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Hi, I've been following your AAR for some time now, it's nice to see Japan in such good shape in late 1943.
I am relatively unexperienced but I wonder if tihs situation at Wake could be your chance for a big Battleship vs Carrier shodown [&:] Do you have some Battleships close at hand? Yamato is with the combined fleet in the Timoeka area?
You said you sank all of his early fleet carriers, some carriers are hanging around Port Morseby and the few carriers he may have at Wake are obviously full of fighters. Is there a chance he has a considerable number of strike aircraft at Wake that could threaten a surface fleet trying to chase him away?
Certainly he will run if he can't fight your surface force but if you surprise him his carriers may be forced to retreat faster than his transports can???

ORIGINAL: Elessar

Hi, I've been following your AAR for some time now, it's nice to see Japan in such good shape in late 1943.
I am relatively unexperienced but I wonder if tihs situation at Wake could be your chance for a big Battleship vs Carrier shodown [&:] Do you have some Battleships close at hand? Yamato is with the combined fleet in the Timoeka area?
You said you sank all of his early fleet carriers, some carriers are hanging around Port Morseby and the few carriers he may have at Wake are obviously full of fighters. Is there a chance he has a considerable number of strike aircraft at Wake that could threaten a surface fleet trying to chase him away?
Certainly he will run if he can't fight your surface force but if you surprise him his carriers may be forced to retreat faster than his transports can???

Hi Elassar!
I´m glad to see another reader. Unfortunatelly I have no BBs in range. My nearest BBs are at Truk (Yamashiro and Hyuga). I have formed surface combat TF around them and send them to Wake, but they are slow and will arrive too late. All my other BBs are either with KB near Amboina or at Ceylon/Singapore. The only surface assets in are are now 1 CA+3DD which should arrive tommorrow at distance of 6 hexes from Wake.



Would be nice to get his CVs in front of Yamato, but the results would be probably very poor. Hardly ever can you get enything else except a few escort ships. Even if I had BBs on disposal I would think twice to send them there. The mid ocean intercepts are a matter of luck. He is too smart to stay at the same place and I would have to guess his exact position. Also I´m not 100% sure he has absolutely no attack planes. He can have a few of them and it could be enough to ruin a day.. [;)] Or he can have them ready on Midway. In one day he could trade all fighters for bombers..

These are just speculations as I have no real fleet there. LBA and LCU will have to fight it on their own.. [:)]

What a bloody turn..

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/25/43

KB was attacked on its way to Amboina and escorting DD was hit:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 42,79

Japanese Ships
DD Hatakaze, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Asanagi
DD Hayate
DD Oite
DD Matsukaze
DD Harukaze
CL Agano

Allied Ships
SS Sargo

DD Hatakaze sinks a few hours later..


Another sub attack took place at Darwin harbour. This time BB Mutsu was the target. Moderately damaged during the fights against PTs finally arrived (sys 36, flt 39) at Darwin:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Darwin  at 36,84

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Argonaut

Ufff.. Torpedoes failed to detonate.. Unlucky sub was located by my ASW TF a bit later:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 37,83

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 10
MSW W.14
MSW W.4
MSW W.1
PC Matsuwa
PC Sado
PC Oki

Allied Ships
SS Argonaut, hits 13,  on fire,  heavy damage

SS Argonaut went down immedietly..
 
OK, my sub confirmed the presence of allied invasion fleet near Thursday Is:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 49,91

Japanese Ships
SS RO-65, hits 4

Allied Ships
LCT LCT-140
LCT LCT-64
LCI LCI-327
LCI LCI-223
LCI LCI-222
LCI LCI-221
LCI LCI-219
LCI LCI-83
LCI LCI-63
LCI LCI-24
LST LST-28
LST LST-27
LST LST-17
AP Wayne
AP President Polk
AP Heywood
AP George F. Elliot
MSW Tanager
MSW Strive
DD Piet Hein
DD Vampire
DD Tucker
DD Cummings
DD Stack

Many more attacks followed and RO-65 has to retire with sys 25 to Rabaul. 


PjH is clearly trying to close all airfields from which I could threaten his invasion to PM. He has closed PM, Gili Gili and now he attacked heavily defended Lae. At first came fighter sweep from Thursday Is:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 87
J1N1-S Irving x 21
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 50
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 20
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 87

Allied aircraft
PB2Y Coronado x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 59
P-38G Lightning x 87
F-5A Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 30 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PB2Y Coronado: 1 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 42 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 44 destroyed

My samurais fought well and shot down 86 allied fighters at the cost of 36 own. And a few moments after the last allied fighter disappeared, the main strike from Cairns arrived. 600 4E run directly into my CAP, which was still very strong:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 83
J1N1-S Irving x 21
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 48
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 20
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 57

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 153
LB-30 Liberator x 42
PB4Y Liberator x 27
B-24D Liberator x 372

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 7 destroyed, 69 damaged
J1N1-S Irving: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 7 destroyed, 35 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed, 18 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 destroyed, 33 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 45 destroyed, 63 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 31 destroyed
PB4Y Liberator: 15 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 173 destroyed, 26 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21


 
 
WOW!!! What a bloody battle! 300 4E was shot down and another 250 chased away. Only 50 bombers made it through and lightly damaged the base, destroying a few planes on the ground. When the day was over, the Lae was still operational and so I call it a japanese victory. During these two battles allies lost 305 4E and 86 fighters. My losses are:
16x Jack (12x A-A)
11x Ki-44 (8x A-A)
36x Ki-61 (35x A-A)
2x Ki-45-KAIa
3x J1N1 (1x A-A)
Another 4 bombers were destroyed on ground. So basicaly I have lost 68 fighters (56 in A-A) against 391 allied planes. Not a bad ratio especially when you consider I have lost only 32 pilots! The dark side is that hundret planes were damaged and the CAP will be much weaker tommorrow. The most affected groups were pulled out and some fresh groups moved in, but in total I will be 30-50% weaker tommorrow..
 
Another smaller raid keep Port Moresby suppressed:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 26
Liberator VI x 62
P-38G Lightning x 43
F-5A Lightning x 4


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 4 damaged
Liberator VI: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 3
Port supply hits 2


Allied CVs were attacked by a few betties, but the CAP shot them all down: 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 49,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 191
F6F Hellcat x 40
F4U-1 Corsair x 92

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 7 damaged

This attack was planned. Only 30xp crews.. I wanted to see what he has.

But THIS attack wasn´t planned at all. This group was sitting in Siador for weeks doing nothing while allied CVs, uncaped transports and heavily damaged ships were sailing all around. Now they decided to attack. They probably saw what happened to their friends in the morning and decided it is an excellent idea to try it too..[:@]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 49,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 182
F6F Hellcat x 36
F4U-1 Corsair x 78

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 4 damaged

This is pretty strong CAP for those few CVs. I think PjH switched some bombers for fighters here too.


This is the moment I nearly destroyed my keyboard:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 86,63

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 26
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 56
Ki-49 Helen x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 20 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 1
BB Pennsylvania
BB Arizona

My bombers decided to attack uncaped BBs which they can not hurt and all fighters accompany them, while: 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 88,63

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 27
G4M2 Betty x 12

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 77
F4U-1 Corsair x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 27 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 14 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 8 damaged

all torpedo bombers attacks CVs without escort..[:@][:@][:@]
 
All who survives continue with the brainless tactic and senceless attacks in the p.m. phase probably just make me a bit more pissed off!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 86,63

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 25
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 51
Ki-49 Helen x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Arizona
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 88,63

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 62
F4U-1 Corsair x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 1 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 4 damaged

Excellent! "targeting routine" and "escort attachment routine" really drives me crazy. I have lost 50 crack crews to that today.. [:(][:@] 
 



And that is not all yet. During the morning the most of India was clauded, but afternoon huge fighter sweep was launched from Malir against Ahmadabad:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Ahmadabad , at 24,8

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 26
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 48
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 53

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 6
P-40B Tomahawk x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 89

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 11 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 12 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair IV: 4 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 6 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 81 destroyed

Another bloody battle another victory of IJNAF! Banzai!
 


Another 101 allied fighters shot down at a cost of 24 of my own. But only 11! pilots is lost.. I think PjH planned this strike in a.m. phase followed or joined by bombers from Karachi, but bad weather prevented that and afternoon anly sweep mission was executed. Fresh sentais were moved in and damaged sentais pulled out for rest and rally..
 

This attack on Irkustk was extremely bloody [:(]:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Irkutsk , at 59,6

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 69
Ki-21 Sally x 119
Ki-49 Helen x 82
Ki-46-III Dinah x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 23 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 5 destroyed, 16 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
214 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 103

I really don´t know what to do here. The AA fire is killing me no matter of heigh.. In 2 days I will launch a new ground attack.

All in all todays losses are 488 allied against 190 japanese! I like it.. [:)]

OMG! At times I forget how crappy stock is... [X(] Even with the absurd replacement rates and the numbers of bombers operational all the time, this turn surely has hurt PJH.

Oh yes.. Stock is bloody.. Maybe it hurts him, but he just send a second wave and his CVs and this time he got me. Bad turn for the Empire. Many planes lost and Lae is closed.. [:(]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/26/43

I have send my 3 minelaying subs to lay minefield in Thursday Is. It si very busy base si I might get lucky..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 49,91

Japanese Ships
SS I-124

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
CA Salt Lake City
CA Indianapolis

This is a side benefit. I-124 laid all mines and hit allied CA with a torp. That´s what I call a succesfull mission..[:D]

This move surprised me a lot! PjH moved all his CVs to the coastal hex as near to Lae as was possible and launched his planes:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 14
J1N1-S Irving x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 77
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 17

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 137
F6F Hellcat x 26
F4U-1 Corsair x 66
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 90

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 11 destroyed
J1N1-S Irving: 7 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 68 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 14 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 58 destroyed, 14 damaged
F6F Hellcat: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 37 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 7 damaged
TBF Avenger: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 32

My samurais did their best, but with 50% planes still damaged they were outnumbered and outgunned. 60 Corsairs are deadly and 80% lost planes goes to them. OUCH! I can´t even say that he paid for it, because this victory costs him "only " 100 fighters. 100 fighters is low price for clearing the sky for the bombers which will close this important base!
 
