Scenario 19, Allies strike Truk

[anarchyintheuk]

Good luck in the attempt. It will be fun to watch the contest of attrition/wills. [:)]

[toraq]

Just a few more considerations:


1) I´ve been reading the IJN reinforces (expected) and they got at least 8 to 9 Rgt available for an invasion. 4 to 5 Rgt wouldn´t stop them [:-]

2) In the entire game, scen 19, IJN playet receives 36 heavy Rgt. [X(]

3) 8 to 9 Rgts means 800 assault points. To avoid the invasion I need 600 at least. I already got 257 assault points. I would need another full division. More forces in PM less in Australia.

4) Could it be possible to invade Australia now (sep 42)?. He has now only 4 CV and 2 CVL...400 A/C. If he packs 200 Zeroes and 200 Bombers I could only stop him with my heavies...Would they be accurrate enough to hit CV?

4) He already has 8 datais of Betties, 5 Nells, 10 land bases datais of Zeroes, 3 of Oscars. More or less: 200 Betties, 40 Nells and 350 Zeroes and 75 Oscar. This without counting the naval based Zeroes: which can add 7-8 datais more (200 Zeroes)
This is impressive[&o]. Are the Allies able to stop this?????????????

Difficult decission...

[toraq]

A bad day for the allies...
4 Destroyers were discovered near PM and waves of betties torpedoed them. 3 of them lost. The other one heavy damaged.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/17/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft ****All come from GG, almost 150 there********
D3A Val x 8
G4M1 Betty x 7
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 7 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Tucker
DD Farenholt
DD Porter
DD Aaron Ward, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft ****All come from Rabaul, it is interesting to see that he can put more than 100 Zeroes in the air, but that´s all. 8 Zeroes lost due to Op. losses****

A6M2 Zero x 69
A6M3 Zero x 40
G3M Nell x 12
G4M1 Betty x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Porter, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Aaron Ward, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tucker, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Farenholt, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 3
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15

no losses

Allied Ships
DD Tucker, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft ****120 Zeroes!!! and increasing but I can cope with this****
A6M2 Zero x 81
A6M3 Zero x 41
G3M Nell x 10
G4M1 Betty x 14

no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Basilaki Island at 18,42

Japanese Ships
AP Tenzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire ***probably carrying supplies***

Allied Ships
SS S-42


A TF is trying to entry into GG´s port so I decided so start a mini offensive. Operation Crossbow:
1) My heavies will strike GG airport,
2) B-25 will try to attack transport ships, Beaufighters will escort them
3) 2 DD sent to in a surface run to GG (only 1 IJN DD reported as escort)
4) 2 SDB squadrons and 1 P-40 to PM to attack transport TF
5) 5 PT sent to GG to surprise enemy ships there
6) Two subs hunt around GG

A little army!. Well, the objective is to show the teeth, try to impress my opponent, to show how difficult would be a PM invasion.

More heavies coming as reinforces and 2 B-26 sqd. in 10 days...[:)]

[toraq]

My`planes went to that supply convoy in GG. They score some hits, even a precious MSW is sunk. They don´t have many of those[;)]. Before that my B-17 devastated GG. 3 B-17 down. The Ki-43 are very good intercepting heavies. I think I have lowered their morale

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 39

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 33
B-24D Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 6 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 16 damaged ***See how good are oscar interceptiong heavies!*****

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 405

Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 5 destroyed ****10 lost[&:]******
P-40E Warhawk x 5 damaged

LCDR L.Doikawa of F1/253rd Daitai is credited with kill number 4

Japanese Ships
MSW Wa 1, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinko Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Nojima Maru
DD Shiokaze


And his bombers visited PM. It was a long time ago since the last visit. Airport out of service but my engineers are working hard tonight. I´m FT a Sea bees unit there to increase the contruction of the forts (only level 6 yet!!!)

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
G4M1 Betty x 101 ***2 lost*****

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 175

Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 61



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

[toraq]

PM

It´s discouraging to see how one blitz can put PM out of action. Discouraging also to see how supplies disappear, like eaten by a dinosaur.
Supplies are now "orange". The more I think about it, the less sure I am. Should I´ll be able to hold PM. Maybe I´ll send a big convoy, with strong CAP and during bad-weather days. I´m planning it.

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 22
G4M1 Betty x 109

no losses

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 142
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 87
No losses and they were bombing at 8000 feet. What happens to my AA. I have to check it out.

Hit and run

Last convoy to GG was only light damaged (1 AP, 1 MSW lost, 1 AP damaged). I send my carriers to a place 9 hexes from GG. A small TF has been spotted there. Possibly MSW.

It is very risky. Timtom will disapprove it.[:)]. But I got 120 F4F. I´m far enough or at max. range from Zeroes at Rabaul. Of course, there are some Betties in the Short and Lunga. But my CAP will avoid any attempt. I´m sure.
Why I do this? I´ve sunk most Jap. MSW. Maybe he´s got only 2 or 3 left. Since I´m mining everything, MSW are strategic targets. That´s why my 3 CV are trying to hunt them.

[timtom]

ORIGINAL: toraq

It is very risky. Timtom will disapprove it.[:)].

Hey! I'm not timid, just stupid! Cheeky sod... (grumbles)

[toraq]

Well nothing went as planned.

The little mission
My CV refused to launch the strike despite some enemy ships were within SBD max. range.[:(]
My PT attacked but if they don´t get a surprise (at night) attack they are floating coffins. I think 4 of them sunk due to surface guns. And because they were out of fuel, they suffered 2 massive attacks from rabaul´s betties. Another 4 sunk. [:@]
The good news (if any) is that he lost like 10 betties, most tof them operational losses. Attacks took place during a thunderstoms turn.

SDB attacks
My SDB attacked APs near Lae (from a supply convoy I guess). 2 of them on fire. Yeah SBD keep US honour high.
I retired them (fatigue high, morale low) and send some hudson and mitchell to PM. They should blow up some APs at a greater range.

Enemy anti sub activity
Well if there is a master in this kind of warfare is my opponent. [&o].
You can´t imagine what I´m saying. I already lost 3 subs, two more damaged. It is not ASW patrols what he´s using but airplanes. Mavis, Emilys, Jakes, Petes, Betties, Vals and Kates. I don´t know how they manage to do it but they always spot my subs and attack them several times, so they run out of fuel.
This has caused that my subs have forbiden areas: Rabaul, Truk and (soon) GG. My subs can´t be within 6 or 7 hexes of range from these bases because they´re spotted immediately and attacked most of the times.

[toraq]

Little battles over the South Pacific

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/27/42

Weather: Overcast

PM

Visited by 80 enemy bombers. They but the airport out of action (again!) and my supplies dropped 2000 points. No written offs on the ground. Good[;)]

Air attacks
Gili-Gili: a very accurate carpet bombing over GG. My B-17 brought the hell over there. 14 planes destroyed on the ground. 2 B-17 lost. I guess I can cope with this losses.
Lae: my bombers from PM dropped some bombs over there

Japanese Ships
AP Keisho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kano Maru
DD Yugiri
AP Mikage Maru #20, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
I sent my Beaufighters and A TBF squadron there to increase the anti-shipping power. 3 TF over the area.
Total losses for today were 22 on IJN side and 7 on US side. A good day for the allies.

Next actions
I´m going out til January the 3rd or so. My next actions may be:
1) Reinforce PM: I still think is worthwhile to hold PM. He got maybe9-12 Rgt ready to invade whatever he wants. I´m sending a recon platoon to GG to see if he has been withdrawing some of the troops there.
PM got a 6 level fort, ready to add another one within a week. 2 divisions there, with enough BF and engineers. 2 sea bees units there to increase repair capacity. The problem here are supplies. Got a convoy with 36000 supplies around, waiting for a bad weather to come.

2) Take the offensive when possible: I want him to have fear of invading PM. Last turns he has sent some recon planes to my foward bases at Nevea and Wunkupunko?.
The more time he delays his planes, the stronger I will be.

3)Reinforces: in 20 days I will receive another BB, and some DD and CL. 1 P-40 sqd, in two days and during october P-38 will start coming. In 2 months I will have enough forces to reinforce my foward bases, start a oofensive against Lunga and increase PM garrison.

4)It would be a good idea to send the Night Hawks again. Last time they were discovered around Truk, followed and sunk. But they could act like a cheese, so some enemy CV will try to catch them again but this time with my carriers waiting them. Too risky I´m afraid, but we will see.

[toraq]

Little action today. But enemy lost 8 precious betties while attempting to launch torp. against a supply convoy.
Today is Thunderstorms so I ordered op. Pedestal. A big supply convoy will sail to PM. I´ve moved 4 P-40 and 3 F4F sqd. to protect them.
My CVs are around to see if they can hunt some preys (PCs or MSW). So risky that yesterday Hornet was torpedoed and it´s on its way back to Noumea for extense repairs.
Anyway I keep on to complete and cover the Pedestal operation.
I don´t want big air to air engagements: in 20 days I´ll recive my lost sqds. (the ones from the York. and Lex) so I need replacements to complete them.
I´ve calculated that until december or so I can´t start any big offensive. This is when my bases and P-38 sqds should be ready. Anyway, I should wait until F4Us arrives. They are tough guys and can shoot down Zeros quite well.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/30/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on TF, near Basilaki Island at 18,42

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 8

no losses

Japanese Ships ***Mine sweep mission***
PC Ch 11, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Tama Maru
MSW Noshiro Maru #2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Feland

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Basilaki Island at 18,42

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 5

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
MSW Tama Maru
MSW Noshiro Maru #2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Feland, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

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

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/01/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Darubia at 18,41

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 10

Allied Ships
SS Grayling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,41

Allied aircraft ***From my CVs***
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD Dauntless x 16

no losses
Japanese Ships
MSW Noshiro Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 10, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Tama Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 19,42

Japanese Ships ***retiring from GG***
AP Shinko Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-42

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[toraq]

Good day for the allies...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/02/42

Weather: Overcast

Submarine warfare
My subs hunt preys around GG. This time AP Shinko Maru was sunk

Pedestal convoy
A great success. Now it has unloaded some supplies. The CAP was enough to fight against the Oscar but the Zeros shot down some of my own aircraft. No hits were scored.

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 45

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 39
P-40E Kittyhawk x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed x 4 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8 destroyed

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

2nd strike
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 16
D3A Val x 7
G4M1 Betty x 3
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 49
P-40E Kittyhawk x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 destroyed x 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed x 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed x 3 damaged

Enemy attack against shipping around Townsville
Townsville is my main base now. So a lot ship traffic. Betties attacked and got some success. one AP and one APD severly damaged
AP Ormsby, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD Colhoun, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Total losses[;)]
Japanese
14 Oscar
7 Betty
5 Zero
3 Emily
Allied
6 Warhawk
4 F4F
1 Kittihawk

So another air to air victory for the allies. Keep going guys![:)]

[toraq]

Two turns already played. My opponent started a blitz over PM with some success in the air.
Pedestal convoy has unloaded almost every supply point
B26 flying missions from PM to wipe out GG airforce

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/03/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 72
A6M3 Zero x 56
G4M1 Betty x 72
Ki-46 Dinah x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 49
P-40E Kittyhawk x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 10 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 5 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 6 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 9 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 17 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 5 damaged

WO U.Minami of F1/252nd Daitai is credited with kill number 6
PO2 J.Endo of F1/Tainan Daitai is KILLED
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 44

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 61
B-24D Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 4 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 24 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1898
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 85
Port hits 5

Final losses
Allied
25 F4F
14 Warhawk
9 Kittyhawk
Japanese
18 Oscar
10 A6M2
8 Betty
4 Emily
6 A6M3
Not bad figures...In the air I lost many planes against those experienced pilots but I destroyed 19 planes on the ground.[:)]

[toraq]

The second turn. the most remarkable thing is that S-42 was hit by a 100kg bombfrom a patrol plane and later sunk. This is the fourth submarine lost[:@]. It was near GG, but in deep waters

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/04/42

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft ****Again, and thius time devatating the runaway, which is closed now**
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M3 Zero x 22
G3M Nell x 24
G4M1 Betty x 56
Ki-46 Dinah x 5

Allied aircraft ***Refused to fly CAP, since most of my Pedestal ships are turning back***

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 118

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 69
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 13
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 37
P-40E Warhawk x 16
B-26B Marauder x 99

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed ***On the ground****
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1797 ****Horrible losses!****
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 16
Runway hits 68

Since I got my B-26 trapped at PM, I decided to visit Buna. No AA units there so I´ll do a devastating attack at 3000 feet.[:)]. This time strong CAP over PM...Hope he won´t come back. I need replacement planes for the naval F4F lost during the Truk mission.

[toraq]

Time for counting the casualities

Japanese points 9849
Allied points 4869

Allied ship losses

3 CV (Lex, Yorktown, Enterprise)
5 CA
14 DD
2 PG
2 AV
1 DM
4 MSW
4 SS [:@]
14 PT
7 SC
7 AP
5 AK
As you can see, transport ships losses are not heavy. What I miss a lot are the CV (of course) and my subs, since only 2 surface battles ocurred during the game. Most of my ships were victims of the 18 inch torpedo. So victims of the Nells, Betties and Kates.
2 SS sunk due to bombs (patrol planes) and 2 sunk by depth charges.

Japanese ship losses
3 CL
14 DD
2 APD
1 AV
7 MSW
3 PG
9 PC
4 TK
3 AO
2 SS
36 AP [:)]
Well just the opposite to the allies. In my opinion AP losses are heavy. I don´t know how many of them my enemy has but under any point of view 36 AP are a lot. I would like to point out that 4 TK and 3 AO are lost, reducing the fuel transport capacity of my enemy.
Auxiliary ship losses (PC, MSW, PG) are heavy also.
At least 3 CV are were recently damaged in my Rabaul´s port attack and BB Kirishima is also damaged.
But no way to hide the truth. He has pounded me hard. Only 3 CL lost against my 5 CA is a very sad fact.[:(]. Not to mention the CVs...

Air to air losses
Allied: 1363

260 F4F
182 SBD
126 C-47
102 Kittyhawk
100 P-39
89 PBY
57 F4F3
51 Hudson
29 B-25
48 Warhawk

Many casualities...The F4F got the main piece of the cake but they have been the main defensive force since my kittihawks were wiped out during the 1st offensive against GG. Warhawks have just arrived in the last month so no much actions until the last air combats. Catalina losses are incredible[X(]
B-25 and B-26 have suffered few losses, mainly because Í didn´t play an offensive role against his bases (yet)
B17 losses are enough. I´ll need those monsters if I want to take the offensive

Japanese : 923 losses

282 A6M2
106 A6M3
70 Oscar
166 Betty
73 Val
58 Kate
14 Dinah
17 Mavis
12 Emily

Well, no huge casualities...if we think about the replacements rates:
A6M2: 97 per month
A6M3 52 per month
Betty 27 per month
Val 30 per month
Kate 30 per month
So he has more or less 300 to 350 Zeroes in the pool... [X(]
Only the betties are scarce (135 received vs. 166 lost).
Look at the naval search planes. 89 Catalina lost against few enemy floatplanes (17 Mavis and 12 Emilies!). Need to change this.

[toraq]

Enemy intentions

Believe me if I say that I have no idea of my enemy´s plans. Since he got GG he has not made any further attempt to invade PM or Luganville or even my far bases of Nevea or Wunpunko.
My enemy is a very patient man. He waited a couple of months until the invasion of Lunga and 3 months until the GG one. Maybe he is waiting until my PM garrison is strong enough and then destroy PM capturing every men there. His power is still unbeatable.
But in my last commando mission in GG I didn´t see any movement from the crack Rgt. there. Rabaul is full of ships but no CVs detected there.
Another point of view is that he is up 5000 points so a defensive strategy would be a good one, waiting for a huge counteroffensive when my invasions start.

[toraq]

A bad day for the allies. 28 planes lost in the air against only 12 of the IJ. But he failed to close PM again so all my planes are now resting at Townsville

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/05/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Basilaki Island at 18,42

Japanese Ships
AP Kaiko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Drum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buna , at 12,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
B-26B Marauder x 89

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 24

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M3 Zero x 36
G3M Nell x 24
G4M1 Betty x 49
Ki-46 Dinah x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 50
P-40E Kittyhawk x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 2 destroyed
G3M Nell x 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 5 destroyed ***My figthers went through his CAP****
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25 destroyed ***No way man, 14 or so lost, but I have enough repl.****
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 4 destroyed ****Very few replacements of these***
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 5 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed

CPO V.Matsunaga of F2/2nd Daitai is credited with kill number 6
LCDR W. McCormick of VF-8 is KILLED

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 40

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
DD Fumizuki, Shell hits 1
DD Harukaze, Shell hits 6
AP Canberra Maru
AP Kamoi Maru
AP Kenshin Maru
AP Kimishima Maru

Allied Ships ***I´m not using these guys properly****
PT 36, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
PT 40, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
PT 64
PT 110, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
PT 109, Shell hits 53, and is sunk
PT 111
PT 112
PT 115
PT 124
PT 121

[toraq]

Not much acton in the last days...I put this interesting attack with a previous fighter sweep.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/10/42

Weather: Clear

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 12
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2 destroyed

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

LT W.Welch of VF-71 is credited with kill number 4

COL V.Goto of 1st Sentai is KILLED ***this is a good pilot***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 49
B-24D Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 571
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 34
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 45

no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[toraq]

Nothing important...

Some enemy ML mined Nevea, one of them hit a Mk 16 mine

A ML was torpedoed near GG (he is also mining this port) and later sunk

Rufe LCAP PM to shoot down my incoming C-47. I put Kittyhawks to protect them and they sweep the skies successfully. 6 Rufe down!

Enemy MSW cleans paths to GG. I have put my PT and two DD to surprise it.

My TBF, SBD and F4F squadrons lost during my raid to Truk have arrived to Noumea. Currently, I´m waiting to the replacements to complete the sqds.

Hornet sent to PH for repairs. He will be out 5 months![X(] (sys damage 45). Would it be easier to stay in Noumea??

First P38 sqd. about to be ready[:'(]

[toraq]

Guys, I think PM invasion is coming!!!!!!!!![;)]

Many ships spotted, including 3 CVs and 2 CVLs. But some things are still strange. I´ve spotted TKs also and I don´t know why...Maybe he wants to unload fuel in GG or be ready to replenish the CVs.
Ok, If we analyse this movements there are other possibilities:
a) Maybe he only wants to dock at GG and embark the land forces there.
b) Or he is heading to Townsville, Cooktown or Caims
c) Or finally, maybe he is heading to PM

My air forces are (more or less)
Fighters: 150 F4F, 100 P40, 100 P39, 40 P400, 48 Wirraways
Level bombers: 90 heavies, 100 B26, 32 B25D, 32 Hudson, 32 Havoc
Naval bombers: 50 TBF, 60 SDB

Air forces
I got some P39 and naval bombers at Noumea (recently arrived). I´m moving my CVs to receive them.
Most of my planes are now at Cooktown, nearest city to PM. In Caims I have the Havocs and the P39. While some other planes rest in Townsville.
PM is empty of aircraft. I´m sure he will blitz it tomorrow so I don´t want to loose fighters before I´m sure where is he heading.
P38s about to come. I need them!!!!!

Naval forces
I´m moving most of my ships from Noumea to Townsville, including BB and CA. I got many DD there but no capital ships yet.

Land forces
PM got 2 ANZAC Bdes together with 3 RCTs. 2 CD units, many BF, 2 Sea bees units and 3 AA. PM has enough supplies (thanks to the pedestal convoy) and forts are 8.
Townsville got 3 Aussies Bdes together with some RCTs, BFs etc.
Cooktown and Caims are without garrisons
I ordered the 2nd Marine Div. (2 Rgts) to move from Noumea to Brisbane. And Brisbane garrison (3 Bde) will be transported to Townsville.

[toraq]

Yes, they´re heading to Port Moresby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Betties and Nells visit PM
All attacking at 5000 feet. I didn´t have CAP over because my squadrons were resting in Australia (until the last moment).

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 75
A6M3 Zero x 43
G3M Nell x 40
G4M1 Betty x 76
Ki-46 Dinah x 5

Allied aircraft

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 2 destroyed
G3M Nell x 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 160

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 120 ***Put PM with 60 AS and 80 RS***

AK caught while waiting the PTs
This could show the naval power of my opponent. If I had 3 CVs!!!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
D3A Val x 72
B5N Kate x 50

Allied Ships
AK Libra, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage