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After that PT boats also found the KB. Three different TFs who got as close as 2k yards, but no hits. Again, lots of frustration.
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Chefoo at 98,48, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Hiyo
CVE Hosho
CVE Taiyo, on fire
CVE Unyo
CS Nisshin
CS Chitose
DD Susuzuki, on fire
DD Makigumo, on fire
DD Takanami, heavy fires
DD Uzuki

Allied Ships
PT-150
PT-151
PT-153
PT-154
PT-155
PT-163

Reduced visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 19,000 yards...
CV Hiyo , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu , CV Hiryu , CV Kaga ,
CVE Unyo screened from combat
- escorted by DD Uzuki , DD Takanami
Range increases to 24,000 yards
CV Hiyo screened from combat
PT-150 engages CV Kaga at 24,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards
CV Hiyo , CV Zuikaku , CV Shokaku ,
CV Soryu , CV Hiryu , CV Kaga ,
CVE Unyo , CVE Taiyo , CVE Hosho screened from combat
- escorted by DD Takanami , DD Makigumo
PT-154 engages CV Kaga at 30,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Chefoo at 98,48, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Hiyo
CVE Hosho
CVE Taiyo, on fire
CVE Unyo
CS Nisshin
CS Chitose, Shell hits 1
DD Susuzuki, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Makigumo, on fire
DD Takanami, heavy fires
DD Uzuki

Allied Ships
PT-150
PT-151
PT-153
PT-154
PT-155, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-163, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Reduced visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 3,000 yards

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Tsingtao at 96,48, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Hiyo
CVE Hosho
CVE Taiyo, heavy fires
CVE Unyo
CS Nisshin
CS Chitose
DD Susuzuki, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Makigumo, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Takanami, heavy fires
DD Uzuki

Allied Ships
PT-196
PT-219, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-220, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-221, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-222
PT-223


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It turned ou the KB ended up in the Tsingtao hex, huddled against the shoreline, within 3 hexes of my stacked level 9 base with two HQs, which promptly sent out a strike. Trouble was, the strike was almost all of my escorts and only one group of DBs. [&:]

I'd taken the trouble to vary altitude bands for escorts and strike planes, get as much cohesion as possible from LBA, and then the KB got within three hexes with a massive DL from surface combat, naval search and recon over the base. This huge escort, about the same size of the KB CAP (not counting Rufe's) of course couldn't get the DBs through and then it was carnage.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Tsingtao at 95,47

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 86
A6M2-N Rufe x 44
A6M3a Zero x 91

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 82
Kittyhawk III x 16
P-39D Airacobra x 25
P-40B Warhawk x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 17
P-40K Warhawk x 12
SBD-1 Dauntless x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
SBD-1 Dauntless: 9 destroyed

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All other waves were massacred by the KB CAP. Only about ten planes dropped and no hits.

Then to top it all off, a very small Betty strike near Okinawa somehow got through the Allied CV and LBA CAP and got three torpedo hits on PoW. What a frustrating turn! Especially after setting up such a perfect hit on the KB and actually getting the combats I wanted!

PoW will be fine, with only 20 float damage, but of course that means a few months in the yards.
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kume-jima at 94,65

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 32

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
Hurricane XIIb x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Torpedo hits 3
CA Hawkins

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

[font="Times New Roman"]March 9, 1943[/font]

---

There were a couple of strikes against the Indiana TF at Cheffoo, but those were the one positive of the day, where CAP didn't allow a hit to the ships.

In ground action at Tsingtao the Allies get a 3:1 and the base will fall soon, giving complete control of the Western side of the Yellow Sea.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 9, 1943
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Chefoo at 98,46

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 29
B5N2 Kate x 17

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 1
Hurricane IIb Trop x 3
Spitfire Vc Trop x 8
P-38G Lightning x 19
P-400 Airacobra x 7
P-40K Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Indiana

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Chefoo at 98,46

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
A6M3a Zero x 23
B5N2 Kate x 12

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 1
Hurricane IIb Trop x 3
Spitfire Vc Trop x 7
P-38G Lightning x 18
P-400 Airacobra x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
BB Indiana
CL Ceres

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

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Ground combat at Tsingtao (95,47)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 97247 troops, 410 guns, 116 vehicles, Assault Value = 2297

Defending force 19239 troops, 106 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 388

Allied adjusted assault: 1799

Japanese adjusted defense: 459

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1779 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 165 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3464 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 493 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Vehicles lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Assaulting units:
8th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
6th Cav Recce Regiment
9th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
57th Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade

Defending units:
5th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Division
1st NCPC Route Brigade
14th RGC Temp. Division
Ching Tao Special Base Force
23rd JNAF AF Unit

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To paraphrase Admiral Beatty: "There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships and aircraft today!"

