Matrix Games Forums

Rob: Yeah, it hasn't been "steamroller" game. That is down to Dave abilities in this game... and yes no way I'am going throw in the towel! [:D]

From now I steadily start to increase the "heat"... we are still +2 years from from the finish so no need to start doing suicidal things.

I thought you would be up and running with GC game already?

Sumartra / Sabang is possibility. There are two problems... RN CV's are in the pacific (I have lack of operational carriers due to early losses) and the lba pools for RAF aren't looking good. Neither in terms of pilots nor planes.

I have shipped some extra US ones into SouthEast asia since I do have more than plenty of them.

As always... appreciated.

crsutton: Correct. That is the idea. We knock out those +90 oil points and Burma will be wasteland after that.

Next turn should show how we are progressing. I have 400-500 aircraft participating in this assault againts Magwe.

If we get lucky who knows what is left after these bombing raids.

Burma (september 25th - 26th 1943)


The large airbombing runs did went in. The results wasn't as good as I expected it to be.

The best way to show what happened is from combat.txt file...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 73



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 4
Blenheim VD x 12
Hurricane IIc Trop x 26
Liberator II x 16
Wellington B.X x 16
A-36 Mustang x 2
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-24D1 Liberator x 23
P-38H Lightning x 36
P-40N1 Warhawk x 22
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 2 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 10 destroyed
Liberator II: 2 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
A-36 Mustang: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 8 destroyed
P-40N1 Warhawk: 3 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed



Oil hits 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 50 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 46



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 3
Wellington GR.VIII x 8
B-17F Fortress x 16
B-24J Liberator x 11
P-38H Lightning x 12
P-40N1 Warhawk x 24
P-40N5 Warhawk x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
Wellington GR.VIII: 2 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 2 destroyed
P-40N1 Warhawk: 6 destroyed



Oil hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 16
P-38H Lightning x 7


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 7 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3



Allied aircraft
A-36 Mustang x 13
P-40N1 Warhawk x 25
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 74
P-51A Mustang x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 16
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 54



Allied aircraft
A-36 Mustang x 11
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9
P-38H Lightning x 14
P-40N1 Warhawk x 35
P-40N5 Warhawk x 20
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 10
P-51A Mustang x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-36 Mustang: 3 destroyed
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40N1 Warhawk: 5 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
P-51A Mustang: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 17
P-40N1 Warhawk x 14
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 9
P-51A Mustang x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-51A Mustang: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 18
P-40N1 Warhawk x 3
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 7 damaged
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed


...in the end we knocked out 12 Oil resource points with these raids.

This actually marked the combat debut for Mustang and P40N fighters. Both of them left a lot to be desired for.

The sweep missions were set on 20 000 feet and escort /bombers flew in 15 000 feet. Our pilot experiece for fighters were between 45-75 air skills.

Now the show will go on... allthough I will rest my crews next turn.

Good to see you're still putting up the good fight. Sabang sounds like a good gambit. If you make progress there and then Singapore, he'll have to retreat from Burma (especially if you've obliterated his Magwe oil). I won't offer too much advice, but if your 4Es are suppressing airfields nicely, then you can do a lot of hopping rather than invading his strongholds. The first step would be to clear out the Solomons as you are doing and then New Guinea, then the DEI from the east. If you manage to make inroads on the DEI from the west as well, then all the better. Whatever you do, good luck!

Cheers,
CC

It'll be interesting to see if this goes to 1946. [8D]

re oil strike - they were all Thunderstorms ...

ORIGINAL: bklooste

re oil strike - they were all Thunderstorms ...

And severe storms. Also heavy fighter opposition will have an effect on bombing accruacy. You might hit the airfield for a raid or two with heavies to beat down the fighters, but the oil is the target.

Commander Cody: Welcome. Yeah, no intentions of surrendering. Actually I'am moving more airpower to the frontlines.

Sabang does look intresting and there few other bases in Sumatra that are tempting. However I need reorganize my airforce once we get the objective done at Magwe.

The pilot experience is too low to my liking due to heavy airwar at Burma.

Solomons are definately on the list. You will see that Dave has substantial forces in place there. The first recon missions reveal this already.

Sardaukar: I can guarantee that we shall see 1946 in this one. No matter what happens we will grind into bitter end.

bklooste: Yeah, Thunderstorms. Actually seems that 9 times out of 10 it is Thunderstorms. Sometimes you just hate the advanced weather model.

crsutton: Definately heavy CAP! I know has quite a few elite pilots at Burma. (exp. 80-90's).

Last turn saw 15 000 feet heavy bombing run againts the oilfields at Magwe. The losses were high but next turn we will make another run for them,

Burma (september 27th - 30th 1943)


We did launch another large raid againts the oilfields at Magwe. This time opted to go in without sweep missions and opted to put up high number of escorts to fly with bombers.

Again the combat.txt file reveals how this went through...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 45
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 19
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 40



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 14
Blenheim VD x 13
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 10
Liberator II x 14
Liberator GR.III x 5
Wellington Ic x 3
Wellington B.X x 30
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-17F Fortress x 14
B-24J Liberator x 10
P-40N5 Warhawk x 22
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 43


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 3 destroyed
Blenheim VD: 2 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
Liberator II: 2 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 2 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged
P-40N5 Warhawk: 5 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 7 destroyed


Oil hits 23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 66 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 18



Allied aircraft
Wellington GR.VIII x 7
B-24D1 Liberator x 11


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 damaged



Oil hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 7



Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 9
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
Hurricane FR.IIb x 11
Liberator GR.III x 3
A-36 Mustang x 15
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
B-25D1 Mitchell x 36
P-38H Lightning x 20
P-40N1 Warhawk x 34
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 30


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-36 Mustang: 1 destroyed
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged



Oil hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 39
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 16
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 33



Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 12
Hurricane IIc Trop x 4
Hurricane FR.IIb x 11
Liberator GR.III x 10
Wellington Ic x 3
B-25D1 Mitchell x 30
P-40N1 Warhawk x 12
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 8
P-51A Mustang x 16


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane FR.IIb: 5 destroyed
Liberator GR.III: 4 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
P-51A Mustang: 5 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 19
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 10
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 19



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 15
P-40N1 Warhawk x 15


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40N1 Warhawk: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 12



Allied aircraft
A-36 Mustang x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-36 Mustang: 1 destroyed
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged



There were also few smaller raids but they failed to anything worth of mentioning.

Last round we went in at 15 000 feet and knocked some oilfields out.

Next turn another round is ordered and we will fly at 10 000 feet.

I know substantial losses are to be expected BUT I think that this just needs to be done now and lets worry about else later.

If everything goes as planned we should knock 20-30 oilfields units again and thus it would leave him with something 30 operational ones.

That is enough and the business at Magwe oilfield can be concluded.

The whole above thing shows that fighters in escort missions don't do much in terms of protecting and shooting down enemy aircraft. Maybe something worth a look in future patches.

Keeping that in mind however I have opted to fly at 10 000 feet next turn with only escort missions. I rather have couple of large strikes than uncoordinated ones which maybe end up even worse.

Last turn we lost around +100 planes and enemy losses were 40-50 planes.

Southern Pacific (september 27th - 30th 1943)


Allied forces capture Luganville on september 27th 1943.

Japanese launch couple of strikes againts our shipping at Luganville. The allied CAP shoot down some Zero fighters and enemy bombers.'

I'am not actually sure whether these enemy fighters were from lba or carrer based. I guess we shall see next turn what is he up to.

Considering he lost CL Kitakima and DD Akebono south of Tulagi... well I see no point of them being here "alone". Why would he sacrifice these ships for nothing. So, my money is that KB is not far off here.

I started to flew recon missions. The map below shows what was revealed.

Oil fields can wait a week or too .. get your bomers to recover and thin his air with some sweeps for a few turns then send your bombers in when his pilots all have fatigue..

bklooste: I did conduct an operational raids last turn. Now it is time regroup a bit.

The main problem with sweeping missions are that I have far too few skilled pilots in that category.

This is mainly due to the fact that I did not train each squadron individually when the game started. In personal reference I liked the training in classic witp better.


Burma (september 30th - october 1st 1943)


The allied airforce visited Magwe this turn too. We knocked out more of his oilfields at Burma.

The recon flights show just 40 operational fields at Magwe. This is good enough for the rest and regroup for a bit. I guess we achieved our goals but this airwar at Burma has been costly and bloody.

In past two days we reduced around 35-40 oilfields which is still fair enough. Sometimes you must take losses in order to gain the objectives.

Here is round up for last turns action at Burma...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 48
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 23
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 12



Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 22
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
Liberator II x 14
Wellington Ic x 3
Wellington GR.VIII x 5
Wellington B.X x 27
A-36 Mustang x 2
B-24D1 Liberator x 10
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 30


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Liberator II: 1 damaged
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged
Wellington GR.VIII: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
A-36 Mustang: 1 destroyed
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 11 destroyed


Oil hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 28
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 16
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 5



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 7
Wellington GR.VIII x 7
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
P-40N5 Warhawk x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed
Wellington GR.VIII: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 8 damaged



Oil hits 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 28
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 16
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 5



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 7
Wellington GR.VIII x 7
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
P-40N5 Warhawk x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed
Wellington GR.VIII: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 8 damaged



Oil hits 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 4



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
Liberator GR.III x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 6 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 2



Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 14
B-24J Liberator x 11
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 6 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed



Oil hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 1



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 42
P-38H Lightning x 40
P-40N1 Warhawk x 5
P-51A Mustang x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 19 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 45
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 14
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 19



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 10
Blenheim VD x 11
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
Liberator II x 12
Wellington Ic x 3
Wellington GR.VIII x 4
Wellington B.X x 25
A-36 Mustang x 22
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-17F Fortress x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 30
B-24J Liberator x 9
P-40N1 Warhawk x 7
P-40N5 Warhawk x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 7


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed
Blenheim VD: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged
Wellington B.X: 8 damaged
A-36 Mustang: 5 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 4 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 14 damaged
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 3 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed



Oil hits 15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 28
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 21
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 10



Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 9
Liberator GR.III x 2
B-25D1 Mitchell x 39
P-38H Lightning x 25
P-40N1 Warhawk x 11
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 1
P-51A Mustang x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 3 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 2 destroyed
P-51A Mustang: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8
Ki-61-Ia Tony x 6



Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 3
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 3 damaged


As said now time for regrouping of these battered squadrons. I have some trained pilots that I need to swap into better aircraft.

The pic shows summary of losses....

South Pacific (september 30th - october 1st 1943)


In the last update we made assumption that the sinking of CL Kitakami and DD Akebono would mean that KB is lurking nearby.

Well as it stands this is correct. The enemy carriers were spotted south of Tulagi in the end of last turn.

Instead of running like chicken I have ordered my carriers further into north and intercept these raiders. If Dave does not retreat well we will have one hell of an carrier clash in our hands.

The last pic will show the ordered allied route towards KB.

I know this is risky business but sometimes we must roll the dice. I know he can fly in 80-90 fighters and 50 bombers from Tulagi. In order to deal with this I have moved 60 allied fighters into Luganville and set them 100% LRCAP over the carriers.

Now lets keep fingers crossed that this time around we will prevail!

Oh and the last turn was not without action either. Dave sent some fighters and bombers in assaulting missions againts our carrier TF's.

This did not turn out too good for him...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 119,148

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 60
B6N1 Jill x 18
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 24



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 8
Martlet IV x 18
P-38H Lightning x 12
F4F-3A Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 184
F6F-3 Hellcat x 332


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 10 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 119,148

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 30
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 18
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 54
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 15



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 8
Martlet IV x 17
P-38H Lightning x 9
F4F-3A Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 178
F6F-3 Hellcat x 325


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 119,148

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
A6M3 Zero x 24
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 22
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 57
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 8



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 8
Martlet IV x 16
P-38H Lightning x 12
F4F-3A Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 176
F6F-3 Hellcat x 319


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 119,148

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 51
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 9



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 8
Martlet IV x 16
P-38H Lightning x 3
F4F-3A Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 176
F6F-3 Hellcat x 306


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed


I have triple checked all the squadrons. The assault distance is set maxium of 7 hexes for the torpedo bombers, dive bombers and escorts.

The torpedo planes will go in at 7000 feet while dive bombers will fly at 11 000 feet. Escorts and CAP do vary a bit.

As said unless he moves north than......

Allied carriers moving to intercept....

good luck

The air losses in your attacks in Burma are amazing.  Those veterans of his are doing a great job.  On the other hand, your 300+ Hellkitties are doing a great job protecting everything that is around them!  Nice assembly of firepower near Espirito Santo.  I've got a good feeling about that operation.  

crsutton: Thanks. The wishes could have gone better.

offenseman: Those pilots have shot downn vast number of aircraft. As for the operation... well did fight allthough things did not go as ordered.


Battle of Coral Sea (october 1st - 2nd 1943)


This will just an copy paste report from the carrier clash we had. I don't have the turn file yet and heading to work.

It did not go as planned though. Far from it since despite specific orders the carriers reacted. I know the leaders can do this and well they surely did.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 02, 43


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 116,141

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
A6M3 Zero x 26
G4M1 Betty x 24



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 6
Martlet IV x 6
F4F-3A Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 107
F6F-3 Hellcat x 193


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 7 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 14 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington II

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 116,141

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3 Zero x 12
B6N1 Jill x 11



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 5
Martlet IV x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 96
F6F-3 Hellcat x 161


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 6 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 116,141

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 50 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 114
A6M3a Zero x 9
B5M1 Mabel x 3
B5N2 Kate x 107
B6N1 Jill x 79
D4Y1 Judy x 153



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Martlet IV x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 76
F6F-3 Hellcat x 129


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
B5M1 Mabel: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed, 32 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 12 destroyed, 13 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 22 destroyed, 72 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Breton, Torpedo hits 1
CV Essex, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CV Bunker Hill
CVL Belleau Wood
CVE Santee, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Barnes, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Lexington II, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVE Anzio, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CVL Princeton, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CV Yorktown II
CVE Corregidor, Bomb hits 1
CL Newcastle
CLAA Reno
DD Converse
DD Terry
DD Pringle
DD Schroeder
CVL Independence
DD Baldwin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 116,141

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3a Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 49
D4Y1 Judy x 25



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Martlet IV x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 40
F6F-3 Hellcat x 71


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 21 destroyed, 10 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown II
CV Lexington II, on fire
CVL Princeton, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 116,141

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 4
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 42
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 12



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Martlet IV x 3
F4F-3A Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28
F6F-3 Hellcat x 47


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 7 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 116,141

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 13
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 23



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Martlet IV x 3
F4F-3A Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
F6F-3 Hellcat x 31


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington II, heavy fires
CVL Princeton, heavy fires, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 116,141

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 18
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13



Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 2
F4F-3A Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed


Allied Ships
CV Yorktown II
CV Lexington II, heavy fires

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 115,138

Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
A6M3a Zero x 19
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
F6F-3 Hellcat x 24
SBD-3 Dauntless x 30
SBD-5 Dauntless x 22
TBF-1 Avenger x 35


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 16 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 8 destroyed, 9 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Shokaku
BB Kirishima
BB Musashi
CVL Zuiho
CVE Taiyo
BB Nagato
CVE Hosho

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 115,138

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M3a Zero x 9



Allied aircraft
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 20
TBF-1 Avenger x 17


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo
CL Nagara
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVE Hosho
DD Susuzuki
CV Shokaku
BB Musashi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 115,139

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 120
A6M3a Zero x 9



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 73
SBD-3 Dauntless x 22
SBD-5 Dauntless x 57
TBF-1 Avenger x 124


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 21 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 31 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 16 destroyed, 93 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 2
CVL Shoho
BB Haruna, Torpedo hits 1
CV Hiryu, Torpedo hits 1
CV Junyo, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CVL Ryujo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1
CL Kashima, Torpedo hits 1
BB Yamashiro, Torpedo hits 1
CL Agano
CA Suzuya

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 115,139

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 76
A6M3 Zero x 3
A6M3a Zero x 11
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 17
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3



Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 4
TBF-1 Avenger x 13


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 115,139

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61
A6M3 Zero x 2
A6M3a Zero x 8
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 17
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 47
TBF-1 Avenger x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 10 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 23 destroyed, 3 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Haruna
CVL Ryujo, on fire
BB Kongo
CV Hiryu


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 03, 43


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
A6M3 Zero x 3
G4M1 Betty x 6
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 7
Martlet IV x 6
P-38H Lightning x 2
F4F-3A Wildcat x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 78
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 95


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
A6M3 Zero x 1
G3M3 Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 12



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 7
Martlet IV x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 75
F6F-3 Hellcat x 80


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Reef Islands at 123,137

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G3M3 Nell x 4



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N2 Kate x 6
B6N1 Jill x 2



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 7
Martlet IV x 3
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 74
F6F-3 Hellcat x 67


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
A6M3a Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 20
B6N1 Jill x 8
D4Y1 Judy x 21



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 6
Martlet IV x 2
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 69
F6F-3 Hellcat x 63


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed, 5 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 8 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Belleau Wood
CV Essex
CVE Breton
CVE Sangamon
CV Saratoga
CA Baltimore

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
B5N2 Kate x 40
D4Y1 Judy x 40



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 4
Martlet IV x 2
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 48
F6F-3 Hellcat x 39


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 14 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 12 destroyed, 8 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 23 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Belleau Wood
CV Bunker Hill
CVE Sangamon, Bomb hits 1
CV Saratoga
CVE Corregidor, Torpedo hits 1
CVE Breton
CA Minneapolis

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 6



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
Martlet IV x 2
F4F-3A Wildcat x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 15
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 13



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
Martlet IV x 2
F4F-3A Wildcat x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Reef Islands at 123,137

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 8
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 9



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed


Allied Ships
CV Yorktown II
CV Lexington II

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 117,138

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M3a Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4
SBD-5 Dauntless x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 115
A6M3 Zero x 1
A6M3a Zero x 26
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3



Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
F6F-3 Hellcat x 10
SBD-5 Dauntless x 12
TBF-1 Avenger x 33


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 9 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 18 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 70
A6M3 Zero x 1
A6M3a Zero x 21
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9
TBF-1 Avenger x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 6 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
A6M3 Zero x 1
A6M3a Zero x 15
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9
SBD-5 Dauntless x 17
TBF-1 Avenger x 28


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 19 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Nagato

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
A6M3a Zero x 4
B5N2 Kate x 3



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 4
Martlet IV x 3
P-38H Lightning x 1
F4F-3A Wildcat x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 48


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 116,141

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
D4Y1 Judy x 5



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed


Allied Ships
CVE Suwannee
CV Hornet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
A6M3a Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 6
B6N1 Jill x 14
D4Y1 Judy x 10



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 4
Martlet IV x 2
P-38H Lightning x 1
F4F-3A Wildcat x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 41
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 44


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 6 destroyed, 6 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Torpedo hits 1
CVE Corregidor, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CVE Breton, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Baltimore
CVL Independence

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3a Zero x 2
B5N2 Kate x 12
D4Y1 Judy x 8



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
Martlet IV x 2
P-38H Lightning x 1
F4F-3A Wildcat x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 30


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
CVL Belleau Wood

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3a Zero x 2
B6N1 Jill x 12



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
Martlet IV x 1
F4F-3A Wildcat x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
F6F-3 Hellcat x 19


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 6 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 118,144

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 12
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 22
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 35
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 9



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
Martlet IV x 1
F4F-3A Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged


Allied Ships
CVL Independence
CV Essex
CVL Belleau Wood

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 117,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6
TBF-1 Avenger x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kashi Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kaijo Maru #2, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M3 Zero x 1
A6M3a Zero x 17
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2
TBF-1 Avenger x 5


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
A6M3 Zero x 1
A6M3a Zero x 17
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 2
TBF-1 Avenger x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed


...and that is how it's ended.

I will get the turn file back tomorrow most likely.

Dave stated that he lost +200 aircraft in this battle. No mentioning whether or not he actually lost any ships.

I will update the allied carrier situation once the turn file comes in. Overall I'am not too pleased how things played out.

Well, unless FOW radicallly distorted the observed results of Allied attacks, Junyo and Unyo are likely gone.

I think you really decimated his carrier pilots....but I bet he has trained replacements. Allied damage control is in your favour, since hits seemed to be quite even.

As often the key is the second day. If you both get out of it as it is, he loses a couple of CVEs and probably one CV, maybe one more with Jap damage control. You lose a bunch of CVEs, probably one CV and have a few other CVs/CVLs damaged... That would not be a defeat, rather a bloody draw from a tactical point of view and strategically pretty even : you hurt his fleet somewhat, something he cannot recuperate from while you get more and more boats, but he slowed you down a bit.