Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:48 am

Toraq's unloaded another couple of infantry units and an engineer unit at Lunga. I'm holding back - my supplies need to last as long as possible.

The enemy carriers remain in the Solomon Sea. I've moved all my aircraft back from Luganville just in case, and have moved three B-26 Sqd's to Rockhampton to be readu to reinforce Noumea if needed. There's little shipping in Brisbane to worry about, but Noumea is crammed full. My carriers are displacing to a position east of Espirito Santo.

Recent reinforcement include 1xCV, 1xBB, 2xCA, 5xCL, 1xCLAA, 22xDD + DM's, MSW's, AV's, SC's - and last but not least, everybodies favorite CVE Long Island. In a few days a slate of AK & AP will arrive.

CA Chikuma, supposedly torpedoed by S-40 six turns ago, was spotted in a large TF west of Munda. Hrrpf...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/20/42 Weather: Overcast
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Lunga

Allied ground losses: *airfield 44, service 78, 33 supply points left*
Men lost 108
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 74
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at SE Shortland Island:

Japanese Ships:
CL Sendai, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS S-41

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buna airfield and port from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 37
P-40E Warhawkx 7
A-20B Havoc x 42
B-26B Marauder x 30
B-25D Mitchell x 30

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 16
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:33 am

No new developments...the most notable thing about this turn was that it was entirely without any sub contacts. No ground assaults yet, but I'm sure we'll soon know whether my confidence is justified. It'll take my carriers two turns to reach a strike position east of Lunga, and many things can have changed by then, of course.

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 1,840/1,724 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 1 week: 1,929/1,798 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 2 weeks: 1,962/1,925 = 1.02:1.00
Score after 3 weeks: 2,024/2,045 = 1.00:1.01

Army Losses:

14/5 = 2.80:1.00

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: SSx2
Damaged: SSx2

Japanese ships:
Sunk: MLx1, TKx1, 2xPC
Damaged: CLx3, DDx3, 2xML, AVx1, APx1, TKx1

Air Losses:

Total: 126/104 = 1.21:1.00

Week 1: 73/46 = 1.59:1.00
Week 2: 27/30 = 1.00:1.11
Week 3: 26/28 = 1.00:1.08

Air-to-Air: 50/35 = 1.43:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 14/10 = 1.40:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 26/3 = 8.67:1.00
Operational Losses: 36/56 = 1.00:1.56

Sorties Flown:

Total: 11,353/14,911 = 1.00:1.31

Week 1: 3,181/3,487 = 1.00:1.09
Week 2: 4,225/5,128 = 1.00:1.21
Week 3: 3,947/6,296 = 1.00:1.60

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0099/0.0063 = 1.4762:1.0000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0032/0.0038 = 1.0000:1.1875
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/21/42 Weather: Overcast
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Lunga from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft:
SBD Dauntless x 9

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buna airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 41
B-26B Marauder x 30

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 54
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 7th Marine Regiment (Lunga) from AC TF W Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 45
D3A Val x 70
B5N Kate x 62

Allied ground losses: *disruption jump 8 -> 100%!*
Men lost 131
Guns lost 1
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timtom · Post by **timtom** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:53 am

OH MY GOD! Don't panic, don't panic...

Toraq's dumbed the better part of three divisions onto Lunga. Even though his first attack was turned back, things don't look good. This is going to get bloody.

I've moved every heavy bomber sqd. to Luganville with orders to carpet-bomb the jungle. Every C-47 have been moved there to start ferrying troops in. My CV's will be in a position to strike at the invasion TF's next turn. I believe they're as yet undetected. Whether we'll have a carrier battle depends on Toraq.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/22/42 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 134
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20
Port supply hits 1
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 1st Marine Regiment (Lunga) from Buin & AC TF ENE Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 29
A6M2 Zero x 22
D3A Val x 73
B5N Kate x 64
G3M Nell x 12
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed, F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 81
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Air attack on Port Moresby airfield from Rabual (night attack):

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 13

Japanese aircraft losses:
G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25D Mitchell x 1 destroyed, B-25D Mitchell x 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Boston x 44
B-26B Marauder x 27
B-25D Mitchell x 27

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 33
Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26
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Air attack on 41st Regiment (Buna) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 56

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed, P-39D Airacobra x 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 42
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37655 troops, 566 guns, 39 vehicles *4th, 16th, 28th, 29th, 115th, 124th 229th, 230th rgt's + 2 Eng. Bn's, 2 Art. Bn's, 2 AT Bn's*

Defending force 20472 troops, 155 guns, 118 vehicles *1st, 5th, 7th Marine Rgt's, 17th Eng. Rgt. 1st Marine Raider Bn., 1st Marine TK Bn.*

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 515
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 422
Guns lost 2
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Shadow of the Condor · Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:40 pm

I don't know if your level bombers will "ground attack' the same hex with your own troops (if that's what you meant by carpet bombing the jungle). I've used LBs on invasions where my troops were in the same hex, but used them on port attacks, causing support troop casualities. If you have FBs close they'll work great of course, but I'm curious to see if your LBs can assist the defenders. Good luck!

