PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

BUT what you forget is, that PzB sends in 100 very well experienced A6M against 20 Corsairs and gets those kill ratios in return. In real life the Japanese pilots of the later years weren´t nearly as good as PzB elite pilots. This is a HUGE difference. And so those results are still ridicoulos.

You are right, but unforutunatly there is nothing we can do about it[:(].

I recall that I was one of most vocal persons regarding pilot experience "factor", well before WiTP was relased. I was told that experience would play bigger role than in UV (yeah, we all remember fights when 10 Corsair pilots with 10 exp easily deal with 99 exp Zero crew), but it seems that experience role in A2A is still underated.

I'm not whining, Corsairs and Hellcats should be better than their Japs counterparts, but such design is game killer - for both sides, i think...

[PzB74]

Thx for a most interesting discussion guys!

I agree with how Pauk sums it up! Highly experienced pilots should hold their own against the average
fly guy in a more advanced ac. It should be much more difficult to train these crack pilots...my training schools
in China ain't very realistic either but the extreme casualty rate in a2a combat leaves me with no choice - I would have run out of trained pilots a long time before the Corsairs and Hellcats started to arrive without them.

As it stands now I'm not sure I need to train Oscar and Zero pilots because they differ little in performance.
This is sad and I'm afraid it may take some of the fun out of the game in 1944-46. Imagine how fun it would be to
carefully bring together 200 crack pilots, give them your best planes and then launch a surprise attack against the Allies
in late 1944! [&o]

If I bring the KB into combat against the US carriers I'm not sure I'll be able to revive the Phoenix again - no matter
how well I plan and execute the attack. This will be my ultimate challenge...

[PzB74]

Most of the action in the air again...several strikes against Rabaul and Kavieng!
Air losses were more acceptable today: 46 enemy to 13 Jap.

Funny, when I combined my divisions at Kavieng 2 of them loose their disruption while the third gain some [&:]
Going to try another deliberate attack: bad weather tomorrow should keep most of the fly boys on the ground.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/13/43

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 51

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 26
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 18
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
Kittyhawk III x 6
P-38G Lightning x 59
B-25J Mitchell x 39
B-17E Fortress x 23
B-24D Liberator x 33

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported

Port supply hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 13

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/B Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16
P-40N Warhawk x 33
A-20G Havoc x 5

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 34
Kittyhawk III x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 8
P-40N Warhawk x 9
P-38G Lightning x 12
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-25J Mitchell x 21
PB4Y Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th/C Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
P-40N Warhawk x 3
P-38G Lightning x 6
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-25J Mitchell x 13
PB4Y Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Think I lost some 12 barges today - mostly to enemy search ac!

Day Air attack on TF at 60,87

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 10

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-5032, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A long range strike (6 hexes) against one of my carrier divisions.

Day Air attack on TF at 66,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M5 Zeke x 45

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 5
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 5 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 2 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 14 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,89

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-47C Thunderbolt x 9
P-47D Thunderbolt x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
LCT LCT-361

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The enemy carriers are now in the hex north of Talasea! This was their only strike today..

Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 45
Corsair IV x 5
SBD Dauntless x 28

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2081, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Situation Map: Carriers on collision course?

Bad weather may be both a curse and a blessing...I'm trying a gamble today.
The KB will join up with the Escort Carrier division escorted by 8 battleships just 4 hexes
south of Truk. Perhaps the enemy ships will react towards this massive concentration of force?

The hope is that bad weather keeps Andys LRCAP fighters home. If his carriers then moves to the north
or/and reacts towards the KB we may be able to penetrate his invinsible CAP screen [;)]

[Fishbed]

Gambling... Now that's the most funny part for us readers, especially when it succeeds [:)]

[PzB74]

Andy is back from his xmas vacation and ready for new rounds!

It's not only the readers who find this gambling exciting Fishbed [;)]
The enemy ships didn't move towards the north but snailed up close to Kavieng!
Bad weather kept most of the ac at the Admirality Islands grounded but several hundred
took of from Emirau and Truk.

The results were again pretty bad - with one (relative) exception: a large scale raid
with 100 experienced Tojos and Zekes were able to shoot down 50 Hellcats! [:'(] So they're
not invulerable...