And here comes another wave. 100 P-38G were send to clear whatever remained from my CAP:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
PB2Y Coronado x 3
P-38G Lightning x 94
F-5A Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 10 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 10 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB2Y Coronado: 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 13 destroyed, 9 damaged

The sky is now clear and safe and 300 4E from Cairns arrive to finish the job:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 85
LB-30 Liberator x 9
PB4Y Liberator x 20
B-24D Liberator x 212

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 11 destroyed
J1N1-S Irving: 9 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 13 destroyed
J2M Jack: 11 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 14 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
125 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 34
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 421

It is over. Lae is closed.. [:(][:(]

My only hope was that counterstrikes from Lae and Rabaul against his CVs with extremely low CAP will safe the day, but at usually, for some reason, only a handfull bombers take off:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 52,89

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 24
G4M1 Betty x 20
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 55
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 20
Ki-49 Helen x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 53
F6F Hellcat x 9
F4U-1 Corsair x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 16 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 18 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 8 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 43 destroyed
F6F Hellcat: 8 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 18 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Essex
BB South Dakota
CVL Independence, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
CVL Cowpens, Bomb hits 1
CVL Monterey, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire

OK. I got his CVs on golden plate and what happens? Only 20-30% take off [:@][:@][:@]. The same for Rabaul. I have 100 G4M there and I got this:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 52,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G4M1 Betty x 32

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
F4U-1 Corsair x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 22 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 9 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F6F Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Belleau Wood
CVL Monterey, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
CVL Princeton
CVL Cowpens
BB South Dakota
CVL Independence,  on fire

Only 30% take off [:@] and only ONE hit. All of them are 90xp..[:(]

Afternoon strike from Rabaul (Lae was already closed) was even more pathetic and easily repulsed:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 52,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33
F6F Hellcat x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 12 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged



And that is all. This time I have lost badly. Today I have lost 340 planes to 221 his. Fortunatelly I have lost only 86 fighter pilots, because half these planes were lost on the ground, buts still it hurts a lot. Lae was abandoned, air groups dispersed all around, filled with new planes and in 3-4 days will be 100% combat ready, but what will happen within those 4 days? And when my bombers will start to fly again? So far they are flying only if they have chance to impale themselves against some huge CAP without escorts. It is pretty discouraging. I think I had a great chance to hit his CVs. I had everything on the place. Crack bombers, crack escort, nice weather, HQ, supplies,excelent morale, low fatigue, best leaders. It is probably better not to think about it, but.. [:@] 
 
BTW he is now running away from Wake..

If only a handful bombers took off from Rabaul you can request a REDO! [:D] That´s the reason why my game against your opponent was quit, he requested a redo because not 100% of his aircraft attacked my carriers, only 300 out of 500. He insisted that this is a BUG everytime it happens and so it would be no absurd request to redo such turns...

Of course you would never make it beyond 12/41, but he insisted on his oppinion that it was a bug and on a redo! Just ask him for a redo, his answer would surely be funny... what´s good for the goose...[8D]

[:D]..
 
I´m sure that in case of redo all his AF and CVs would be clauded in a.m. with all his CVs sunk in p.m. phase = redo..
 
I have calmed down already. I have to repeat myself "it is just a game.. it is just a game..". I have thought about this a lot and for me the problem ISN´T that my planes didn´t fly, but because I don´k know WHY! There is many things that can go wrong even in excellent conditions, but I should be informed about that. It woudl be good if the part of the combat report or operational report would be the something like this:
 
morale test: pass
leader test: fail = 20% penalty
fatigue test: fail = 20% penalty
target assigment (HQ issue): failed = no planes launch
etc.
etc.
 
After that I would know what happend and what to do to correct this ( I need better leaders = oops I don´t have any.. etc..). Now I just know planes don´t fly.. "A supreme commander wants some answers, dammit!" issue..[:)] It is bad when things goes wrong, but it is much worse if you don´t understand why. 

