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Batavia Southern Area HQ

"Warships are sighted in the Banda Sea." [:-]
"Launch planes. Those capitalists need a lesson."
"Kendari and Ambonia will launch all available planes."

From Kendari
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 20
G4M1 Betty x 19
Ki-48-I Lily x 12

Hits: 2 torpedo

From Ambonia
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 15
G4M1 Betty x 19
Ki-49 Helen x 17

Hits: Total of 8 torpedo hits with one sunk light cruiser and two other damaged. [X(][:'(][:D]

Elsewhere in the Samurai War

Action near Nauru Island
One sunk AV Pockomoke[:-]

Tokyo

"Emperor, an update."
"Proceed."
"This month we lost fewer ships than those swine British, Canadian, Dutch, and
Americans. Plans are in place to repel those undesirables from our sphere of influence."
"Very good. Another round of Saki.'
"Unfortunately we have no planes for our elite group of genetically altered super fighter pilots."
"Pilots?"
"Emperor, Feurer Krieg reports that the pilots were to fly our brand spanking new fighters."
"Who is the commander?"
"Manfred von Richthofen III."
"Wherever did Feurer Krieg find him?"
"According to thegreatwent he found him someplace down by the South Pole.'
"That's right, Fabertong has a Top Secret Base down there."
"Getting back to the planes."
"Emperor, we have 36 pilots and no planes for them to fly. It will take a few weeks to have enough planes to go around."
"Naval update?"
"Junyo's damage is down another 50%, should be operational in 3 months."
"Just about time for KB to come out of refit?
"<evil laugh> Yes."

Banzai

From a secret underground lab TGW reports.

A new even more flash less powder has been developed for our troops hopefully both IJN and Army units can use it to repel the enemy.

Banzai!

Kimmel is sweating almost feaverish as he is lying on the beach. He has forgotten how many days since he came here or even the reasons why.

The heat is unbearable and as he looks he sees a reddish colored liquid put into his hand and he heres the words
"Drink this its Kool"

That voice its familar, yes its his top aide, his "Kool Aide"

He drinks the sweet reddish colored liquid and in an instant feels decidedly better, what a refreshing drink!

He notices now clearly his top aide

Aide "Sir, its time you come back to HQ, I have talked to the president and they consider your missions a success!"

Kimmel "Success? Luganville? are you sure?"

Aide "Yes, the Japanese just attacked our positions at Lunanville and they used some new powder! It gave away their positions. They took over 3000 casualties to our 12. We have monitored their radio, apparently some scientist run by thegreatwent are in trouble."

"In addition your next operation continued and Makin was just invaded on August 2nd by the 1st Raider group and captured!"

Kimmel "Makin captured, What about the Tarawa invasion"

Aide "Those troops are landing on the 3rd, we anticipate success also!, quickly sir here is the report from Lungaville and a picture of Tarawa"

Kimmel "Yes, Yes, I knew my plans were sound, quickly we need to get back to HQ, these few days in the heat has given me a new perspective. I have some new bold strategies!"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Luganville

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13310 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 280

Defending force 14276 troops, 152 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 329

Japanese max assault: 412 - adjusted assault: 12 [:D]

Allied max defense: 322 - adjusted defense: 363

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
3190 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Below is Makin after capture

Col Colbern races ahead of advancing bullets, he reached the edge of a log embankment and jumps over the log wall falling in amongst a group of Soldiers looking at a map.

MGen Gill "Glad you could make it Colbern, whats your situation"

Colbern "Well sir most of the 34th Combat Engineering Regiment is ashore but fully half are disorganized, all along the beach wall sir we have the 30th Naval Base unit ready to operate, unfortunatly in our first rush we were able to overcome thier fortifications but not take the airfield"

MGen Gill "That is how I saw it also" a loud explosion nearby interupts the conversation "From what we have seen we are facing the 51st, 52nd and 61st Naval Guard units, as well as the 28th Base force close to 14,000 troops where are recons only spotted two units and 5000 troops"

Colbern "Sir, most of my unit is ashore, I would like to consolidate the lines before assaulting again, the battleships did not suppress enough of the enemy"

MGen Gill "I agree, I have ordered the transports to stop unloading as most of the 32nd division is ashore, we shall hold the line for a day and let the battleships weaken the defences, we will take this island"

Colbern "Yes Sir, I will pass the command down the line"

With that Colbern begins running along the beach in a crouched over position, dancing just under a stream of bullets coming from the Japanese side.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tarawa

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 13654 troops, 121 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 390

Defending force 14558 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 276 [X(]

Allied max assault: 796 - adjusted assault: 80

Japanese max defense: 202 - adjusted defense: 66

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0 [:)]

Japanese ground losses:
461 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
543 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 1

The last two days have been very busy.

In the North 2 allied destroyers race into Attu to hit some transports, one hits a mine and sinks on the way home, they manage to only heavy damage on PG and put on fire one transport. I forgot he mined attu heavily.

At Tarawa, 700 troops wade ashore the second day and shock by themselves, go figure not everyone listens to orders just like in real life [8|]

On the third day of the landing Tarawa falls to a 4 to 1 attack, although the mop up operation will take awhile. Nells and Betties arrive over Tarawa the third day and sink one AK and damage two others. I will have P-38F's over the field in the morning although all 3 facilities have damage they are operational.


Down at Luganville 2 days ago some transports arrived, I figured he might be withdrawing so I shocked. I barely missed one to one and suffered 1000k causaulties to 82 for the Japanese, How come you ask? Well those transports were unloading the 53rd division, I believe proof that Scott was up to something and my invasion of Luganville interrupted that.

The next day August 6th with good weather should prove eventful! As I have forces closing in on Luganville [:-]

In addition at Kwailen 5 DD's run into mines laid by Argonaught, 2 hit the mines and the DD Minekaze sinks!
It has been a long time since I laid mines and those babies just were put in place a few days before.

One has to wonder what they are escorting or doing?

Eventful is not the word for Luganville,

The KB was not sitting in port upgrading but had come out to play! Our plan worked [&:]

I had moved my 5 carriers to within 180 miles NW of Luganville, and also had snuck 4 cruisers and 5 destroyers into Luganville for daytime combat!(they were 9 hexes out the day before).

Following back NE towards Tarawa around Reef Island I had 6 destroyers meeting up with 1 PG, and 3 AO's.
Further back another 400 miles or so I had several BB's, CA's and DD's coming down to Luganville to give a wakeup call to the 21st and 53rd division squaring off against the american Division.

Well as the sun rose scout planes began to pingpong all over, At Luganville 6 transports were left unloading and the American CV's quickly distpatched all 6. No other ships were sighted, hmmmm

ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/06/42
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Day Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 71,111

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 31
SBD-3 Dauntless x 134
TBF Avenger x 79

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Horai Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Africa Maru, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Goshu Maru, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tango Maru, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hie Maru, Bomb hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakone Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
229 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

But North of reef island only 7 hexes from the US CV's and 6 Hexes from the battleships the KB demolish's the 6 DD's, AO's and PG.
All will sink as I don't bother to post the PM strikes.

Day Air attack on TF, near Reef Island at 73,104

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
D3A2 Val x 46
B5N2 Kate x 74
F1M2 Pete x 7
E13A1 Jake x 4
E7K2 Alf x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Sands
DD King, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gilmer
DD Fox, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Schley, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Chew, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,105

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 19
B5N2 Kate x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 4 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied Ships
PG Luzon, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AO Sabine, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AO Kaskaskia, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,105

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 19

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AO Sabine, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,104

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
D3A2 Val x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AO Trinity, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage

In all approx 119 Vals and 118 Kates show their face it appears as is the case with my fleet most fighters are CAP.

This puts me in an awkward position as I had 2 days of high speed runs to get into position thus the 3 AO's tagging along were needed!
I could engage but would be low on fuel and unable to run at high speed away. So the commander takes the Monty Python approach and broadcasts a clear message "Run away, Run away!"

All forces will make attempts to clear the area with the KB. If Scott does a high speed run in the right direction there may be some fireworks, but even though strike aircraft are both very close in total planes. I am to low on fuel and to far from my bases to engage.

No telling what the day will bring!

One of our new torpedo planes in action.

Captain Murray gazed out across the ocean. There was a air of tension about the ship, let alone the fleet. 2 days before they had been NW of Lunganville the pride of the US Navy Enterprise, Lexington, Yorktown, Hornet and Wasp. They had sank transports in an attempt to bring relief to the American Division holding against two Japanese division on Luganville. Then they heard over the radio that KB had snuck behind them and destroyed their refuel ships along with 6 destroyers.

Will low fuel there was only one choice, they could not head back to Tarawa or Canton as that was thru the KB, They did not mind fighting, its just they needed fuel. So they took the only course open to them. Murray spread the word full speed to Australia, head for Townsville to refuel.

That day had been uneventful except towards the afternoon and they were spotted by Jakes and Petes’! The KB had followed them. They were critically low on fuel now and some of the carriers had become separated. So Murray gave the only order he could with full anticipation the KB was closing in for the kill. He ordered all ships to slow down and form up into 5 formations to give mutual protection.

Now as the sun began to rise, the scout planes had already been sent out, all they had to do was wait. Suddenly a small explosion erupted off the port side, AA guns barked into action as a Japanese scout plane had just dropped a small bomb on the enterprise, damage was quickly contained but they were spotted.

Suddenly over the intercom came a static and hiss, “spotted enemy CV’s 240 miles SE, they are rapidly closing distance, count 7 large CV’s”

Murray immediately sent a signal to the fleet, prep for a strike, head SE full speed, if the enemy was going to react towards them, then he would react towards them.

When the planes finally launched the two mighty fleets were just 120 miles apart.

Then it began with the US planes attacking first

Day Air attack on TF at 61,108 1st strike AM phase

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 109

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32
SBD-3 Dauntless x 98
TBF Avenger x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 32 destroyed [X(]
SBD-3 Dauntless: 61 destroyed [X(]
TBF Avenger: 27 destroyed [X(]

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Hiei
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Hiyo
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Kaga, Torpedo hits 1, on fire [:)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 61,108 2nd strike AM phase

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 49

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD-3 Dauntless x 33
TBF Avenger x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 15 destroyed, 3 damaged
TBF Avenger: 4 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 1
CV Shokaku, on fire
CV Soryu, on fire
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Akagi, on fire
BB Hiei
CV Hiyo

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 61,108 3rd strike AM phase

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD-3 Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 11 destroyed, 12 damaged
TBF Avenger: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CV Akagi, on fire
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Kaga, on fire
CV Hiyo

KB retaliates uncoordinated at first
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,108 AM strike

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 77

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 10 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,108 AM strike

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
D3A2 Val x 29
B5N2 Kate x 18
F1M2 Pete x 7
E13A1 Jake x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 77

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 23 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 19 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
F1M2 Pete: 4 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1
BB North Carolina
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,108 AM strike

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
D3A2 Val x 21
B5N2 Kate x 22
F1M2 Pete x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 70

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 11 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 10 destroyed, 2 damaged
F1M2 Pete: 4 destroyed


Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Helm
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 2
CA Chicago, Torpedo hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,108 AM strike

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
D3A2 Val x 22
B5N2 Kate x 21

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 70

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 6 destroyed, 10 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 10 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage [:(]

Then the afternoon phase begins with the US striking first again
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 61,108

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
SBD-3 Dauntless x 19
TBF Avenger x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
TBF Avenger: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, on fire
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage [:)] ammo explosion
CS Chiyoda
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1
BB Hiei
CV Shokaku, Torpedo hits 1, on fire [:)] Fuel explosion

The only PM retaliation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,108

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
F1M2 Pete x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 3 destroyed

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

Allied Ships
CV Wasp
CL Helena

Murray surveys the reports, all enemy CV’s are hit, over 200 aircraft from both sides have fallen. The Akagi took two hits but seems operations. Kaga took 5 bombs and 1 torpedo and was the worts off, with the Zuikaku taking 4 bombs. Shokaku 1 bomb and 1 torpedo, both the Hiru and Soryu took 2 bombs each and the Hiyo 1 bomb.

With the lack of a strong attack Murray believes most carriers are not operational.

The Hornet is in critical condition and is immediately split off and sent to the coast. The Lexington has less then 18 aircraft aboard and is low on fuel so it also is sent to the coast.

Murray orders the Wasp and Yorktown to repair what planes they can, they will proceed NE thru the night, an oiler had left townsville 2 days ago to meet up with them, with luck they will tomorrow catch some stragglers and be able to refuel. There are not many planes left, but the hope is the Japanese are in worse shape.

The sun begins to set on a most victorious day for the Allied High command, every Japanese CV is damaged at the cost so far of one crippled allied CV.

Below is the allied 1st strike going in

Aircraft losses the first day of CV battle

Murray slept very little during the night, as he paced the bridge a signal was blinking, the oiler was close, by nightfall they would be able to refuel, that was defiantly needed. Soon the scout planes began reporting enemy ships from 60 to 120 miles away. The 3 CV’s turned into the wind and launched what few planes they had. It was time to finish the KB.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,106

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 21
TBF Avenger x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF Avenger: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1
CV Akagi
CV Hiyo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,106

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu, on fire, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,106

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 6
TBF Avenger x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

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

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, on fire, heavy damage
CV Soryu, on fire, heavy damage
CV Akagi
CV Hiyo, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,106

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 5

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, on fire, heavy damage
CV Soryu, on fire, heavy damage

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,106

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD-3 Dauntless x 4
TBF Avenger x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

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

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Hiei

The Japanese AM strike
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Day Air attack on TF at 61,105

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 3
F1M2 Pete x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 3 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 7 destroyed

The planes came back from the morning strikes, it appeared 2 CV must have had operational decks, after the morning make that only the Akagi that was operational.

Though tired the Allied planes took to the air, against a feeble enemy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,106

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBF Avenger x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBF Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Hiei
CV Hiyo, on fire
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

When the last planes came home, the estimates put the Kaga Heavy damage, Zuikaku heavy damage, Shokaku heavy damage, hiryu heavy damage, soryu heavy damage Hiyo fire damage.

Only the Akagi was operation an it only put up 8 planes.

Murray smiled, The KB was no more. They will all most assuradly sink. The Akagi may escape but the war had defiantly hit the turning point.

Well, the Allied offensive just moved up the calendar several months.

The third day of action brought the Hornets surface group into contact with both CV forces!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/10/42

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Night Time Surface Combat at 63,105

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Shokaku, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hiyo, on fire
CS Nisshin
CS Chitose
CS Chiyoda, Shell hits 1
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
CA Tone, Shell hits 1
DD Hasu

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 2
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Will Sink Torpedo from Tone
DD Helm
DD Porter
DD Phelps

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Night Time Surface Combat at 63,105 First time for me to engage, they were to damaged to resist
Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Shell hits 26, on fire, heavy damage
CV Soryu, on fire, heavy damage
CV Zuikaku, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans
CL Phoenix, on fire, heavy damage
DD Helm
DD Porter
DD Phelps

Then the day unfolds with what few aircraft operationa taking off to no resistance
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Day Air attack on TF at 64,105

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12
TBF Avenger x 5

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hiryu, on fire, heavy damage
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 64,105

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
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Day Air attack on TF at 64,105

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 8
TBF Avenger x 11

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hiryu, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 64,105

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
SBD-3 Dauntless x 6
TBF Avenger x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 64,105

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 37
TBF Avenger x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Both the Hiryu and Soryu are reported sunk, Unbelievable with the punishment the Zuikaku is still floating but it is.
I have split off the BB North Carolina and some CA's to try and engage the BB Hei, we shall see.

Scott has a TK/AO force of 10 ships to the west of Rennell, I figure his ship also must be low on fuel, but my oiler travels with me now, giving the most thirsty their due.

Betties fly in but only in small numbers, one made it thru vs Wasp but to no affect.

From picture below TK/AO force next to Rennell island, Zuikaku can be seen under attack with Hiryu/Soryu. To the SE 60 miles is Akagi, Shokaku, Hiyo with BB Hei and 120 miles SE reported CA and 6 AK?'s might be headed to Luganville.

The CV's will continue another day hopefully getting the Akagi, Shokaku and Hiyo.

The Supreme commander of all allied forces looks around the table at his Admirals and Generals.

“Gentleman we have won a great victory.

On August 8th our 5 carriers engaged Japans last 7 Operation carriers, That day through American courage, brought victory vs superior forces. Since that day our forces have attempted to finish off the last of this fighting force. Therefore it is today August 13th that I bring you all together to update us on our current situation”

ADM Kimmel “Gentleman, on that glorius day our carriers engaged the cream of the Japanese Navy, we came out ahead for two reasons!
1st – Our men were brave and experienced, their battles vs the light carriers and other ships built up their morale and experience to allow them to fly thru over 100 zeros and despite massive losses drive home to put damage on each enemy carrier in the first strike. This allowed our after strikes to finish off the rest, while they were not able to launch anymore effective attacks after their alpha strike due to damage.”

“In our defensive plan we split our carriers into 5 separate fighting units and the enemy only was able to make a run at 2 of these fleets on their 1st strike. In addition their attacks were less coordinated but defiantly lethal in that they knocked out the Hornet. If they had spread their forces out we probably would only have hit one or two Carriers and their afternoon strike would have been much more devastating”

There were also no Japanese airfields close to support their carriers, Nells from Noumea did sink 1 DD and damage another but that was their entire contribution to the battle”

“But we are not here to debate what if, but what was and over the last 5 days.

3 of the carriers continued to chase the fleeing CV’s putting all under the sea. In addition the BB Hei took 5 bombs and 4 torpedos and we believe also should sink.”

As to the Lexington and Hornet, the Lexington had just 12 planes after the 1st day and was ordered to port to rearm. Amazingly the Hornet is sitting at a 30degree tilt with the flight deck almost touching the water. She is being towed to port slowly and can sink any minute but the weather has been good and she toys with us and we have a faint hope she will survive. I have included a picture of the Hornets current state”

CIC “Very good, What of the other battles?”

ADM Kimmel “At Lugnanville our 1 division is still facing two Japanese division but with the loss of their carrier fleet, they are now cutoff. We will reinforce and eventually take the island!”

“At Tarawa we have finally destroyed and captured the last Japanese holdouts over 14,000 enemy casualties reported, but we found no headquarter bunkers”

“In the Aleutians our B-24D hit Attu every few days and are slowing neutralizing that base”

CIC “What of Burma, China?”

British Envoy “Sir we rule the air as far south as Rangoon, Mandalay also holds, China is also a stalemate”

CIC “Very well Gentleman, We have a golden opportunity here, We estimate the Japanese had 11 battleships and battlecruisers a month ago, since then the Haruna and probably Hei have been sunk. The Nagato is badly damaged. Although the Yamato is slightly damaged we feel she is operational, thus we still face 8 operational heavy ships, but no carriers!”

“Therefore gentleman accelerate all warplans to take advantage of this situation. I want to sit in Tokyo by Dec 7th”

ADM Kimmel “Sir, we will try to be ambitious but the Japanese have done great damage to our transport fleet, we do not have enough ….

CIC shouts “You will execute offensive operations immediately am I understood!”

Every commander nods their head in assent, the CIC is correct we have a great window of opportunity”

The Zuikaku’s final battle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 65,105

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 12 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 11 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Shell hits 28, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans
DD Helm
DD Porter
DD Phelps

The CV Hornet and BB Hei both go under to previous damage.

In the Tarawa and Marshalls area things begin to heat up.

An allied CA with DD's storm into Jaliut and rough up some PG's and finish of a CL previously damaged.
Scott retaliates with Nells sinking one and damaging TK's at Nauru Island.

In the North both Attu and Rangoon get their periodic bombardments.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/16/42
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Jaluit at 82,88

Japanese Ships
PG Kantori Maru, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
PG Nagata Maru, Shell hits 2
PG Shinko Maru #3
PG Aikoku Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Quincy, Shell hits 2
DD Gwin
DD Buchanan
DD Farenholt
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Jaluit at 82,88

Japanese Ships
CL Katori, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk Was damaged by Dauntless from Tarawa several days ago.

Allied Ships
CA Quincy
DD Gwin
DD Buchanan
DD Farenholt
DD Sims
DD Hughes
DD Smith

Scotts retaliation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Nauru Island at 77,95

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
TK Huguenot, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Pueblo, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Connecticut

Kool Aide walks up to ADM Kimmel to give an update. Kimmel has been in great spirits the last week and the aid is no longer worried about the news he has.

"Sir, Great news on August 18th a fast transport group went full speed into the marshalls carrying the 1st marine raider battalion, I report they have captured Majuro island with no resistance. We have our first foothold in the marshalls. After delivering their cargo the transport group also attacked the patrol craft at Jaluit sinking one and damaging others"

ADM Kimmel "Wonderful news, what about Luganville"

Kool Aide "Sir, at your request over a week ago we began pulling troops out of Luganville, we had Coranado's and Catalina's flying out troops as fast as possible, in addition to subs racing in and pulling what they could get."

ADM Kimmel "I though you sent in some fast transports, those AP's I believe that just helped at Tarawa"

Aide "Yes sir, 3 of the fast AP's loaded up all they could and pulled a large contingent off. But the enemy attacked on the 19th and surrounded our troops, surprisingly to us and the Japanese only 874 troops were left, where we estimated over 4,000 should have been surrounded. At the end of the day no allied troops are on Luganville"

ADM Kimmel "What are you talking about, you say after the transport pulled out you estimate 4000 troops but the Japanese only destroy over 800? Where did these troops go?"

Aide "Well sir, amazingly enough we found them in San Fransico! They are all disorganized and have no recollection how they got from Luganville on the 18th to the west coast on the 19th, but they are accounted for"

ADM Kimmel "This is very strange, is there any possibility some of our transports got a hold of that secret go fast fuel the Japanese where working on and somehow raced the troops home?"

Aide "No idea sir, we just know they appeared at SF, really we don't know what to do with them as the main division is still in the south pacific"

ADM Kimmel "Well since you say they are disorganized I gather they are of no use for several months, so no need to figure them in our plans. Highly strange if you ask me!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Luganville

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29135 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 545

Defending force 874 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1 I expected over 4k of troops the rest got out by normal means

Japanese max assault: 462 - adjusted assault: 248

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 248 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
317 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

Allied ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

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Allied Unit(s) surrounded at Luganville

P.S. The Kaga has finally been reported sunk


The unit that suddenly teleported to San Fransico from Luganville

The last few days have seen sporadic battles, tending more towards scotts side.

In the North Pacific the two BB groups show up again at Adak and deliver a thorough pounding to that base, I think we are on their regular call schedule now.

In the Central Pacific, Betties and Nells (approx 30) from Kwaleign reach out and touch several DD's at Naru sp? island west of Tarawa (I need to move some cap there). One DD goes down, probably two to follow.

In Burma my force of close to 100 heavy bombers hits rangoon on its 2x week schedule, this time it is meet by Tonys! and zeros over 40 heavies go down, I lose a lot of crews. One 12 plane unit was completely destroyed with only 2 pilots surviving. Scott only lost a little over 10 of his planes. Although Rangoon is still incapacitated. Soon it will be operational as I cannot have these losses.

Sept 25th thru 27th 1942.

One Sept 25th CL Yubari and 4 DD charge into Majuro harbor in the marshals and set one AK on fire and chase all 4 AK's that just finished unloading troops and was unloading supplies away. Nells show up in daytime and sinke the damaged AK due to its falling behind the other 3 that decided to runaway!

Also SW of Tulagi about 600 miles the CV Lexington shows up back in the sea lanes and sinks the DD Kasagi that looks like it was heading back to Rabaul from Noumea area. After day one of the big CV engagement with the KB, the Lexington had only about 17 planes so she loaded up new planes and crews in Australia so this target practice was needed.

On the 26th one of my SS spotted some ships at Luganville so I ordered the Lady Lex to investigate.

Sept 27th saw some more training by the Lex's aircrews as I found 2 APD's and 2 AK's at Luganville, probably unloading supplies. Definatly these crews need practice although after an AM and PM strike none of these ships will make it home.

Tokyo

"Emperor, our new planes have faired well against those imperial swine's bombers."
"Very well. Report"
"The KI-61 , the Americans call it Tony, is an improved fighter to out duel those long range bombers."
"How are the results?"
"We have lost a few planes. Other fighters have been noneffective against those bombers.""
"The others?"
"The KI-44, codenamed Tojo, is another of our advanced fighters,"
"Successful?"
"Very much Emperor."
"Our new heavy fighter, the KI-45, has not been tested in combat yet."
"We have more secret weapons that will be online later this year."

The coastwatcher huddled against the tree, the sweat drippng down his face.

"Gawd its hot here" Saying to no one in particular. Buka was a lonely place

He had not seen a soul for over a month. The radio waves were silent, The Japanese had never chosen to invade his little worthless island and his days were filled with monotany always scanning. He had seen very few things to report and today was no different.

"There they are" he says again to himself as a small dugout comes around the cove and heads to his secret meeting spot.

Two natives pull the canoe up to the shore and had him some local foods.

"Any news"

Both natives smile in broad grins
"Yes, your American freinds have landed at an island in the south of the chain, I believe you call in Lunga"

The coastwatcher grabs the nearest tree to avoid the dizziness, finally they were coming!
"Any resistance, I don't believe there were any Japanese on that Island only Tulagi"

Natives "Yes, no Japs on Lunga, many on Tulagi"

"Very well, I will see you again in a couple of weeks"

The canoe pulls away as he ponders, what day is this? "Ah yes august 30th 1942, soon I will have company" Once again to no one in particular!

Its Sept 4th and CIC of the allied forces calls Kool Aide in once again for an update on the war.

CIC "Give it to me straight, your the only one I can trust not to sugar coat it, where do we stand?"

Kool Aide "Well Sir in the north, we have been bombing the bases at Attu for the last month every few days and Amchitka also. Occassionaly 2 Japanese BB groups arrive and hit Adak. Its pretty much a side theatre although we have just spotted Tony's over Attu, so unescorted bomber raids will be more costly."

CIC "Well then whats the plan?"

Kool Aide "I believe this is backwater, as the Japanese bases have a large number of troops and with the Tony fighters we will need to bring heavy forces in and at the moment they have other priorities"

CIC "Tell me more"

Kool Aide "In the Central Pacific we have built up Wake Island, Tarawa and Nauru. With Majuro recently captured in the middle of the Marshalls we are building that up also. Soon the Marshalls will be surrounded with airpower. We have spotted shipping at Kwalajein but are not sure what they are doing as we do not have Mauro operational as an airfield yet"

CIC "What about the south pacific and the invasion of Luganville"

Kool Aide "Sir Kimmel prefers to call that a diversion as we have fully pulled the American division out. Instead of continueing at Luganville we invaded Lunga an island in the south Solomons, it was unoccupied which our scouts from the CV battle previously confirmed. It can be built up into quiet a strong airfield."

CIC "I have heard the Japanese Betty and Nell bombers are roughing up our transports"

Kool Aide "That is true the Lexington pulled out shortly after the invasion and we do not have the field operational so the Japanese have been launching airstrikes against the transports. In addition several days ago we spotted surface ships at Rabual by a submarine and had indications of a run down the slot to Lunga. We withdrew all ships but 3 transports with a combat engineer group unloading, unfortunatly all 3 were lost with over 200 men still on board. Our ground troops were able to inflict damage on their smaller ships when they bombarded our positions. Here is the report."

Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 67,101 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

180 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Nagatsuki, Shell hits 8, on fire
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Satsuki
DD Uranami, Shell hits 8, on fire
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 2
DD Asagumo
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 2
DD Asashio, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 10, on fire
DD Maikaze
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 4
CL Kuma
CL Nagara, Shell hits 2
CA Kinugasa
CA Ashigara


Allied ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 2

CIC "That is well, I presume Rabual is close enough to save those ships but they won't make the run down the slot to soon I imagine"

Aid "That we believe is correct, we have a good ground force on the island it should hold"


CIC "What of our carriers"

Aide "Sir all carriers have upgraded to more fighters, this should bring increased protection for future operations"

CIC "And what of those?"

Aide "We have several in mind, ships and troops are planning and moving"

CIC "Great, and the british and chinese are they getting involved?"

Aide "China has seen little movement though 3 Japanese divisions pushed out 2 chinese corps in central china, we have been lead to believe this will lead to only a shuttling of units. No major incursions"

Aide "As for the british, they have run into heavy resistance in the suppression of Rangoon. And I regret to inform you that it is once again fully operational. The british temporarily recaptured Magwe but are retreating as we speak in the face of superior troops. They still hold Mandalay strong, but there appears many Japanese troops moving into Burma"

Aide " It also appears the Japanese are moving troops into Timor"

CIC "So tell me are we winning or losing?"

Aide "With the lose of all their carriers except the damage Junyo we should be on the offensive. But we have taken a severe loss in transports over the last 9 months. This has slowed our ability to supply and move troops. In addition they still have their surface forces and large ground troops. We believe we have the initiative but one must be wary when having a dragon backed up to a wall"

CIC "I understand, oh yes I forgot, that little problem of not enough ground troops. I pulled a few political strings and as of today you may have the 7th division that was assigned to the west coast, that should help I believe"

Aide "Yes it will, and we know just where to send it. Thank you sir!"

Troops landing at Guadalcanal

Sept 6th

Frank gazes up at the sky, he can see the tiny specks of F4F Wildcats engaging Japanese bombers. It was not a long fight before over half of the 24 Betties and Nells had turned home, about 10 made it thru striking several ships with torpedoes. This was repeated again in the afternoon. It looked like seven of the enemy bombers went down during the day. He was glad for the aircover as it was two more days till they hit Koumac beach. There were a lot of transports about, he knew the Australian 6th AIF division was along as well as some frenchies that had orignally been booted from Noumea. They were back and the Lady Lex was providing aircover.

Later that night aboard the Lex.
Captain "Exec, ordered a course due west for 180 miles"
Exec "Sir are the transports retiring sir?"

Capt "No, not this time either. The carrier is to valuable and as we get closer those Jap bombers may target us and we cannot afford to lose the lexington, they are close enough most will make it in"

Exec "But Sir, we left the transports unprotected at Lunga and now here? There starting to call us Leavim Lex"

Capt "Its not my decision it comes straight from the top, transports are expendable we are not"

The exec turns and gives the order to the signalman to order the aircraft carrier and escorts to turn about.

May 7th, dawn breaks on the transports

Frank once again looks into the morning sky, they are close to the beaches now, one more day. He searches the sky for the fighter protection but is dumbfounded not to see any.

Charlie walks up next to Frank and mutters "I told you leavim Lex would high tail it. Seems she don't think were worth protecting"

Frank "Maybe the Japs had enough yesterday and will leave us alone or go after the Lex"

Charlie points low over the horizon to the southeast at about 36 specks getting bigger over the water. "Nope, there coming again and theres more of them"

The sun set on the tortured transports, over 10 more had recieved damage yet they still plowed thru the waters east towards their destination. Not everyone will make it but most will at least touch shore. The Land battle for New Caledonia will begin tommorrow.

One of the dreaded Nells attacking the convoy