Herbie goes Bananas

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 1:44 am

Unexpectedly my carrier aircraft end up targeting the BB Kongo. Herbie admits to making a mistake with having her TF on follow orders of the surface unit scouted last turn.
That unit sprints into Gavigmana (as expected), the CA Takao hits a mine; they then tango with my PT boats before retreating out of the battlezone northwards; not the direction I was expecting them to go.
If the Kongo hadn't followed he would have gotten away with only mine damage to his CA.

As it happens my carrier bombers attack his BB and have probably put it out of the war - it will need months in port to fix the damage.

The enemy transport TF that was north of Woodlark has now disappeared, in its place is a TF of DDs and what is reported as a BB - heading to Gili by the looks: what is happening here??
Another FT mission arrives in Rennel Island and they stay through the day - my carrier planes have bigger fish to fry.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/26/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, on fire
CL Tama
DD Amatsukaze
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure, Shell hits 1
DD Yugure
DD Amagiri
DD Minazuki

Allied Ships
PT 36
PT 37
PT 38
PT 39
PT 46
PT 48, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT 61

PT torps were launched but no hits - was a long shot anyway.
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Air attack on TF at 46,39

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 33
TBF Avenger x 13

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 12 damaged
TBF Avenger x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yugumo
DD Uzuki
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hayashio, Bomb hits 2, on fire

2 avenger torps also hit Kongo and don't explode - this is a very common occurance.
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Air attack on TF at 46,39

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD Dauntless x 17

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Aoba, on fire
DD Yugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

I am not following these ships so they should all make it back to port.
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The Jap AAA has damaged many of my ACs and reduced the morale of my pilots. I have many dauntless sqds in reserves so the hodge podge of sqds on the carriers is going to be further confused by more changes.
Lee is given the BB North Carolina (plus sundries) and will sprint up to Gavigmana tonight, I hope he doesn't attack, and with the carriers around he shouldn't - but just in case.
They will be guarding the transport TF that today sat under the umbrella coverage of the air TF but tonight will be returning to Gavigmana to finish unloading.
Ships continue to converge on Brisbane waiting for the order to load up. At present the 32nd and what I have of the 6th Divisions will be the men tasked with the job of taking Gili.

Mike - thats exactly what I am hoping for - a little luck in the repair department. I also don't want to put it to sea to excentuate the problem.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 1:11 pm

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/28/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

It's been a bit of a while since I updated the show, problem being communications between the combatants - email problems created a cease fire.

No combat as both sides lick wounds and move plans along, one interesting piece of info is the movement of the TF we sighted earlier arriving in Gili - at present I don't know if it is delivering troops or supplies and it may even be picking up. The next days weather is thunderstorms so everyone gets a rest - including prospective recon pilots. I will take it up next time.

A sub is sighted in Gavigmana harbour - I have heavily defended the transport tf their so I hope any blood will be reciprocated - Herbie-san has made me bleed in the ASW department and I would like to pay back the favour.

I get the sub pickeral - it is given a homebase of Cairns and sent on its way.

A transport of supplies - made up of the 3000 lift APs - is on its way to cooktown; I will need these to fuel the 2E bombers based there.

I disband the air combat tf in Luganville harbour but not before trading 2 very low morale dauntless sqds with the 99 morale sqds currently located there.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 4:10 pm

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/29/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57

Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 13

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 26

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x Beaufort at 6000 feet
7 x Beaufort at 6000 feet

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A small raid by beauforts to continue the training - surprising they got through considering the weather.

Two important and dangerous happenings this turn:

First the transport TF at Gili is dropping off not taking away. The better part of 1 regiment and an HQ detachment has been landed.
Secondly and more importantly an AK is at Woodville - likely reason: to take the place and with it my chances of sneaking in.
If that is the case maybe one of the other islands will suffice and we can look to take woodlark once security is better - or it may still be defeatable if the assault forces only have to overcome meager resistance.

I get some replacements for losses incured during the PM invasions this turn and they march to townsville to join their parent units.
The remains of New Guinea force, at Cooktown, are marching to Cairns to join the rest of the division there.
The first sqd of Warhawks is delivered today - training commences and they may be used to defend new acquisitions.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 3:07 am

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/30/42

Weather: Overcast

Sub attack near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
AP Kyushu Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS S-38

I catch the offending transport ship that is delivering troops to Woodlark
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Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57

Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort x 2 damaged

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x Beaufort at 6000 feet

One of these is lost.
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Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
A-20B Havoc x 9

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

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Sub attack near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
AP Kyushu Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-38, Shell hits 3, on fire

SS-38 attacks again and sinks its target - unfortuantely it does it on the surface warranting return fire. The damage caused is enough to require return to Pearl - so the last of my S boats is removed from the conflict.
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All of my transport units will be in position in 1 maybe 2 turns. They will begin loading troops straight after that and we will begin operation centrepunch. In a way it has already been compromised.
THe Japs will take woodlark this turn - they have 2 engineering batts there (that I can see).
I have 2 strange happenings this turn. My transport TF at Gavigmana, that is loading the 7th Seabees, ups and leaves without loading them all. I have turned the TF around. I had tried to force the ships to all take a portion of the unit - I hate how one ship in a huge TF takes the troops - but I think this may have caused the departure.
Also, in Brisbane, the elements of the 18th Regiment only move 17 Kms on the way to Townsville, where the HQ unit has moved 2 full hexes - what gives? Either way I have made a single ship TF to load them and take them instead.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 11:12 am

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/31/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Ground combat at Woodlark Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1716 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Woodlark Island base !!!

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Evidence of the attacking forces at Woodlark. They were the 12th and 13th Naval engineering battalions.
The loading of the troops for Operation Centrepunch started today. The 32nd and 2 Regiments and HQ of the 6th Divisions are tasked with the job. They are loading onto a 25 ship strong, AP only, TF under H Hill (invasion commander).

Another transport TF wil be built tomorrow to take supplies, they will be loaded in an AK oriented TF.

In Noumea a Replenishment TF of 4 Oilers is created and they begin to load fuel oil.

1 get a sqd of Liberators released. They move to Cairns with the rest of the Heavy bombers - a straffing run there by Herbie-san would get him great rewards!

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 11:31 am

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/02/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD Dauntless x 28
TBD Devastator x 12
A-20B Havoc x 9

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 30

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x TBD Devastator at 6000 feet
9 x TBD Devastator at 6000 feet
6 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

Just a bit more training for the trrops courtesy of the Jap 18th Coastal Batt.
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This update is for two days. Little occured yesterday, the most interesting happening was

the arrival of the 5th Air HQ. It is immediately loaded into 3000 type AP and sent to

Cairns to force the heavy bombers to get in the air.
Today though, headquarters intercepted messages between the combined fleet HQ and South

Seas HQ in Rabaul concerning a TF they sighted in the Coral sea. We have concluded the TF

they are worrying about is actually a supply TF of 3000 type APs heading from Noumea to

Cooktown to provide bombs and aviation fuel for the 2 engine bombers situated there in

preparation for the coming attacks in New Guinea.
Today 3 major TFs put to sea. They are tasked with defending the two transport TFs

carrying the troops that will take Gili Gili.
They are the surface TF built around North Carolina, under Lee.
The Air combat TF built around the Hornet, Enterprise and Saratoga under Spruance.
The Air Combat TF built around the Wasp under the command of Armstrong (a cautious Carrier

commander).
A minelaying TF is also formed and puts to sea - tasked with laying mines at Basilaki

Islands.
All these ships are aiming at the centre of the Coral sea. There they will form up and

travel to Gili, and for the main air Tf, South of Woodlark. Everything is going to plan

(other than the occupation of Woodlark - that part of the operation is put back for a

bit).

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 1:10 am

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/05/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

A couple of days without an update and the above is why: nothing is happening at the moment. That should change in the next turn or turn after. All my TFs taking part in operation counter punch are in postion in the Coral sea and they begin to head towards Gili Gili. Recon shows there are 2 small and one large infantry units at gili. My 5 regiments should be ample for the task. Experience dictates you go for overkill to attempt to reduce the amount of time you need to take out the defences.
His Naval recon may find me next turn - and if not - will definately find me the turn after.
At present everyone bar the minelaying Tf are staying together following the slowest transport TF.
Next turn the main Carrier force under Spruance will head off to intercept expected surface unit leaving from Shortlands and Rabaul.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 7:43 am

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/06/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Again nothing to report this turn, but that is about to change.

He does not scout my invasion forces approaching but should catch a wiff of it this coming turn.
The 2 engine bomber fleets are targeted on PM (they are getting supplies this turn) and the 4 engine fleets on dobadura (he has moved aircraft here). The 5th air fleet is arriving in Cairns tomorrow so should help numbers but the weather is the main concern - thunderstorms forecast - it should cause him the same problems as it does me however.
Sruance detaches from the invasion fleets and heads towards Woodlark - Mitscher starts to fly CAP missions from the Wasp.
Hold your breath...

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 2:32 am

Operation Centre Punch starts with a bang!
Spruance's CV TF, on its way to Woodlark, scouts an AP at Gili and a Transport TF heading to Rossel Island. Despite the weather he manages to get strikes up and find the targets. Herbie-san admits that this was an invasion force including a Regiment. While only the PC and the individual AP at Gili are reported as sunk, the Carriers are still heading to their previous destination, which may allow further attacks in the next day. This is possibly counter-productive as my ACs will incur damage and fatigue before they are required to hit surface units - but we must press on!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/07/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 21
Beaufighter VIC x 21
B-25D Mitchell x 21
B-26B Marauder x 27

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 379
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 87

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x Hudson at 6000 feet
9 x Hudson at 6000 feet
12 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

The 2E bombers get through and there are no fighters - no rest for the wicked - they are slated to go again. The 4 engine bombers stayed parked on their aprons - weather causing the halt.
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Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 15
TBF Avenger x 15

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kamoi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

2 Torps and she goes under
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Air attack on TF at 26,42

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36
SBD Dauntless x 33

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Horaisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Hakonesan Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kinugasa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaihei Maru, Bomb hits 1
PC Tama Maru #8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 172
Guns lost 3

Finding the transport TF allows me to crimp his defence in depth style. I don't know what he will do with the crippled ships - most likely turn them around.
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Air attack on TF at 26,42

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 32
TBF Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Kaihei Maru
PC Tama Maru #8, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hinko Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kinugasa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakonesan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 73
Guns lost 2

Only the PC is reported sunk. The others must be in pain though. Weather saves them from afternoon strikes. I can't afford to take the bombers off Naval strike so they may get hit again next turn.
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As stated, Spruance is going to continue heading North - CAP is increased as we are definately in indian country.
With the invasion fleet: Lee detaches from the transports and sprints ahead to Gili - he has orders to Patrol. Mitscher provides him 30 wildcats with LRCAP duty. The Wasp itself will stay with the transports providing CAP - I hope I haven't underestimated their movement capability - I don't want the Wasp making it to Gili - mines and the reduction in flight Ops could cause a disaster.
The four various MSWs in the combined fleet team up in a more efficient minesweeping TF and head towards Gili (Lee still has 2 DSMs in his fleet).
4 PT boats strapped to their transports, are launched and head to Gili.
My own DMs have laid a field at Basilaki Island - they now retreat to Cairns - then back to brisbane.
Another transport TF - including the 5 APDs recently released - leaves Noumea bound for Gili. The APDs will use Gili as a base and move the seabees unit I have on board this TF to one of the islands Herbie-san has not yet taken. Woodlark was the initial target but his move has scuppered that.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Tue Aug 19, 2003 1:39 am

Action stations! All hell has broken loose up by Gili and Woodlark.
It all starts with the surface group under Lee pulling into Gili and the DMS's Southard and Zane finding multiple minefields. Despite their best intentions the CA Quincy and DDs Wilson and Canning strike mines. Canning is the worst hit with a gapping hole in her side and a size 20 fire raging through the bridge area. She will make for Cairns and hopefully will get there. The Quincy and Wilson will team up and head to Cairns to undo their flooding damage. They should both make port but will be returning to Pearl.
Continuing with the action: the minesweeping force of 4 MSWs pulled into harbour and immmediately the constant sound of explosions could be heard as they cleared mine after mine - Herbie-san has heavily mined Gili Gili Harbour. Their efforts are effective when the main invasion fleets and the Wasp (woops) pull into the bay - no one else hits a mine.
Morning aerial searches found 4 enemy task forces in the vacinity - Spruance goes about making their lives very unhappy; best explained in the combat report.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/08/42

Weather: Rain

Air attack on Dobadura , at 13,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 52
B-24D Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 24

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 53

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
8 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

The heavies at last fly, they hit dobadura and manage to crater the runway - it will probably be functional tomorrow - but the least fatigued sqds are going again. One fort and one liberator are lost.
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Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 27
Beaufighter VIC x 22
B-25D Mitchell x 23
B-26B Marauder x 36

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 destroyed
Hudson x 2 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 207

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x Hudson at 6000 feet
5 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
14 x Hudson at 6000 feet
14 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

Further attacks against PM result in more runway hits. Losses are starting to mount here though so these flyboys are grounded - they can resume as ground harrassment at Gili once the troops are ashore.
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Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2

no losses

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Air attack on TF at 24,41

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
TBF Avenger x 27

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kinugasa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaihei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10

Spruance finds remnants from the attempted invasion of Rossel Island
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Air attack on TF at 24,41

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 32

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Horaisan Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakonesan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaihei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 142
Guns lost 2

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Air attack on TF at 24,41

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD Dauntless x 31
TBF Avenger x 15

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Horaisan Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaihei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 34

Most of these ships sink - and with them a large quantity of japs I don't have to fight.
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Air attack on TF at 24,41

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD Dauntless x 17

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Horaisan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 38
Guns lost 1

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Air attack on TF at 24,41

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 17

no losses

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Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N Kate x 19

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 6 destroyed
B5N Kate x 13 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

1LT R. Stout of VMF-224 is credited with kill number 3

Allied Ships
AP John Penn
DD Farenholt
AP President Monroe
AP Monrovia

Herbie-san responds by launching an attack with naval ACs from dobadura. 2 Torps hit but fail to explode and my surface groups get away with it in the initial rounds. Fortunately Wasp is not attacked!
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Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
TBF Avenger x 13
A-20B Havoc x 12

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 29

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
13 x TBF Avenger at 6000 feet

More attacks on Efate for training. My last sqd of Devastators has been replaced by Avengers.
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Air attack on TF at 21,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD Dauntless x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Oh Ho HO What the hell is this!! Unyo is found 2 hexes north of Woodlark in company with some APs. Herbie-san admits he was retreating but not far enough. The one hit obtained is costly but the hit is reported as a fuel explosion.
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Air attack on TF at 21,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 15
TBF Avenger x 12

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 7 damaged

WO N.Nakajima of F1/3rd Daitai is credited with kill number 3

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Spruance, with CVs in the area, gets tough and sends a more coordinated strike. The CAP and AAA take a heavy toll but the 3 hits result in an ammo explosion and another fuel explosion. I don't think Unyo will be continuing in the fight.
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Air attack on TF at 21,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
SBD Dauntless x 24
TBF Avenger x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

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

ENS K.Minowa of F1/3rd Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Japanese Ships
AP Shinkoku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Ryotaku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Hakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Koei Maru
AP Montevideo Maru
DD Fubuki

Further strikes to the same location find a transport TF this time, more retribution is dished out although the pilots are getting tired now - zeros are taking their toll.
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Air attack on TF at 21,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 32

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Koei Maru
DD Fubuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Shinkoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Hakuyo Maru, on fire
AP Ryotaku Maru, on fire
AP Hokuriku Maru

A large strike for little accomplished.
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Day Time Surface Combat at 0,0

PO2 A.Minami of F1/3rd Daitai is credited with kill number 3
Japanese Ships
AG 352, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG 355, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina

CA Northampton
CA Salt Lake City
CA Quincy, on fire
CL St. Louis
CL Honolulu
DD Grayson
DD Stack
DD Wilson, on fire
DD McCall
DD Smith
DD Fanning
DMS Southard
DMS Zane

The AGs that have been servicing PM are sunk
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Day Time Surface Combat at 0,0

Japanese Ships
AG 2051, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AG 2054, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
AG 2055, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AG 2056, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AG 2057, Shell hits 13, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
CA Northampton
CA Salt Lake City
CA Quincy, on fire
CL St. Louis
CL Honolulu
DD Grayson
DD Stack
DD Wilson, on fire
DD McCall
DD Smith
DD Fanning
DMS Southard
DMS Zane