OK, the situation is following:
 
India - I´m still holding my ground. Air attack against Ahmadabad was repulsed with heavy losses to RAF so I expect a few calm days again. On the ground the situation is heating up. W of Ahmadabad his units moved and entered the hex SW of it. At the same time the northest allied group grow in strengh significantly. From less them 80k to more then 150k. So either he wants to flank me from both sides or one of this move is fake. When you consider the "western" group is the weakest, consisting of only 12 LCU and at least half of them has to stay there to guard the supply/retreat path, I think the real danger comes from the north, where he knows exactly what he is facing and his "stack" is truly formidable. Especialy when it can be supported by another group of 23 LCU (including tanks I believe).
I have 20th Army HQ and 2 divisions on the way as reinforcements, but both divisions are still on the track to Ledo and the HQ is 2 hexes south of Delphi, but somehow jumped from the rail into the wilderness and now will spend the whole month on the way back..[:@]
 
NG/Solomons - I have suffered a tactical defeat when my air force presence was repulsed from the vicinity of Port Moresby, which is now open to attack. I hope he will be hasty and will attack Port Moresby as soon as possible while I have CD guns ready and 37k supplies. But Port Moresby will eventually fall. I can reinforce or supply it adequately. And then whole Solomons are undefendable as all airfields in the range of 4E can be easily closed. But it will take time, which is my friend now. He can be either methodical and advance slowly but safely under the LBA cover or he will keep an eye on the calendar and will try to advance quickly and risky. I can´t do anything in the first case, but if he wants to risk, I have already 3 divisions in reserve on Truk to be thrown against any "deeper landing". Also the airforce will play important role. It was hurt, but not crippled. It is lickikng its wounds now, but soon will be ready to strike again! if there will be some airfield left of course.. [;)]
And last but not least I´m moving KB back to this region. It just passed Amboina and is heading to Rabaul. If he wants to attack Port Moresby, he can do it now and face the unsuppressed defenders or wait and face KB. I like it..
 
Australia/Amboina - A calm area. After the fall of Timoeka nearly nothing happened. I left strong surface fleet here (Yamato, Musashi and Nagato) and spend the days by hunting his subs. Something might be on the march between Darwin and Charters Towers, but I keep strong army here and 2 more divisions should arrive in Darwin within 2 days. No way he could break here. Only thing which bothers me is, that the whole operation near Port Moresby is a giant maskirovka and he came back to Timoeka..
 
Wake - Allied fleets are retreating. The deffences probably scared him.. [;)]

Hi Castor, you should focus on the game, not Jumper's opponent... you might get warning from the Joe, or yours already abandoned AAR could be locked[:D]
 
Jumper, It looks naughty, but the most important thing is that you didn't lost many pilots, while he did. What is nice is that he is losing navy pilots, sooner or later he will run out of experienced navy pilots in the pool.  Stay focused, continue with fierce but inteligent defence (in other words, just keep going on) and Allies will be in trouble. It is 1943, Japan still has teeths, trust me[;)]
 
Bonsai!
 
 
 
 
 

Killing those naval pilots is nice, but as I rarely fight against them, he has more then enough of them.. He has lost only 100-150 in these battles and these he can replace easily. I doubt he will face any shortage of them. And even if he would, he uses marine Corsairs on CVs and they will cover everything. I can just hope he will run out of planes or ships [:)][:'(]
 
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/27/43

Sub laid minefield is nearly cleared..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1051 encounters mine field at Thursday Island (49,90)

Allied Ships
MSW Quatsino
MSW Bungaree
MSW Nipigon
MSW Bendigo
MSW Burnie

A few mines still remains and I hope damaged CVL could hit one..

 
Milk run..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Ahmadabad , at 24,8

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 15

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Runway hits 1
 
I can´t believe it! My night fighter really shot down enemy bomber!
 
 
Port Moresby is now being shelled from the sea too:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

148 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Wilson, Shell hits 18,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Lamson, Shell hits 14,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Dunlap
CA Wichita, Shell hits 8
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 7
BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 15
BB Indiana, Shell hits 2

Japanese ground losses:
275 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

It seems someone forgot to keep escorts out of the harms way.. [:D]
 
The same here:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Case
DD Pringle
DD Edwards, Shell hits 11,  on fire,  heavy damage
BB South Dakota
BB New Mexico

Japanese ground losses:
207 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

And another DD is hit hard.. I like it. My own losses are nearly non existant and 3 US DDs are out of combat and hopefully will sink. Most CD guns are still undamaged and I hope he will land soon. I´m weaker every day and I want inflict as much damage as I can. I want him to PAY for this base! I could send reinforcements by air, but I´m not sure about my supply situation. I have 34k now at PM. Will PM draw supplies from Lae? I have VERY bad experience with that.  Several times in the game PM was in red numbers while I had 80k supplies in Lae and nothing happened. There is no point sending more men to PM if I can not supply them..
 
 
PjH now keeps my bases closed:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 26
B-24D Liberator x 105

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 156
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
 
Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 12
P-38G Lightning x 5
F-5A Lightning x 5


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
 
Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 42
 
Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged

Port supply hits 1
 
Hey, look at this! Garrison learned to use FLAK guns finally.. [;)]
 
Hmm, and now the garrison itself is targeted. 9th division was divided into A,B,C part immedietly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 9th Division, at 53,91
 
Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 36
P-38G Lightning x 15
 
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
 
Only 150 mines remain in PM. I suppose they will be easily cleared before the landing begins.. [:(] My airgroups ale regaining their strengh all around. 2-3 days and I will be ready. I have build Siador to lvl4 so I can use it to LRCAP Lae to ambush his bombers. A few hundrets 4E left to be shot down yet..
Also in 3 days the A6M5 Zeke production will be launched and soon the whole KB will be rearmed to this new type. Zeke is still no match for Hellcats/Corsairs, but is still better then Zero. Every bit helps..
 
 
Irkutsk bomber missions are still deadly. Usual raid:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Irkutsk , at 59,6

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 67
Ki-21 Sally x 71
Ki-49 Helen x 59
Ki-46-III Dinah x 3

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 4 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Yak-9D: 4 destroyed
LaGG-3: 6 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 3 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
185 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 60

Surprise! PjH tried to repair a few planes, but I got them all on the ground. US groups are still there I see..
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irkutsk

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 9783 troops, 302 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12370

Defending force 294240 troops, 2980 guns, 148 vehicles, Assault Value = 5418
 

Allied ground losses:
123 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irkutsk

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14278 troops, 490 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5418

Defending force 666467 troops, 6234 guns, 513 vehicles, Assault Value = 12370


Japanese ground losses:
134 casualties reported
 
The attack is ordered! Lets hope I can knock down another fort..

ORIGINAL: pauk

you might get warning from the Joe

Yup the "Joe Monster" is out there somewhere you can hear him stomping around in de swamp!
[:D]

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

Yup the "Joe Monster" is out there somewhere you can hear him stomping around in de swamp!
[:D]

Yes, you are here to protect and serve[:)]

Pauk - I luv ya - I do - I do. And I know one day you will be 100% Pauk again - and you will be happy - and you will have a great AAR going that we will all love to read. Because you are the greatest!
Bonsai!!!
[&o][&o][&o]



(and the past will be the past)
[:)]

 
 
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/28/43

Hmm.. No mine hits here:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1070 encounters mine field at Thursday Island (49,90)

Allied Ships
DD Pringle
 
The day saw many allied bombers as PjH now has to keep all bases closed. Unfortunately it seems he has enough planes to accomplish that. Besides that the Siador was added on his list (I thought this base out of his range..). This could be a problem as I planed to use Siador to regain air control over Lae:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Siador , at 54,85


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 15
B-24D Liberator x 87
 
No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 43

Light damage. I have to try to defend this base. All fighter groups with more then 20 repaired planes were rebased on Admirality Is and will LRCAP Saidor tommorrow.

 
Otherwise it starts to be routine:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18
PB4Y Liberator x 13
B-24D Liberator x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 77
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gili Gili , at 56,94

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PBM Mariner x 6
B-17E Fortress x 45
PB4Y Liberator x 24
B-24D Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 67
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
 
Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 13
 
Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger: 4 damaged

Port supply hits 1
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
 
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 43
 
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 25
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
 
Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 19
 
Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger: 4 damaged

Port supply hits 1
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 9th/A Division, at 53,91

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 3
Liberator VI x 16
P-38G Lightning x 10


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 1 damaged
Liberator VI: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 9th/C Division, at 53,91

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 3
Liberator VI x 21
P-38G Lightning x 24


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

I will stop posting these attacks unless something interesting happens. No point to post endless bombing reports. His carriers are parked 60 miles east of PM.  I would love to attack him, but
a) all my airfields are closed or exposed to attack
b) 60% of my fighters are still damaged
 
 
In Australia he is advancing from both directions. These units are heading towards Derby:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd Australian Division, at 14,92

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

No Japanese losses
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 13th DAF Base Force, at 14,92

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

No Japanese losses

There is more units on the way, but I feel I have satisfying defence here and I can rally on air support while he can´t. 
 
The same goes for units advancing on Darwin:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Australian Tank Regiment, at 36,92

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 22
Ki-21 Sally x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
 
7-10 more units was spotted, but only 1 AUS div identified. I think these are just probing attack if I haven´t left the northern Australia undefended. Well, I didn´t..


In USSR another attack was launched:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irkutsk

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 628386 troops, 6216 guns, 514 vehicles, Assault Value = 12380

Defending force 295309 troops, 3009 guns, 149 vehicles, Assault Value = 5446

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 6

Japanese max assault: 12112 - adjusted assault: 3327

Allied max defense: 5285 - adjusted defense: 10682

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 6)


Japanese ground losses:
32106 casualties reported
Guns lost 881
Vehicles lost 83

Allied ground losses:
8276 casualties reported
Guns lost 261
Vehicles lost 6

Funny losses, but my armies break another fort, so I´m fine with it.. I lost 3000AV in this attack btw. [:)]
 
And Sarmi was finaly recaptured:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sarmi

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3692 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 117

Defending force 120 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 117 - adjusted assault: 141

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 141 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sarmi base !!!
 

Allied ground losses:
185 casualties reported
 

The lost air battle for Lae is causing me more troubles the I have expected. Surprisingly it is not lost planes or pilots what troubles me, but the fact that nearly whole fighters force in this area was crippled for a week or so, until the new planes will be repaired. It doesn´t  matter if I have hundrets  80xp pilots and thousands planes in pool. Pilots are now sitting on the ground in damaged planes and I can´t do anything about. It was clearly seen today when I hardly scratched 150 undamaged fighters for LRCAP from Admirality to Siador. That is 80% of all combat ready fighters I have here! Now I hope PjH will wait with invasion for a few more days..

I will post more info and pictures when I get home, but for now here is what happend. Port Moresby invasion started!
 
 
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/29/43

I expected I will have a few more days, but PjH is in hurry and soon it was clear that allied invasion of Port Moresby just started:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1019 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (53,91) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

30 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Quail
MSW Penguin
MSW Robin, Shell hits 10,  on fire,  heavy damage
MSW Tern
MSW Tumult
MSW Heed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1025 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (53,91) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MSW Tanager
MSW Strive, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Piet Hein
DD Stack
DD Lang
DD Benham

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (53,91)

Allied Ships
MSW Champion
LCT LCT-364, Mine hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage

Most of the mines were swept away, but not all of them. The day before I had 150 mines left there. Now only 50 remains..

It is very well organised landing. First were the minesweepers now followed by BB bombardment:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Mobile
CL Columbia
CL Adelaide
BB Valiant

Japanese ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1

Runway hits 7
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
 
Nothing serious and now allied transport and landing boats arrives:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1025 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (53,91)

TF 1025 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91
 
Allied Ships
MSW Tanager
MSW Strive,  on fire
DD Vampire
DD Stack
DD Ellet
DD Benham
DD Cummings
DD Lang
LCT LCT-149, Mine hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
LCT LCT-60, Mine hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 1025
2315 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LCT LCT-149, Shell hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 3
DD Vampire, Shell hits 1
LCT LCT-141, Shell hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
CL Perth, Shell hits 3
LCT LCT-139, Shell hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
LCT LCT-138, Shell hits 14,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Ellet, Shell hits 3,  on fire
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 2
DD Benham, Shell hits 11
LCT LCT-133, Shell hits 18,  on fire,  heavy damage
LCT LCT-130, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Lang, Shell hits 3
LCT LCT-128, Shell hits 2,  on fire
CL Portland, Shell hits 2
LCT LCT-67, Shell hits 3
LCT LCT-65, Shell hits 3
LCT LCT-63, Shell hits 2
LCT LCT-59, Shell hits 8
LCT LCT-58, Shell hits 1
DD Piet Hein
LCI LCI-332, Shell hits 7,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Cummings
LCI LCI-221
LCI LCI-219, Shell hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
LCI LCI-216, Shell hits 14
LCI LCI-85
LCI LCI-22, Shell hits 6
LCI LCI-84
LCI LCI-62, Shell hits 2
LCI LCI-24, Shell hits 1
LCI LCI-23, Shell hits 4,  on fire
LST LST-338, Shell hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
LST LST-17, Shell hits 1
LST LST-16, Shell hits 2,  on fire
AP Arthur Middleton, Shell hits 5,  on fire

Japanese ground losses:
176 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
3429 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 3
 
Hmm, the first wave was shelled nicely, but mostly only LCTs suffered. Considering that I have CD unit and large BF I was expecting much better results. Frankly said this was very low price in terms of lost/damaged ships and I´m not satisfied. PjH attached a lot of combat ships as "close escort" and it seems to help a lot this time. Following landings were much smaller:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1025 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (53,91)

TF 1025 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91


Allied Ships
MSW Tanager
MSW Strive,  on fire
DD Stack
DD Lang
DD Benham
DD Tucker
LCT LCT-149, Mine hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
DD Vampire
DD Ellet

Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 1025
273 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Benham, Shell hits 1
AP Chaumont, Shell hits 2
DD Lang
DD Cummings, Shell hits 4,  on fire
 
Allied ground losses:
757 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (53,91)

TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91


Allied Ships
MSW Champion
DD Helm
DD Foote

Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 1063
220 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Helm, Shell hits 5
LCT LCT-461, Shell hits 1,  on fire
DD Foote, Shell hits 5
LCT LCT-360, Shell hits 24
MSW Champion, Shell hits 1
 
Allied ground losses:
635 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 7
 
During the day Port Moresby (including its garrison), Gili Gili and Lae were bombed again. These attacks were unopposed, but PB4Y Liberators which tried to attack Siador were ambushed by LRCAP from Admirality Is:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Siador , at 54,85

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 22
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 9
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 7 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 19 destroyed, 11 damaged

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4
 
20 4Es were shot down and Siador remains operational. I have gathered nearly all operational fighters (200) and based them here. I will try to hold this base and slowly regain air control over Lae. Beside that I have gathered 70 long range A6M2/3a in Rabaul and about 250 G4M. I have limited the range to 9 so they can attack shipping at Port Moresby, but not his CVs parked 60miles E of it. Also I have found that despite heavy bombing Gili Gili seems operational and so I based crack D3A daitai and Ki-49 sentai there. I don´t expect much, but maybe I might get lucky.. [;)] 
 
Fresh bombardmend TF arrived and spent the whole day by shelling Port Moresby:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91

Allied Ships
CA Wichita
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana

Japanese ground losses:
1237 casualties reported
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 1

Runway hits 7
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 2

Ouch! These losses hurts, especial those 19 damaged guns, because most of them are CD guns which I migh need tonight when 2nd wave is expected.
 
It seems PjH is trying to mine all possible routes to Port Moresby. This DM was found between Gili Gili and Rabaul!!![X(]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,93

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6
Ki-49 Helen x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DM Pruitt, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
And these are mining the shiping lines near Merauke:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 47,90

Japanese Ships
SS I-19, hits 3

Allied Ships
DM Ramsay, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
DM Preble
DM Tracy
DM Gamble
 
Allied forces are strong, but if they won´t be reinforced, it will take them a lot of time to capture this base. 4 divisions, 1 tank regiment + some support units are just a bit stronger (after the loss of 5000 men during the landing) then my troops behing lvl 9 fors in wooden hex.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 30634 troops, 325 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 774

Defending force 26006 troops, 333 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 824
 
Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Tommorrow I will try to hit unloading transports with 250 G4M escorted by 70 A6M2. I wonder how many will fly.. Or how they will fly.. Somehow I have a feeling that it was just a wasting of time and first will fly 249 unescorted bombers which will be massacred by leaking CAP and then will arive 70 fighters escorting 1 bomber trying to attack LCT in sinking condition.. I want to be wrong, but..

I wish you good luck. Hopfully you can defend pm. Nice AAR by the way.

Considering how the game usually distributes escort it's hard to avoid that sinking feeling.

Ditto Rapunzel.

Thanks for support guys and I´m glad you are enjoying this AAR. I watched the replay of the new turn and I could be prophet [;)] It was pain to watch.. Mostly..
 
But before I will post the results, here are promised pics from the previous day:
 

 
Australian coast is full with 4Es bombing all around. KB should arrive in Rabaul in 2-3 days. It will refuel and maybe upgrade some fighters to A6M5, which just entered production. And the first factory auto converted immedietly so I´m curretly producing 152 AC/month. Then I will think what to do. Hopefully PM will still hold and I could strike from the position near Gasmata.
 
 
While my eyes are mostly tied to Port Moresby, I can´t  ignore the allied offensive in India either. This is current situation:
 

 
About 6 Chinese Corps are pushing south and I see an oportunity to cut them off. There is a danger, that Ahmadabad would be left vulnarable and if PjH enters it, my own troops would be cut off too.. Hmm.. Have to think about it carefully.. 2 reinforcement more divisions are still month away from Ahmadabad..

This turn looks horrible, but in the final isn´t so bad.. [;)]
 
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/30/43

More and more allied troops are landing. Their fist wave secured the beach and so my coastal defense is mostly ineffective and out of combat. So their losses are very small.. [:(]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1025 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91
 
Allied Ships
DD Tucker
DD Benham
LST LST-18, Mine hits 1,  on fire

Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 1025
33 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AP Wayne, Shell hits 5,  on fire
AP Chaumont

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
313 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91
 
Allied Ships
DD Helm
LCT LCT-465, Mine hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage

Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 1063
16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Hawkins
 
Allied ground losses:
173 casualties reported
 
Combat ships are sending last loads of ammo against known japanese positions, but their fire is mostly ineffective:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91

Allied Ships
CA Wichita
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana

Runway hits 1
Port supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Case
DD Pringle
BB South Dakota
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 5

Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91

Allied Ships
CL Mobile
CL Columbia
CL Adelaide
BB Valiant

Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 16
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

And againg fresh troops are landing:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1025 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91
 
Allied Ships
DD Stack

Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 1025
8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Tucker
 
Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91


Allied Ships
DD Helm

Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 1063
17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Raleigh
AP Henderson

Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
410 casualties reported
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1119 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91
 
Allied Ships
DD Converse
DD Abbot

Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 1119
143 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Converse, Shell hits 1
CA Vincennes
DD Frazier

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1419 casualties reported
 
It would be sooo nice if could get combat TF to Port Moresby, but unfortunatelly it is impossible. I can rally only on my subs. I-19 sunk DM yesterday and today hits an AK:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Thursday Island  at 49,90

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
AK Algorab, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire

The day started with usuall unopposed bombing of Port Moresby, when a few hundrets of allied planes attacked AF, port and garrison. Another wave (from Thursday Is) attacked Lae and were ambushed by 10 Ki-61 from arriving from Siador:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10

Allied aircraft
PB2Y Coronado x 6
Liberator VI x 5
F-5A Lightning x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 57
B-25J Mitchell x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 10 destroyed

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 52

Sometimes leaking CAP helps [:'(]
 
Next target was Gili Gili. PjH immedietly spotted new planes and send most of his 4E to closed the base finally (damn the balance numbers![:@]):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gili Gili , at 56,94

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PBM Mariner x 8
B-17E Fortress x 92
PB4Y Liberator x 10
B-24D Liberator x 202

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 3 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 342

The base looks like the moon, but most of the planes were already on their way to Port Moresby. Allied attack were over and it was time for IJAF to show the teeth. 23rd Air fleet in Rabaul launched wave after wave against allied ships near Port Moresby. Pity they forgot they have also fighters availible and so all bombers were send unescorted in many small groups to face allied LRCAP of P-38G:
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
MSW Tern

From Rabaul - no escort..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 52,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25

F6F Hellcat x 12
F4U-1 Corsair x 206

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

From Gili Gili - wrong target.. [;)] Look at all those Corsairs. It seems PjH simply changed all his Hellcats for Corsairs![X(]
 
 
And back to the bussines:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Torpedo hits 1

From Rabaul - no escort, just a 6 bombers.. But still the survivors managed to hit modern US BB with a torp and hopefully send her to dry docks..
 
Finally a large raid? Oh no..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Raleigh, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire

From Rabaul - no escort.. Also CL Raleight might need some yard time now..

What a juicy target and how many bombers are send? 6!!! 3 bombers for each BB..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico
BB South Dakota

From Rabaul - no escort.. Only one G4M made it through and missed..
 
Finaly a good strike, but guess what?:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 64

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 21 destroyed, 22 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
CL Mobile

NO ESCORT AGAIN!!! P-38 are already tired and not so effective, but still they have enjoyed a good time. I must say that only half of those planes were shot down by P-38. 11! bombers were shot down by AA fire from BB Valiant. This old ship honoured its name and every single bomber which attacked this ship was either damaged or destroyed. One section of 4 G4M was shot down till the last plane during the attack. But numbers were on my side. The second torpedo hit, achieved by the LAST attacking section, caused magazine explosion. Finally a bit of luck..
 
Here arrived dive bombers from Gili Gili:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 22

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 8 destroyed, 6 damaged


Allied Ships
CA Vincennes, Bomb hits 1
CLAA Atlanta, Bomb hits 1

Only light damage, but their maneuverability was affected for what they paid a bit later, when another wave from Rabaul arrived:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 29
G4M2 Betty x 14

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 15 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
AK Coloradan, Torpedo hits 1
CLAA Atlanta, Torpedo hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
AK Wilhelmina, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
AK Arkansan, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire


Allied ground losses:
77 casualties reported

No escort - no surprise.. CLAA Atlanta was hit by 4 torps and sinks immedietly. It was the last a.m. attack and I was wondering what will happend afternoon. I didn´t have to wait long:
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Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
A6M3a Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 13
P-38G Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 7 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes, Torpedo hits 1

Oh yeah.. In the afternoon the fighters finally fly to escort 3! bombers [:D][:@]. Allied LRCAP was improved by leaking CAP from US CVs. Still my fighters pushed those 3 bombers through and they scored a torpedo hit on CA Vincennes.. What to say? No escort a.m. and all fly p.m. to escort 3 bombers? Logical explanation? I doubt there is any.. [:@]
 
The last attack from Rabaul and also the last attack of the day:
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Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 39
P-38G Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

OK. I´m soooo p*ssed off, but all in all the day wasn´t so bad. At a moderate cost I have sink BB and CLAA, while another BB, CA and CL were damaged, not counting a few AKs..
Today US troops got reinforcements and are much stronger: 
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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 30656 troops, 322 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 774

Defending force 42533 troops, 429 guns, 117 vehicles, Assault Value = 1326



Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
 
As a sideshow PjH sends paras to grab small bases on east NG coast, but everywhere (except undefended dot base Dobodura) were repulsed:
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Ground combat at Buna

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 40 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Defending force 922 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Allied max assault: 6 - adjusted assault: 0

Japanese max defense: 5 - adjusted defense: 34

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 6)



Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Salamaua

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 80 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Defending force 731 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied max assault: 4 - adjusted assault: 4

Japanese max defense: 3 - adjusted defense: 4

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3
  

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Ground combat at Dobodura

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 40 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

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

Allied max assault: 2 - adjusted assault: 2

Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Dobodura base !!!
 

 
 
The last attacks on Irkutsk:
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Day Air attack on Irkutsk , at 59,6

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 65
Ki-21 Sally x 86
Ki-49 Helen x 68
Ki-46-III Dinah x 5

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 1
LaGG-3 x 3
Yak-9D x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 destroyed
LaGG-3: 6 destroyed
Yak-9D: 5 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Guns lost 11
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 75

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Ground combat at Irkutsk

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4750 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9445

Defending force 285932 troops, 2691 guns, 146 vehicles, Assault Value = 5246


Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
 
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irkutsk

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14129 troops, 479 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5246

Defending force 539557 troops, 4494 guns, 552 vehicles, Assault Value = 9445


Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Breaking News: USSR asked for truce and Japanse Empire agree. Conditions are being negotiated![:)]

lol, I better don´t comment the use of 200+ Corsairs for Cap onboard the CVs... [:-]