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:30 pm

ORIGINAL: Shadow of the Condor

Good luck!

Thanks Shadow - I'll need it. A head on my shoulders wouldn't hurt either.

In the world of soccer, the Danish nation team have what is referred to (by us) as "The Spanish Complex". for some reason, whenever we play the Spanish in international tournaments, we get beat. Big. Maybe it's not restricted to soccer...

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 12:03 am

Carrier strike a failure. Hit nothing of consequence. Instead I've foregone the possibility of a surprise-esque attack on his CV's, what with his planes busy bombing the marines and running up fatigue. The most notable thing about it all is that I now know that the Musashi is also about. Identified BB's now include the Yamato, Musashi, Nagato, Hiei, Haruna, and the Kongo. I presume the Kirishima is there too, as it was in reality. Mutso too maybe. How on earth I'm going to blow myself through all that steel with all of two BB's I don't know. Screaming for BatDiv 1 sitting in San Diego won't help, I presume. CA's have a chance against the relatively thin-skinned Kongo class BB's, but against the others, nah.

In true UV style, the marines are collapsing like a stack of cards. Lunga will be his in two turns, methinks, and Toraq will have achieved in a week what the Japanese couldn't do in six months. If Lunga could only hold for three-four turns, I might have a chance to rush in reinforcements. To this end I'm flying in a RCT from Luganville and the B-17's will bomb Toraq's troops. Extended range, 6,000 feet, lots of flak from the TF's at Lunga Roads - it'll be expensive. Then again, they mightn't even fly, as next turn's weather is thunderstorms. The entire surface fleet is headed for Lunga bearing the 8th Marines and the 6th is being moved to Lungaville for air-transport. I'll just have to barge my way through. There'll be lots and lots of letters to write...

My previous sans-froid attitude seems almost criminal. Clearly the idea that I could hold Lunga until the arrival of the 2nd Mar.Div. without major commital was very very wrong. Waiting for reinforcements have only seemed to make Toraq stronger. The balance, it seems, is 2:1 in carriers and 4:1 in battleships - in his favour. I'm still puzzled how he managed to move all those LCU's to Lunga. Either my recon was way off or he FT'd in half the IJA.

So, I'm going to fight for Lunga on his terms - exactly what I wanted to avoid. Idiot.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/23/42 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 92
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 26
Port supply hits 1
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at SE Vila:

Japanese Ships:
CL Kiso, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Sculpin
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Air attack on TF at Lunga

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M3 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
SBD Dauntless x 62
TBF Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 8 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 34 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed, TBF Avenger x 14 damaged

Japanese Ships:
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 1 *just bounced off*
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yugiri, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Akashisan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Strikes:

Air attack on 1st Marine Regiment & 5th Marine Regiment (Lunga) from Buin, Shortland, & AC TF N Russell Islands:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 28
A6M2 Zero x 34
D3A Val x 70
B5N Kate x 61
G3M Nell x 12
G4M1 Betty x 35

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses:
D3A Val x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 152
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Strikes:

Air attack on Buna from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 44
B-26B Marauder x 31

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 12
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 41372 troops, 602 guns, 40 vehicles

Defending force 19926 troops, 152 guns, 118 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 315

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 364
Vehicles lost 1
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timtom · Post by **timtom** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 3:53 am

Toraq's invasion TF's have pulled back to their lairs at Vella Lavella and Shortland. This triggered a spate of sub attacks, including one on BB Nagato. His luck will run out eventually. I hope.

Hopefully Toraq will let his guard down a little. I've already flown in one RCT, and in three turns I should have another two in place. The B-17 strike succeded beyond all expectation, reducing the combat efficiancy of the 29th Rgt. to a cipher. At least airpower works both ways. I intent to run my B-17 sqd's into the ground if that what it takes. I lost three B-17's and a B-24, which is certainly acceptable losses.

I presume that the forces commited to Lunga represents the bulk of Toraq offensively deployable forces, hence I can deploy four Rgt's to Lunga and still have one each at Luganville and Noumea. If I can just hold Lunga for a few more turns, I believe there's hope.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/24/42 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack NW Russell Islands:

Japanese Ships
AP Argentina Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 5th Marine Regiment (Lunga) from Shortland Island & Buin:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 22
G3M Nell x 12
G4M1 Betty x 34

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 20
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 29th Regiment (Lunga) from Luganville:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 60
B-24D Liberator x 7

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 119
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Japanese Ground Attack:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 40905 troops, 601 guns, 40 vehicles

Defending force 22635 troops, 186 guns, 117 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 1) *the really good news*

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 780
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 588
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timtom · Post by **timtom** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 6:22 am

Again had several sub contacts. This game would be a wrap if my subs could actually hit something...