All our bombers were shot down but I'm not giving up!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/14/43

Air Combat

The first night air attack that caused any damage...need a lot of patience!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P-70A Havoc bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 23

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 123
Corsair IV x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 14 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 3 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 7
B5N Kate x 27
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 171
Corsair IV x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 7 destroyed
B5N Kate: 27 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 10

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 169
Corsair IV x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 8 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 74
D4Y Judy x 18
G4M1 Betty x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 17
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 12
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 30

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 169
Corsair IV x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 72 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 13 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 17 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 12 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 29 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses - this is almost encouraging! Andy said they were manned by highly experienced pilots
F6F Hellcat: 45 destroyed, 11 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,89

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
P-38J Lightning x 3
P-47C Thunderbolt x 14
P-47D Thunderbolt x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Another low odds attack - at least casualties are evening out a bit!
Have to keep jabbing at them until the break.

Ground combat at Kavieng

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 70676 troops, 631 guns, 8 vehicles

Defending force 21555 troops, 108 guns, 101 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
830 casualties reported
Guns lost 58
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
241 casualties reported
Guns lost 13
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------

Situation Map: KB Manouvers - closer!

While one part of me wants to run away I still find myself compelled to continue offensive actions.
The enemy will only grow stronger while we're already at peak strength. It's also important to probe for
weaknesses and attempt to find out how a massive Hellcat CAP can be defeated.

So the might of the Combined Fleet will manouver closer to the Admirality Islands and attempt to engage
the enemy. A large transport TF was identified close to Kavieng and I'm guessing Andy wants to reinforce the
place with more troops/supplies. If this is true he will most likely stay in place for another turn.

If weather allows it we will get within 4 hexes of the enemy for a straight line running from the hex just west
of Kavieng and 5 hexes towards SagSag.

Here is the force that can be brought to bear:
380 fighters (50% CAP)
218 dive bombers
208 torpedo bombers
9 float fighters
-----------------------
815 ac All are highly experienced and set to range 4
-----------------------

From the land based airfields there are another
95 fighters (0% CAP)
41 dive bombers
18 torpedo bombers
149 naval bombers (Betties)
-----------------------------
303 ac
-----------------------------

In all 1118 ac are ready for action - it now all depends on Andy's next move...which
already is in my inbox [:'(]

[Sneer]

thumbs up and good luck
i want to see japan can strike hard in late 43

[Cpt Sherwood]

The problem is that Andy Mac will get all the Navy pilots he needs and they will enter with an experience of 75. I think he gets 144 Hellcats a month, just less than 5 per day. So losing 50 is about 11 days worth. He will return and soon with a full load of Hellcats and experienced pilots. [X(]

[Sneer]

I think about follow up attack
disbanding/replenishing is at the end of turn if i'm right so if another attack will be locked it can score through cap

[kkoovvoo]

ORIGINAL: Cpt Sherwood

The problem is that Andy Mac will get all the Navy pilots he needs and they will enter with an experience of 75.

The "experience development" model is broken. Japanese receive naval aviators with 70 exp at the end of the war (although according to manual it should downgrade to something like 40).

He is getting guys around 60s. I believe Hellcat with 60 exp pilot is equal to Zeke with 75-80 exp pilot.

[PzB74]

Hm, yeah I'm also mostly thinking about follow up attacks. In the future the odds will be even worse!
Unfortunately the Allied CAP couldn't be penetrated today either. Only LBA engaged as Andy retreated back
to SagSag. Had hoped that this would reduce the number of ac on CAP.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/15/43

Air Combat

The first strike was escorted by an elite unit of Tojos. 2 out of 36 came back! [8|]
Day Air attack on TF, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 17
G4M1 Betty x 4
G4M2 Betty x 9
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 98
Corsair IV x 13
Spitfire Vb x 16
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 17 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 9 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 34 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The second attack was escorted by Oscars..they actually shot down a few Hellcats.
So what's the difference: 36 crack Tojos vs 33 mediocre Oscars...Nill! Not good.

Day Air attack on TF, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 12
G4M1 Betty x 9
G4M2 Betty x 17
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 33

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 55
Corsair IV x 9
Spitfire Vb x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 17 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 29 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Corsair IV: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The CAP attacked all of my bomber units and picked them of one by one. Crazy that not
a single ac got through. It makes it hard to even imgagine we're playing the real thing.

Day Air attack on TF, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 8
G4M2 Betty x 6
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 52
Corsair IV x 9
Spitfire Vb x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 8 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 6 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A TF south of SagSag was the only success of the day!

Day Air attack on TF at 56,89

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied Ships
LCT LCT-156
AK Nathaniel Bowditch, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-152

Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

My defenders at Majuro are still holding out..

Ground combat at Majuro

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6375 troops, 69 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2845 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
----------------------------------------------------------

[Cpt Sherwood]

More broken things. Does anyone know if they are going to fix this?

[AmiralLaurent]

ORIGINAL: Cpt Sherwood

The problem is that Andy Mac will get all the Navy pilots he needs and they will enter with an experience of 75. I think he gets 144 Hellcats a month, just less than 5 per day. So losing 50 is about 11 days worth. He will return and soon with a full load of Hellcats and experienced pilots. [X(]

Don't think the experience is 75 in 1943 but you're basically right. If PzB let the US carriers retire now they will come back in 2 weeks as new, so his only chance is to hit now and hope the sacrifice of 500 AC in the last 3 days had been enough to left US CAP tired and reduced. The only mean to cripple the US death star (before it is operationnal) is to sink CV, not to kill AC or pilots.

[Honda]

...much more then equal.
Hey PzB, any chance of this turn arriving to us soon? I shoul be off to bed but if the report should come soon...I might be persuaded to postone that trip for a while

[kkoovvoo]

I dont remember they ever tried to fix this. And the problem is known for a long time.

It is not considered to be urgent (and unfortunately there still are much worse issues).

PzB, his convoys are unloading at Kavieng now or did he retire them?

[PzB74]

Seems like his convoys went back towards SagSag as well..if you hang on I'll get another screenie up.

[PzB74]

I may be crazy, but a desperate situation requires desperate measures!
So we're giving it one last try:

I've assembled a surface combat group including 3 heavy and 2 light cruiers + 10 destroyers.
They will steam straight into SagSag at flank speed. Perhaps Andy will keep his cv's around and
we can deliver a long lance attack? Perhaps we can force the enemy carriers to retreat out of the hex?

The KB is moving to the hex between Emirau and the Admiralities: 4 hexes away from SagSag. If Andy
stay in the hex his CAP will be reduced and if my surface groups disperse his TFs we may still win the
day

There are still several hundred land based bombers left in the area, I hope they will fly in together with
a potential KB strike. It's numbers more than anything else that is important to slip through the death CAP.
Too bad the poor survivors will have to face death FLAK afterwards [8|]

[Honda]

Thanks and good night[>:]

[kkoovvoo]

I think you wont get many chances to hit his CVs with surface vessels in the future. You did right when you took this chance. Unfortunately you cant assign best commander when at see [8|]

[Cpt Sherwood]

The manual does say USN pilot experience is 75( that would be +/- 10 ). It is interesting that after all thay you have done he can still pose a large problem in late 1943. 1944 will be very interesting.

[PzB74]

Well, what can I say...not everything went as expected!
Firstly the surface combat raid against Sag Sag was rather successful! We got 2 cruisers
and several destroyers + some transports. The convoy was so big that several unseen ships were hit!?

Andy had unloaded all ac of his carriers to Sag Sag - most dangerous! As the carriers steamed south
towards Gili Gili we scored a torpedo hit on a British carrier. That's the positives.

On the negative side; the KB didn't launch any strikes? [:(] Non of the four Carrier Division
sent of a single strike against the defenseless convoy that was forced out of SagSag.
Of the 140 Betties on the land bases only 20 or so went after Andys defenseless carriers. Aaah, soo close!

The strikes launched against the retreating warship group and KB were vicious. Enemy bombers streamed from 6-8
bases..I've never seen so many clear weather hexes in a rainy turn before [8|] About all of the 350 fighters
above the KB were shot down [X(] Just crazy..In all 379 enemy and 371 Jap ac were destroyed!

It was the Escort Carrier Division that got hit worst: 1 cv - the Junyo, 3 cvls and 1 cve were hit. The light carriers
Chitose and Shoho are most likely lost together with 1 ca, 1 cl and 2 destroyers [:(]

We're heading home for some serious R&R! I can immediately replace ca 200 of the lost Zekes with experienced crews.
All the KBs bomber units are still intact. Sent 72 trained Tojos and 36 Oscars to Truk to reinforce the defenses there.

I think it was a good attempt even though Andy will be more pleased with the results. Losses were bad, but
we still got all of our fleet carriers intact and in a day or two the KB will be ready for operations again.
For the next 2-3 months we will have to carry out mostly defensive operations while ships are repaired and air
crews retrained.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/16/43

Surface Combat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Ashigara
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami
DD Shiranuhi
DD Arashi
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo
DD Isonami
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-374, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Ashigara
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami
DD Shiranuhi
DD Arashi
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo
DD Isonami
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
TK Empire Jet, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Ashigara
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami
DD Shiranuhi
DD Arashi
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo
DD Isonami
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
MSW Strive, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-3 Seagull: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago, Shell hits 5
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 14, on fire
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 2
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 2
DD Onami
DD Shiranuhi, Shell hits 2
DD Arashi, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oshio, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Isonami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
CA Quincy, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Hobart, Shell hits 53, on fire, heavy damage
DD Monssen, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Woodworth, Shell hits 1
DD Bancroft, Shell hits 3
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tucker, Shell hits 29, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Arunta, Shell hits 3
DD Isaac Sweers, Shell hits 2
MSW Kalgoorlie
MSW Freemantle, Shell hits 2
MSW Gladstone, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Horsham, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
MSW Kapunda
MSW Tern
SC SC-637
AP George F. Elliot
AP William Ward Burrows
AP Wayne
AP Orungal
AK Cassiopeia
AK Shaula
AK Propus
AK Seginus
AK Indus, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Alamosa
AK Bullock
AK Charlevoix
AK Chicot
AK Etamin
AK Deimos
LST LST-16
LST LST-18
LST LST-19
LST LST-20
LCI LCI-22
LCI LCI-75
LCT LCT-61
LCT LCT-65
LCT LCT-130
LCT LCT-136
LCT LCT-137
LCT LCT-138
LCT LCT-139, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AK Nathaniel Bowditch, and is sunk
LCT LCT-150, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Ashigara, on fire
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami, Shell hits 1
DD Shiranuhi
DD Arashi, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oshio, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo, on fire
DD Isonami, on fire
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-167, Shell hits 121, and is sunk
PT PT-172
PT PT-177
PT PT-235, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
PT PT-237
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago, Shell hits 6
CA Ashigara, on fire
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami, Shell hits 2
DD Shiranuhi, on fire
DD Arashi, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Oshio, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo, on fire
DD Isonami, on fire
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-320
PT PT-321
PT PT-322
PT PT-323
PT PT-324
PT PT-325
PT PT-326
PT PT-327, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PT PT-328, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT PT-329, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT PT-330
PT PT-331, Shell hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sag Sag at 57,88

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Ashigara, on fire
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
CL Tama
DD Shimakaze
DD Onami, Shell hits 1
DD Shiranuhi, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oshio, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Natsugumo, on fire
DD Isonami, on fire
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-106
PT PT-109
PT PT-337
PT PT-338
PT PT-341
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

The Crevalle is back..and she's playing with our ASW group again. I'll get her one fine day!

Sub attack at 44,44

Japanese Ships
DD Kari, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
PC Ch 30
PC Ch 9
PC Takuna Maru #7
PG Yoshida Maru
MSW Wa 7
DD Asagao

Allied Ships
SS Crevalle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The Sallys went back to Kavieng with good results..
Day Air attack on 3rd USMC Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 70
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Americal USA/B Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Ki-21 Sally x 34
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6

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

Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let the slaughter begin...almost 800 ac shot down in one day!

Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 53
A6M5 Zeke x 312

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 32
B-25J Mitchell x 18
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 14 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 9 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 8 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 9 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,85

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 59
Beaufort V-IX x 13

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 2 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 16, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage - amazing, still afloat! 80 flood
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 51
A6M5 Zeke x 310

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 14
P-47C Thunderbolt x 29
P-47D Thunderbolt x 4
B-25J Mitchell x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 54 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 14 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt: 27 destroyed
P-47D Thunderbolt: 4 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 10 destroyed, 7 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84 - our surface group! Too bad she didn't hide
with the KB 1 hex to the left. Impossible to controll withdrawal movements properly.

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 21

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 17 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Onami
CA Takao, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1
CA Atago, Shell hits 4
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Yura, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 17

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Takao, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Tama, Shell hits 4
CL Yura, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking: - skip bombing attacks!
4 x B-25J Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 60,84

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 11

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, on fire
CL Yura, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 37
A6M5 Zeke x 256

Allied aircraft
Boomerang II x 6
Kittyhawk III x 20
P-40N Warhawk x 29
P-38G Lightning x 48
B-17E Fortress x 61

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 5 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 16 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 39 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang II: 6 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 20 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 29 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 46 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 10 destroyed, 41 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 2 - no damagr
BB Haruna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M5 Zeke x 217

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 20
F4U-1 Corsair x 58 - ouch! [:(]
Avenger II x 5
Kittyhawk III x 10
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 6
P-40N Warhawk x 26
P-38J Lightning x 10
A-20G Havoc x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 122 destroyed - ouch ouch!

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 10 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 30 destroyed - at least we got some of the pests!
Avenger II: 3 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 7 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 5 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 16 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 8 destroyed
A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVL Shoho
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M5 Zeke x 95

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 5 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,90

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Venus

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,87 - a strike on the defenseless convoy from the Admiralities.

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 27
G4M1 Betty x 6
G4M2 Betty x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 3 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Shinkuang
DD Bancroft, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-61, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-159, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK San Anselmo
LCT LCT-130, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Freemantle, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Walter Luckenbach
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M5 Zeke x 83

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 14
F4U-1 Corsair x 29
Avenger II x 4
Kittyhawk III x 3
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 43 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 11 destroyed, 5 damaged
Avenger II: 2 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 3 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 2 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 7 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
CVE Taiyo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M5 Zeke x 12

Allied aircraft
Boomerang II x 2
Kittyhawk III x 2
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 5
P-40N Warhawk x 4
P-38G Lightning x 5
P-47C Thunderbolt x 7
B-17E Fortress x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 11 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang II: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
Beaufighter Mk 21: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Kaiyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Musashi
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1
BB Mutsu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M5 Zeke x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 18
P-38G Lightning x 20
B-25J Mitchell x 27
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 16 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Kaiyo, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Shinyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVE Hosho
BB Fuso
CVE Unyo
BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu
BB Musashi
BB Nagato
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 58,88
Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 38

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Oshio, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84 - this was the most destructive raid. CAP depleted and
40 SBDs arrive!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M5 Zeke x 13

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 2
SBD Dauntless x 41
TBF Avenger x 3
Avenger II x 2
Beaufort V-IX x 10
A-20G Havoc x 7
B-25J Mitchell x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF Avenger: 2 damaged
Avenger II: 1 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 3 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Chitose, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 4, on fire
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84 - the heavies were then free of charge...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M5 Zeke x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Chitose, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M5 Zeke x 2

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 7
B-17E Fortress x 18
B-24D Liberator x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hayate
CVL Shoho, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wakazuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Hatsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Amagiri, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Formidable, Torpedo hits 1 - ah, the HMS Indestructible [8|]

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93 - day of lost opportunities....

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships - NO CAP! [X(]
CV Intrepid
CV Essex

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,89

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
LCT LCT-479

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Majuro

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6319 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2757 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
--------------------------------------------------------

Air Losses

Must admit that I expected bad weather to cover either the KB or SagSag in one of the two air phases today!
340 Zeros/Zekes to 270 Corsairs/Hellcats/T-bolts/P-38s/Kittihawks and bombers. What carnage...Hopefully Andy
will think this is enough to knock us out cold! [;)]