[font="Times New Roman"]March 10, 1943[/font]

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The follow up to the series of Allied debacles on the 9th is an even worse day on the 10th.

I have about 25 subs in the area of the Yellow Sea in range of the path to the HI from Tsingtao the KB would need to take. I set all kinds of night search covering the Yellow Sea and approaches to Kyushu, with subs vectoring into Moppo and Saisho To risking potential minefields and ASW actions, but in the end couldn't get a hit on anything. The Guardfish found the KB and lined up Zuikaku, launched 6 fish (!!) but still couldn't connect. [:@]

The Allied CVs blundered into a duo of PBs near Amami Oshima, sinking one on their way toward Shanghai to prepare to shepherd the Indiana TF back in and take any return fire from the KB supported by Shanghai's LBA. Or that was the plan.

Instead the LBA didn't reach the DS as it came up a hex or two short due to it's night surface engagement most likely, and the KB ended up in range, launching a big strike with new replenished air groups on board. The Allied CAP did well, but couldn't keep out all of the IJN strikes.

On the day the Allies lose two CVE with a third struggling, but close to Shanghai, so fingers crossed. The Hornet takes two fish and moderate damage, but will likely need a few months in the yards. It's so important to have Hong Kong and Shanghai right here now. Manila and Saigon also offer some repair ability for merchants and smaller ships.

The Japanese do lose a lot of planes on the day, evening out the heavy Allied losses of the previous day a bit. It's all a bit disappointing though, and in spite of the timeframe I expect all of my forces to be doing better.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 10, 1943
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ASW attack near Fukue-jima at 99,57

Japanese Ships
DD Matsukaze
BB Fuso
CA Mogami
CL Kitakami
DD Arashio
DD Yugao
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
SS ShCh-135

SS ShCh-135 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Matsukaze
ShCh-135 diving deep ....

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Amami Oshima at 95,61, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Tama Maru
PB Ryuto Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
CV Hornet
CV Wasp
CVL Hermes
CLAA Atlanta
CLAA Juneau
CLAA San Juan
CLAA Van Heemskerck
DD Barton
DD Bagley
DD Perkins
DD Flusser
DD Litchfield
DD Stuart
DD Humphreys

Poor visibility due to Rain with 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 17% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
PB Ryuto Maru engages CV Hornet at 2,000 yards

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Amami Oshima at 95,61, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Tama Maru, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
PB Ryuto Maru, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Cornwall
DD Arunta
DD Nepal
DD Nizam
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Van Galen
DD Arrow
DD Foxhound

Reduced visibility due to Rain with 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 17% moonlight: 2,000 yards

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Sub attack near Moppo at 99,53

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
DD Uzuki

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish

SS Guardfish launches 6 torpedoes at CV Zuikaku
Guardfish bottoming out ....

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ASW attack near Moppo at 99,54

Japanese Ships
DD Yukaze
BB Fuso
CA Mogami
CL Kitakami
DD Matsukaze
DD Arashio
DD Yugao

Allied Ships
SS Sawfish, hits 1

SS Sawfish launches 2 torpedoes at DD Yukaze
DD Yugao fails to find sub and abandons search

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ASW attack near Moppo at 99,52

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Myoko
CL Tama
DD Teruzuki
DD Tachikaze
DD Yugure
DD Arare
DD Onami

Allied Ships
SS Searaven

SS Searaven is sighted by escort
DD Tachikaze fails to find sub and abandons search

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ASW attack near Moppo at 99,53

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuzuki
CA Mikuma
CA Myoko
CL Tama
DD Teruzuki
DD Tachikaze
DD Yugure
DD Arare
DD Onami

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

SS Tarpon launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hatsuzuki
Tarpon bottoming out ....

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Morning Air attack on Amami Oshima , at 98,64

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 34000 feet

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shanghai at 95,56

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

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

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 11
Martlet II x 19
Mohawk IV x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 145

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shanghai at 95,56

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
A6M3a Zero x 41
B5N2 Kate x 27
D3A1 Val x 13
D4Y1 Judy x 43

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 9
Martlet II x 18
Mohawk IV x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 133

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 5 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 12 destroyed, 12 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
Mohawk IV: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 1
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CV Wasp
CLAA Van Heemskerck
CVE Sangamon
CVE Nassau
CVE Suwannee, Bomb hits 1
CVE Prince William, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage
CVE Copahee
CVL Hermes

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Shanghai at 95,56

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 24
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 22
Mohawk IV x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 138

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed

No Allied losses

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Shanghai at 95,56

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
A6M3a Zero x 36
B5N2 Kate x 28
D3A1 Val x 10
D4Y1 Judy x 16

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 21
F4F-4 Wildcat x 122

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed, 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 5 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

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

Allied Ships
CVE Altamaha, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CVE Suwannee, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVE Copahee, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CVE Nassau
CVE Sangamon

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Moppo at 100,54

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M2-N Rufe x 17
A6M3a Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33
SBC-4 Helldiver x 20
TBF-1 Avenger x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBC-4 Helldiver: 9 destroyed, 3 damaged
SBC-4 Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBC-4 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
1 x SBC-4 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tokara Retto at 100,62

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 9

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG Honan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Thames Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x OS2U-3 Kingfisher bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
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Ground combat at Tinian (108,94)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1541 troops, 14 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 51

Defending force 1368 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Allied adjusted assault: 21

Japanese adjusted defense: 19

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
112th Cavalry Regiment

Defending units:
12th JNAF AF Unit

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Ground combat at Tsingtao (95,47)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 94177 troops, 410 guns, 115 vehicles, Assault Value = 1942

Defending force 17783 troops, 106 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 261

Allied adjusted assault: 937

Japanese adjusted defense: 255

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tsingtao !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1698 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 159 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 30 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 37 (32 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
2211 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 203 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
71st Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
6th Cav Recce Regiment
40th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
93rd Chinese Corps
34th Separate Brigade

Defending units:
15th Division
5th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st NCPC Route Brigade
14th RGC Temp. Division
Ching Tao Special Base Force
23rd JNAF AF Unit

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The fleet is taking a beating, but progress is still being made. Just like the USN in the war, the degradation of IJN air groups will have an affect on future performances, and progress on the ground and through amphibious invasions continues in spite of the poor results these past few turns. I still have only lost about the same amount of ships as the Allies in the war and have destroyed a lot more of the IJN in the process than at this point in the war.

[font="Times New Roman"]March 11, 1943[/font]

---

After a few very active and torturous turns, the pace and air/naval part slows down.

A strange thing happened at Yinkow when arty crossed before the main infantry and armour. I've never had that before, but it turned out well, and showed what the Soviet arty has been doing lately! They almost wiped out the IJA defenders.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 11, 1943
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Morning Air attack on 5th Manchukuo Cav Brigade, at 101,43 (Yingkow)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
I-153 x 6
IL-2 x 126

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
147 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x IL-2 bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Amami Oshima , at 98,64

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 19
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged

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

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 40

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Yingkow (101,43)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7008 troops, 575 guns, 477 vehicles, Assault Value = 19

Defending force 8211 troops, 36 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 55

Japanese ground losses:
517 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 9 (5 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (7 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
413th Howitzer Regiment
165th Hvy Howitzer Regiment
32nd Guards Mortar Regiment
1128th Howitzer Regiment
221st Corps Art Brigade
178th Mortar Regiment
117th/428th OM Gun Battalion
362nd/367th OM Gun Battalion
215th Cannon Brigade
219th Corps Art Brigade
33rd Guards Mortar Regiment
39th Guards Mortar Regiment
45th Howitzer Regiment
629th Cannon Regiment
263rd Howitzer Regiment
1120th Cannon Regiment
227th Cannon Brigade
624th Cannon Regiment
390th Cannon Regiment

Defending units:
5th Manchukuo Cav Brigade
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
29th Ind Engineer Regiment
1st Army
52nd Construction Battalion
55th Field AA Battalion
54th Construction Battalion
209th JAAF AF Bn


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[font="Times New Roman"]March 12, 1943[/font]

---

Well, another CVE went down, making me really rue the event of a few days ago. I would have done it just the same way if I had to do it again, though, as I don't think the setup was bad. Just that the surface ships couldn't hamper the KB enough to give the air strikes a chance.

Soviet troops surge forward to take Yinkow and now it's South to Korea. There are only minor and already beat up IJA units in the way all in clear hexes, so this shouldn't take long. Genzen is the target.

Peiping defenders are starting to crack as well, which will yield a good VP haul.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 12, 1943
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Submarine attack near San Luis Obispo at 220,74

Japanese Ships
SS I-2

Allied Ships
LST-25, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

LST-25 is sighted by SS I-2
SS I-2 launches 2 torpedoes at LST-25

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Ground combat at Yingkow (101,43)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 63288 troops, 1242 guns, 1759 vehicles, Assault Value = 2206

Defending force 7324 troops, 33 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 2623

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 524 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Yingkow !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
5471 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 302 destroyed, 56 disabled
Engineers: 95 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 23 (22 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 62 (53 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 5

Allied ground losses:
206 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
66th Rifle Division
193rd Tank Battalion
77th Tank Brigade
125th Tank Brigade
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
35th Rifle Division
38th Rifle Brigade
39th Rifle Brigade
39th Rifle Division
111th Tank Division
629th Cannon Regiment
624th Cannon Regiment
263rd Howitzer Regiment
32nd Guards Mortar Regiment
221st Corps Art Brigade
362nd/367th OM Gun Battalion
1120th Cannon Regiment
165th Hvy Howitzer Regiment
39th Guards Mortar Regiment
215th Cannon Brigade
45th Howitzer Regiment
413th Howitzer Regiment
219th Corps Art Brigade
117th/428th OM Gun Battalion
33rd Guards Mortar Regiment
227th Cannon Brigade
1128th Howitzer Regiment
390th Cannon Regiment

Defending units:
5th Manchukuo Cav Brigade
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
29th Ind Engineer Regiment
52nd Construction Battalion
55th Field AA Battalion
1st Army
54th Construction Battalion
209th JAAF AF Bn

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Ground combat at Peiping (95,39)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 160950 troops, 647 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4159

Defending force 45472 troops, 382 guns, 157 vehicles, Assault Value = 1221

Allied adjusted assault: 4088

Japanese adjusted defense: 3681

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2627 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 163 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 12 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (6 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3285 casualties reported
Squads: 56 destroyed, 737 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 64 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 37 disabled
Guns lost 35 (1 destroyed, 34 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
11th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
24th Ind Engineer Regiment
24th/B Division
8th NCPC Infantry Brigade
79th Garrison Battalion
68th Division
26th/A Division
26th/B Division
59th Division
17th Tank Regiment
105th NCPC Route Brigade
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th NCPC Infantry Brigade
26th/C Division
5th NCPC Infantry Brigade
15th Garrison Unit
24th/C Division
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
North China Area Army
24th JAAF AF Bn
45th Const Co
53rd JAAF AF Bn
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Cavalry Brigade
69th JAAF AF Coy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]March 13-14, 1943[/font]

---

Naha is invaded and the troops get on the ground in decent shape. The Wake CD gun unit is here, so the DMS/AM take some shots, and it's a bit intense, but a lot of mines are swept. No big strikes in the air and the only one small strike is dealt with easily.

Much more is on the way, but this will be fine for now and will just heal up, bombard, and watch the show for a bit.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 13, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Peiping (95,39)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 154881 troops, 646 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3442

Defending force 43427 troops, 381 guns, 152 vehicles, Assault Value = 1066

Allied adjusted assault: 3101

Japanese adjusted defense: 1489

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3862 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 321 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 41 (7 destroyed, 34 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4241 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 466 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 14, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TF 287 encounters mine field at Naha (95,66) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

47 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DMS Hopkins, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS Wasmuth, Shell hits 3, on fire
AM Heed, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC-641
APD Gregory
AK Algorab, Mine hits 1

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

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

Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at DMS Hopkins
DMS Hopkins firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at DMS Wasmuth
DMS Wasmuth firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at AM Heed
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at DMS Hopkins
DMS Hopkins firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at DMS Wasmuth
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at AM Heed
31 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Naha (95,66) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

396 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB Idaho
AK Algorab, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
AK Alhena, Shell hits 3
AK Bellatrix
SC-641
SC-521
LSI(L) Westralia
DMS Hopkins, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 21 (2 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at BB Mississippi
BB Mississippi firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at BB Idaho
12cm/45 T10 DP Battery engaging AK Algorab at 11,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging AK Bellatrix at 11,000 yards
BB Idaho firing to suppress enemy battery at 11,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Naha (95,66)

TF 287 troops unloading over beach at Naha, 95,66

Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (0 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

15 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 58th (Sep) Infantry Rgt /6
Motorized Support damaged beyond repair during unload of 19th Indian Div /5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Naha (95,66) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

187 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 4
BB Idaho, Shell hits 1
AK Bellatrix
DMS Hopkins, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC-521
LSI(L) Westralia
SC-641

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

BB Mississippi firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at BB Mississippi
BB Mississippi firing to suppress enemy battery at 15,000 yards
SC-521 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 23 encounters mine field at Naha (95,66) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AM Starling, Shell hits 6, heavy fires

Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at AM Starling
AM Starling firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion

10 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 118 encounters mine field at Naha (95,66) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

72 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DMS Southard, Shell hits 4, on fire
DMS Dorsey, Shell hits 5, on fire
AM Bobolink, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AM Herald, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
AM Skylark, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
AM Requisite, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

DMS Southard firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at DMS Southard
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at DMS Dorsey
DMS Dorsey firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
AM Requisite firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion

101 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Naha at 95,66

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4
Spitfire Vc Trop x 9
Hurricane XIIb x 5
P-40K Warhawk x 29
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 9 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

Ground combat at Naha (95,66)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12534 troops, 210 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 605

Defending force 24401 troops, 520 guns, 345 vehicles, Assault Value = 990

Japanese ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Tank Co
64th Inf Group Brigade
2nd Raiding Regiment
47th Naval Guard Unit
16th Division
52nd Naval Guard Unit
I/124th Infantry Battalion
1st Raiding Rgt /1
Southwest Area Fleet
47th JNAF AF Unit
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
108th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
19th Indian Division
147th(Sep) Infantry Rgt /1
58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
2nd British Div /14
763rd Tank Bn /1
4th US Naval Construction Battalion
26th Indian Bde /6
108th RN Base Force /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

A lot of recon going on over the Home Islands. Nice to find bases like this without CAP. Not quite ready to hit it, but maybe soon.

The plus side of that cock-up is it would have lifted the spirits of your opponent.

I believe you're an advocate of separating BBs from CAs and CLs in surface TFs. Do you think you'd have had better luck if say it were the Indy and 5 DDs in one TF and the other ships in another one? Just curious what your thinking here is. Anyway, I'm amazed a top-heavy CV TF (only four DDs escorting) like that could come away that unscathed.

Cheers,
CB

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

The plus side of that cock-up is it would have lifted the spirits of your opponent.

I believe you're an advocate of separating BBs from CAs and CLs in surface TFs. Do you think you'd have had better luck if say it were the Indy and 5 DDs in one TF and the other ships in another one? Just curious what your thinking here is. Anyway, I'm amazed a top-heavy CV TF (only four DDs escorting) like that could come away that unscathed.

Cheers,
CB

He is surprisingly resilient but yes, I'm sure this was a welcome few days of pluses for the Empire. This is the stage where the Allies are close and everything is condensed in a way we don't usually see in 43. He can bring all of his heavy ships to bear in one spot without fear of leaving something else open. The one caveat is that a few more DDs look to have taken heavy damage or gone under and as you've noted, there aren't many to go around, even for the KB.

I think I had Shafroth or another equally good commander leading the Indiana TF. I'm not sure about composition in that one. It felt to me watching that Indiana just missed with ALL of her 16inch salvos. I can't figure out why that would happen when the CVEs should even limit the KBs speed and as you say there was little screening. The Allied cruisers spent most of the battle in range and the report shows them engaging the CVs, CVS and CVEs as well, but I think all of the registered hits on the ships were smaller caliber DD guns.

I don't mind mixing in some cruisers if necessary, but if I'd had another fast BB available I would have had a two BB led TF instead. All are repairing in Hong Kong now after previous battles.

IIRC, new USN BBs arrive with low crew experience (from the historic expansion of the fleet diluting the experienced sailors with lots of newbies.
Playing the Marianas/Philippine scenario in June 1944, the new USN BBs still do not perform well in surface action against Japanese BBs. The USN BB toughness usually saves them but the IJN scores hits more frequently.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

IIRC, new USN BBs arrive with low crew experience (from the historic expansion of the fleet diluting the experienced sailors with lots of newbies.
Playing the Marianas/Philippine scenario in June 1944, the new USN BBs still do not perform well in surface action against Japanese BBs. The USN BB toughness usually saves them but the IJN scores hits more frequently.

Still, against CVs? CVEs? CS cruisers? At the distances involved those ships should have been decimated by 5inch guns from the BB, the DDs and the cruisers. I think even the 40mm should have been in range. The battle got to 6k yards.

Pretty frustrating. Still, I know the position in game is still overwhelmingly positive, so I can deal with it. [;)]

[font="Times New Roman"]March 15, 1943[/font]

---

At Naha the invasion unloading continues and on the 15th the Allies sank about 6 midget subs. They unfortunately do land a hit on BB Indiana. Can't keep the BBs, fast or slow, on the playing field lately. Constant small repairs happening with now six BBs at Hong Kong, one at Singers and one more on the way to the shipyards.

At Naha the Allied troops get ashore well organised, and should be able to strike within a few days if I think it's enough to take the base. I'm not sure though and might await another few fully prepped units.

I also sent a quick forward invasion to Amami Oshima, hopefully beyond where the Japanese expected. This is the limit of LR CAP for the Allies, using only P-38s, and a few small Betty strikes did arrive, but luckily nothing more extensive. One AK took a fish, but that's it. Troops on the ground might not be able to take the base, but can at least wear down the IJA and monitor any additions to the garrison.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 15, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invasion Support action off Naha (95,66) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

174 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 1
BB Colorado
CL Trenton
DD Laffey
AMC Prince Robert
xAK Sommelsdijk, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
PG Charleston
SC-633
SC-631
DD Norman

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

Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at BB New Mexico

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 7 encounters mine field at Amami Oshima (98,64) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DMS Wasmuth, Shell hits 1

3rd IJN Special Coastal Gun Battalion firing at DMS Wasmuth
DMS Wasmuth firing at 3rd IJN Special Coastal Gun Battalion
4 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 425 encounters mine field at Amami Oshima (98,64)

Allied Ships
DD Sims, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Naha at 95,66

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-23, hits 9, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
BB Oklahoma
CL Trenton
PC Yarra
SC-633
SC-631
AMC Prince Robert
AMC Cornwallis
APD Manley
AP Crescent City
AP President Adams
AP American Legion
AK Arcturus
AK Celeno
AK Arided
xAK Sommelsdijk, heavy fires
DD Norman
DD Reid
DD Laffey

SSX Ha-23 is sighted by escort
DD Norman attacking submerged sub ....
SSX Ha-23 forced to surface!
Massive explosion on SSX Ha-23
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Naha at 93,66

Japanese Ships
SS I-168

Allied Ships
DMS Southard, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

SS I-168 launches 4 torpedoes at DMS Southard

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Naha at 95,66

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-5, hits 8, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Torpedo hits 1
CL Richmond
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Walke
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Nestor
DD Dale
DD Cassin

SSX Ha-5 launches 2 torpedoes at BB Indiana
DD Isaac Sweers fails to find sub, continues to search...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Amami Oshima at 98,64

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AK Alchiba, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD DeHaven
CA Quincy
AMC Worcestershire

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
15th FG/72nd FS with P-38F Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Saishu To , at 99,55

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AV Nippo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

Port supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Moppo , at 100,54

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 2 damaged

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Mitchell II bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Raiding Regiment, at 97,65 (Tokunoshima)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Naha at 95,66

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 5
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 21
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Amami Oshima at 98,64

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Aaron Ward
CA Hawkins
CA Quincy

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Amami Oshima (98,64) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

150 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Hawkins, Shell hits 2
CA Quincy, Shell hits 1
AK Alchiba, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
xAK Mariso, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Aaron Ward
DD DeHaven
AMC Hector

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

3rd IJN Special Coastal Gun Battalion firing at CA Hawkins

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

Ground combat at Naha (95,66)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12630 troops, 217 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 606

Defending force 31406 troops, 588 guns, 429 vehicles, Assault Value = 1061

Japanese ground losses:
330 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
47th Naval Guard Unit
1st Ind.Tank Co
52nd Naval Guard Unit
2nd Raiding Regiment
I/124th Infantry Battalion
16th Division
64th Inf Group Brigade
1st Raiding Rgt /1
Southwest Area Fleet
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
47th JNAF AF Unit
108th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
19th Indian Division
763rd Tank Battalion
2nd British Division
58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
26th Indian Bde /6
108th RN Base Force
4th US Naval Construction Battalion

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

Ground combat at Amami Oshima (98,64)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2732 troops, 64 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 112

Defending force 4209 troops, 61 guns, 93 vehicles, Assault Value = 225

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Amami Oshima Fortress
Yokosuka 6th SNLF
Sasebo 3rd SNLF /20
16th Field Construction Battalion
10th Special Base Force
3rd IJN Special Coastal Gun Battalion
8th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
4th KNIL Regiment
254th Armoured Bde /6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

Nothing seems to be moving to try to get back into Korea from Manchuria. Genzan, my target on the East coastline, still as only one unit, which has to be the fort there.

[font="Times New Roman"]March 16, 1943[/font]

---

The IJN moved the KB in close to Amami Oshima, but I'd sent all ships back immediately after landing troops. The nice part is that I was able to sweep the KB CAP with P-38s. It looks like the KB strikes, if any, were restricted in range and only a few Bettys aimed for nearby TFs.

The para-drop on Kuroshima, a small island off of Kagoshima, was only able to get a 1:1, and I think I'll pull them back since he'll reinforce for sure.

Peiping falls, the last major Chinese base to be reconquered. Chinese troops are now a bit useless, restricted to their borders. I've bought out the ones I ca, and turned off all reinforcements on the others. So at least I'll have a few strong Corps with good reinforced devices and infantry.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 16, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Naha at 93,66

Japanese Ships
SS I-1, hits 1

Allied Ships
AP George F. Elliot, Torpedo hits 1
BB Indiana
BB New Mexico
BB Oklahoma
BB Colorado
CL Trenton
PG Charleston
PC Yarra
SC-633
AMC Prince Robert
APD Rathburne
AP Crescent City
AP President Hayes
AK Arcturus
AK Arided
DD Norman
DD Reid
DD Mustin
DD Laffey

SS I-1 launches 2 torpedoes at AP George F. Elliot
I-1 diving deep ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Amami Oshima , at 98,64

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M3a Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 9
P-38G Lightning x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 32000 feet

CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
802 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Hiyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kume-jima at 94,65

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 5
Spitfire Vc Trop x 22
Hurricane XIIb x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28
F4U-1 Corsair x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Okinoerabushima at 96,65

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
Hurricane XIIb x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Arthur , at 99,44

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 5
Hurricane IIc Trop x 12
Beaufighter Ic x 8
IL-2 x 51

Allied aircraft losses
IL-2: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Sakura Maru, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kantori Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMc Shanan Maru #16, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kiyozumi Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
PB Nichiro Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x IL-2 bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Iwo-jima , at 108,77

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 19

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
TK Meizan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Senyo Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Ganges Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Muroto, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Toshi Maru #1, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Rumonoe Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

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

Port hits 6
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet *
Port Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Amami Oshima , at 98,64

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M2-N Rufe x 2
A6M3a Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Amami Oshima , at 98,64

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 37,550 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M3a Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 10
P-38F Lightning x 1

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

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 34550 feet

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

Ground combat at Naha (95,66)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12611 troops, 217 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 596

Defending force 32034 troops, 603 guns, 437 vehicles, Assault Value = 1065

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
47th Naval Guard Unit
1st Ind.Tank Co
I/124th Infantry Battalion
2nd Raiding Regiment
52nd Naval Guard Unit
16th Division
64th Inf Group Brigade
1st Raiding Rgt /1
47th JNAF AF Unit
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Southwest Area Fleet
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion
108th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
19th Indian Division
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
763rd Tank Battalion
2nd British Division
58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
26th Indian Brigade
108th RN Base Force
4th US Naval Construction Battalion

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

Ground combat at Peiping (95,39)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 147678 troops, 644 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2566

Defending force 34339 troops, 332 guns, 136 vehicles, Assault Value = 397

Allied adjusted assault: 1417

Japanese adjusted defense: 525

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Peiping !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
10189 casualties reported
Squads: 195 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 434 destroyed, 67 disabled
Engineers: 42 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 162 (158 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 79 (76 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 24

Allied ground losses:
2506 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 235 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

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

Ground combat at Kuroshima (100,61)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 384 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Defending force 801 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Allied adjusted assault: 15

Japanese adjusted defense: 10

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
226 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Parachute Bn /1

Defending units:
30th Ind Engineer Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

It's nearly Hellcat time!

[font="Times New Roman"]March 17-18, 1943[/font]

---

Shikuka has been changed over to a US base and I've flown SBDs, some Bolos and other airframes that could reach from the Aleutians. Some P-40Es provided a LR CAP and the Daunltesses hit Toyohara, where the Japanese ares still trying to pull resources. Sent some Soviet flying boats low as well. A good haul for a first strike.

On the 18th the KB moves closer, surprisingly, and strikes aim for the previously undetected (as far as I've seen anyway) Allied carriers. Yikes!

Luckily they are medium strikes which the defensive CAP could handle. I've configured to cover the Naha landings, which I think were the target, and thus didn't have a strike package to send in return. The Japanese strikes are demolished, only a few planes get through, and only one bomb lands, on the Hermes, which has the most unspectacular fuel storage explosion I've ever seen. After the turn she has a grand total of 8 system damage. That's all! [X(]

So this should make things easier for a few days anyway. I've turned on the DB/TBs from Ishigake and neighbouring islands in case any surface forces shoot in expecting a wounded Hermes, but I'll actually retire for a bit and let the growing LBA cAP handle things at Naha for now.

The pilot experience differential just got a lot better since many escorting zeros were lost here, and the Allied jocks got a LOT of kills. About 120 downed on the day.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 17, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kume-jima at 94,65

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 5
Spitfire Vc Trop x 22
Hurricane XIIb x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
F4U-1 Corsair x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 124,46

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 18
I-15bis x 7
SBD-3 Dauntless x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AMC Bankok Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Denmark Maru, Bomb hits 1
AMC Asaka Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
AMC Nosiro Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
LSD Shinshu Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 124,46

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 1 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 18
I-15bis x 23
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AMC Asaka Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
LSD Shinshu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 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

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Asaka Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring LSD Shinshu Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 124,46

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 18
MBR-2 x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Eihuku Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Naples Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x MBR-2 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Iwo-jima , at 108,77

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 19

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG Ganges Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
TK Meizan Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
AG Muroto, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Port hits 8
Port supply hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet *
Port Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Amami Oshima , at 98,64

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 5
P-38G Lightning x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 32000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 125,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
I-15bis x 15
I-153 x 32
SBD-3 Dauntless x 19

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 8, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
SC Ch 5
SC Ch 12
SC Ch 10, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Antung , at 102,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 27,800 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 20

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 14
MiG-3 x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 3 destroyed

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 18, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submarine attack near Naha at 93,66

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, hits 11, and is sunk

Allied Ships
AP George Clymer
AK Castor
DD Aaron Ward
DD Chevalier
CA Hawkins
CA Quincy

SS I-168 is sighted by escort
I-168 diving deep ....
DD Aaron Ward attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-168 forced to surface!
DD Aaron Ward firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Chevalier firing on surfaced sub ....
CA Quincy firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Naha at 95,66

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-8, hits 4, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PG Hindustan
KV Nigella
xAP North Coast
xAP Baranof
xAK Am. Press
DD Foxhound
DD Arrow

SSX Ha-8 is sighted by escort
Ha-8 bottoming out ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tokara Retto , at 100,62

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M2-N Rufe x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 32000 feet

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(22 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 15 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
802 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Naha at 94,66

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 63
A6M3a Zero x 35
B5N2 Kate x 18
D3A1 Val x 11
D4Y1 Judy x 27

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 19
F4F-4 Wildcat x 173

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 11 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 8 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 14 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Fuel storage explosion on CVL Hermes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kume-jima at 94,65

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 9
D4Y1 Judy x 11

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 4
Spitfire Vc Trop x 22
Hurricane XIIb x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
F4U-1 Corsair x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Naha at 95,66

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
D4Y1 Judy x 3

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 1
Buffalo I x 5
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 9
P-40K Warhawk x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Naha at 94,66

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 10

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 111

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Naha at 94,66

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 13

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 108

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 9 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Naha at 94,66

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 51
A6M3a Zero x 23
B5N2 Kate x 26
D3A1 Val x 31
D4Y1 Judy x 13

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 17
F4F-4 Wildcat x 132

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 15 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 16 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
CLAA Juneau
CV Wasp
CV Yorktown

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Looks like Hermes' FSE was just FOW. The 8 points System damage looks about right for a small bomb hitting the armoured deck and not penetrating.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Looks like Hermes' FSE was just FOW. The 8 points System damage looks about right for a small bomb hitting the armoured deck and not penetrating.

Or just the best dice roll for damage ever executed! [:D]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Looks like Hermes' FSE was just FOW. The 8 points System damage looks about right for a small bomb hitting the armoured deck and not penetrating.

Or just the best dice roll for damage ever executed! [:D]

Or maybe the stored fuel was cooking oil instead of avgas! [;)]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Looks like Hermes' FSE was just FOW. The 8 points System damage looks about right for a small bomb hitting the armoured deck and not penetrating.

Or just the best dice roll for damage ever executed! [:D]

Or maybe the stored fuel was cooking oil instead of avgas! [;)]

Kindling? [:D]