Toraq's carriers came out ot play again, and the ground strikes by its planes seems to have been the decisive factor in shaving off the last level of fortification at Lunga. The B-17's, unfortunately, were grounded. If I hold Lunga one more turn, I'll have reinforced the base with another two rgt's. Is that what it comes down to? Whether Luganville is clouded in or not next turn?

I now got 500 supply points at Lunga, and have moved my only P-38 sqd. to Lunga, hoping to take a bit of the heat off. There's a good chance of losing the whole sqd., but it has to be done.

We're calling a cease-fire until after New Years. I'd feel a lot better if that last ground attack had failed.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/25/42 Weather: Rain
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 46
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 23
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 1st Marine Regiment (Lunga) from Buin, Shortland Island & AC TF N Santa Isabel:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 26
A6M2 Zero x 67
D3A Val x 68
B5N Kate x 62
G3M Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 25

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 101
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buna airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 42
B-26B Marauder x 16

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 28
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 18
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Air attack on Buin airfield from Gili Gili:

Allied aircraft:
Beaufighter VIC x 21
Hudson x 12
B-25D Mitchell x 27

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 41812 troops, 601 guns, 51 vehicles

Defending force 22774 troops, 190 guns, 117 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 272

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 530
Guns lost 3
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timtom · Post by **timtom** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 9:07 pm

Damn, I'm supposed to be at my sister's doing the christmas thing, but I'm making up excuses to slink into town (stopping by my place). If my sisters (I've got four) learned that I was eloping to play some silly game, these howling banshees would tear me apart. Literally! Officially I'm doing last minute shopping. Mum's the word, right? But I just need to know! However, when I crank up the PC, I'm relieved that Toraq hasn't returned my last turn. Funny that. Merry christmas, guys!

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:52 am

I've snug out again...

Lunga held, thanks God, and the 6th Marine Rgt. is in place. Next turn the 8th arrives, along with 6,000 points of supply, and after that the 164th RCT, 2nd Raider Bn. & 18th Marine Eng. Rgt. should be ready to be flown in. However, it seems Toraq is also bringing in reinforcements.

It appears as if Toraq has only spotted the smallest of three FT TF's bringing in the troops. If I'm real lucky he won't respond in force and I'll have an opportunity to overwhelm some of his ships by numbers - I'm bringing up 45 ships from BB's to DMS'.

I'm shifting my carriers for a ground strike against Lunga. We might have a carrier battle. I'd like to avoid that, but a reduction of Toraq's ability to conduct ground attacks with his carrier sqd's might just be the clincher for Lunga. However, Irau just made airfield lvl 1 (wonder what Toraq thinks of this). I've got two CB's there + 1 BF and it should make lvl 2 in the near future.

My subs executed a record 10 attacks this turn, and scored a hit on BB Hiei. The damage readout wasn't too convincing though.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/26/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Allied aircraft losses:
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 193
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 66
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SE Vila:

Japanese Ships:
BB Hiei, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS S-46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack S Truk:

Japanese Ships:
DD Kagero, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
SS Wahoo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack E Vila:

Japanese Ships:
PG Heijo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Saury
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 1st Marine Regiment (Lunga) from Buin & Shortland Island:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 11
A6M3 Zero x 14
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buin airfield from Gili Gili:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft:
B-25D Mitchell x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed, G3M Nell x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 40
B-26B Marauder x 27

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 60
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 16th Regiment (Lunga) from Luganville:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 61
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 6 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 95
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Air attack on 1st Marine Regiment (Lunga) from Buin & Shortland Island:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 11
A6M3 Zero x 14
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 42740 troops, 604 guns, 63 vehicles

Defending force 24000 troops, 226 guns, 123 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 362

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 841
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 11:18 pm

Oh boy...The Hornet is down, and I'll be lucky if she survives. Big E is OK, but need repairs. Airgroups savaged. Strikes against enemy CV's something of a muddle, VB-8 and VT-6 going in without escorts. Every single aircraft of the latter got shot down by CAP, but, sadly no Midways in return. The Junyo and the Shokaku each took a 1,000-pounder - fuel explosion on the Junyo, which can't be bad. The Junyo class CV's are disasters waiting to happen anyway, I guess, what with no armour an all. But the fact remains that the IJN scored four hits to every USN hit, and that ain't good enough.

Presumably Toraq is going to stick around to finish me off. I'm guessing he's got 50-75 servicable strike aircraft and most of his fighters. As the Hornet is likely lost either way, I'll probably bugger off and pray Nimitz has the grace to send me the Sara.

Was fighting this battle a mistake? I'd rather not have, not least in view of the fact that Irau comes on-line in a few turns. Toraq spotted one of the FT TF's last turn, and I'm guessing he swung south to intercept, figuring he'd either get some easy kills or force a CV battle. Had my CV's not been present, my TF's would've been at Toraq's mercy. I've got one banged-up CV left with no strike aircraft. On the plus side, I'm guessing the Junyo is out, hopefully the Shokaku too. Toraq's lost almost 90 aircraft, which should take the heat off Lunga a bit.

My FT's for Lunga all aborted, I presume, after running afoul of a bombardment TF. I was very lucky not to get savaged, I must say. In any case, they all made the run, but none unloaded. One TF then retired north round Tassafaronga, leaving it at a position east of Guadalcanal. Not surprisingly, the whole place is packed with mines, and I struck a few, although the damage is slight. For once the mess isn't of my making, as I checked, double-checked, then checked again that the orders were correct. With the CV's around, should I do the run again or wait? It appears Toraq has found some additional Rgt's somewhere and is matching my reinforcements. Not very reassuring.

One BB is spotted in Shortland harbour - hopefully this is the Hiei torpedoed turn before last.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/27/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Night Time Surface Combat at Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
BB Kongo, Shell hits 2
BB Nagato, Shell hits 2
BB Yamato
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 1
DD Inazuma
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Uzuki
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Oite, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships:
CA Portland
CA Indianapolis
CA Pensacola
CA Australia
DD Fletcher, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sys 30, flt 55*
DD O'Bannon
DD Phelps, Shell hits 2
DD Balch, Shell hits 4, on fire *sys 30*
DMS Southard
DMS Hovey, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DMS Zane
DMS Trevor, Shell hits 25, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 264
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 162
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 104
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Port Moresby from Shortland Islands: *Ups...CAP was off protecting a troop convoy. Coulda bagged myself a few Bettys here*

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 24

Japanese aircraft losses:
G4M1 Betty x 9 damaged

Allied Ships:
DD Preston, Bomb hits 1, on fire *sys 30*
AK Idomeneus, Bomb hits 1, on fire *dud*
AK Barwon, Bomb hits 1, on fire *sys 48*
AK Asphalion, Bomb hits 1 *dud*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF SW Irau from AC TF E Irau:

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 65
D3A Val x 112
B5N Kate x 65

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 16 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 3 damaged
D3A Val x 28 destroyed, D3A Val x 54 damaged
B5N Kate x 27 destroyed, B5N Kate x 27 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 destroyed, F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged

Allied Ships:
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage *sys 81, flt 49, fire 49*
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 2, on fire *sys 25, flt 10, fire 10*
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack NW Russell Islands:

Japanese Ships:
DD Maikaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-47
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack E Vila:

Japanese Ships
DD Shirayuki, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF E Irau from AC TF SW Irau:

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 66

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
SBD Dauntless x 71
TBF Avenger x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 destroyed, F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 26 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 41 damaged
TBF Avenger x 16 destroyed, TBF Avenger x 14 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 6th Marine Regiment (Lunga) from Buin:

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 44
B-26B Marauder x 22

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 37
Guns lost 3
Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island airfield:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2-N Rufe x 18

Allied aircraft:
Hudson x 12
Beaufighter VIC x 18
B-25D Mitchell x 28

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed, A6M2-N Rufe x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
Hudson x 4 damaged
Beaufighter VIC x 1 destroyed, Beaufighter VIC x 2 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 5 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 29th Regiment (Lunga) from Luganville & Wunpuku:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 8
B-17E Fortress x 51
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 46159 troops, 721 guns, 63 vehicles *now also 13th & 102nd Rgt's*

Defending force 25219 troops, 231 guns, 123 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 817
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 829
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:44 pm

The IJN subs finally made their appearance: Two attacks, two hits, a kill and a half. I had six sub attacks, including three on CL Naka. No hits. [:@]

DD's Yugiri & Shirayuki, previously damaged, both sank this turn.

My FT TF made another run on Lunga without unloading. I've got no idea why, to be honest. The Washington hit a couple of mines at Tulugi, though, but damage is hardly worth mentioning. I guess I'll have to return the 8th Marines to Luganville, the fly them in. Toraq now has 50,000 troops at Lunga, which isn't very reassuring. If - or rather when - I loose Lunga, my only hope is that the IJA troops there will be so bashed up that they won't be deployable immediately elsewhere. Otherwise the whole SOPAC position could potentially unravel.

His carriers fell back to a position some ways NE of Irau, so it's my hope that I've at least done some damage. There's the off chance that the Hornet might actually make it, but as a burnt-out hulk.

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 1,840/1,724 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 1 week: 1,929/1,798 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 2 weeks: 1,962/1,925 = 1.02:1.00
Score after 3 weeks: 2,024/2,045 = 1.00:1.01
Score after 4 weeks: 2,392/2,231 = 1.07:1.00

Army Losses:

44/16 = 2.75:1.00

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: DDx2, DMSx2, SSx2
Damaged: CVx2, CAx1, DDx6, SSx2, AKx1

Japanese ships:
Sunk: DDx2, MLx1, TKx2, APx1, PCx2
Damaged: CVx1, BBx1, CLx6, DDx5, MLx2, AVx1, APx2, PGx1

Air Losses:

Total: 279/225 = 1.24:1.00

Week 1: 73/46 = 1.59:1.00
Week 2: 27/30 = 1.00:1.11
Week 3: 26/28 = 1.00:1.08
Week 4: 153/121 = 1.26:1.00

Air-to-Air: 118/83 = 1.42:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 16/11 = 1.45:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 57/49 = 1.16:1.00
Operational Losses: 88/82 = 1.07:1.00

Sorties Flown:

Total: 15,811/21,365 = 1.00:1.35

Week 1: 3,181/3,487 = 1.00:1.09
Week 2: 4,225/5,128 = 1.00:1.21
Week 3: 3,947/6,296 = 1.00:1.60
Week 4: 4,458/6,454 = 1.00:1.45

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0166/0.0100 =1.6600:1.0000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0056/0.0038 = 1.4737:1.0000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/28/42 Weather: Clear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SE Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-21

Allied Ships:
DD Meredith, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack SE Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-29

Allied Ships:
DD Sterett, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at Irau:

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara
DD Akigumo
DD Hayanami
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships:
DD Stack, Shell hits 47, and is sunk *ups, forgot about this little FT TF*

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 61
Vehicles lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Irau:

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 7

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 166

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 110
Port hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 6th Marine Regiment (Lunga) from Buin & Shortland Island:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 17
G3M Nell x 9
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buna airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:

A-20B Havoc x 45
B-26B Marauder x 31

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20B Havoc x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buin airfield from Gili Gili:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft;
B-25D Mitchell x 21

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 102nd Regiment (Lunga) from Luganville:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 31
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 37
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed, B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 50193 troops, 736 guns, 63 vehicles

Defending force 24439 troops, 230 guns, 122 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 419
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 866
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:21 pm

Most aircraft were grounded this turn, so relatively little activity. Bagged my first sub though, can't complain. Also, one of Toraq's ML's ran into one of his own offensive minefield west off Guadalcanal. He's got a whole mantel round the island, it seems.

I had to scuttle DD Lang, which ran onto a mine last turn during the abortive run on Lunga. CV Hornet is slowly flooding, and I fear I'll have to scuttle her too next turn.

Toraq now has 15,000 troops more at Lunga than when he invaded. Can they keep coming? I've dispatched a TF for Townsville to pick up the 41st ID. I've a feeling SOPAC will be needing it more. 2nd Marine Raiders are headed fot Taivu to give the troops at Lunga a fallback position. Less would do, but I want to make sure that something greater than a NG bn. is needed to counter-invade. I need to keep the Lunga kettle boiling as long as possible, then try to recoup some VP's on Papau New Guinea.

Irau AF reached lvl 2 next turn - it should've been 15 turns ago, but hey, we don't want to be too tough on Toraq. I presume that some of the focus will shift to Toraq trying to suppress Irau through bombardment. To that end, I'm moving the 54th CD Bn. there
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/29/42 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack W Luganville:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-24, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
DD Mahan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack E Vila:

Japanese Ships:
CL Tatsuta, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *he musta be running out of CL's soon!*

Allied Ships:
SS Gudgeon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52253 troops, 746 guns, 63 vehicles

Defending force 25773 troops, 258 guns, 122 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 340

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 1066
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 2:00 am

Not a turn Toraq will remember too fondly, methinks. After having struck his airfields in the upper Solomons for several turns, I guess he wanted to put me in my place with another one of those end-of-all-things bombardments. Dunno what possesed my Oz Beaufort pilots, but they scored five hits out of eleven possible! Wow! Damage appears serious. Very lucky on my part, or maybe just a belated Christmas present.

Toraq's been messing about with AV's as pickets in the Rennell Island area for a while, and has now come upon the strategem of using their float sqd's offensively. I guess I'll have to chase the little buggers down, then...

The IJN carriers are back at their lingering position NE of Irau. Their presence is a real royal pain in the behind, frankly, being within easy striking distance of Luganville and Wunpuko, both crammed with shipping and aircraft - B-17's & C-47's that is. My only deterrent is the marine sqd's, but I'll have to move those to Irau if there is to be any point in building that base at all. A real nightmare would be if the marine flyers got stuck on Irau and Toraq's CV's went on the rampage in the Noumea area. To this end, I've dispatched CVE Long Island to Brisbane to pick up some P-40 sdq's, and I'm transferring the heavies to rapidly expanding Koumac on New Caledonia - the distance from there to Lunga is only 1 hex greater than from Luganville, although you wouldn't guess from the map.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/30/42 Weather: Overcast
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF S Rennell Island from TF S Rennell Island:

Japanese aircraft:
E13A1 Jake x 3

Japanese aircraft losses:
E13A1 Jake x 1 destroyed, E13A1 Jake x 2 damaged

Allied Ships:
DD Henley, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *totally gutted*

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF S Rennell Island from TF S Rennell Island:

Japanese aircraft:
F1M2 Pete x 13
E13A1 Jake x 13

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 9, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF ENE Gili Gili from Gili Gili:

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 11

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 2 destroyed, Beaufort x 7 damaged

Japanese Ships: *somebody loves me!*
BB Kirishima, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Musashi, Torpedo hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Lunga from Irau:

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M3 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16
TBF Avenger x 8

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 11 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed, TBF Avenger x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships:
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 164th Regimental Combat Team (Lunga) from Buin & Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 18
G3M Nell x 25
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Shortland Island port & Airfield from Gili Gili:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2-N Rufe x 10

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 13
Beaufighter VIC x 17
Hudson x 10
B-25D Mitchell x 21

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2-N Rufe x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
Hudson x 1 destroyed
Beaufighter VIC x 2 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 destroyed, B-25D Mitchell x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships:
PG Heijo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AV Sanyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AV Akitsushima, Bomb hits 4, on fire
AP Keisho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Yamagiri Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 25
Guns lost 1
Runway hits 4
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 13th Regiment (Lunga) from Luganville:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M3 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 53 *actually eight B-17's lost - yikes!*
B-24D Liberator x 6

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52737 troops, 758 guns, 63 vehicles

Defending force 26427 troops, 265 guns, 122 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 430
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 857
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 2:02 pm

Ho! What a disaster! I got jumped by a small TF at Irau and got absolutely butchered. Things were actually even worse than what they read below, as virtually all the hits registred on the enemy were by 20mm & 40mm AA guns. Not the weapon of choice against a cruiser, guys...

The Hornet finally succumed, after being hit by a total of eight torp's and two bombs.

I think I'll go play Pong for a while, or something similar that's more on my level.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/31/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at SE Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-122

Allied Ships:
DD Dewey, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 74
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at S Rennell Island:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-22

Allied Ships:
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at Irau: *Japanese surprise - less a battle than an execution, and very painful to watch at that*

Japanese Ships:
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi, Shell hits 9
CA Kumano
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Harusame, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships:
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA San Diego, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Anderson, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Russell, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Morris, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hull, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD MacDonough, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Monaghan
DD Aylwin, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Monssen
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 2
DD Duncan, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Lardner, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Farenholt, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Woodworth

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 701
Guns lost 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 127
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gili Gili: *that Toraq pushed through with this bombardment suggests that the BB's aren't as badly damaged as I'd hoped*

Allied aircraft losses:
Hudson x 4 destroyed, Hudson x 3 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 destroyed, B-25D Mitchell x 5 damaged
OS2U-3 Kingfisher x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 44
Airbase hits 12
Runway hits 79
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF S Rennell Island from TF S Rennell Island:

Japanese aircraft:
E13A1 Jake x 6

Japanese aircraft losses:
E13A1 Jake x 7 damaged

Allied Ships:
DD Dale, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Gwin, Bomb hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Lunga from Irau: *two strikes*

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 19
A6M3 Zero x 42

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 77
SBD Dauntless x 55
TBF Avenger x 15
SOC-3 Seagull x 4

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 5 destroyed, A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28 destroyed, F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 damaged
SOC-3 Seagull x 2 destroyed, SOC-3 Seagull x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships:
APD 38, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaisho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Kashiwa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Canberra Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 72
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 164th Regimental Combat Team (Lunga) from Rabaul, Buin & AC TF NNE Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18
A6M2 Zero x 56
D3A Val x 17
G3M Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buna airfield:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 43
B-26B Marauder x 30

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20B Boston x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 126
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 29th Regiment (Lunga) from Koumac:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 19

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

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52982 troops, 755 guns, 63 vehicles

Defending force 25932 troops, 268 guns, 122 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 277

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 811
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:02 pm

Well, BB Kirishima sank this turn. One down, only seven to go! A BB is sitting in Shortland harbour, presumably the Hiei. Hopefully the Mushashi is sufficiantly damaged to need the dock. After the Hornet sank, naval reinforcement has jumped to moderate - I wouldn't mind getting a BB or two from Pearl.

