel screen 11 Kates and 5 Zekes went down as a result of "ground" so I'm guessing Zuiho took the plunge. Sort of an inconclusive affair, but hey...none of my carriers got touched. Illustrious and Wasp will be added to the fleet by the time I get back. Losing Kaga does take a bite out of his naval aviation.

Once I get back, I'll probably start dealing with the rest of the Marshalls areal. I'd like to grab Ponape and Kusaie, as well as bases like Wotje, so I can have overlapping air coverage and make them KB proof.

Once I get settled in at Noumea, I may grab Guadalcanal, as he hasn't really moved far into the Solomons yet. I have plenty of ground units at San Francisco and Pearl I can get shipped to the front.

Posted: **Sat Jul 14, 2018 4:03 pm**

Engagement range at 1000 yds for the first two encounters was a very bad die roll for the visibility conditions. Hard to dodge a long lance at that range. Bad luck/misfortunes of war!

Posted: **Sat Aug 11, 2018 8:25 pm**

11 July 1942

Sorry about the delay. I was dealing with some AAR burnout for awhile.

I've been fairly busy. I unloaded lots of troops and planes at Noumea. I had stacking issues, so a division, base force and coastal artillery have headed to Koumac. Only the Coast Arty is still enroute. Other convoys originally bound for Noumea have diverted to Efate. I'm also unloading lots of troops at Lunga. That group just encountered a sub this turn, so I hope it doesn't trip him off to intercept my ships.

One of my RN carriers, Formidable, I think is enroute to San Francisco due to an impending withdrawal.

I have lots of base units and engineers at the extreme southern bases in India, getting them built up. My heavy bombers from the US are just starting to arrive on-map, enroute to Karachi.

I paid Milne Bay a visit last turn. He had three DDs there guarding, but they were brushed aside. If I was more awake, I would have followed it up with an airstrike that turn.

Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero-Reisen: 27 damaged
A6M3 Zero-Reisen: 3 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero-Reisen: 5 damaged
A6M2 Zero-Reisen: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CA Portland
CL Helena
CL St Louis
CL Durban~
CL Perth
CL De Ruyter
CL Sumatra
DD Scout
DD Barker
DD Russell
DD Anderson
DD Sims
DD Monssen

Japanese ground losses:
780 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 80 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 14
Runway hits 84
Port hits 1

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Indianapolis
CA Indianapolis firing at Milne Bay
CA Portland firing at Milne Bay
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Helena
CL Helena firing at 38th Division
CL St Louis firing at 38th Division
CL Durban~ firing at 38th Division
CL Perth firing at 38th Division
CL De Ruyter firing at 38th Division
CL Sumatra firing at 38th Division
DD Scout firing at Milne Bay
DD Barker firing at 38th Division
DD Russell firing at Milne Bay
DD Anderson firing at 38th Division
DD Sims firing at Milne Bay
DD Monssen firing at Milne Bay

Subs are operating wholesale from Kwajalein. Lots of S-boats covering Truk. It's a very nice sub base, with a much reduced transit time.

Posted: **Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:40 pm**

12 July 1942

Not much this day.

My ships arrived at Lunga. I got cold feet about this, as a pack of destroyers with a CVE were at the Shortlands looking like they're going east. I've re-routed them to Luganville instead. This group was sighted. I'm hoping he thinks I have troops already ashore there. If so, it may put off any action by him there until I really move guys in.

I've a couple days until my carriers finish their upgrades. I'll probably move them to the Solomons to cover a real Lunga landing at that point. If I can get a good mutually covering grid of bases set up in the Solomons within the next few months, by life in that part should become easier.

Posted: **Mon Aug 13, 2018 4:00 am**

I'm just catching up here. Good show on the carrier battle. He had a lot of his CAP at 2,000 and 5,000 feet. I'm guessing if he had it all up around 10,000 feet you'd have done a lot worse.

Cheers,
CB

Posted: **Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:52 am**

Very good on the carrier strike. Anytime that you ca reduce the Japanese carrier strength without losing any is a good thing.

Bad luck on the surface combats but that is the type of weather for PT boats and IJN DDs. Low moonlight and storms allow them to get close and launch torpedoes. Then get out of the combat zone.

Posted: **Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:20 pm**

Thanks,

On the intel screen, I have no confirmation of Kaga going down yet -- only Zuiho. She took way too many hits to get out alive. Soryu and Shokaku were hit pretty good, too.

My dive bomber pools are pretty drained right now, so it'll be some time until I can get everyone up to strength again. If I get desperate, I could flip a squadron to Vindicators. Some of my VMSB squadrons are flying SNJs right now.

Posted: **Tue Aug 21, 2018 7:07 pm**

18 July 1942

A big group of carriers and other assorted ships are 17 hexes WSW of Kwajalein, headed east. It doesn't appear to be a raid, as I don't yet see any transports involved. I'm sortieing 6 carriers from Pearl to intercept, though I think they'll be too late. Maybe a day or two at full throttle will help. I'll send oilers out also. If he does try to land troops it'll be an ugly fight for him, as I left good garrisons there.

A good pack of battleships appears to still be sitting at Colombo. I've 4 squadrons of USAAF heavies at Trivandrum, so if anything goes to port, I'll hit them. Recon Hurricanes are keeping watch daily.

Troops are landed at Luganville and Efate. Once they have airfields, I'll spread some aircraft around. I'm overstacked at Noumea as it is.

Posted: **Sat Aug 25, 2018 10:07 am**

22 July 1942

His naval force is parked at Jaluit, with the carriers one hex SE. He's either reinforcing or withdrawing the troops there. If the latter, he may be stuck awhile getting them loaded up. My carriers are two days away from being in range. My planes at Roi-Namur make a strike on the near group. His CAP didn't look overly heavy, but maybe because it was an adjacent hex.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Jaluit at 134,120

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 58
A6M2-N Rufe-iSuisen x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9
F4F-3 Wildcat x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe-iSuisen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 13 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Tone

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Ku S-1'~ with A6M2-N Rufe-iSuisen (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Raid is overhead
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Yokosuka Ku S-1/A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Yokosuka Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Raid is overhead
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Raid is overhead
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1 Det B' with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Raid is overhead
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Raid is overhead
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Raid is overhead

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Jaluit at 134,120

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 39
A6M2-N Rufe-iSuisen x 1

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed

CAP engaged:
5th Ku S-1'~ with A6M2-N Rufe-iSuisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 75 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 Det B' with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 67 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 74 minutes

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Jaluit at 134,120

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 38
A6M2-N Rufe-iSuisen x 1

Allied aircraft
SBD-2 Dauntless x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kako

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Ku S-1'~ with A6M2-N Rufe-iSuisen (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Raid is overhead
Yokosuka Ku S-1/A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 62 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 Det B' with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Raid is overhead
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 79 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes

I don't like these losses as my dive bomber pool is pretty much empty right now. As it is, few of my carrier DB squadrons are at full strength, though I'm stocked in fighters and torpedo planes.

I'm calculating I'll be 6 hexes away in 2 days.

My forces at Luganville are loading up for Lunga (again). I didn't realize I actually unloaded troops there before, so I'm getting everyone together I hope to have an airfield up and running there soon. Two convoys from Brisbane are enroute with supply. Supply's getting thin in Oz, and I really need to get the logistics up and right in the SPA running soon. Not sure yet, if Pago Pago and Suva will play a role yet or not. I should probably use Suva and move all my xAKLs there. Shipping's been tight overall, and I have a logjam of troops in San Francisco waiting for shipment to Pearl

Fairly quiet in China and India. Lots of building and reinforcing at the latter. I think I have most of the usual lesser invasion bases covered with troops.

Posted: **Mon Aug 27, 2018 7:41 pm**

24 July 1942

The Clash... sorta...

My planes sortie out against his carriers, and other ships. His CAP was too strong for me, and I had less than an optimal situation with the escorts. Some groups went in unescorted and got trounced. Maybe it's the Allies not able to cooperate with their carriers like the Japanese. A number of torpedoes also dudded.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ebon at 132,125

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 88

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 14
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32
SBD-3 Dauntless x 66
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 27 destroyed, 5 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho
CV Zuikaku
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 1
CV Akagi
BB Kirishima

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 Det B' with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (6 airborne, 13 on standby, 8 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 6 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ebon at 132,125

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 73

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 Det B' with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ebon at 132,125

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 72

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 2000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 Det B with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 Det B' with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero-Reisen (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mili at 135,123

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 8
TBD-1 Devastator x 30

Allied aircraft losses
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
15 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

---------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mili at 135,123

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

Fortunately, he made no strikes against my carriers. I'm pulling out. I can probably weather any strike he gets off next turn, but hopefully I get away cleanly. It's going to take months for me to recover my dive bomber losses. At least into October, when the dash-4 Dauntless kicks into high gear. As it is, I'm only cranking 30 dash-3s a month. Formidable will be gone by then and Illustrious won't have a ton of days remaining yet either.

Subs got a couple hits on transports the previous turn. They're chasing his ships in the Marshalls, but escorts have kept them away from anything important. The one hit on his carrier probably isn't anything too serious.

Forces are finally landing at Balikpapan. On the initial bombardment, I got some hits on his battleship and some of the transports, but nothing after that. He's already outnumbering me in AV at least 3-1.

Pre-Invasion action off Balikpapan (64,97) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

58 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 1
xAP Buenos Aires Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Showa Maru #5
xAP Hakone Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Showa Maru #3
PB Nichi Maru #1
AK Amagisan Maru

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Balikpapan Defenses firing at BB Haruna
BB Haruna firing at Balikpapan Defenses
120mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAP Buenos Aires Maru at 8,000 yards
PB Showa Maru #5 firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
75mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAP Hakone Maru at 8,000 yards
PB Showa Maru #3 firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards
PB Showa Maru #5 fired at enemy troops
PB Showa Maru #3 fired at enemy troops
PB Nichi Maru #1 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

---------------------------------------------

Pre-Invasion action off Balikpapan (64,97) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

46 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
xAK Shinryu Maru
DMS W-12
SC Ch-26
SC Ch-24
xAK Seikyo Maru

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)

BB Kongo firing at Balikpapan Defenses
Balikpapan Defenses firing at BB Kongo
120mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Shinryu Maru at 13,000 yards
BB Kongo firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards
SC Ch-26 fired at enemy troops
SC Ch-24 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

Invasion Support action off Balikpapan (64,97)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
PB Showa Maru #5
PB Showa Maru #3
PB Nichi Maru #1
AK Amagisan Maru

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

BB Haruna firing at VI KNIL Battalion
PB Showa Maru #5 fired at enemy troops
PB Showa Maru #3 fired at enemy troops
PB Nichi Maru #1 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

---------------------------------------------

Invasion Support action off Balikpapan (64,97) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

28 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
SC Ch-26
SC Ch-24
xAK Seikyo Maru
DMS W-12

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

BB Kongo firing at Balikpapan Defenses
Balikpapan Defenses firing at BB Kongo
SC Ch-26 fired at enemy troops
SC Ch-24 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

---------------------------------------------

Invasion Support action off Balikpapan (64,97)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Showa Maru #5
PB Showa Maru #3
PB Nichi Maru #1
AK Amagisan Maru

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

PB Showa Maru #5 fired at enemy troops
PB Showa Maru #3 fired at enemy troops
PB Nichi Maru #1 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

---------------------------------------------

Invasion Support action off Balikpapan (64,97)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
SC Ch-24
xAK Seikyo Maru
DMS W-12

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SC Ch-24 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

Amphibious Assault at Balikpapan (64,97)

TF 62 troops unloading over beach at Balikpapan, 64,97

Japanese ground losses:
273 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (0 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

12 troops of a IJA Inf Squad 41 lost from landing craft during unload of 56th Div /3
12 troops of a IJA Inf Squad 41 lost in surf during unload of 56th Div /5
Type 97 Tankette dropped into water during unload of 56th Div /7

---------------------------------------------

Amphibious Assault at Balikpapan (64,97)

TF 109 troops unloading over beach at Balikpapan, 64,97

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Good thing his invasion bonus is gone.

He's keeping a TF of big ships parked at Colombo, but none have disbanded into port yet. My heavies are waiting...

Posted: **Tue Aug 28, 2018 1:44 am**

Mid 1942 is kinda early for the Allies to get decent strike coordination. Pilots need to gain a lot of Experience.

In stock scenarios there is no SBD-4, the numbers going straight from the -3 to the -5. There is a biplane SBC-4 or similar prefix, but the aircraft is not recommended for combat against warships. Bombing merchies and ASW duties would be OK.

Posted: **Tue Aug 28, 2018 3:23 pm**

Allied Air Combat T.F. suffer if they have more than 150 planes per T.F. at 1942...which makes 1CV per TF the only valid solution to avoid those situations...

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