War in the Pacific-Schematic Mode-The Chronology

[kokubokan25]

OPERATION FLINTLOCK (PHASE ONE)

OPERATIONAL DIARY:

MAP KEY:

(A): Allied main forces at Canton island.
TF 34.1 VAMD Halsey W.F.
CVs Saratoga, Yorktown, Intrepid and Enterprise.
CVLs Langley, Cabot, Monterey, Cowpens and Belleau Wood.
BBs Massachussets and Alabama.
CA/CLs Indianapolis, New Orleans, Australia, Achilles and Juneau.
DDs Fletcher, Ammen, Anthony, Charles Ausburne, Bache, Bennett, Boyd, Bradford and Braine.

TF 70.1 RADM Rockwell Bombardment group
BBs Maryland, Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico and Mississippi.
CAs Minneapolis, Quincy, Vincennes and Wichita.
CLs Nashville, Honolulu and Cleveland.
DDs Kidd, La Valette, Radford, Waller, Gransevoort, Jenkins, Russell and Bagley.

(B): Replenishment and cover group. ASW Group and ground support Group.

TF 34.2 CPT Burke
CVEs Nassau, Breton, Prince William and Casablanca.
CA/CLs San Francisco, Sumatra and Perth.
DDs Bullard, Chevalier, Converse, Daly, Dashiell and Dyson.

TF 63 CDR Brady
4 AOs and destroyers Eaton and Brownson.

(C): Apamama invasion force. Tarawa invasion force.

TF 75.1 CDR Crowell T.J. (target Apamama)
DDs Foote and Guest, MSW Inverell
AP Hunter Liggett, AK Alaskan and three LCI.
Carried: 3rd USMC Para Bn and 3rd USMC Raider Bn.

TF 75.2 RADM Davison R.E. (target Tarawa atoll)
DDs Raph Talbot, Blue, Hazelwood and Harrison
Five APs, AK Arizonan, 25 LST.
Carried: 2nd USMC Division.

(D): Tarawa support invasion force. (scheduled to embark day 20)

TF 75.3 RADM Frelich
5 DDs, 3 DEs and 37 transport ships.
Carried: 33rd Infantry Division.

ESTIMATED ENEMY FORCES AT GILBERT ISLANDS:

-Three naval units in Baker island: around 5.000 troops. No air support.
-Gd minor units in Apamama: around 1.500 troops. No air support.
-One, maybe two naval units and secondary air support troops at Tarawa atoll: around 7.000 troops. Three, maybe four air groups, zeros, Bettys, Judys and H8K patrol planes.
-Unknown forces in Makin atoll, IS estimated only Gd units.

OPERATIONAL DIARY:

DAY ONE: 10/19/43
-Main forces abandon Canton island and going to north.

DAY TWO: 10/20/43
-The 33rd Infantry Division embark at Canton Island.

DAY THREE: 10/21/43
-TF 34.1 launch a airstrike against airstrip and ground forces at Baker Island. The attack is carried by 17 F4U, 33 SBD and 27 TBF with no losses. (e)
-This afternoon, the japanese attack with 9 Bettys the TF 34.1 from Tarawa. Six planes are shot down and the allied ships take no damage.

DAY FOUR: 10/22/43
-TF 70.1 go to Tarawa and TF 34.1 go south to protect the upcoming amphibious forces. (f)
-Japanese take this moment to launch three airstrikes against the Bombardment force with Bettys and Judys. The BB Nevada is hit by two 250kg bombs and the BB Idaho get one artifact but the damage is very light. Those attacks cost 13 Judys and 2 Bettys to japanese. (g)

DAY FIVE: 10/23/43
-The TF 70.1 bombard Tarawa atoll at night. The DD Russell gets heavy damage by Coastal gunfire and CA Minneapolis and DD Gansevoort only minor. The japanese suffer 900 casualties and the airstrip is almost destroyed.
-The japanese launch in the morning five airstrikes from Kwajalein with Bettys but the american CAP shot down 8 zeros and 13 Bettys and the ships take no damage. (h)
-The 3rd USMC Raider Bn take Apamama without resistence. The japanese evacuated the base weeks ago. (i) The americans suffer only 90 casualties.
-The japanese, fear one really blow to Marshall islands exit from Truk with the Rengo Kantai: RADM Yamaguchi take the CVs Akagi, Shokaku, Zuikaku and Amagi and the CVLs Ryujo and Zuiho and the CVE Taiyo.

[kokubokan25]

OPERATION FLINTLOCK (PHASE TWO)

MAP KEY:

(A): American Main Forces, ready to assault Tarawa.
(B): Yamaguchi Forces reach Kwajalein the 10/26/43.
(C): Japanese position sunset 10/27/43
(D): Halsey patrol zone

DAY SIX: 10/24/43

-The 33rd Infantry División assault Tarawa atoll without the support of the 2nd USMC division. However, the japanese resistence, because low moral and continuous air attacks by the US Carrier planes, is very weak and the airstrip and main positions in Tarawa are taken in a few hours. The americans lost 2.000 casualties and the nipons withdrawns the your almost destroyed forces to the jungle. The japanese coastal fire cause minor damage to three destroyers and four LSTs.
-The light defense of Tarawa change the american battle plan. The 2nd USMC division is send to Makin. The atoll is visited also by the american carrier planes.

DAY SEVEN: 10/25/43

-The 2nd USMC division assault Makin in the morning. The marines suffer 2.000 casualties, the japanese, with 400 must retire to jungle after eight hours of fight. In this operation only the destroyer Ralph Talbot is hit by a coastal gun.
-Japanese Betty bombers atack the allied ships near Makin without success.
-In Tarawa the 33rd infantry division try to fortity your positions around the airstrip. The japanese launch some Banzai charges but all are destroyed with heavy casualties.

DAY EIGHT: 10/26/43

-The japanese air forces in Gilbert islands is destroyed. Only some Bettys from Kwajalein try to cause damage to invasion force. One AP is torpedoed near Makin.
-The Rengo Kantai reach Kwajalein atoll to fueling. Yamaguchi plan is going to south at once to confront the american carriers that patrol the zone around Makin.

DAY NINE: 10/27/43

-The american fight all day in Makin and Tarawa, defend your positions against the ocasional japanese banzai charges.
-Yamaguchi forces sail to a position 60 miles south Jaluit, near Ebon. Halsey knows the Rengo Kantai sortie from Kwajalein this afternoon and prepare the inminent battle.

[kokubokan25]

OPERATION FLINTLOCK (PHASE THREE)


THE CARRIER BATTLE OF GILBERT ISLANDS

MAP KEY:

(A): Halsey’s forces maintain your position near amphibious forces and replenishment ships the night of 27 but at dawn go to west to intercept Yamaguchi forces.
(B): American CVE’s and transports return to Canton Island.
(C): Position of the Rengo Kantai the night of 27.
Yamaguchi forces:
CVs : Akagi, Shokaku, Zuikaku and Amagi.
CVLs: Ryujo and Zuiho.
CVE: Taiyo.
BB: Kongo and Nagato.
CA/CL: Maya, Myoko, Ashigara, Oyodo, Noshiro and Niyodo.
DDs: Hatsuzuki, Niizuki, Wakazuki, Shimozuki, Onami, Samidare, Suzukaze, Inazuma, Shinonome and Oboro.
(D): Position of both forces the morning of 28.

DAY TEN: 10/28/43

-In the first hours of 28, both forces found themselves only 60 miles away and attack the one to another at the same time.
-The american first attack was definitive. 99 Dauntless and 36 Avengers with a escort of 66 Hellcats, 8 Corsairs and 3 Wildcats. The japanese CAP is formed by 57 zeros but is decimated in a few minutes. The japanese lost 56 fighters, the attackers only 11 fighters in this massacre. Without interference, the Dauntless and Avengers get multiple hits over the Rengo Kantai.
CV Shokaku: 4 hits, some fires, speed reduced to 22 knots.
CVL Ryujo: 1 hit, some fires
CVL Zuiho: 4 hits, severe fires, flight deck closed
CV Zuikaku: 4 hits, severe fires
CV Amagi: 10 hits, out of control fires, flight deck closed, heavy damage
BB Kongo: 1 hit, minor deck hit
BB Nagato: 1 bomb hit and 2 torpedo hits, severe fires, speed reduced to 13 knots
CA Myoko: 1 hit, minor damage on systems
CA Ashigara: 2 hits, some fires

-The american second raid complete the work. 32 SBD and 27 TBF with a escort of 36 Hellcats and 13 Wildcats. The japanese only get 1 zero on CAP and was shot down. This attack cost only three planes to americans, shot down by DCA.
CVE Taiyo: 2 hits, ammo storage blow up, severe flooding, flight deck closed, speed reduced to 11 knots.
CV Amagi: 4 hits, fires out of control, dead in the water
CV Zuikaku: 1 bomb and 1 torpedo hits, heavy damage
CVL Ryujo: 2 hits, severe fires
BB Kongo: 1 torpedo hit, minor damage

-American third raid; 27 Avengers and 9 Corsairs. No losses.
CVE Taiyo, 1 torpedo hit, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho: 1 torpedo hit, flight deck closed, speed reduced to 9 knots, severe fires

-American fourth raid: 8 Avengers and 10 Wildcats. No losses.
BB Kongo, another torpedo hit, substantial flooding

-American fifth and last raid: 67 SBD and 60 TBF with a escort of 95 fighters; the japanese have no single plane on CAP. The attackers lost only three planes.
CV Amagi: 8 hits and 1 torpedo hit, the ship capsizes and sinks.
CV Zuikaku: 6 hits and 1 torpedo hit, flight deck closed, fires out of control, speed reduced to 8 knots
BB Kongo: 1 hit, moderate fires and flooding, speed reduced to 15 knots.
CVL Ryujo: 7 hits, forward main deck blow up, the ship sinks before sunset.

The japanese attack.
-The first raid: 72 D4Y, 88 B5N and 15 B6N with a escort of 85 zeros. The american task force maintain a CAP with 90 fighters, mainly Hellcats. The nipons are almost destroyed and lost 80 zeros, 43 bombers and 59 torpedo planes. The allied losses was 2 Wildcats, 18 Hellcats and five Corsairs. However, the japanese get through and the american carriers suffer moderate damage on ships.
CV Saratoga: 2 hits, ammo storage explosion, speed reduced to 23 knots.
CV Intrepid: 1 hit, minor damage on deck
CV Enterprise: 2 hits, severe fires below deck
CVL Monterey: 2 hits, speed reduced to 22 knots, some fires
CV Yorktown: 2 torpedo hits, severe fires, moderate flooding, flight deck closed
CL Australia: 1 hit, one 40mm AA mount destroyed, some fires

-Second japanese raid: 25 D4Y, 17 B5N with a escort of 9 zeros; the americans react with 41 fighters and the japanese lost 34 attackers. One again, the nipons get through.
CVL Princeton: 1 hit, speed reduced to 22 knots, some fires.

End of action, the japanese try to return to Kwajalein and Halsey, with some ships with severe damage decide return to Canton island.

-On Makin island, the japanese surrenders the 2.800 men of GD units to 2nd USMC division.

BATTLE AFTERMATH

10/30/43:
-The remnants of Rengo Kantai arrive to Kwajalein atoll. Only the CV Zuikaku, towed by DD Oboro, try to reach Jaluit and continue the fight to evade sinking.

10/31/43:
-The Zuikaku’s captain, Yamakawa, give the order to abandon ship around 60 miles south of Jaluit, the ship went down during afternoon.

[kokubokan25]

WEEK OCTOBER 25 (1943) - OCTOBER 31 (1943)

[Note: Light damage* Medium damage** Heavy Damage***]

JAPANESE BASES TAKEN BY THE ALLIED
Makin atoll (Gilbert Islands)10/30/43

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED
DD Ralph Talbot (by coastal gunfire near Makin atoll)10/25/43*
AP Cambria (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Kwajalein near Makin atoll)10/26/43**
LST-450 (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Kwajalein near Makin atoll)10/26/43**

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE
AK Yamahaku Maru (torpedoed by SS Flasher near Swatow and after sunk by SS Batfish)10/26/43
TK Nissyo Maru (torpedoed by SS Gunnel north Muntok)10/29/43**
TK Kuroshio Maru (torpedoed by SS Gunnel north Muntok and after sunk by the SS Tambor)10/29/43

SS RO-62 (damaged by DD Converse near Tarawa and after sunk by DD Braine)10/26/43***

SS Cero (damaged by a D3A south Kagoshima)10/27/43**
SS Cachalot (damaged by DD Ushio near Brunei)10/30/43**
SS Shad (damaged by DD Ayanami in Celebes sea)10/30/43*

[kokubokan25]

MONTH SPECIAL ISSUE Nº22 "OCTOBER 1943"

THE AIR CAMPAIGN

ALLIED SIDE

Allied month losses total (145) Cumulative (8.121)
Air to Air (77)-On field (0)-by Flak (10)-Operational (58)
Top Allied Plane Losses
In Fighters: 607 Hurricane II, 555 F4F-4- In Bombers: 569 B-17E, 440 B-24D

JAPANESE SIDE

Japanese month losses total (484) Cumulative (7.183)
Air to Air (353)-On field (9)-by Flak (97)-Operational (25)
Top Japanese Plane Losses
In Fighters: 1.110 A6M3a, 694 Ki-61KAIc - In Bombers: 845 Ki-49, 772 G4M1

THE ACES

Japanese Aces

1.COL Sasaki I. (50th Ftr.Sentai)Ki-61KAIc.....................39 Kills
2.PO2 Nagashima J. (F1/Yamada Daitai)A6M3a................38 Kills
3.COL Egashira U.(64th Ftr.Sentai)Ki-61KAIc...................34 Kills
4.PO2 Muto K.(F2/Genzan Daitai)A6M5............................32 Kills
5.LTJG Mikami K. (F1/Tainan Daitai)A6M5........................29 Kills

Allied Aces

1.FLT Snowdon N.(232º Squadron-RAF) Spitfire Vb............31 Kills
2.FLT Goodwin H. (232º Squadron-RAF) Spitfire Vb............26 Kills
3.SLDR Ingersoll J.(232º Squadron-RAF) Spitfire Vb...........24 Kills
4.2LT Atkins O. (49th FG-USAAF) P-38G............................23 Kills
5.1LT Webber R. (49th FG-USAAF) P-38G..........................23 Kills
_____________________________

JAPANESE AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION NOTES

Planes in Production: Main Types.

A6M5 Zero..........................531 p/month
D4Y Judy............................204 p/month
Ki-61 KAIc Tony..................187 p/month
B6N Jill...............................137 p/month
Ki-49 Helen........................ 118 p/month
G4M2 Betty......................... 94 p/month
N1K1-J George.................... 93 p/month
Ki-44 Ib............................. 76 p/month
Ki-46 III............................ 48 p/month
A6M5c.................................48 P/month
J1N1-S............................... 47 p/month
Ki-45 KAIa......................... 44 p/month
E13A1............................... 40 p/month
J1N1-R.............................. 32 p/month
Ki-45 KAIb..........................25 p/month
Ki-57-II Sonia.................... 20 p/month
J2M Jack.............................19 p/month


Planes under development: Main Types

Ki-84-Ia Frank.................... 320 theorical/month
P1Y Frances........................ 66 theorical/month
Ki-67 Peggy.........................56 theorical/month
Ki-100 Tony.........................36 theorical/month
Ki-102a Randy.....................22 theorical/month
G4M2e Betty........................20 theorical/month


JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL AND ARMAMENT PRODUCTION

Armament.....................604 units
Vehicles........................136 units
Aircraft engines............2.341 units
Heavy Industry............14.012 units
Resources....................20.168 units
Oil.................................2.749 units
Manpower...................... 831 units

JAPANESE NAVAL/MERCHANT PRODUCTION

Naval Shipyard..................1.651 units
Merchant Shipyard...............720 units

NEW JAPANESE WARSHIPS THIS MONTH:
CV Taiho, CVX Ise, DD Hamanami, SS I-58 and SS I-179.

_____________________________

STATE OF THE WAR-MONTH RESUME-WAR DIARY

Southwest Pacific Front
-10/1: Allied planes flying from P.Moresby destroy and cause heavy damage to japanese shipping in Bismark Sea.
-10/2: Another five japanese AKs sunk in Bismark Sea by Mitchell planes.
-10/15: The SS Wahoo disembark a small unit of the 4th USMC Raider Bn on Irau beach, your mission is observe the japanese presence on south Solomons.
-10/20: Another bad day to japanese on Bismark sea. Two MSW are sunk and two patrol boats and four AKs are heavy damaged.


South/Central Pacific Front
-10/1: The Rengo Kantai returns to Truk.
-10/4: The 33rd USA Infantry division is loading on PH to travel to Canton Island.
-10/6: Nimitz, supreme commander on Pacific area give green light to FLINTLOCK OPERATION, Gilbert Islands invasion.
-10/15: The allied main naval units are anchored at Canton island.
-10/19: The allied amphibious forces abandon Canton island to Gilbert Islands.
-10/21: The carriers Saratoga, Enterprise, Intrepid and Yorktown launch airstrikes against Baker Is. airstrip.
-10/22: The 3rd USMC Division is loading on ships at Noumea to going to Gilbert islands.
-10/23: Apamama is taken by US forces. A surface allied group bombard Tarawa defenses.
-10/25: The 2nd USMC division take Makin island.
-10/28: Carrier Battle of Makin island, severe japanese defeat, Yamaguchi lost two CV and one CVL. (see full account above in early post).

Phillippines/DEI front
-10/19: The Liberators flying from Darwin airbase start a bombard operation against the Oil industry near Kendari.

Burma/India Front
-The front continue without changes between Calcutta and Asansol.

[kokubokan25]

WEEK NOVEMBER 1 (1943) - NOVEMBER 7 (1943)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED
CL Hobart (by coastal gunfire near Baker island)11/5/43*

ALLIED SHIPS SUNK
LST-450 (by heavy flooding near Makin atoll)11/1/43
AK Arizonan (torpedoed by G4M1 flying from Kwajalein near Makin atoll)11/1/43

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE
TK Nissan Maru (sunk by SS Shark north Muntok)11/2/43
AP Manila Maru (torpedoed by SS Raton north Aparri)11/4/43*
AK Tamishima Maru (sunk by SS Nautilus north Jesselton)11/7/43

SS I-11 (damaged by a PBY near Trimcomalee)11/3/43**

[kokubokan25]

WEEK NOVEMBER 8 (1943) - NOVEMBER 14 (1943)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED
AK Coast Farmer (torpedoed by G4M2 flying from Lae near P.Moresby)11/10/43***
AK Eldorado (torpedoed by G4M2 flying from Lae near P.Moresby)11/10/43**
DE Carlson (by coastal gunfire near Baker island)11/13/43*
LCI-446 (by coastal gunfire near Baker island)11/14/43*

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED
AK Kamogawa Maru (bombed by B-25J flying from P.Moresby near Buna)11/14/43***

JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK
AK Biwa Maru (bombed by B-25J flying from P.Moresby near Lae)11/12/43
AK Nasusan Maru (bombed by B-25J flying from P.Moresby near Lae)11/12/43
AK Kohuku Maru (bombed by B-25J flying from P.Moresby near Lae)11/12/43
AK Naruo Maru (bombed by B-17E flying from P.Moresby near Lae)11/13/43

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE
SS I-56 (sunk by DD Dempsey north Pearl Harbor)11/8/43
SS I-53 (damaged by a SBD south Pearl Harbor)11/9/43**
SS I-58 (sunk by a PBY south Pearl Harbor)11/9/43
SS Shark (damaged by DD Naganami near Palembang)11/12/43***
SS O21 (damaged by PC Ch.6 near Naga)11/14/43**

TK Otowasan Maru (sunk by SS Tambor near Muntok)11/11/43
TK Hakko Maru (torpedoed by SS Shark near Palembang)11/12/43**

[kokubokan25]

WEEK NOVEMBER 15 (1943) - NOVEMBER 21 (1943)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED
DD Pringle (by coastal gunfire near Baker island)11/21/43*

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED
AK Kinko Maru (bombed by Vengeance I flying from D.Harbor near Akyab)11/19/43***
AK Hyuga Maru (bombed by Vengeance I flying from D.Harbor near Akyab)11/19/43*
CV Hiryu (bombed by Vengeance I flying from D.Harbor near Akyab)11/20/43*

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE
SS Cuttlefish (sunk by PC Ishigaki north Muntok)11/15/43
SS Shark (lost somewhere between Borneo and Darwin)11/17/43
SS Harder (damaged by PC Ishigaki west Kuching)11/18/43*
SS Tambor (damaged by PC Ch.32 north Muntok)11/18/43*

SS I-9 (sunk by a SBD plane near Noumea)11/21/43

AK Canberra Maru (sunk by SS Sand Lance in South China Sea)11/17/43
AK Nansin Maru (sunk by SS Capelin near Tawi Tawi)11/17/43
AK Azuchisan Maru (sunk by SS Capelin near Tawi Tawi)11/17/43
TK Arita Maru (torpedoed by SS Burrfish near Takao)11/18/43**
AK Carolinian (sunk by SS I-9 near Noumea)11/19/43

[kokubokan25]

WEEK NOVEMBER 22 (1943) - NOVEMBER 28 (1943)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED
AK Nagoya Maru (bombed by Vengeance I flying from D.Harbor near Chandpur)11/22/43***

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE
AK San Luis Maru (sunk by SS Sand Lance near Swatow)11/22/43
PG Aso Maru (sunk by SS Gunnel near Muntok)11/26/43
AK Matue Maru (torpedoed by SS Skate south Hong Kong)11/26/43
AK Yamasimo Maru (sunk by SS Sand Lance near Hong KOng)11/27/43

SS RO-63 (sunk by DD Hazelwood south Nauru)11/28/43

SS Burrfish (sunk by DD Shigure and DD Naganami near Swatow)11/22/43
SS Gunnel (sunk by DD Takanami north Muntok)11/26/43

[kokubokan25]

WEEK NOVEMBER 29 (1943) - DECEMBER 5 (1943)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

JAPANESE BASES TAKEN BY THE ALLIES

Baker Island (Gilbert islands)11/29/43
Nauru (Gilbert islands)12/5/43

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED
DD Ralph Talbot (torpedoed by G4M2 flying from Kwajalein near Nauru)12/5/43**

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED
AK Muko Maru (bombed by Vengeance I flying from D.Harbor near Chandpur)12/2/43***

JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK
AK Sakae Maru (bombed by Vengeance I flying from D.Harbor near Chandpur)12/3/43

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE
SS I-55 (damaged by a PB2Y near Koumac)12/1/43***-after lost the 12/5/43
SS I-169 (sunk by DD Bradford near Nauru)12/3/43

SS Corvina (sunk by DD Susuzuki near Swatow)12/5/43

CA New Orleans (torpedoed by SS I-169 near Nauru)12/3/43**

TK Kaizyo Maru (torpedoed by SS Corvina near Swatow)12/5/43***

[kokubokan25]

MONTH SPECIAL ISSUE Nº23 "NOVEMBER 1943"

THE AIR CAMPAIGN

ALLIED SIDE

Allied month losses total (143) Cumulative (8.264)
Air to Air (89)-On field (0)-by Flak (3)-Operational (51)
Top Allied Plane Losses
In Fighters: 612 Hurricane II, 555 F4F-4- In Bombers: 573 B-17E, 441 B-24D

JAPANESE SIDE

Japanese month losses total (251) Cumulative (7.434)
Air to Air (202)-On field (0)-by Flak (10)-Operational (39)
Top Japanese Plane Losses
In Fighters: 1.111 A6M3a, 745 Ki-61KAIc - In Bombers: 853 Ki-49, 773 G4M1

THE ACES

Japanese Aces

1.COL Sasaki I. (50th Ftr.Sentai)Ki-61KAIc.....................39 Kills
2.PO2 Nagashima J. (F1/Yamada Daitai)A6M3a................38 Kills
3.COL Egashira U.(64th Ftr.Sentai)Ki-61KAIc...................37 Kills
4.CPO Minowa L.(BI-1 Daitai)A6M5.................................34 Kills
5.PO2 Muto K. (F2/Genzan Daitai)A6M5...........................32 Kills

Allied Aces

1.FLT Snowdon N.(232º Squadron-RAF) Spitfire Vb............31 Kills
2.CPT Harris, E.A.(49th FG-USAAF) P-38G........................31 Kills
3.2LT Atkins O. (49th FG-USAAF) P-38G...........................26 Kills
4.FLT Goodwin H. (232º Squadron-RAF) Spitfire Vb...........26 Kills
5.SLDR Ingersoll J.(232º Squadron-RAF)Spitfire Vb..........24 Kills


_____________________________

JAPANESE AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION NOTES

Planes in Production: Main Types.

A6M5 Zero..........................531 p/month
D4Y Judy............................188 p/month
B6N Jill...............................137 p/month
Ki-61KAIc...........................119 p/month
Ki-49 Helen........................ 118 p/month
G4M2 Betty......................... 94 p/month
N1K1-J George.................... 93 p/month
Ki-44 Ib............................. 76 p/month
P1Y Frances....................... 66 p/month
Ki-46 III............................ 48 p/month
A6M5c.................................48 P/month
J1N1-S............................... 47 p/month
Ki-45 KAIa......................... 44 p/month
E13A1............................... 40 p/month
J1N1-R.............................. 32 p/month
Ki-45 KAIb..........................25 p/month
Ki-57-II Sonia.................... 20 p/month
J2M Jack.............................19 p/month


Planes under development: Main Types

Ki-84-Ia Frank.................... 320 theorical/month
Ki-67 Peggy.........................56 theorical/month
Ki-100 Tony.........................40 theorical/month
Ki-102a Randy.....................22 theorical/month
G4M2e Betty........................20 theorical/month


JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL AND ARMAMENT PRODUCTION

Armament.....................604 units
Vehicles........................136 units
Aircraft engines............2.460 units
Heavy Industry............14.012 units
Resources....................20.194 units
Oil.................................2.749 units
Manpower...................... 831 units

JAPANESE NAVAL/MERCHANT PRODUCTION

Naval Shipyard..................1.654 units
Merchant Shipyard...............720 units

NEW JAPANESE WARSHIPS THIS MONTH:
CVE Kaiyo, CVL Chitose, CVL Chiyoda, DD Asashimo and SS I-179.

_____________________________

STATE OF THE WAR-MONTH RESUME-WAR DIARY

Southwest Pacific Front
-11/10: The allies continue to supply Port Moresby by convoys send from Noumea. The japanese try to catch those ships with air attacks from Lae with the Bettys but your losses are very heavy.

South/Central Pacific Front
-11/1: The CVE Taiyo and BBs Nagato and Kongo arrive to Kwajalein to urgent repair. The rest of Kido Butai continue voyage to Tokyo. The Bettys attack again the beaches of Makin and one american AK is heavy damaged.
-11/2: Halsey return with the Carrier strike force to Canton Island. The CVs Yorktown, Saratoga, Enterprise, Monterey and Princeton and the cruiser Australia go to PH to major repairs.
-11/4: The allied operation against Gilbert islands go ahead. The 3rd USMC Division assault Baker island. The resistence japanese over this point is the most hard bite the americans have taste to date. The marine losses are heavy.
-11/6: Halsey launch a air attack with the CV Intrepid against the obstinate nipons on Baker island.
-11/7: The Liberators from the 308th BG based at Canton island bombard also the japanese positions on Baker island.
-11/8: Heavy fighting on Tarawa. The 145th IJN Base force is destroyed on Banzai charges.
-11/11: The japanese troops on Baker island receive again the attention from the Halsey flattops.
-11/13: To finish at once with the japanese resistence the 2nd USMC Division is also disembarked over Baker island after a short voyage from Makin.
-11/16: The allies get a 3 to 1 ratio on Baker island but the japanese resistence continue.
-11/23: A surface allied group bombard the nipon positions on Baker island. The japanese supplies are very low now.
-11/29: Finally, with heavy artillery support, the marines take Baker island, the japanese defenders retire your remnants to jungle.

Burma/India Front
-11/21: The allies try to win a little combat in front of Asansol but the japanese stop the offensive and cause to allies a heavy losses (around 6.000 men).

[kokubokan25]

WEEK DECEMBER 6 (1943) - DECEMBER 12 (1943)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

ALLIED SHIPS DAMAGED
AK Mexican (torpedoed by G4M2 flying from Lae in Coral Sea)12/10/43**

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED
CL Tenryu (by coastal gunfire near Makin island)12/9/43*
CA Suzuya (by coastal gunfire near Makin island)12/9/43*

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE
TK Nippon Maru (sunk by SS O20 near Pescadores)12/6/43
TK Kaizyo Maru (sunk by SS Cod south Hong Kong)12/6/43
AK Matue Maru (sunk by SS Rasher north Sinkep island)12/7/43
CA Atago (torpedoed by SS Crevalle near Singapore)12/12/43**

SS I-38 (damaged by a SB2C near Pearl Harbor)12/7/43**

SS O20 (damaged by DD Takanami near Pescadores)12/6/43*
SS Bluefish (damaged by DD Naganami near Palembang)12/8/43**
SS Templar (damaged by a E8N near Rangoon)12/10/43*

[kokubokan25]

AFTER A SMALL VACATIONAL BREAK...

WEEK DECEMBER 13 (1943) - DECEMBER 19 (1943)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED
AK Norfolk Maru (bombed by B25J flying from P.Moresby in Bismark Sea)12/13/43***
AK Indus Maru (bombed by B25J flying from P.Moresby in Bismark Sea)12/13/43***

JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK
DD Hasu (bombed by B25J flying from P.Moresby in Bismark Sea)12/13/43
AK Cheribon Maru (bombed by B25J flying from P.Moresby in Bismark Sea)12/13/43
AK Ganges Maru (bombed by B25J flying from P.Moresby in Bismark Sea)12/13/43

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE
AK Mexican (sunk by SS I-46 near Milne Bay)12/13/43

SS I-31 (damaged by a SBD near Pearl Harbor)12/14/43**
SS I-38 (lost near Midway)12/15/43

TK Jinei (torpedoed by SS Steelhead near Brunei)12/15/43***
TK Akebono Maru (sunk by SS Halibut near Tay Tay)12/18/43

[kokubokan25]

WEEK DECEMBER 20 (1943) - DECEMBER 26 (1943)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE

AK Florida Maru (sunk by SS Rock near Manila)12/20/43

SS Skipjack (damaged by a E13A1 near Truk)12/21/43*
SS Tang (damaged by DD Fuyuzuki near Takao)12/22/43**

[kokubokan25]

WEEK DECEMBER 27 (1943) - JANUARY 2 (1944)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

JAPANESE SHIPS DAMAGED
AK Genoa Maru (bombed by B25J flying from P.Moresby near Lae)1/1/44***

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE

SS Skipjack (sunk by a D4Y north Truk)12/28/43**

SS I-180 (damaged by a PBY near Pearl Harbor)12/30/43***
SS I-45 (sunk by DDs Cowell and Charette west Pearl Harbor)1/1/44

AK Nankai Maru (torpedoed by SS Seadragon near Aparri)12/31/43***
PC Ch.18 (sunk by SS Searaven north Muntok)1/2/44

CVE Manila Bay (sunk by SS I-45 west of Pearl Harbor)1/1/44

[DuckofTindalos]

I think I may have posted this before, but I really like this AAR. Nice and well organised and above all, short and easy to read.

Muy agradable, Senor!

[kokubokan25]

MONTH SPECIAL ISSUE Nº24 "DECEMBER 1943"

THE AIR CAMPAIGN

ALLIED SIDE

Allied month losses total (133) Cumulative (8.397)
Air to Air (81)-On field (3)-by Flak (1)-Operational (48)
Top Allied Plane Losses
In Fighters: 615 Hurricane II, 555 F4F-4- In Bombers: 574 B-17E, 441 B-24D

JAPANESE SIDE

Japanese month losses total (218) Cumulative (7.652)
Air to Air (172)-On field (0)-by Flak (17)-Operational (29)
Top Japanese Plane Losses
In Fighters: 1.124 A6M3a, 790 Ki-61KAIc - In Bombers: 868 Ki-49, 773 G4M1

THE ACES

Japanese Aces

1.COL Sasaki I. (50th Ftr.Sentai)Ki-61KAIc.....................39 Kills
2.PO2 Nagashima J. (F1/Yamada Daitai)A6M3a................38 Kills
3.COL Egashira U.(64th Ftr.Sentai)Ki-61KAIc...................37 Kills
4.CPO Minowa L.(BI-1 Daitai)A6M5.................................34 Kills
5.PO2 Muto K. (F2/Genzan Daitai)A6M5...........................32 Kills

Allied Aces

1.FLT Snowdon N.(232º Squadron-RAF) Spitfire Vb............31 Kills
2.CPT Harris, E.A.(49th FG-USAAF) P-38G........................31 Kills
3.2LT Atkins O. (49th FG-USAAF) P-38G...........................27 Kills
4.FLT Goodwin H. (232º Squadron-RAF) Spitfire Vb...........26 Kills
5.SLDR Ingersoll J.(232º Squadron-RAF)Spitfire Vb..........24 Kills


_____________________________

JAPANESE AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION NOTES

Planes in Production: Main Types.

A6M5 Zero..........................531 p/month
D4Y Judy............................188 p/month
B6N Jill...............................137 p/month
Ki-61KAIc...........................119 p/month
Ki-49 Helen........................ 118 p/month
N1K1-J George.................... 93 p/month
Ki-44 Ib............................. 76 p/month
G4M2 Betty......................... 68 p/month
P1Y Frances....................... 66 p/month
Ki-46 III............................ 48 p/month
A6M5c.................................48 P/month
J1N1-S............................... 47 p/month
Ki-45 KAIa......................... 44 p/month
E13A1............................... 40 p/month
J1N1-R.............................. 32 p/month
Ki-45 KAIb..........................25 p/month
Ki-57-II Sonia.................... 20 p/month
J2M Jack.............................19 p/month

[The japanese production of Nakajima engines is very low and the demand is very high, in consequence the real production of zeros is only around 30% of the above number, this problem extend also to Bettys, Ki-49 and the new Frances]


Planes under development: Main Types

Ki-84-Ia Frank.................... 320 theorical/month
Ki-67 Peggy.........................56 theorical/month
Ki-100 Tony.........................48 theorical/month
Ki-102a Randy.....................22 theorical/month
G4M2e Betty........................21 theorical/month


JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL AND ARMAMENT PRODUCTION

Armament.....................604 units
Vehicles........................136 units
Aircraft engines............2.598 units
Heavy Industry............14.012 units
Resources....................20.067 units
Oil.................................2.749 units
Manpower...................... 831 units

JAPANESE NAVAL/MERCHANT PRODUCTION

Naval Shipyard..................1.654 units
Merchant Shipyard...............720 units

NEW JAPANESE WARSHIPS THIS MONTH:
CVE Shinyo, CL Yahagi, DD Kishinami, DD Okinami, SS I-180, SS I-49, SS I-180 and SS I-182.

_____________________________

STATE OF THE WAR-MONTH RESUME-WAR DIARY

Southwest Pacific Front
-12/18: Severe airstrikes over the oil champs on Kendari. The B24J fying from Darwin are uncontested from the japanese.

South/Central Pacific Front
-12/1: The 1st USA CAV Div.assault Nauru island and take it. The 12.000 americans defeat the 61th Gd.japanese unit in a few hours and retire to jungle.
-12/3: The american Carrier group retire your ships to Canton island to refit.
-12/5: The last japanese troops on Baker and Nauru surrenders or are destroyed in banzai charges.
-12/9: By surprise, a japanese surface group with the battlecruiser Hiei, cruisers Mogami, Suzuya, Naka, Abukuma and Tenryu and six destroyers bombard the allied troops and buildings in Makin island. The allied transports left the island days ago.
-12/17: The 3rd USMC Division embark, with their job done, on Baker island to return to Noumea.
-12/26: The japanese try to catch a group of allied transports near Nauru with a cruiser force based at Kwajalein but the allies detect with radar the aproaching nipons and go south at once. The japanese return with their hands empty.
-12/28: The japanese, however, try again, this time with the KB, based at Truk. RADM Komatsu abandon Truk to Nauru with the carriers Hiyo, Taiho, Chitose, Chiyoda and Kaiyo, three battleships, three heavy cruisers, three light cruisers and eleven destroyers.

[kokubokan25]

WEEK JANUARY 3 (1944) - JANUARY 9 (1944)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE

SS I-166 (damaged by a PB4Y north Noumea)1/4/44***

SS S-46 (damaged by a E13A1 near Truk)1/5/44**

TK Sacramento Maru (sunk by SS Searaven north Muntok)1/9/44

[kokubokan25]

WEEK JANUARY 10 (1944) - JANUARY 16 (1944)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

ALLIED SHIPS SUNK

APD Gregory (torpedoed by G4M2 flying from Rabaul near Thursday Is.)1/12/44
APD Kane (torpedoed by G4M2 flying from Hollandia near Thursday Is.)1/12/44

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE

SS I-166 (lost near Efate)1/11/44

SS Hackleback (damaged by a D4Y near Kagoshima)1/12/44**

AK Yamahagi Maru (torpedoed by SS Tuna near Sinkep Is.)1/15/44**

[kokubokan25]

WEEK JANUARY 17 (1944) - JANUARY 23 (1944)

[Note: Light damage*-Medium damage**-Heavy damage***]

JAPANESE BASES TAKEN BY THE ALLIES

Lautem (Timor Is.)1/23/44

ALLIED SHIPS SUNK

AK Grumium (torpedoed by G4M2 flying from Lae in Coral Sea)1/20/44
DD Abbott (torpedoed by G4M2 flying from Lae in Coral Sea)1/20/44

THE SUBMARINE WARFARE

SS S-46 (sunk by a D4Y near Truk)1/21/44
SS Ling (damaged by a D4Y near Takao)1/22/44*
SS S-32 (damaged by a D4Y near Kavieng)1/23/44*

DD Charles Ausburne (damaged by SS I-10 north Koumac)1/20/44***
AK Sagoland (damaged by SS I-15 near P.Moresby)1/21/44***

SS I-10 (sunk by DDs LaValette and Hazelwood near Koumac)1/20/44
SS I-15 (sunk by DDs Farenholt and Aulick near P.Moresby)1/21/44

TK Kyokuto Maru (sunk by SS Steelhead near Brunei)1/21/44
TK Akatsuki Maru (torpedoed by SS Steelhead near Brunei)1/21/44***