More to the tally.
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So far the plan is working perfectly. A small cause for alarm is the fact of all the strikes that the naval ACs are performing. Today I lost 31 assorted ACs - that cannot continue and me stay effective. My original reason for locating the Carrier TF where I did was to stop his (in my opinion) most potent retaliatory weapon: his surface ships, from attacking the invasion forces. At this rate most of my aircraft will be grounded for repairs or out due to fatigue when he sends them in. There is no other course to travel though. The ground pounders need to be covered and while they are unloading the flyboys will keep flying: the RAF could do it in the Battle of Britain....
My surface forces at Gili have been reduced, but I have 2 DDs at Townsville - they put to sea to make up the numbers. The Canberra has also been in harbour at Brisbane getting rid of SYS damage I may put her to sea to make up the loss of Quincy. Having 2 Carrier TFs and the escorts required for those has restricted me here.
The troops start unloading tonight so I expect Herbie-san to try an initial attack to push me off the beach - I can only hope elements of 5 regiments, in the day they will have to unload, will be enough to hold.
It is also difficult to over-ride the impulse to smash the ships he has in the area - subs for instance are waiting for his reposte but could be chasing cripples.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 2:30 pm

Tried something a little new today by following everyone elses lead and added a pretty picture!!

13,000 of the 22,000 troops I bought offloaded during the day, despite 3 APs hitting mines - one twice. This ship: Neelan is the most damaged with about 40 SYS and 35 float damage. She's still holds quite a number of troops so she will have to stay and offload.

My carriers, which moved south, had a rest. I have one particularly bad morale dauntless sqd so I put them to 100% naval search and reduce the search to 0 for all the other sqds. They are back in the action this turn. He has a couple of TFs of ships south of gili which I think are to provide target practise for me so my planes wear out. That may indeed happen this turn.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/09/42

Weather: Rain

Sub attack at 22,40

Allied Ships
SS Drum

THe PG TFs sight my sub (as is typical in this game) and luckily don't hit it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G3M Nell x 8

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 5 destroyed
G3M Nell x 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

PO1 R.Hirata of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
AP Leedstown, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP President Polk

Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

The damage is light for a torp: 10 sys 19 float 5 fire. However the zeros savage my inexperienced marine flyers. They rest this turn and the Navy boys take over. My AC number continue to fall.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As expressed the Carriers are moving back into position this turn looking for more targets and providing Herbie-san with more to think about: their primary mission is defence not hunting impromptue targets.

My 2E and 4E bombers are all targeted at the Jap ground forces at Gili this turn as I turn the newly unloaded troops onto the attack.

I make 2 new sub patrol TFs - one at cairns made of the grenville and another of SS-38. Grenville has repaired enough to join defences at Gili, while SS 38 has got rid of float damage and is off back to Pearl.

I get yet another PT boat and this is added to the small fleet I have at Gili - 7 in total now.

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:50 pm

Just an FYI, but I'd be getting that carrier out of that coral reef death trap very quickly. If the IJN parks a sub at the two openings of that reef, your CV TF has to roll the dice when transiting over them - and why give the IJN even a chance of having a sub put a fish into the CV? It may be a long shot for the sub to contact the CV TF, a longer shot to isolate the CV from the rest of the ships, and a microscopic change at hitting the CV - but it's still a gamble compared to a zero chance.

Good luck!

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sat Aug 23, 2003 12:39 pm

On the first attempt Gili Gili falls!! Unbelievably good news.
herbie-san is stepping up his attacks on naval shipping and the Wasps defence forces are

hard pushed to persuade them that its not nice to try and sink my ships.

Herbie tries a new tactice of attacking my surface forces with a couple of small tfs of

patrol boats. I am not entirely sure of the reason for doing this but I suspect it is to

reduce fuel and more importantly ammo in my TF. This works as my TF decides to return to

Noumea. I of course turn them around - and more importantly - with the capture of Gili

Gili I can also rearm them.

3 more APS hit mines in the night - they have done the most damage and I am still privy to

multiple mine clearing warnings.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/10/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Night Time Surface Combat at 0,0

Japanese Ships
PG Heijo Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
PC Ch 4, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
CA Northampton
CA Salt Lake City
CL St. Louis
CL Honolulu
DD Grayson
DD Stack
DD McCall
DD Smith
DD Fanning
DMS Southard
DMS Zane

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
PG Choan Maru #2, Shell hits 67, and is sunk
PC Ch 22, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
CA Northampton
CA Salt Lake City
CL St. Louis
CL Honolulu
DD Grayson
DD Stack
DD McCall
DD Smith
DD Fanning
DMS Southard
DMS Zane

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 0,0

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 22, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
CA Northampton
CA Salt Lake City
CL St. Louis
CL Honolulu
DD Grayson
DD Stack
DD McCall
DD Smith
DD Fanning
DMS Southard
DMS Zane

For more PGs go beneath the waves as the Japs start resorting to Kamikaze tactics.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 229th Regiment, at 17,42

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 20
Beaufighter VIC x 21
B-25D Mitchell x 9

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 60

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
12 x Hudson at 6000 feet
8 x Hudson at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 229th Regiment, at 17,42

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 56
B-24D Liberator x 9

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 73

Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

The 2 engine and 4 engine attacks reduce the only Jap regiment at gili to 0 effectiveness
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,35

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 35
TBF Avenger x 11

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Shinkoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryotaku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

My carrier Tf continues to hamper Herbies attempts to escape from the area. All these

ships sink.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,35

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD Dauntless x 9

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Shinkoku Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryotaku Maru, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,35

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 18
TBF Avenger x 13

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Ryotaku Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,35

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 16
TBF Avenger x 10

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Hakuyo Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryotaku Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinkoku Maru, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
G3M Nell x 9
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 34

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed

LT R.Lawson of VF-71 is credited with kill number 9

Allied Ships
DD Farenholt
AP Monrovia

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

More incoming but no strikes recorded - Lt Lawson is proving his worth and is my highest

scoring ace.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
TBF Avenger x 13
A-20B Havoc x 12

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3

Attacking Level Bombers:
13 x TBF Avenger at 6000 feet
12 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 21,32

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 24

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

This is the death nell of the Unyo - she is doomed and is recorded as sunk.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 21,32

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 11

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Montevideo Maru
DD Fubuki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 3
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 33

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

PO2 F.Sugiyama of F1/3rd Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
AK Asphalion

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

More naval strikes and my defenders dwindle further - he isn't hitting with enough numbers

to allow massive damage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6764 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 24450 troops, 237 guns, 10 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 9

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6

He tries to disrupt me - but is too disrupted himself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21014 troops, 237 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8975 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Gili Gili base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3236
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 78

And that is the shooting match Gili Gili is ours - his support forces go into captivity

but the infantry are still very much alive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The surface warships damaged in the beginning of the invasion are returning to Pearl

having lost their floatation damage.

Lee is returning to Gili having headed for home.

My carrier Tf moves further north to continue the mayhem of anti-naval missions she has

run.
The weather is thunderstorms though so I let the 4 engine bombers have a break.
The Washington is still not being released and this may have soemthing to do with the

continuing lack of escort ships.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sat Aug 23, 2003 12:46 pm

What you can't see here is the fact the returning North Carolina (to Gili Gili) rusn into 2 mines. herbie was hopeful she was out of the war but the underwater menaces do so little damage I could be forgiven for leaving the fact it happened out of the news - sys 7 float 1.
Herbie is bringing in the bombers to continue the attacks on my ships at Gili - all my AKs are empty now though (and they got away unscathed) and the APS that are damaged are empty and put into port to see if I can repair the floatation damage.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/11/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on 229th Regiment, at 17,42

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 22
Beaufighter VIC x 24
B-25D Mitchell x 24

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 34

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
5 x Hudson at 6000 feet
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
5 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

I forgot to take these guys off ops so they fly when the take off and target areas are both free of inclement weather.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 32

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 5 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
BB North Carolina
DD McCall

Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

I lost 2 more wildcats this turn and they are both from the Wasp - her decks are becoming a lonely place - ready rooms emptying of pilots - morale is not that good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D3A Val x 17

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 5 destroyed
D3A Val x 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

CPO P.Takagi of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 5

Allied Ships
AP President Jackson, Bomb hits 1
AP Harry Lee, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Manunda, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Monrovia

These 3 ships are put into port.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5562 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25270 troops, 253 guns, 10 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21520 troops, 253 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5558 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 336
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 110

The 229th are tenacious in defence - the odds are against them but again the refuse to come out of their ambush positions - this is going to be a "winkle them out" affair.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

However, that form of attack is not going to include the 6th Aussie Division who are boarding their transports and going back to Townsville. They will be used with the now refreshed Aussie 3rd - where is the question. PM is heavily defended and so is Buna where the Dobadura is a size 4 airfield with NO INFANTRY!!
This is most likely my next target. I am caught between letting my aircrews rest until morale improves or not. If he defends the place in the interim I will be peeved at my hesitency.
My next Gili inhabitants are not too far away from landfall but they are not all to stay there. With Woodlark requiring infantry regiments to take Woodlark I may instead build up Kiriwina Island.
My carriers did not attack but they are still in the same location - east of Woodlark - I am going to leave them here and hope for a strike this turn.
With all the mines Herbie-san has laid in Gili harbour I take the DMS's out of the surface TF and put them in a more efficient anti-mine TF.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sun Aug 24, 2003 8:09 am

Another eventful day for the Navy flyboys. They find a transport TF over by Shortland Island and dish out a long range hammering to it - no ships reported as sunk but they will be returning to Truk or sinking in the near future.

My APs loaded with the Aussie 6th left without taking all of the troops. This appears to happen if you try and force every freighter to load troops (by taking out the ships that aren't loading men and force them, via a separate TF, to take one of the units). That next turn they leave without taking all the intended men.
I therefore have to use 4 of the injured APs at Gili to load the rest of the men and hope the ships don't suffer too much at the hands of Herbie's airmen - they didn't fly this turn by the way.
THe 4 engine bombers do not conduct a night raid to Lae - it is a long way so I was not surprised - they have stayed on this setting.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/12/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on TF at 26,33

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD Dauntless x 16
TBF Avenger x 12

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Manju Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AP Oyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Taian Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire

My air TF was just North of Woodlark and these guys were by Shortland Island - the bomb strikes are with 500 pounders.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 26,33

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Oyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Manju Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Taian Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 26,33

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD Dauntless x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Manju Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Taian Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Oyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Still enough hits to make me suspect they are in big trouble.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5076 troops, 53 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 18362 troops, 173 guns, 10 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15704 troops, 173 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5076 troops, 53 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 6954
Guns lost 67

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 32

My troops mop up the remains of the 229th - 7000 troops go into captivity.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the exceptional work they have done, my air combat Tf is returning to Noumea. They need to replensih numbers and have a rest - morale is again a problem dispite every battle being one sided.
The Wasp will stay on station as I have not yet got an airfield on Gili Gili - next turn I should do though and this will then require a base unit (DC-3s from Townsville) and planes - fighters first. Wasp will then join her sisters and rekit her air units - I will deck her out with better attack capacity (although this fighter setting proved useful when the invasion target has no airfield).
2 separate DDs have detached from Lee's command and are targeting Woodlark. Herbie-san has snuck some AGs there under the nose of my CVs; which of course, wont target them. The DDs should do the business though - I have used this technique before so I hope he doesn't have a waiting committee.
A fuel transport begins loading in Noumea with the target of GG.
The 3000 type APs returning to Brisbane should get there this turn - I will load a base unit and supplies into them and go to Townsville. Townsville is going to be the main "railhead" for further operations.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sun Aug 24, 2003 2:33 pm

A very bad day for the Allied forces today.

First an AG mounts an incredibly robust defence at Woodlark Island, heavily damaging the

DD - it is subsiquently found by a sub on the way home and sunk.
Then the Japanese Land based air really makes me pay by hitting shipping at Gili - most

importantly the BB North Carolina - she is out of the war in the South Pacific if she

doesn't sink.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/13/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

not many manage to fly and they do accomplish good work - they are moved to attack

Dobadura though as there are some planes moved there. The problem with attacking Lea from

Cairns is its range.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

1LT C.Andrews of 26th BS bails out and is CAPTURED
Japanese Ships
AG 358
AG 359
AG 361
AG 366, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AG 2058

Allied Ships
DD Fanning, Shell hits 13, on fire

The result I was not expecting
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
AG 358, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
AG 359
AG 361
AG 366, and is sunk
AG 2058

Allied Ships
DD Farenholt

That's more like it
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 22,40

Japanese Ships
SS I-174

Allied Ships
DD Fanning, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

This is the end of the Fanning - absolutely unbelievable - it would have been interesting

to know what damage the AG actually did.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G4M1 Betty x 6
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 24

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged

1LT R. Stout of VMF-224 is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
AP Crescent City
AP Harry Lee

Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

The already damaged APs with the troops loaded escape unharmed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
G4M1 Betty x 24

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

1LT R. Stout of VMF-224 is credited with kill number 5

CPO P.Takagi of AI-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
TK Suamico, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AO Kankakee
AO Sabine, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AO Tappahannock

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

I cannot afford to loose too many of these as I don't have many fuel transporters. Victims of Herbie-san's attacks towards Luganville.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
G3M Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 15

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 11 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 6 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tucker
CA Northampton
DD McCall

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

OUCH and double ouch - NC is at 52 SYS and 55 float - out of the war for a bit. She is

disbanded in Gili harbour to repair the float damage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 13
A-20B Havoc x 12

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
13 x TBF Avenger at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 20
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 22

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 17 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

MAJ J. Dobbin of VMF-224 is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
DD MacDonough, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB North Carolina, on fire, heavy damage
CA Northampton

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

She manages to avoid more damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
G3M Nell x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
G3M Nell x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged

LTJG F.Matsunaga of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
DMS Zane

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 3rd transport TF, the one carrying the seabees, is in tonight at GG. The Wasp's ability to hold back the incoming aircraft is at the point where it no longer manages it's task. She will head for Noumea. The Japanese still very much have attack capacity.

GG now has an airfield. I am flying in a sqd of wildcats and a sqd of Kittyhawks. As yet they don't have support but this will be flown in by DC-3 s today as well - damaged ACs may take a little longer to repair but will recover.

The damaged Aps with the remains of the aussie 6th on board should leave tonight.

Time to consolidate, I was riding a wave of success and I just got thrown off the board. It isn't over however, it just requires a little breathing period until my most potent weapon: the carrier ACs can be recuperated.
I will carry on with the build up of Kiriwina and probalably with attacks on Woodl;ark and Dobadura and then Buna.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Tue Aug 26, 2003 12:37 pm

Herbie-sans airforce continues his battering of Gili Gili and now without Carrier cover. He is after the BB North Carolina as she nurses her wounds in Gili Harbour - he is successful too but not effective.
More effective are his subs, who have come out to play in major numbers. The worm has turned considerably with that being his most effective arm now - like mine was in the beginning.
My dakotas manage to ferry the whole 18th base force (aside from their 2 radars - hopefully they fit in subs) to GG. They will go to work on repairing the damaged fighters, holed by the fighting over GG this turn.
I can see 2 forces of warships at the range for a surface strikeat GG; to this end I have stationed a unit of marine dauntlesses at GG now. The extra vehicles - being unloaded from the new transport TF that has just arrived (the 7th Seabees) will help with building the airfield - it is 50% off size 2. Then its more base units and more air power.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/14/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 19,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-31

Allied Ships
AK Bellatrix, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 31

His subs announce themselves in the battlefield with a bang this turn. The Bellatrix - loaded with Coastal artillery unit - sinks. Fortunately the men manage to affix waterwings to the 155mm Howitzers and swim them to another ship...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 21
B-25D Mitchell x 15
B-26B Marauder x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 282

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Attacking Level Bombers:
7 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
8 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x Hudson at 6000 feet
9 x Hudson at 6000 feet
6 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

Night attack attempting to suppress the ACs at PM. It works, with nothing flying at gili gili form here and is to be repeated tonight. Recon states it was 48% damaged at the end of the turn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 18,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-3

Allied Ships
AP Crescent City, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 25

Another sub attacks the APs leaving GG loaded with the men who took the place - 6th aussie (the ones that should have already left!) I think the AP will make it - a size 15 fire its biggest handicap.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Dobadura , at 13,38

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 50
B-24D Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 damaged
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 108

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 20

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

More suppression and again it works, and again I am going to fly the mission. I have a question to ask: it's the 15th of sept and I have been allowed reinforcements of forts for 15 days: 7 per month, but I have received none. Any ideas why?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
D3A Val x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
P-40E Kittyhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 8 destroyed
D3A Val x 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged

1LT E.Scott of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 3

I'll take this type of attack again!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
D3A Val x 24
B5N Kate x 23
G4M1 Betty x 16

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
P-40E Kittyhawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 5 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged
B5N Kate x 3 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 7 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged

1LT E.Scott of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage

Port hits 2

Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x B5N Kate at 6000 feet
12 x B5N Kate at 6000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

Despite the 3 hits the North carolina has increased damage (sys) from 55 to 57, and that may be due to fires, that granted, are still burning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gavigamana , at 51,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

This is far more clever. Strafe missions from Lunga - but they again aren't terribly effective. In fact, other than surprise value, they appear to have hurt him more than me: flak dealing to a significant number (and more than they deal to on the ground).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Wunpuko , at 51,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gavigamana , at 51,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Wunpuko , at 51,51

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 32
TBF Avenger x 13
A-20B Havoc x 9

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 37
Guns lost 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
13 x TBF Avenger at 6000 feet

More suppression on the coastal gun unit at Efate that are about to meet the 1st marines.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,38

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

Sod it this sub is seen by has AGs - no damage though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I feel I have lost my way a little. With the retirement of the carrier force (by the way the Hornet has increased its sys damage to 14!) I am not supressing his counter attack too well. Gili is coming on line but I did not allow for enough base power to house my airunits that would have made it impenetrable to the types of attacks he is now mounting.

Somewhat belatedly the 3000 type APs now loading with supplies at Brisbane will also loaded with a base unit for Townsville. Some more air power is the answer here - then I can go on with invasions.
It is still only sept 15 so the plethora of units the allies enjoy later haven't really started to flow yet. Therefore I have to pick my battles carefully.
If I don't get fortress replacements then I will be in serious trouble - although it will be a bug.
The DD and CA damaged by mines make it to Noumea this turn, and along with the Long Island, are sent ot Pearl: commitment is changed to high - I want the Washington!

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 11:03 am

Fierce conflict as the Japanese start to realise the extent of the commitment at Gili Gili . All stops are out at combined fleet headquarters with air surface and sub assets now getting into the act.

Herbie-san is rewarded for a very bold move and for continuing his air assault.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/15/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 18,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-3

Allied Ships
APD McKean

My anti-sub unit finds but cannot sink a sub. Unfortunately I did not notice the fact they had noumea set as home and they set off in that direction. You could forgive Admiral Hill for utilising his standing retire orders to get out of the firing line. However, he is ordered to look again for subs and then return.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 6
B-25D Mitchell x 23
B-26B Marauder x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 239
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 31

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
10 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
7 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
16 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

More suppression of PM and it is effectively out of the battle now - its planes stranded. This night time attack will continue today although 1 sqd of Mitchells has been retired to Rockhampton to rest and the 15 Marauders there move to Cooktown to take up the fight after resting from their fight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Shell hits 1
DD Shirayuki
DD Yayoi
DD Asakaze
DD Harukaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Akikaze

Allied Ships
PT 43
PT 44
PT 59
PT 60, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
PT 66
PT 68
PT 114

Here comes his gutsy move - he new I had a surface force at Gili but still sneaks these guys in. More Kamikaze type activity - but it works!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
DD Shirayuki
DD Yayoi
DD Asakaze
DD Harukaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Akikaze

Allied Ships
AP President Hayes, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Electra
AP Kanimbla
AP Katoomba
AK Barwon, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 43

No surface units to be seen. I can't remember what ship it was in this TF that was hit but it isn't actualy the president hayes - which is untouched. And the Electra - loaded with the 7th Seabees is again untouched. Which ship it was seccumbs to it's wounds and sinks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 3
DD Oyashio
DD Arashi
DD Yudachi
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo

Allied Ships
PT 43, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
PT 44, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
PT 59
PT 66
PT 68
PT 114, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage

The PT boats disrupt the party and pay for it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
DD Oyashio
DD Arashi
DD Yudachi
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo

Allied Ships
MSW Cessnock
MSW Launceton, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Lismore, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
MSW Toowoomba

Both Launceton and Lismore are sunk. I am kicking myself for not following my instincts last turn and disbanding these guys!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Shell hits 4
DD Makigumo
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Arare, Shell hits 54, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 1
CA Canberra
CL St. Louis
CL Honolulu
DD Farenholt
DD Stack
DD McCall
DD Smith
DD Tucker
DMS Southard
DMS Zane

At last Lee arrives and he makes up for the tardiness by sinking the Arare - the Tokitsukaze is crawling away but was not hit by my dauntlesses - a sub is being put in its likely path of travel.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 4
B-17E Fortress x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 115
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 84

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

PM is closed for business - I lose another fortress and figure out the missing fortress issue - they are bolstering the 3 new sqds on their way to release. 36 more of the heavy bombers will arrive in the next 13 days.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
D3A Val x 11
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
P-40E Kittyhawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 9 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed

ENS S. Kudo of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 5

CPT A.Vaughn of VMF-212 is KILLED

Allied Ships
DD Smith, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 1
DMS Southard

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

Incrediibly effective attack this one - all hit ships are crippled and are put into port. I will try and sneak them past his subs and head them to Noumea and then Pearl. I am putting curse my CA and sub drivers it seems!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 7
B5N Kate x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
P-40E Kittyhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed

FLT R. Vanderfield of No. 76 Sqn RAAF is credited with kill number 3

Allied Ships
AK Barwon

Using my own tactics against me Herbie sends these Vals in at above 15K feet , my fighters are too low and damage is from flak - no hits either though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 11

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
P-40E Kittyhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 3 destroyed

1LT O.Stewart of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
MSW Toowoomba, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Cessnock

The Toowoomba is touch and go for survival - I really don't need it to sink!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 32
TBF Avenger x 13
A-20B Havoc x 12

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 14

Attacking Level Bombers:
13 x TBF Avenger at 6000 feet
12 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

More preparation for the return of efate, which should start this turn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
B5N Kate x 5
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
P-40E Kittyhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed

1LT A.Keller of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 4

LTJG I.Shiga of AI-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
CA Northampton, on fire
CL St. Louis
CA Salt Lake City

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

I am still getting my licks in with the defence of GG and he must be eating into his stocks of ACs!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 8

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
P-40E Kittyhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Katoomba
AK Electra

These guys again get in above my CAP - but they are in accurate because of it (they're bombing not on torpedo runs).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So what to do about this turn around. The answer is very little as the options aren't great. I move the surface units (that aren't hurt) into the remains of the transport TF and keep Lee as the Admiral - can't have him sneaking in behind my back again.

I retire the sqd of Kittyhawks at GG and replace them with another.

My fortresses and liberators get a deserved rest, but the 2 engine bombers keep the pressure up on PM except the longer-legged Hudsons which are going to dobadura by night.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 3:19 am

A quieter day after the continual pounding GG and its ships have taken.

I do suffer one major feau-paux by sending 2 of my DMs into GG harbour after my surface units decide to return to Noumea! So my defenders leave and I loose the minelayers and a couple of PT as Herbie-san sweeps into harbour with some surface units.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/16/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on Dobadura , at 13,38

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 55

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet

This is effectively keeping dobadura closed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 10
B-26B Marauder x 22

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 135
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
8 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
8 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
10 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
CL Tenryu
DD Hatsukaze
DD Arashio
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
PT 67, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
PT 107, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PT 109

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
CL Tenryu
DD Hatsukaze
DD Arashio
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
DM Montgomery, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DM Tracy, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

d@mn, I don't have that many of these to loose. In fact this loss pretty much stops my ship based minelaying capability.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 18th Coastal Gun Battalion, at 55,57

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 32
TBF Avenger x 13
A-20B Havoc x 13

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 58

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet
13 x TBF Avenger at 6000 feet
7 x A-20B Havoc at 6000 feet

The marines are landing at efate, his coastal battery fires but is so disrupted it does no damage. It will take a while for the men to land though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 13,35

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 12
P-40E Kittyhawk x 5

no losses

Japanese Ships
ML Ikitsushima, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

I also manage to find an enemy minelayer - GG's fledgling bomber force opening it's account. I don't know whether it will sink but I am hoping - his mines have been the most effective arm of his defence!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 more day and I get another surface force - 1 CA, 1 CLAA, 1 CL, and about 5 DDs. Just in time too as I am loosing a fair number to the damage from his aircraft.
Neither of the 2 BBs - South Dakota or Washington have been released.

GG is still a point of problem, but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting clearer - The airfield is now size 2 with 50% done on level 3. I can then fly in another base unit and more fighters.
The two previously damaged CAs - damaged at GG - are partnered with a DD and sent to Cairns. They take a shallow water course that then turns south. I haven't yet managed to force any of his subs to go back to safer waters.
Some of the holed transports are taking the same route. I need to get them to Noumea and then Pearl so I can get some new ones released.
Despite the damage Herbie-san has inflicted he hasn't really sunk that many ships: so far 1 DD, 1 AP, 1 AK, 2 MSWs, 2 DMs and about 6 PTs.
My carriers are nearly back at Noumea - from its damage it looks like I will be returning Hornet to Pearl for an overhaul. That reduces me to 3 CVs in theatre, with none in the wings waiting to be released.

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 1:13 pm

A bit better turn for me this time around - more damage done than received! My transport group, still holding half of the 7th Seabees again pulls into GG to attempt an unload. Unfortuantely there is some seriously heavy metal bearing down on me - 3 BBs and sundries in a TF - surely bound for GG and no good.
Therefore all shipping not tied to the dock sets sail - unfortunately there are still quite a number of ships in port that are too damaged to attempt a voyage to safer waters - better to hope he only has surface action orders and doesn't bombard the airstrip.

In that regard I am flying another 60 air service base unit in to GG and I fly 2 more fighter units and a fighter bomber in to GG. This should start to make his AC attacks a little harder. I am still a long way off being able to put level bombers into GG though so it isn't up to full speed yet.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/17/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Dobadura , at 13,38

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 7

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 21

Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 3

Attacking Level Bombers:
7 x Hudson at 6000 feet

The Kiwi Hudson flyers are doing superbly during the night. I can't get the Aussies to mount up though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 7
B-26B Marauder x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-R Irving x 1 destroyed
J1N1-R Irving x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 90

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 17

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
8 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
7 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

The Yanks are happy to take on their regular target of PM though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 19,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-31

Allied Ships
SC 646, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

My anti-sub unit at last finds a sub - and promptly looses one of its number.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 15,39

Japanese Ships
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

My subs can't continue the job at night
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Dobadura , at 13,38

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 4
B-17E Fortress x 47
B-24D Liberator x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 6 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 325

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 70

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
8 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

The heavies cause further pain for Dobadura - he has about 80 ACs there and it is reporting airfield damage at 94%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 15,39

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 13
P-40E Kittyhawk x 4

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Akebono, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Natori, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Suzukaze
CA Tone

But at last GG takes a stride int he right direction - an ML yesterday and some solid 1000 lb hits on some of his surface marauders today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 15,39

Japanese Ships
CL Natori, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

And to top it off the Grenadier gets a strike on the Natori
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am running from the oncoming heavies this turn - I will probably have to repeat the chicken stuff next turn too as if he doesn't hit this turn he will probably turn around and re-try.
My carrier make port in Noumea next turn, they will rearm and then move back into the kill zone.

Herbie goes Bananas

a turn missed due to lost combat report

Centre Punch takes its first victims

More Carrier action

The Japanese prove their sword can still cut