July 16, 1942
Ships Passing In The Night; Hornet Lost; IJN Roughed Up; Truk Gets Wake-Up Call
Wild turn.
1) First, the Marshalls. This is the situation at the start of the July 17 turn (tomorrow.)
The red icon SE of Wake is indeed the KB, still going NE hunting cripples. And it got some today. BUT, SE of Eniwetok we see a green Air icon. Whaaaaat?
Here's the looney tunes move I tried here.
I knew the Hornet was done for. Three fleet carriers lost in three days. Roi-Namur not feasible right now. A whole new Pacific war. Also, the last two days had indicated that Mike was supremely confident in the power of at least four carriers with 8 hex Kates, and that he had seen the worst the USN had in the area. He wasn't acting like he was worried about Eniwetok's air power, or Wake's. Nor was he acting like he was worried about the single sighting of another carrier to the east two days ago. Maybe he hadn't really noticed the interaction. And I knew he didn't know those TWO carriers (Lex/Sara) each had an extra fighter squadron on board.
He had also lost some planes. Flak attacking BBs and CAs, etc. I went back in the archive and counted every plane and every attack for four days. As near as I could tell he'd lost for sure 7 Zeros, 6 Vals, and 15 Kates. Adding combat report FOW those numbers should be about 75% true, on the low side. Counting damage and thus ops losses he might be down another 30% on each model. But I was mainly worried about Zeros. On his side, he had 46 Zeros at Kwaj. He might have swapped units if those were IJN Zeros. I didn't know. They had also been used pretty hard over the period. Bottom line the TF was attrited, but not hugely so. I figured a CAP in the 35 Zero range.
Next I thought about how I would feel if I lost two more carriers, for a total of five. Well, bad. But not as bad if they could take 1-2 with them. I get CVEs soon. And I'm not as carrier-centric as some players. I could continue to develop the Rabaul region without them. Also NorPac unless he sent his own up there. Rangoon is not a carrier war. And so forth. SNAGGLEPUSS is about over. I decided I was willing to risk the last two Pacific carriers on the dice. But it would need to be an all-in move he would not be expecting.
I flushed everything out of Eniwetok to the north to draw attention. I spun the Americal and sent them back to Pearl. I sent Burke's DDs out near Ponape due East on full sprint. Most importnalty, I stripped ALL escorts off Lex and Sara (CA Quincy, a CL, and five DDs) and sent them back to Pearl at Full. I left the two carriers naked. I then set CAP to zero. Every single plane set to naval attack at Range 6. I put the TF on Full and sent it right down the vector I thought the KB was coming up. My hope was 100% of the Wildcats could burn through 4 CVs of attrited CAP and get some bombs on some decks, start some fires, take a few carriers out of the war for six months at worst, sink a couple at best. The air wings might recover to Wake or Eniwetok, but the carriers would be lost.
Instead, what you see above. The two passed in the night. No attacks. I'm not sure he even knows they're there. [:)]
2) So. What DID happen? Well, a bunch more attrition on the KB's planes. And other stuff.
--Great attack on a hated CA. Also news of a bunch of BBs moving in to smear various landing forces I assume.
Sub attack near Truk at 111,108
Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CS Nisshin
DD Satsuki
DD Yayoi
DD Yuzuki
DD Kikuzuki
Allied Ships
SS Grayback
--More barges sunk near Kwaj by USN subs.
--Zero sweep of Wake doesn't go well. Not sure until today Japan realized how much time and peace Wake has had since last December. A secong sweep has no combat, but the KB still eats 14 additional sorties.
Morning Air attack on Wake Island , at 136,98
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
F4F-3A Wildcat x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 16000 feet
--Sweep at Eniwetok goes better for Japan
Morning Air attack on Eniwetok , at 127,108
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 35,810 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 11
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 5 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 32810 feet
--Land-based SBDs hit the KB
Morning Air attack on TF, near Taongi at 139,104
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 23
F2A-3 Buffalo x 18
SBD-2 Dauntless x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
F2A-3 Buffalo: 2 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
--Damaging KB attack. But even more of the KB air wings are lost or damaged.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 136,98
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
B5N2 Kate x 20
D3A1 Val x 49
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 16 damaged
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CVE Long Island, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta
BB California, Bomb hits 1
CA Astoria
DD Lawrence
DD Monssen, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada
BB Tennessee
APD Gregory
AP Hunter Liggett, Bomb hits 3, on fire
--Hornet and escort finished off. Flooding had reached epic levels; she would not have survived the night. Still more torpedoes expended from KB inventory.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Taongi at 134,103
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 53 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N2 Kate x 9
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 16 destroyed
Allied Ships
CV Hornet, and is sunk
DE Kennison, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--Stranded US forces on Roi-Namur, some disruption recovered, attack to do what they can before being captured or killed.
Ground combat at Roi-Namur (132,114)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3590 troops, 12 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 61
Defending force 3295 troops, 18 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 78
Allied adjusted assault: 10
Japanese adjusted defense: 43
Allied assault odds: 1 to 4 (fort level 3)
Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
640 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 39 destroyed, 8 disabled
--Small attack by SST-landed raiders.
Ground combat at Majuro (136,119)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 77 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11
Defending force 696 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11
Allied adjusted assault: 0
Japanese adjusted defense: 17
Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 1)
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker: op mode(-), shock(+), leaders(-), supply(-)
Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Raider Bn /2
Defending units:
Majuro Base Force
3) Related to the Marshalls, but coming from a now-open Rabaul AF. B-17s call in daylight, hitting the port and more. I hope this forces a reaction on Rabaul. I attacked the port, hoping for a lot of ships to be in, and figuring attacking the AF first would alert the Japanese to Rabaul's status. Follow-on attacks won't be so easy, but for now Truk is not a safe haven or fuel stop.
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Tawakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS I-168, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
4) The IO. A bad day for Japan.
The CVs that had attacked Calcutta were lost to search yesterday as the Tavoy landing made it in there. The Wasp TF and HMS Indomitable TF pulled back west to just SW of Port Blair. Beauforts moved over from Colombo and armed with torpedoes. B-26s there also set on naval.
The IJN carriers came down the west side of Port Blair, but were found by excellent search from Colombo and Blair. A series of running battles hurt both sides, but Japan much more I think.
--
Morning Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 28
TBF-1 Avenger x 15
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Yamato, Torpedo hits 1
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CL Kashima
--
Morning Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 44,61
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
B5N2 Kate x 11
D3A1 Val x 13
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
Allied Ships
CLAA San Juan
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 3, on fire
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 3
(Tracker from tomorrow's turn shows Wasp is 17 system, 7(1) flooding, 5 total engine with no major. North Carolina is 3 System, 0 flooding, 4 Engine! I love having super-BBs!)
--This one misses completely
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 43,61
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A1 Val x 12
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
CV Wasp
--This one doesn't
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD-3 Dauntless x 22
TBF-1 Avenger x 14
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak
Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Kashima, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Inazuma
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
2 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Hiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hiyo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Junyo
Ammo storage explosion on CV Junyo[
--The FAA goes in with no fighter support
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
--The Beauforts do their thing on Yamato
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 40,61
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
Beaufort I: 1 destroyed by flak
Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Torpedo hits 1
BB Kirishima, on fire
--The B-26s from Port Blair do not hit. One is lost.
--The screen shot shows the carriers have headed west again. Wasp will pursue.
5) Heavy bombing at PBang and Rangoon. PBang has fixed its runways and AF damage is down to 98% tomorrow. Japan loses 73 planes otday. The Allies lose 98, but many are from Hornet.
No Night Bombing Today
