part 2...
One more sub attack at a fat 15p transport failed, just off Brisbane.
Next morning to our big surprise we found the allied carriers close to Irau, while parts of KB were on their way to strike the enemy transports at Nevea. Unfortunately, range was one hex too far for effective torpedo strikes, so the local commander of flight operations decided to attack the transports first. They got wiped out almost completely... In the meantime our top notch fighter aces were able to fend off the allied strikes that went in.
During lunch, Rabaul based bombers made another run into PM, destroying alot of A/C and launching more torpedoes. Two more AKs were reported in sinking condition...
In the afternoon we finally attacked the enemy main force, bombing two cruisers and two CVs. At least one flattop was left badly burning and the other down by the bow. Too bad the weather is getting worse and we are low on fuel now.
But this was a real good day... So many enemy ships sunk yet, we can only expect their withdrawal soon. BANZAI!
one of the hits... as seen by our spotting planes
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/07/42
Weather: Clear
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
DD Yamagumo
DD Asagumo
DD Usugumo
DD Oboro
Allied Ships
AV Ballard, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
AV Thornton, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 485
Guns lost 9
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Naval bombardment of Irau, at 42,43
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 11
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Sub attack at 23,77
Japanese Ships
SS I-29
Allied Ships
AP American Legion
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Air attack on TF at 46,37
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 70
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 17 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
PO1 U.Hagiri of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
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Air attack on TF at 46,37
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 20
SBD Dauntless x 36
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 9 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 27 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 9 damaged
WO S.Muranaka of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
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Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
D3A Val x 96
B5N Kate x 81
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged
Allied Ships
AP George F. Elliot, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ormsby, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SC 518, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alcyone, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP McCawley, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Algorab, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Fuller, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Etamin, Bomb hits 18, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tui, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Betelgeuse, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Barnett, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
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Air attack on TF at 46,37
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
ENS E. Bassett of VF-42 is credited with kill number 3
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Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 65
G3M Nell x 10
G4M1 Betty x 17
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 15
P-400 Airacobra x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 15
P-40E Kittyhawk x 19
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 11 destroyed
Wirraway x 1 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 3 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 5 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 damaged
LTJG F.Fujiwara of F2/1st Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Allied Ships
AK Murada, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Barwon
AK Mungana
AK Mildura, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Asphalion, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 31
Attacking Level Bombers:
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Air attack on TF at 45,45
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
D3A Val x 24
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 4 destroyed
D3A Val x 9 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
CA Portland, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Astoria, Bomb hits 2, on fire
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Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43
Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 40
B5N Kate x 31
no losses
Allied Ships
AP Fuller, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Westralia, Bomb hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
AK Betelgeuse, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
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Air attack on TF at 45,45
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 23
B5N Kate x 24
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 7 destroyed
D3A Val x 9 damaged
B5N Kate x 6 destroyed
B5N Kate x 5 damaged
ENS R. May of VF-3 is credited with kill number 4
Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 7
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
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