Otherwise we fought the Second Battle of the Coral Sea: CV Enterprise + escorts vs AV Kamikawa Maru. The floatplanes actually penetrated my CAP to make the run! There's another of these pesky AV's around, although probably Toraq will withdraw it for a while.

I've landed the 2nd Raider Bn. at Taivu to get a fallback position when Lunga falls. Not surprisingly, Toraq has anticipated this move and moved two halves of two NG bn's there. This is actually a fairly vital little battle, as I need Taivu to tie down Toraq's LCUs as long as possible. A total collapse of the Lunga position in the immediate future would give Toraq enough time to mount an effort against Luganville, which is currently defended by one RCT. I've got no reserves in the SOPAC area until the arrival of the 41st ID from Townsville in what? - 10 turns?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/01/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Townsville: *I've moved some APD's & AV's to Townsville to get Operation Strangelove off the ground*

Japanese Ships:
SS I-26

Allied Ships:
AV McFarland, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 69
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 19
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on AC TF S Rennell Island from TF S Rennell Island:

Japanese aircraft:
F1M2 Pete x 3
E13A1 Jake x 6

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32

Japanese aircraft losses:
F1M2 Pete x 3 destroyed
E13A1 Jake x 6 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attack:

Air attack on TF S Rennell Island from AC TF S Rennell Island:

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD Dauntless x 24
TBF Avenger x 13

Japanese Ships
AV Kamikawa Maru, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 2nd Marine Raider Battalion (Taivu) from AC TF NE Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 73
B5N Kate x 21

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 164th Regimental Combat Team (Lunga) from Buin :

Japanese aircraft:

A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 18
G3M Nell x 7
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed, F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buin airfield from Gili Gili:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 13
Beaufighter VIC x 13
B-25D Mitchell x 13

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 13th Regiment (Lunga) from Koumac:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 55
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 3 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed,A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 16th Naval Garrison Unit (Taivu) from Irau:

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 24

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buna airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 46
B-26B Marauder x 32

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 62570 troops, 827 guns, 94 vehicles

Defending force 27214 troops, 295 guns, 128 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 292

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 806
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Taivu:

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 590 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 484 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 8

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:39 am

Sigh...I actually feel kinda relieved it's over. Waiting for the axe to fall these past weeks has been quite a strain, really. 12 turns did it take to capture Lunga, destroying the better part of three divisions in the process. Not bad going. Toraq's is now ahead by a 1,000 VP's with 60 turns to go. SOPAC is if not wide open, then almost. Rushing four Rgt's to Lunga was clearly good money after bad, but at least I didn't bow out without a fight - of sorts. The list of mistakes I've made in this game is about a mile long, but more on that later.

On another note, the Shokaku was sighted with a single escort well out to sea, so damage to the Shok must've been a lot worse than I thought. Toraq's CV TF, however, is comprised of CVx3, CVLx1, CVEx2, ironically indicating that the Junyo is OK. I've got a few subs chasing after the Shokaku, although it's a stretch.

My subs took a shot at CL Naka for the umpteenth time. A blessed boat, for sure.

Sorry about the quality - I'm no computer wiz, but here's what the defenders looked like on the eve of the fall of Lunga. Notice how the Rgt's of the 1st Marine Div. are virtually intact - their normal load cost is 4,331. However, practically all their squads were disabled.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/02/42 Weather: Clear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at W Russell Islands:

Japanese Ships:
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships:
SS Grayback, Shell hits 1, on fire *sys 33, flt 92*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at Gili Gili:

Japanese Ships:
DD Oshio, Shell hits 12, on fire *fishing for a couple of AK's unloading supplies, now gone. Instead, the Oshio ran into an apparently deadly barrage of 20mm shells. Weird*

Allied Ships:
PT 36, Shell hits 50, and is sunk
PT 40
PT 43
PT 44
PT 59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 47
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF NE Tulagi from Irau: *ML Ikitsushima hit a Japanese mine at Tulagi, and was hence within range of Irau come morning*

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD Dauntless x 3

Japanese Ships
ML Ikitsushima, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Lunga from Irau:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M3 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32
SBD Dauntless x 39
TBF Avenger x 9

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed, A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17 destroyed, F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 8 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships:

APD 38, on fire, heavy damage
APD 36, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP Canberra Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaisho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kashiwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Batavia Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 164th Regimental Combat Team (Lunga) from Shortland & AC TF NE Lunga:

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17
A6M2 Zero x 31
D3A Val x 27
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buna airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 44
B-26B Marauder x 29

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 7 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 153
Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 64938 troops, 843 guns, 95 vehicles

Defending force 26570 troops, 293 guns, 128 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lunga base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 283
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses: *over 300 VP's worth*
Men lost 17412
Guns lost 154
Vehicles lost 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 10:19 pm

The remaining five LCU's at Lunga at expedited this turn, and another 200 VP's for Toraq. 8 Rgt's & 3 Bn's totally destroyed in 13 days - I've bitched about ground combat in UV elsewhere already, and will spare you the bile...

So, Toraq's got a couple of divisions more or less ready to be deployed immediatly elsewhere. He could of course sit on it for the next 58 turns, but that's not really Toraq's style. The obvious thing would be to build up Lunga, knock off Irau and then go for Luganville. Tulagi's another easy picking. Either way, I'll try to bye time by suppressing Lunga through bombing and exact a toll of shipping from Irau. Bombing the Lunga port can retard movement out, of course. I can't, however, allow my marine sqd's to be attrited too much, as they are the only real counter to Toraq's CV's at the moment.

Operations on New Guinea will go ahead as planned, although I'll probably cancel Operation Strangelove, much of the reason for which is now irrelavent, or at least not worth the cost.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/03/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on 8th Marine Regiment (Lunga) from Buin:

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 2nd Marine Raider Battalion (Taivu) from Shortland Island:

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 14

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 18th Naval Garrison Unit (Taivu) from Irau:

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 31
TBF Avenger x 9

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 105
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lunga:

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 64772 troops, 842 guns, 95 vehicles

Defending force 11544 troops, 121 guns, 38 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 208

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 15584
Guns lost 153
Vehicles lost 52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Taivu:

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 556 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 879 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 8

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 1:32 am

Quite, for once. Toraq's carriers are retreating to Truk for a bit of well-earned R&R, it seems. CL Tatsuki, torpedoed six turns ago by SS Gudgeon, is reported to have sunk.

However, Toraq has shifted some 90-odd bombers to Rabaul, so maybe a strike against Port Moresby is in the offering...

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 1,840/1,724 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 1 week: 1,929/1,798 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 2 weeks: 1,962/1,925 = 1.02:1.00
Score after 3 weeks: 2,024/2,045 = 1.00:1.01
Score after 4 weeks: 2,392/2,231 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 5 weeks: 2,675/3,768 = 1.00:1.41

Army Losses:

583/28 = 20.82:1.00 [X(]

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: CVx1, CLAAx1, DDx8, DMSx2, SSx2, AVx1, PTx1
Damaged: CVx1, CAx2, DDx12, SSx3, AKx1

Japanese ships:
Sunk: BBx1, CLx1, DDx3, APDx1, MLx1, SSx1, AVx1, TKx2, APx3, PCx2
Damaged: CVx1, BBx2, CAx1, CLx5, DDx7, APDx1, MLx4, AVx3, APx5, PGx2

Air Losses:

Total: 438/299 = 1.46:1.00

Week 1: 73/46 = 1.59:1.00
Week 2: 27/30 = 0.90:1.00
Week 3: 26/28 = 0.93:1.00
Week 4: 153/121 = 1.26:1.00
Week 5: 159/74 = 2.15:1.00

Air-to-Air: 176/107 = 1.64:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 51/13 = 3.92:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 74/55 = 1.35:1.00
Operational Losses: 137/124 = 1.10:1.00

Sorties Flown:

Total: 20,753/25,548 = 1.00:1.23

Week 1: 3,181/3,487 = 1.00:1.09
Week 2: 4,225/5,128 = 1.00:1.21
Week 3: 3,947/6,296 = 1.00:1.60
Week 4: 4,458/6,454 = 1.00:1.45
Week 5: 4,942/4,183 = 1.18:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0186/0.0112 = 1.6607:1.0000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0074/0.0049 = 1.5102:1.0000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/04/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack N Russell ISlands:

Japanese Ships:
AP Kaisho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Canberra Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS S-41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack NNW Russell Islands:

Japanese Ships:
AP Kaisho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS S-40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buna port from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 48
B-26B Marauder x 23

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 81
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga port from Koumac:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 53
B-24D Liberator x 8

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 737
Guns lost 3
Port hits 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 3:07 am

I guess we'll have a few quite turns now...

The IJN subs again proved deadly, whereas mine failed to hit anything in four or five attempts. Even failed to score on the crippled ML Ikitsushima.

Two bombing runs on Lunga have so far caused a quarter of the casualties inflicted on the Japanese by three division in a fortnight's fighting at Lunga. Impressive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/05/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Irau:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-174

Allied Ships:
DD Fanning, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinking*

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at Townsville:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-26

Allied Ships:
AK Demodocus, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buna port from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 46
B-26B Marauder x 30

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses: *caught me with my proverbial pants down, I must admit*
A-20B Havoc x 6 destroyed, A-20B Havoc x 3 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 85
Guns lost 1
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga port from Irau:

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 35

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 594
Guns lost 1
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

RE: Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom