Matrix Games Forums

Summary of Operations 7/22/44 (continued)

Southwest Pacific: Current status of Port Moresby base – 1.00 million supply and 82K fuel on hand.

Current status of Terapo base – 128K supply and 11K fuel on hand. Unloading of supply cargo from some larger transport ships continues. US Escort Carrier force remains at Terapo for fighter CAP coverage. Several air-to-air actions over Terapo base hex between CAP fighters from US Escort Carrier force and Japanese fighter sweeps. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Terapo, at 96,127

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 8

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 173

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VC(F)-63 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VOC(F)-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VC(F)-7 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 15000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 11000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 13000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 11000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 18000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 18000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 16000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 13000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Terapo, at 96,127

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 27

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 169

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 24000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VC(F)-63 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 19000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VOC(F)-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 24000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VC(F)-7 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 19000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 11000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 26000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 22000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 18000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 16000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 14000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Summary of this game turn’s reported aircraft losses over all locations in New Guinea plus Rabaul. Not a good day in general for lightly or unescorted Allied bomber missions.

Japanese planes reported destroyed
• 14 Ki-84 Frank (13 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 4 Ki-44 Tojo (3 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 15 N1K1-J George (13 air-to-air, 2 ops)

Allied planes reported destroyed
• 4 F6F Hellcat (3 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 1 Spitfire VIII (air-to-air)
• 1 B-24J Liberator (air-to-air)
• 33 B-25D1 Mitchell (30 air-to-air, 1 flak, 2 ops, most pilots recovered)
• 4 B-25G Mitchell (all air-to-air)
• 3 B-25H Mitchell (2 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 10 Mitchell II (9 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 11 TBF-1 Avenger (all air-to-air)


Allied fighter sweeps and daylight bombing raids against Buna port opposed by Japanese CAP fighters. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 15
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 5
Ki-84a Frank x 21

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Port hits 10
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Mitchell II bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Raid is overhead
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 19000.
Raid is overhead
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 36000.
Raid is overhead
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 31000.
Raid is overhead
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 14000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 16
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 19

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Mitchell II bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Raid is overhead
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 31000.
Raid is overhead
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 36000.
Raid is overhead
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 19000.
Raid is overhead
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 14000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 17

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 36
B-25H Mitchell x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 15
Port supply hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 11470.
Raid is overhead
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 36000.
Raid is overhead
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 31000.
Raid is overhead
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 8
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 13

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 11470.
Raid is overhead
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 6
Ki-84a Frank x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25H Mitchell x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25H Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Port hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 24510.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000, scrambling fighters to 22810.
Raid is overhead
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 8 damaged

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 11470.
Raid is overhead
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000, scrambling fighters to 14620.
Raid is overhead
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Raid is overhead
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
B-25H Mitchell x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25H Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 7
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 58 minutes
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 9
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 6
Ki-84a Frank x 16

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 27000 feet

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Raid is overhead
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 19000.
Raid is overhead
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 2
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25G Mitchell x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25G Mitchell: 3 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 32270.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 55 minutes
3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 87 minutes
51st Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Raid is overhead
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 26540.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000, scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 27000 feet

CAP engaged:
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 32270.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Detected status of Jap base at Buna – port damage 55, 4 Jap TF (30 ships total), 20 Jap LCU.

Detected base status at Wau shows unidentified Japanese aircraft, 10 Jap LCU.

Detected base status at Salamaua shows 6 Jap LCU, 1 Jap TF (5 ships including 3 E, 2 DD).

Detected base status at Rabaul – 253 aircraft (125 fighters), 10 Jap TF (43+ ships total, various ship types), 7 ships in port (3 SS, 1 CL, 1 xAP, 1 APD, 1 ACM).


Allied ground forces at Buna with 96K supply on hand, 2302 AV (total) operational. Ground bombardment attack by Allied forces continues. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 64568 troops, 1458 guns, 1338 vehicles, Assault Value = 2322
Defending force 77869 troops, 681 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 2105

Japanese ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
1st Marine Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
Americal Infantry Division
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
9th Australian Division
165th Field Artillery Battalion
155th USA Base Force
2/13th Field Regiment
97th Field Artillery Battalion
2/11th Field Regiment
98th Field Artillery Battalion
I Australian Corps
205th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
181st Field Artillery Regiment
82nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Medium Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
168th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
150th USA Base Force
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
13th Division
104th Division
47th Division
64th Division
3rd Cavalry Brigade
1st Guards Division
116th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Regiment
144th Infantry Rgt /1
31st Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
8th Base Force
17th Naval Construction Battalion
62nd Construction Battalion
102nd Machine Cannon AA Battalion
23rd Field AA Machinecannon Company
55th Field AA Battalion
14th Naval Construction Battalion
7th Base Force
21st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Unescorted Allied LBA naval attack air strikes with 2E torpedo and skip bombers against Japanese transport shipping in Salamaua base hex, these actions clearly demonstrating hazards of low altitude naval strikes vs unanticipated Jap fighter opposition. While Allied plane losses in these strikes were rather heavy, most pilots were recovered indicating many destroyed planes probably ops losses rather than during air-to-air action. Using AAR from the two combatreport text files available in the save folder, the following is probably the most accurate reconstruction of these actions. No Japanese ships were reported sunk this game turn although the 7/22 combat replay indicated numerous hits and sinking of Japanese ships. It was possible to construct a likely or accurate picture of hits or damage on ships from text information in the two AAR files. Ship names have been included in the most accurate AAR to indicate targets Allied planes were attempting to attack. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, at Salamaua 98,127

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 34
Ki-84a Frank x 18

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-305 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K1-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
S-901 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
302 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
51st Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Raid is overhead
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 14000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, at Salamaua 98,127

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 34
Ki-84a Frank x 18

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 destroyed

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
51st Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 15 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
S-305 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
S-901 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
302 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 12470.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes

Training flight from 246th Sentai has been caught up in attack

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, at Salamaua 98,127

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 25
Ki-84a Frank x 13

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 11 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-305 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
S-901 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
302 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
51st Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 67 minutes
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters to 4000.
Raid is overhead

Training flight from S-407 Hikotai has been caught up in attack

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, at Salamaua 98,127

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 15
Ki-84a Frank x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 7 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
LST T-101
AK Yodogawa Maru,

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
1 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-305 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
S-901 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 7470.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
302 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
S-407 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
51st Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 65 minutes
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Raid is overhead
246th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 14000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Operations 7/22/44 (continued)

South Pacific: Current base status of Ndeni – 288K supply and 5800 fuel on hand.

Current base status of Luganville – 923K supply and 119K fuel on hand. Convoy detachment WP-218B (5 ships) arrives from mainland US, cargo includes 31K supply and 2500 fuel.

Current base status of Noumea – 2.70 million supply and 1.97 million fuel on hand.


Detected status of Jap base at Lunga – 64 aircraft (48 fighters), no ships in port, no Jap TF, 12 Jap LCU.

Coastwatcher entries from 7/22 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Dagua
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Feni Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 98,127 near Salamaua, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 105,125 near Rabaul, Speed 10, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed 9, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 100,125 near Umboi Island, Speed 12, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 8, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 105,125 near Rabaul, Speed 7, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 5, Moving East
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Dagua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: CLAA Isuzu reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 98,127 near Salamaua, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 5, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 103,125 near Talasea, Speed 11, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 113,137 near Tassafaronga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 102,125 near Arawe, Speed 9, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 105,120 near Mussau Island, Speed 11, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 101,125 near Cape Gloucester, Speed 11, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,122 near Kavieng, Speed 11, Moving Southeast

Summary of Operations 7/23/44

Central Pacific: US Main Carrier force reaches attack position NE of Rabaul (hex location 108, 123), launches naval air strikes on Japanese ships in Rabaul base hex. Combat Events report entries and AAR’s follow.

31 x SB2C-1C Helldiver unable to locate target due to range or weather
16 x F6F-3 Hellcat VF-1 turning back !!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, at Rabaul 106,125

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 24
N1K1-J George x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 88
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 31
TBM-1C Avenger x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 5 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 12 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Urakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CM Tsugaru
CL Kuma, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CM Itsukushima, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
18 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
3 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Kuma
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Jintsu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sigint entry for 7/23 reports a second day of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Kwajalein. Detected status of Kwajalein again shows Allied minefield laid by US submarines, no visible Japanese forces or activity.


DEI: US patrol subs from Australia operating in Java Sea intercept escorted Japanese AO near Palembang. AAR’s follow

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Billiton at 53,92 (night action, adjacent hex NW of Billiton)

Japanese Ships
AO Takasaki, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PB Tatebu Maru

Allied Ships
SS Capelin

SS Capelin launches 4 torpedoes at AO Takasaki
Capelin bottoming out ....
PB Tatebu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Billiton at 53,92 (daylight action, adjacent hex NW of Billiton)

Japanese Ships
PB Tatebu Maru

Allied Ships
SS Billfish

SS Billfish launches 2 torpedoes at PB Tatebu Maru
PB Tatebu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Malacca Straits: British patrol sub (SS Telemachus) damaged by undetermined cause or action in straits due E of Langsa (hex location 48, 74). 7/23 game turn reports indicate attack by Ki-49 Helen air patrol, also the sub is in contact with unidentified Jap TF (2 ships) at this hex location – either of these possible causes. Reported damage to SS Telemachus is system 37, float 18, engine 1, returning to base at 12 kts.


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon – 87 aircraft (all fighters), no Jap TF, 15 Jap LCU, manpower 4(0), resources 21(0), refinery 72(129), light industry 9(32), no fires.

Detected status of Jap base in Magwe – 142 aircraft (all fighters), oil production 187(114), refinery 96(5), 24 Jap LCU.

Summary of Operations 7/23/44 (continued)

Southwest Pacific: Current status of Port Moresby base – 998K supply and 86K fuel on hand.

Current status of Terapo base – 132K supply and 7600 fuel on hand. Some larger transport ships continue unloading at Terapo covered by US Escort Carrier force. Japanese ground bombardment attack at Wau against 8th Australian Division. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wau (98,126)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 18918 troops, 193 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 874
Defending force 12140 troops, 182 guns, 130 vehicles, Assault Value = 493

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
37th Division
64th Infantry Group
24th Ind.Mixed Brigade
82nd Naval Guard Unit
13th Ind.Mixed Rgt /1
26th JNAF AF Unit
22nd Field AA Machinecannon Company
1st JNAF Coy
2nd JAAF AF Bn
101st Machine Cannon AA Bn /1

Defending units:
8th Australian Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Summary of this game turn’s reported aircraft losses over all locations in New Guinea plus Rabaul.

Japanese planes reported destroyed
• 4 Ki-44 Tojo (all air-to-air)
• 2 N1K1-J George (1 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 9 J2M2 Jack (all air-to-air)
• 1 E7K2 Alf (air-to-air)

Allied planes reported destroyed
• 22 F6F Hellcat (19 air-to-air, 3 ops)
• 2 SB2C Helldiver (both flak)
• 1 TBM-1C Avenger (air-to-air
• 1 P-47D Thunderbolt (ops)
• 11 SOC-1 Seagull (10 air-to-air, 1 ops, lost flying naval search over Rabaul base hex)


Allied fighter sweeps and daylight bombing raids against Buna port continue. No Japanese CAP fighters encountered. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9
B-24J Liberator x 27

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Port hits 37
Port supply hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 27000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 27000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 27000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 27000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Detected status of Jap base at Buna – port damage 48, 1 Jap TF (1 ships, visible on map as submarine TF), 20 Jap LCU.

Detected base status at Wau shows unidentified Japanese aircraft, 10 Jap LCU.

Detected base status at Salamaua shows 6 Jap LCU, no Jap TF.

Detected base status at Rabaul – 215 aircraft (82 fighters), 9 Jap TF (31+ ships total, various ship types), 5 ships in port.


Allied ground forces at Buna with 94K supply on hand, 2309 AV (total) operational. Ground bombardment attack by Allied forces continues. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 64642 troops, 1456 guns, 1337 vehicles, Assault Value = 2333
Defending force 78142 troops, 680 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 2107

Japanese ground losses:
141 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
1st Marine Division
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
32nd Infantry Division
754th Tank Battalion
9th Australian Division
205th Field Artillery Battalion
165th Field Artillery Battalion
155th USA Base Force
98th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
2/9th Field Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
82nd Mortar Battalion
2/13th Field Regiment
181st Field Artillery Regiment
I Australian Corps
97th Field Artillery Battalion
168th Field Artillery Regiment
150th USA Base Force
2/11th Field Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
64th Division
104th Division
13th Division
116th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Regiment
1st Guards Division
47th Division
3rd Cavalry Brigade
144th Infantry Rgt /1
17th Naval Construction Battalion
55th Field AA Battalion
102nd Machine Cannon AA Battalion
8th Base Force
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
7th Base Force
62nd Construction Battalion
31st Army
23rd Field AA Machinecannon Company
14th Naval Construction Battalion
21st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Operations 7/23/44 (continued)

South Pacific: Current base status of Ndeni – 299K supply and 5900 fuel on hand.

Current base status of Luganville – 934K supply and 117K fuel on hand.

Current base status of Noumea – 2.71 million supply and 1.97 million fuel on hand. Convoy detachment WP-218A (12 ships) arrives from mainland US. Cargo aboard the convoy includes US XIV Corps Artillery Rgt, 15K supply and 58K fuel.


Coastwatcher entries from 7/23 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tassafaronga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 98,127 near Salamaua, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 99,126 near Lae, Speed 13, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 6, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 5, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 100,126 near Finschhafen, Speed 15, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,124 near Rabaul, Speed 11, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 99,125 near Lae, Speed 17, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 105,127 near Rabaul, Speed 15, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 100,124 near Long Island, Speed 18, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 2, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 104,127 near Gasmata, Speed 16, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 9 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 7 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 109,128 near Buka, Speed 16, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed 8, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 102,125 near Arawe, Speed 11, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 102,127 near Gasmata, Speed 11, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 103,125 near Talasea, Speed 10, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 102,126 near Arawe, Speed 13, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 109,130 near Torokina, Speed 15, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 104,126 near Gasmata, Speed 13, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 109,131 near Shortlands, Speed 16, Moving Southeast

Summary of Operations 7/24/44

Southwest Pacific: US Main Carrier force passed southward through the Solomons (via Green Island dot base hex). Air strikes on Rabaul continue, concentrating on Japanese ships in port at Rabaul. KB (below) is also operating in the New Guinea area, detected and visible on game map in adjacent hex NW of Hansa Bay. Endurance (ship fuel) and remaining plane sorties for US Main Carrier force allows possible attack on KB if Pillager elects to keep KB at its current detected position or moves it southward – my estimate is Pillager will more likely than not withdraw KB. Main Carrier force can reach possible attack position on KB if it remains in area. AAR’s and situation map follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul, at 106,125

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 47
N1K1-J George x 72
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 16
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 195
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 225
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 36
SBD-5 Dauntless x 155

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 13 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 8 destroyed, 21 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-5 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 29 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD T-2, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DD Urakaze, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
ACM Aoi Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
ACM Shuko Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 46
Port supply hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
18 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
15 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
18 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
16 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
19 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
12 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
13 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
11 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
15 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
13 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
13 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
17 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
18 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
16 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
12 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
11 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
5 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
21 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 25 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 25 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 25 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

Massive explosion on APD T-2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul, at 106,125

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 38
N1K1-J George x 62
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 11
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 15 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
17 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 69 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 22 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 15 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters to 17000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul, at 106,125

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 36
N1K1-J George x 58
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 21 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 9000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 21 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 21000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 15 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul, at 106,125

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 36
N1K1-J George x 55
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 17 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 15 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 28490.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 9000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul, at 106,125

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 33
N1K1-J George x 48
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 7
Ki-84a Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 28490.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul, at 106,125

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 27
N1K1-J George x 38
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 7
Ki-84a Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 11000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 27000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters to 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000, scrambling fighters between 13000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters to 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul, at 106,125

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 26
N1K1-J George x 31
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 6
Ki-84a Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 23000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 9 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 14000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 15000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 27000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters to 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000, scrambling fighters between 17000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters to 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul, at 106,125

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 20
N1K1-J George x 26
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 5
Ki-84a Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 16000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 14000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters to 21540.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000, scrambling fighters between 22000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, at Rabaul 106,125

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 11
N1K1-J George x 18
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
TBM-1C Avenger x 36

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 17 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
ACM Ranzan Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CM Tsugaru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
ACM Banshu Maru #52, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 76 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20470.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

Massive explosion on CM Tsugaru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CM Tsugaru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring ACM Banshu Maru #52
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring ACM Ranzan Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[img]https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/upfi ... CB9D9C.jpg[/img]


KB arrives in New Guinea area, detected and visible on game map in adjacent hex NW of Hansa Bay (situation map above). KB launches naval air strikes on Allied transports and US Escort Carrier force at Terapo. Four CVE (out of 12), 1 AKA and 2 LST sunk, damaged ships include 4 CVE, 1 DD, 1 AKA, 1 AK, 1 LST. Reported Japanese air losses to US fighter CAP over Terapo include 237 dive and torpedo bombers plus 25 fighters. Remaining Allied transports at Terapo and US Escort Carrier force now departing for Australia. 97 aircraft (all F6F Wildcats) in four VF squadrons from sunk CVE landed at Terapo airfield, undamaged planes transferred to Townsville. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, at Terapo 96,127

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 169
A6M5b Zero x 134
B6N2 Jill x 174
B6N2a Jill x 6
D4Y2 Judy x 196
D4Y3 Judy x 44

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 274

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 34 destroyed, 9 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
B6N2a Jill: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 27 destroyed, 10 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Prince William, Bomb hits 2, on fire (system damage 25, float 9, engine 5, moving at 14 kts)
CVE Breton
CVE Liscome Bay, Bomb hits 2, on fire (system damage 30, float 10, engine 6, moving at 16 kts)
CVE Manila Bay, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)
CVE Copahee, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
LST-350, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AKA Procyon, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CVE Nassau, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CVE Barnes, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CVE Natoma Bay
CVE Casablanca, Bomb hits 5 (system damage 36, float 9, engine 1, moving at 17 kts)
DD Sims, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)
LST-478
LST-476
PG Swan
DD Hughes
DD Laffey
CVE Corregidor
LST 11, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage (system damage 83, float 57, engine 19, fire 56, moving at 4 kts)
AKA Oberon, Torpedo hits 1 (system damage 17, float 18, moving at 13 kts)
DD Doyle, Bomb hits 1, on fire (system damage 31, float 16, engine 16, moving at 25 kts)
DD Colahan
AK Amador, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (system damage 33, float 66, engine 1, fire 2, moving at 4 kts)
DD Spence
DD Farragut
DD Anderson
DD McCalla
LST-481, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
10 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
14 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
16 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 10000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 7 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 7 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VC(F)-63 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 16000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VOC(F)-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VC(F)-7 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 3000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 13 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 11000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes

Ammo storage explosion on CVE Copahee
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring LST-350
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Nassau
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Nassau
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring LST 11
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Barnes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Prince William
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Manila Bay
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Sims
Massive explosion on DD Sims

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Terapo at 96,127

Raid detected at 123 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 72
A6M5b Zero x 17
B6N2 Jill x 63
D4Y2 Judy x 14
D4Y3 Judy x 13

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 259

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 31 destroyed, 2 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Hammann
CVE Manila Bay, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CVE Altamaha
DD Doyle, on fire (system damage 31, float 16, engine 16, moving at 25 kts)
CVE Wake Island, Bomb hits 1 (system damage 9, float 3)
DD Hughes

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-63 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 7 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VOC(F)-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-7 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 7 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 11000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 7 on standby, 11 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 7 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (9 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 11 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 11 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 87 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, at Terapo 96,127

Raid detected at 130 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 33
A6M5b Zero x 9
B6N2 Jill x 33
B6N2a Jill x 17
D4Y2 Judy x 14

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 253

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 25 destroyed
B6N2a Jill: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 7 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Farragut
DD Doyle, on fire (system damage 31, float 16, engine 16, moving at 25 kts)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 3 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-63 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VOC(F)-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-7 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 8 on standby, 4 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (10 airborne, 3 on standby, 8 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 6 on standby, 11 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 9000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 2 on standby, 15 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, at Terapo 96,127

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 8
B6N2 Jill x 6

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 233

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-63 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VOC(F)-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-7 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
20 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
19 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
20 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-7F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Summary of this game turn’s reported aircraft losses over all locations in New Guinea plus Rabaul.

Japanese planes reported destroyed – 319 planes total
• 116 D4Y Judy (109 air-to-air, 4 flak, 3 ops)
• 121 B6N Jill (111 air-to-air, 5 flak, 5 ops)
• 25 A6M5 Zero (22 air-to-air, 3 ops)
• 5 Ki-44 Tojo (all ops)
• 26 N1K1-J George (22 air-to-air, 4 ops)
• 10 J2M3 Jack (9 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 10 E13A1 Jake (9 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 1 E14Y1 Glen (air-to-air)
• 2 E7K2 Alf (both on the ground)
• 3 H8K2-L Emily (all on the ground)

Allied planes reported destroyed – 157 planes total
• 69 F6F Hellcat (53 air-to-air, 14 ops, 2 on the ground)
• 27 SB2C Helldiver (18 air-to-air, 3 flak, 6 ops)
• 15 SBD-5 Dauntless (9 air-to-air, 1 flak, 5 ops)
• 28 TBM-1C Avenger (26 air-to-air, 2 ops)
• 4 TBF-1 Avenger (all on the ground)
• 6 SOC-1 Seagull (all air-to-air)
• 8 B-29 Superfort (4 air-to-air, 2 flak, 2 ops)


Current status of Port Moresby base – 997K supply and 86K fuel on hand.

Current status of Terapo base – 139K supply and 7600 fuel on hand. US Escort Carrier force and remaining transports withdrawing from Terapo, cargo unloading ops ended. Japanese fighter sweep at Wau over 8th Australian Division. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 8th Australian Division, at 98,126 (Wau)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1 Rex x 12
Ki-84a Frank x 6

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x N1K1 Rex sweeping at 5000 feet
Sweep: 2 x 30 kg GP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Allied fighter sweeps and daylight bombing raids against Buna port continue. Some USAAF fighters (P-47D25’s) assigned to LRCAP over Buna base hex also participated in fighter sweeps and ground bombing strikes. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 27000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 27000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 27000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 3
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 24

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Port hits 6
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12

No Allied losses

Port hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


USAAF B-29 Superforts launch daylight raid on Rabaul airfield. Pillager appears to be operating a supply airlift into Buna using Jap transport planes from Rabaul. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul, at 106,125

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 16
N1K1-J George x 23
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 5
Ki-84a Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K2-L Emily: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000, scrambling fighters between 16000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 15000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000, scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters to 21540.
Raid is overhead
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 21000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000, scrambling fighters between 15000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Detected status of Jap base at Buna – port damage 21, 1 Jap TF (1 ships, visible on map as submarine TF), 20 Jap LCU.

Detected base status at Rabaul – 163 aircraft (45 fighters), no reported airfield damage, 9 Jap TF (40+ ships total, various ship types), no ships in port, port damage 43.


Allied ground forces at Buna with 88K supply on hand, 1927 AV (total) operational after ground assault below. Disruption level of Japanese LCU in Buna appears as a factor for the first time. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 70762 troops, 1459 guns, 1982 vehicles, Assault Value = 2340
Defending force 78539 troops, 680 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 2118
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Allied adjusted assault: 3626
Japanese adjusted defense: 10863

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3685 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 291 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 84 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 49 disabled
Guns lost 83 (9 destroyed, 74 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4164 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 183 disabled
Non Combat: 46 destroyed, 107 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 81 disabled
Guns lost 76 (4 destroyed, 72 disabled)
Vehicles lost 159 (49 destroyed, 110 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
43rd Infantry Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
1st Marine Division
9th Australian Division
98th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
2/9th Field Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
150th USA Base Force
168th Field Artillery Regiment
205th Field Artillery Battalion
165th Field Artillery Battalion
181st Field Artillery Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
82nd Mortar Battalion
2/13th Field Regiment
I Australian Corps
155th USA Base Force
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
116th Division
13th Division
3rd Cavalry Brigade
64th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Regiment
47th Division
104th Division
1st Guards Division
144th Infantry Rgt /1
23rd Field AA Machinecannon Company
102nd Machine Cannon AA Battalion
14th Naval Construction Battalion
55th Field AA Battalion
31st Army
62nd Construction Battalion
7th Base Force
17th Naval Construction Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
8th Base Force
21st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Operations 7/24/44 (continued)

South Pacific: Replenishment TF from the US Main Carrier force Truk operation now within Allied-controlled sea area.

Current base status of Ndeni – 311K supply and 6900 fuel on hand.

Current base status of Luganville – 947K supply and 117K fuel on hand.

Current base status of Noumea – 2.72 million supply and 1.99 million fuel on hand.

Convoy detachment WP-222B (6 ships) arrives in Suva from mainland US with 37K supply and 3K fuel cargo, no LCU or air units. Other parts of WP-222 still enroute to Noumea and Luganville.


Coastwatcher entries from 7/24 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Feni Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Manus
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 104,126 near Gasmata, Speed 13, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 109,131 near Shortlands, Speed 15, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 9, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 113,137 near Tassafaronga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 105,126 near Rabaul, Speed 9, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 109,132 near Treasury Islands, Speed 2, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 13, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 5, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 105,125 near Rabaul, Speed 11, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed 7, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed 5, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed 13, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 7, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 104,126 near Gasmata, Speed 11, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed 8, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed 11, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 108,124 near Lihir, Speed 16, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 8, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed 11, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed 9, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 113,137 near Tassafaronga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,124 near Lihir, Speed 11, Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 103,125 near Talasea, Speed 10, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 105,125 near Rabaul, Speed 5, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 109,130 near Torokina, Speed 13, Moving Northwest

Summary of Operations 7/24/44 (continued)

Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon – 30 aircraft (all fighters), 1 Jap TF (2 AMc), 15 Jap LCU, manpower 4(0), resources 21(0), refinery 72(129), light industry 9(32).

Detected status of Jap base in Magwe – 53 aircraft (all fighters), oil production 187(114), refinery 96(5), 24 Jap LCU.

Summary of Operations 7/25/44

Southwest Pacific: US Main Carrier force now retiring after moving west in unsuccessful attempt to engage KB off northern coast of New Guinea in Hansa Bay area. Pillager withdrew KB from the sea area off New Guinea rather than staying to engage US carriers. Recent activity is leading toward a possible estimate that Pillager is operating KB mainly as a “fleet in being”, his short-term strategy avoiding direct action vs US Main Carrier force while at the same time using KB as a deterrent against lightly or unprotected Allied sea actions. Results of the Truk carrier raid plus a statement posted by Pillager in our PBEM e-mail communication (“Staying in a place where anyone can just sprint in and drop by from outside of scouting range is asking for uninvited guests”) as well as infrequent combat sorties by KB and major IJN surface combat units in SW and South Pacific theatre areas suggest Pillager could be holding KB and major IJN surface combat forces to be committed for defending interior Japanese-controlled areas closer to the Home Islands. Exactly where Pillager is basing KB and major IJN surface forces is completely within the range of speculation, though two possible conclusions are worth consideration… (1) Pillager’s primary naval base for KB and IJN surface forces is located beyond simple access by US Carrier forces. (2) Based on Pillager’s positioning of KB in its recent sorties along the northern coast of New Guinea, a general location of KB’s primary base is likely somewhere west of but relatively near the main Marianas island group – close enough to quickly employ in the Marianas or sea areas north of central New Guinea but (at the same time) relatively close to available fuel reserves in the DEI (Tarakan, Balikpapan). My estimate of possible KB and IJN surface fleet base locations includes Ulithi, Babeldaob and Mindanao (Davao).

Plans for US Main Carrier force are returning to base (Australia) for repair of minor ship damage, aircraft and pilot replacements, and possible ship upgrade(s).


Naval air strikes from US Main Carrier force were launched against Japanese ship movements in the Rabaul and sea areas off eastern New Guinea. AAR's follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, at Rabaul 106,125

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 14
N1K1-J George x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 14
Ki-84a Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 54
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 12 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
E Wakamiya
E Hirado, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Take, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
17 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with J2M3 Jack (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
S-312 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
S-602 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Hirado

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, at Madang 97,123

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Id Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 40
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Id Tony: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAP Naminoue Maru, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Shanghai Maru, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST T-107, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
20th Sentai with Ki-61-Id Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Naminoue Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring LST T-107
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Shanghai Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, at Long Island 100,124

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 5 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 14
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 52
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Tanikaze, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-305 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
S-901 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
52nd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 36000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 36000.
Raid is overhead
73rd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 31000.
Raid is overhead
3rd Ku S-1/A with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Raid is overhead
302 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Tanikaze

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Saidor at 99,123 (due E of Madang)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Id Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 41
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Id Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
19 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
20th Sentai with Ki-61-Id Tony (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Asashio

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 99,122 (NE of Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Id Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 23
TBM-1C Avenger x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Id Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Natsugumo

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
20th Sentai with Ki-61-Id Tony (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, at Hansa Bay 97,121

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61-Id Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-Id Tony: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Heito Maru, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
20th Sentai with Ki-61-Id Tony (6 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Heito Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Current status of Port Moresby base – 996K supply and 85K fuel on hand.

Current status of Terapo base – 136K supply and 7600 fuel on hand. All ships of US Escort Carrier force and transport shipping departed Terapo without incident. Japanese LBA ground attack air strike on 8 Australian Division at Wau intercepted by CAP fighters from US Main Carrier force. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 8th Australian Division, at 98,126 (Wau)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 17
Ki-67-Ia Peggy x 26
Ki-84a Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 159

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-67-Ia Peggy: 11 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-67-Ia Peggy bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-1 with F6F-3 Hellcat (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(17 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (18 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(18 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
18 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(19 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
19 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-13 with F6F-3 Hellcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-27 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VF-14 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VF-28 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-29 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-10 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Summary of this game turn’s reported aircraft losses over all locations in New Guinea plus Rabaul.

Japanese planes reported destroyed
• 1 Ki-84 Frank (air-to-air)
• 10 Ki-61 Tony (9 air-to-air, 1 ops)
• 1 Ki-44 Tojo (air-to-air)
• 6 N1K1-J George (4 air-to-air, 2 ops)
• 2 J2M3 Jack (both air-to-air)
• 22 Ki-67 Peggy (21 air-to-air, 1 ops)

Allied planes reported destroyed
• 36 F6F Hellcat (25 air-to-air, 11 ops)
• 5 SB2C Helldiver (4 air-to-air, 1 flak)
• 1 TBM-1C Avenger (flak)
• 17 TBF-1 Avenger (all air-to-air)
• 1 P-47D Thunderbolt (ops)
• 2 SOC-1 Seagull (both ops)


Allied fighter sweeps and daylight bombing raids against Buna port continue. Some USAAF fighters (P-47D25’s) assigned to LRCAP over Buna base hex also participated in fighter sweeps and ground bombing strikes. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 27000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 12
Port supply hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Port hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 27000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 27000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Detected status of Jap base at Buna – port damage 16, no Jap TF, 20 Jap LCU.

Detected status of Jap base at Lae – unidentified aircraft on airfield, no Jap TF, 11 Jap LCU.

Detected base status at Wau shows unidentified Japanese aircraft, 10 Jap LCU.

Detected base status at Rabaul – 198 aircraft (75 fighters), 9 Jap TF (34 ships total, xAKL and small ship types), no ships in port, port damage 45, 38 Jap LCU.


Allied ground forces at Buna with 87K supply on hand, 1973 AV (total) operational, Ground bombardment attacks by Allied forces resume. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4742 troops, 344 guns, 308 vehicles, Assault Value = 1957
Defending force 75930 troops, 672 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 1874

Japanese ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
43rd Infantry Division
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/4th Armoured Regiment
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
9th Australian Division
2/9th Field Regiment
165th Field Artillery Battalion
82nd Mortar Battalion
155th USA Base Force
I Australian Corps
181st Field Artillery Regiment
150th USA Base Force
168th Field Artillery Regiment
205th Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
2/11th Field Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd Medium Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
98th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
1st Guards Division
47th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Regiment
64th Division
104th Division
13th Division
116th Division
144th Infantry Rgt /1
55th Field AA Battalion
7th Base Force
8th Base Force
62nd Construction Battalion
14th Naval Construction Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
23rd Field AA Machinecannon Company
102nd Machine Cannon AA Battalion
17th Naval Construction Battalion
3rd Cavalry Brigade
31st Army
21st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Operations 7/25/44 (continued)

South Pacific: Current base status of Ndeni – 311K supply and 6900 fuel on hand.

Current base status of Luganville – 956K supply and 116K fuel on hand.

Current base status of Noumea – 2.72 million supply and 2.02 million fuel on hand.


Coastwatcher entries from 7/25 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Dagua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Feni Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Namatanai
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 99,124 near Saidor, Speed 8, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,124 near Lihir, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 100,125 near Umboi Island, Speed 12, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed 9, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 11, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 100,125 near Umboi Island, Speed 2, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 101,125 near Cape Gloucester, Speed 8, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,124 near Lihir, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 100,124 near Long Island, Speed 4, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 7 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 102,125 near Arawe, Speed 16, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 1, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed 4, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 105,126 near Rabaul, Speed 13, Moving East


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 7/25 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Maleolap, detected base status shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


Eastern US: Fast transport convoy EX-83 (11 ships) departing for Australia via Capetown. Cargo aboard the convoy includes 72K supply and 19K fuel. Some transport shipping has been retained to continue the EX convoy route on a reduced scale to maintain an allocation of shipping capacity for movement of Allied LCU reinforcements from Europe entering the game at United Kingdom in 1945. Primary transportation of LCU, air units, supply and fuel to Australia is now using the recently established WX convoy route between US West Coast and Australia, WX convoys operating along the same general movement path used by WP convoys between US West Coast and South Pacific theatre.


DEI: US patrol sub intercepts possible Japanese replenishment TF in northern exit from Makassar Strait. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Donggala at 68,97 (NE of Balikpapan)

Japanese Ships
DD Shiokaze
AO Toho Maru
AO Toa Maru
AO Ken'yo Maru
AO Gen'yo Maru
DD Namikaze
DD Hokaze

Allied Ships
SS Peto, hits 6, heavy damage (system damage 25, float 63, engine 2, returning to base at 4 kts)
SS Peto is sighted by escort
DD Namikaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hokaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Namikaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Namikaze is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon – 85 aircraft (all fighters), no Jap TF, 15 Jap LCU, manpower 4(0), resources 21(0), refinery 72(129), light industry 9(32).

Detected status of Jap base in Magwe – 146 aircraft (all fighters), oil production 187(114), refinery 96(5), 24 Jap LCU.

Summary of Operations 7/26/44

Southwest Pacific: US Main Carrier force moves southward back into Coral Sea, no reported actions.

Current status of Port Moresby base – 1.01 million supply and 91K fuel on hand.

Current status of Terapo base – 135K supply and 7500 fuel on hand. Japanese fighters launch series of sweeps over Terapo base hex. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Terapo, at 96,127

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 14

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Terapo, at 96,127

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 21

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 25000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Terapo, at 96,127

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 56 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Terapo, at 96,127

Raid detected at 133 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 2

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Terapo, at 96,127

Raid detected at 96 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 3

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 25000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Summary of this game turn’s reported aircraft losses over all locations in New Guinea plus Rabaul.

Japanese planes reported destroyed
• 12 D3A2 Val (all air-to-air, naval search planes destroyed by CAP over US Main Carrier force)

Allied planes reported destroyed
• 5 A-20G Havoc (1 air-to-air, 4 flak)
• 1 B-24D1 Liberator (ops)


USAAF low-level night bombing strike launched against Lae airfield. No reported US or Japanese plane losses, detected base status shows no airfield damage at Lae. Five US squadrons were assigned to the raid – 2 reached target, 1 incorrectly targeted to Buna, 2 failed to launch. Combat Events report entries and AAR’s follow.

16 x P-39D Airacobra unable to proceed to target due to weather
6 x A-20G Havoc 22nd BG/19th BS turning back !!!
13 x P-39D Airacobra 311th FG/530th FS turning back !!!
6 x 22nd BG/19th BS A-20G Havoc stray due to night

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Partial cloud (50% moonlight)

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 5

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 6 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A-20G Havoc bombing and strafing from low level
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-902 Hikotai with J1N1-S Irving (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Lae, at 99,126

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 4

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAId Nick: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 3 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 2 destroyed by flak

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x A-20G Havoc bombing and strafing from low level
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
53rd Sentai/B with Ki-45 KAId Nick (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 1000, scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Daylight port bombing raids on Buna continue. Latest AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 22
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Mitchell II bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 8
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Port hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Detected status of Jap base at Buna – airfield damage 1, port damage 49, 3 Jap TF (18 ships total), 20 Jap LCU.

Detected status of Jap base at Lae – unidentified aircraft on airfield, no reported airfield damage. 1 Jap TF (one ship), 11 Jap LCU.

Detected base status at Wau shows unidentified Japanese aircraft, 10 Jap LCU.

Detected base status at Rabaul – 182 aircraft (63 fighters), 9 Jap TF (26 ships total, small ship types), no ships in port, port damage 24, 38 Jap LCU.


Allied ground forces at Buna with 86K supply on hand, 2018 AV (total) operational, continued Allied ground bombardment attacks. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4739 troops, 344 guns, 308 vehicles, Assault Value = 2003
Defending force 76519 troops, 672 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 1915

Japanese ground losses:
139 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division
1st Marine Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
9th Australian Division
134th Field Artillery Battalion
2/9th Field Regiment
150th USA Base Force
1st Medium Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
97th Field Artillery Battalion
181st Field Artillery Regiment
I Australian Corps
98th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
168th Field Artillery Regiment
165th Field Artillery Battalion
82nd Mortar Battalion
155th USA Base Force
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
116th Division
64th Division
47th Division
1st Guards Division
13th Ind.Mixed Regiment
13th Division
104th Division
144th Infantry Rgt /1
55th Field AA Battalion
102nd Machine Cannon AA Battalion
17th Naval Construction Battalion
23rd Field AA Machinecannon Company
3rd Cavalry Brigade
21st Air Defense AA Rgt /1
14th Naval Construction Battalion
31st Army
62nd Construction Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
8th Base Force
7th Base Force /1 (elements of this LCU may be evacuating from Buna)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Operations 7/26/44 (continued)

Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 7/26 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Wale Island, detected base status shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


Australia: VF squadrons from the four US Escort Carrier force CVE sunk at Terapo on 7/24 were recovered and have now reached NE Australia. Recovered VF squadrons include 80-90 F4F Hellcat planes with many high-experience level pilots. Short-term plans are to rebuild these squadrons as LBA training units, experienced pilots from the units transferring to the Reserve pool for eventual use in other carrier-based VF squadrons.


DEI: US patrol subs intercept Japanese shipping in western Java Sea area near Palembang and in Makassar Strait. AAR’s follow

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Billiton at 53,93 (night action, adjacent hex N of Billiton)

Japanese Ships
TK Kanzaki Maru, Torpedo hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Billfish

TK Kanzaki Maru is sighted by SS Billfish
SS Billfish attacking on the surface

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Billiton at 52,93 (daylight action, same hex location)

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tensyo Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Billfish

xAKL Tensyo Maru is sighted by SS Billfish
SS Billfish attacking on the surface

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lingga at 51,88 (NW of Palembang)

Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #13, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Capelin

SS Capelin launches 2 torpedoes at PB Kyo Maru #13
Capelin bottoming out ....
Sub escapes detection

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Balikpapan at 65,100 (SE of Balikpapan)

Japanese Ships
xAK Seian Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Puffer, hits 1

SS Puffer attacking on the surface

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon – 91 aircraft (all fighters), no Jap TF, 15 Jap LCU, manpower 4(0), resources 21(0), refinery 72(129), light industry 9(32).

Detected status of Jap base in Magwe – 149 aircraft (all fighters), oil production 187(114), refinery 96(5), 24 Jap LCU.

Summary of Operations 7/26/44 (continued)

South Pacific: Current base status of Ndeni – 318K supply and 6900 fuel on hand.

Current base status of Luganville – 974K supply and 116K fuel on hand.

Current base status of Noumea – 2.72 million supply and 2.02 million fuel on hand (no change).


Coastwatcher entries from 7/26 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tassafaronga
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Feni Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 100,125 near Umboi Island, Speed 8, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 99,129 near Buna, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,124 near Lihir, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 100,126 near Finschhafen, Speed 2, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 99,126 near Lae, Speed 10, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Feni Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 9 Japanese ships at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 97,123 near Madang, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 99,126 near Lae, Speed 11, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,124 near Lihir, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 14, Moving Southeast

Summary of Operations 7/27/44

Southwest Pacific: Current status of Port Moresby base – 1.01 million supply and 93K fuel on hand.

Current status of Terapo base – 135K supply and 7500 fuel on hand. No reported air or ground combat activity this game turn in the Terapo bridgehead area.


Summary of this game turn’s reported aircraft losses over all locations in New Guinea plus Rabaul.

Japanese planes reported destroyed
• 2 Ki-44 Tojo (both on the ground)
• 1 J1N1-S Irving (air-to-air)

Allied planes reported destroyed
• 4 P-39D Airacobra (2 flak, 2 ops)
• 1 A-20G Havoc (air-to-air)
• 1 B-25C Mitchell (ops)


USAAF low-level night bombing strikes against Lae airfield continue. Two Japanese planes reported destroyed on the ground, one Jap plane destroyed air-to-air (above). Minor damage to Lae airfield reported. Five USAAF planes lost in action. Combat Events report entries and AAR’s follow.

7 x 71st RG/110th TRS P-39D Airacobra stray due to night
4 x 22nd BG/19th BS A-20G Havoc stray due to night
8 x 311th FG/530th FS P-39D Airacobra stray due to night
5 x 22nd BG/19th BS A-20G Havoc stray due to night
5 x 311th FG/530th FS P-39D Airacobra stray due to night

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Lae, at 99,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky (57% moonlight)

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 5
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-S Irving: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A-20G Havoc bombing and strafing from low level
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x P-39D Airacobra bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x P-39D Airacobra bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 plane(s) with no ordnance
Airfield Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
53rd Sentai/B with Ki-45 KAId Nick (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 1000, scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
S-902 Hikotai with J1N1-S Irving (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Lae, at 99,126

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 2
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 7 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x P-39D Airacobra bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x P-39D Airacobra bombing from 100 feet
Airfield Attack: 3 plane(s) with no ordnance
Airfield Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
53rd Sentai/B with Ki-45 KAId Nick (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 1000, scrambling fighters to 5000.
Raid is overhead
S-902 Hikotai with J1N1-S Irving (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Daylight port bombing raids on Buna continue. Latest AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Port hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Mitchell II bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 27

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 9
Port supply hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Port hits 6
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Detected status of Jap base at Buna – no airfield damage, port damage 47, 3 Jap TF (21 ships total), 20 Jap LCU.

Detected status of Jap base at Lae – 20 aircraft (all fighters), airfield damage 3. no Jap TF, 10 Jap LCU (-1 from last report).

Detected base status at Wau shows unidentified Japanese aircraft, 10 Jap LCU.

Detected base status at Salamaua shows 6 Jap LCU (unchanged).

Detected base status at Rabaul – 215 aircraft (88 fighters), 10 Jap TF (44 ships total, xAKL and small ship types), 1 ship in port (ACM), no reported port damage, 38 Jap LCU.


Allied ground forces at Buna with 85K supply on hand, 2038 AV (total) operational, continued Allied ground bombardment attacks. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4747 troops, 343 guns, 308 vehicles, Assault Value = 2048
Defending force 77183 troops, 670 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 1964

Japanese ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
43rd Infantry Division
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
1st Marine Division
193rd Tank Battalion
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
754th Tank Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
9th Australian Division
150th USA Base Force
2nd Medium Regiment
168th Field Artillery Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
155th USA Base Force
134th Field Artillery Battalion
I Australian Corps
181st Field Artillery Regiment
205th Field Artillery Battalion
2/11th Field Regiment
165th Field Artillery Battalion
2/9th Field Regiment
82nd Mortar Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
98th Field Artillery Battalion
1st Medium Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
116th Division
13th Division
1st Guards Division
13th Ind.Mixed Regiment
47th Division
104th Division
64th Division
144th Infantry Rgt /1
7th Base Force
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Cavalry Brigade
102nd Machine Cannon AA Battalion
17th Naval Construction Battalion
8th Base Force
55th Field AA Battalion
62nd Construction Battalion
31st Army
14th Naval Construction Battalion
23rd Field AA Machinecannon Company
21st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Operations 7/27/44 (continued)

South Pacific: Current base status of Ndeni – 319K supply and 6900 fuel on hand.

Current base status of Luganville – 989K supply and 116K fuel on hand. Convoy detachment WP-222C (4 ships) arrives from mainland US, cargo includes 19K supply.

Current base status of Noumea – 2.72 million supply and 2.02 million fuel on hand (no change). Convoy detachment WP-222A (11 ships) arrives from mainland US, cargo includes 68K supply and 5500 fuel.


Coastwatcher entries from 7/27 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: xAK Hohuku Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher sighting: 9 Japanese ships at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 99,126 near Lae, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 0, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 105,125 near Rabaul, Speed 8, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 105,125 near Rabaul, Speed 8, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 100,126 near Finschhafen, Speed 16, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 99,125 near Lae, Speed 13, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 99,124 near Saidor, Speed 17, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tassafaronga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 104,126 near Gasmata, Speed 9, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 9 Japanese ships at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 104,126 near Gasmata, Speed 8, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 98,122 near Hansa Bay, Speed 13, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,124 near Lihir, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 103,125 near Talasea, Speed 8, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 103,124 near Talasea, Speed 12, Moving Northwest

Summary of Operations 7/27/44 (continued)

Eastern US: Transport convoy EX-84 (23 ships) departs for Australia via Capetown, cargo includes 81K supply and 63K fuel, no LCU or air units.


Burma: British patrol sub sunk in action with Japanese surface ASW off coast of southern Burma. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Moulmein at 54,55 (night action, adjacent hex W of Moulmein)

Japanese Ships
E No.18
E Aguni
E Hiburi

Allied Ships
SS Spirit, hits 23, and is sunk

SS Spirit launches 2 torpedoes at E No.18
Spirit bottoming out ....
E No.18 fails to find sub and abandons search
E Aguni attacking submerged sub ....
SS Spirit forced to surface!
E Aguni firing on surfaced sub ....
E Hiburi firing on surfaced sub ....
E No.18 firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon – 75 aircraft (all fighters), no Jap TF, 15 Jap LCU, manpower 4(0), resources 21(0), refinery 72(129), light industry 9(32).

Detected status of Jap base in Magwe – 122 aircraft (all fighters), oil production 187(114), refinery 96(5), 24 Jap LCU.

Summary of Operations 7/28/44

Southwest Pacific: Current status of Port Moresby base – 1.01 million supply and 93K fuel on hand (no change).


Current status of Terapo base – 136K supply and 7500 fuel on hand, airfield at Terapo now expanded to size 5(5). A group of 4 USAAF fighter squadrons (all P-47 Thunderbolt) plus one US Marine squadron (F4U-1 Corsair) are being prepped for transfer into Terapo airfield as the initial air contingent for this base. Air base force LCU and aviation support already in place at Terapo, mostly delivered in the recent amphibious transport operation. Three of the USAAF squadrons designated for Terapo now in process of conversion from training units to front-line combat service, this requiring a full swap of pilots and aircraft in the three air units. Completion of the conversion process plus transfer of the air units north from Melbourne (current location) estimated at 6-7 days.

No reported air or ground combat activity this game turn in the Terapo bridgehead area.


No reported Allied or Japanese aircraft losses over locations in New Guinea or Rabaul.

USAAF fighter sweeps have been attempted over Japanese airfields at Lae and Wau in the last several game turns. These missions either failed to launch or did not find any Japanese CAP fighters over target, difficult to determine exactly which as there has been no reported activity by Jap fighter planes over eastern New Guinea area.


Daylight port bombing raids on Buna continue. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 27

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 16
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25G Mitchell x 16

No Allied losses

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 7
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Mitchell II bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25H Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Port hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25H Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25H Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Detected status of Jap base at Buna – port damage 43, 1 Jap TF (1 ship, visible on map as submarine TF), 20 Jap LCU.

Detected base status at Rabaul – 222 aircraft (97 fighters), no Jap TF, 1 ship in port (ACM), 38 Jap LCU.


Allied ground forces at Buna with 84K supply on hand, 2076 AV (total) operational, continued Allied ground bombardment attacks. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4750 troops, 343 guns, 308 vehicles, Assault Value = 2068
Defending force 77639 troops, 669 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 1999

Japanese ground losses:
180 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry Division
1st Marine Division
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
754th Tank Battalion
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
Americal Infantry Division
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
9th Australian Division
181st Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
150th USA Base Force
168th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
82nd Mortar Battalion
98th Field Artillery Battalion
165th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
I Australian Corps
2/13th Field Regiment
155th USA Base Force
2/9th Field Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
97th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
116th Division
47th Division
3rd Cavalry Brigade
64th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Regiment
104th Division
1st Guards Division
13th Division
144th Infantry Rgt /1
8th Base Force
17th Naval Construction Battalion
23rd Field AA Machinecannon Company
62nd Construction Battalion
55th Field AA Battalion
31st Army
14th Naval Construction Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
102nd Machine Cannon AA Battalion
7th Base Force
21st Air Defense AA Rgt /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Operations 7/28/44 (continued)

South Pacific: Current base status of Ndeni – 319K supply and 6900 fuel on hand.

Current base status of Luganville – 1.00 million supply and 116K fuel on hand.

Current base status of Noumea – 2.76 million supply and 2.02 million fuel on hand (no change).


Coastwatcher entries from 7/28 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Buna
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Dagua
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 18, Moving East
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Thousand Ships Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Dagua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hansa Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 5 ships in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships in port at Woodlark Island
Coastwatcher sighting: 6 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 104,126 near Gasmata, Speed 11, Moving West
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 100,124 near Long Island, Speed 7, Moving Southwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 107,125 near Namatanai, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 7 Japanese ships at 103,125 near Talasea, Speed 11, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 108,126 near Feni Islands, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 108,124 near Lihir, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 114,138 near Lunga, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 107,126 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,137 near Tulagi, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 5 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 4 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 19, Moving East
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 100,125 near Umboi Island, Speed 14, Moving Southeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 102,125 near Arawe, Speed 8, Moving West

Summary of Operations 7/28/44 (continued)

Central Pacific: US patrol sub off Truk in action with Japanese surface ASW. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 111,104 (N of Truk)

Japanese Ships
E No.2
E W-33
E W-24

Allied Ships
SS Tilefish, hits 5 (system damage 13, float 1, returning to base at 19 kts)

SS Tilefish is sighted by escort
E W-33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-24 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 111,104

Japanese Ships
E W-24, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
E W-33

Allied Ships
SS Tilefish

SS Tilefish launches 2 torpedoes at E W-24
E W-33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sigint entry for 7/28 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Wake Island, detected base status shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


DEI: US patrol sub in contact with Jap surface ASW off Palembang. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Muntok at 50,89 (night action, NW of Palembang)

Japanese Ships
E Hatsukari

Allied Ships
SS Capelin

SS Capelin is sighted by escort
Capelin bottoming out ....
E Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Burma: Detected status of Jap base in Rangoon – 74 aircraft (all fighters), no Jap TF, 15 Jap LCU, manpower 4(0), resources 21(0), refinery 72(129), light industry 9(32).

Johnjohn comment:

Excellent use of the main US carrier fleet in Truk raid. Unfortunate that targets of opportunity were low, but confirms that enemy is not keeping resources in places where raids could occur. I agree with your analysis of possible fleet base for KB and use of KB. Looks to me that a lot of resources are committed by enemy in places that could be bypassed eventually. I shudder at the thought of the major buildup in the Marianas, thinking of whether you could bypass it. If you were to do so, then Truk would become important as a main naval base for US operations. That would allow a direct move to Yap and then the Bonins and Marcus, thus isolating all that men and material stacked in the Marianas. Yap would give you the option to go north (Bonin Islands) or west to the Philippines.

The map view shows that the PNG situation is a slow slog. In the next year you will have the fleet units available to start leaping around fairly easily. The pressure you continue to exert is going to cause severe supply problems for the enemy. Things to think about, especially given the skill with which pillager is handling the enemy forces.

I have continued to put pressure on the enemy in Burma in my game. The enemy is withdrawing through Thailand and is going to escape with considerable force. I have explored how to cut of the retreat, but the fact is I do not have the force to effectively do so. I can drop parachute Chindits to cut the railroad from the hinterland to Bangkok, but the fact is that force cannot stop 5 divisions running for their lives. Intel has Bangkok pretty much undefended at this point, but I cannot reach that far. Plan to pull up at Moulemain and hold there to refit. Be at least a year before any further significant operational advance takes place.

I have the Marianas invasion at sea, which should land in late May. Just waiting on stragglers to get into position off Ewintok for the run in. 1st class invasion task forces hold two divisions each for Guam, Tinian and Saipan, with three more headed to Saipan, while 2nd class invasion forces will hit Rota and 3rd class bring up the reserve (APA/AKA types = 1st class, AP/AK types 2nd class, and xAP/xAK 3rd class. Landing craft task forces are operating separately as landing craft and supplementing the 1st class forces. All armor is aboard the LSTs as are the vehicle components of the 1st class divisions, components which did not load on the APAs. Additional early supply is also on LC task forces. The LCI types are headed to Guam and will be used to ferry in the reserves. Intel has 5 enemy divisions on Saipan. Guam Rota loaded at Lunga while Tinian Saipan loaded at PH with some units left in the Marshalls added to the mix. It should be fun to see how this goes. It is the biggest invasion I have mounted, and I am unsure if I should have held back the Saipan force until the island could be softened up.

All B29 squadrons are training in India. They are no where near ready for operational status. The Free French Battleship Richeleu was torpedoed enroute to Columbo and is now at South Africa for four months of needed repairs. I originally sent three US CLs to augment the UK Carrier Force but reconsidered and attached them to Franklin at Balboa. That force is now enroute to PH eta end of May to join two other carriers at PH to become CARDIV6.

The turns are very long and complicated. But you know this. It is May 15, 1944 for me.

respectfully,

John (johnjohn)