No Fear, a Scen 17 AAR

[Veer]

May 27 1942

Thanks to Ultra intercepts, a secret Japanese transmission is decrypted today. It promises starvation to my troops on New Guinea. Little do the Japanese know that my Australians are already surviving quite well on a diet of grass and malted barley. Though in order to keep spirts up, a large Supply TF is readied at Townsville. My carriers will sortie to cover his convoy.

The PM Garrison.



May 28 1942

The Japanese capture Tulagi today.
No other action, but lots of sightings. Recon indicates a FT TF is on the way to Lae, my Bombers are placed on Naval strike. Is it dropping off or picking up troops? Either way, I order my forces at Nadzab (now 2 Bdes + 2 Eng units) to march on Lae pronto!

A large number of transports and TFs at Rabaul. Hmmmm…. Time may be right for sneak attack.

May 29 1942

Mysteriously a small enemy HQ unit has appeared at Lae. At least this answers the question of whether he is pull out or digging in. But why a HQ unit I wonder???

My attack with heavies on Rabaul accomplishes nothing, unless one counts running up the commandants laundry bill as something. [:'(] On the good news, my supply TF leaves Townsville, and 500 more Japanese are eliminated at Lae.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/29/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 4
B-17E Fortress x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 2 damaged *** 2 lost***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 4

Port hits 6 ***nice splash damage****
Port supply hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 1

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 15
P-40E Kittyhawk x 30
B-25D Mitchell x 15
B-26B Marauder x 45
A-20B Havoc x 16

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 577
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 30 1942

Another quiet day. This truly is the calm before the storm. For some reason my bombers don’t fly. I withdraw my Heavies to Cooktown. They suck up too much supply at PM.

Recon shows a new infantry unit at Lae. And this one has Guns![X(] Probably a small naval gsn unit, but still I must admit I am a little worried.

Latest pitcures of Jap troops at Lae:



For some strange reason SJ has zeros flying LRCAP over PM – no more than 2 of them. Where are they flying from, and why aren’t they suffering any op losses??? Mine are crippling.

I detach my carriers from covering the supply convoy and order Spurance to move to a position from which they will be able to strike at Lae.

[Veer]

May 31 1942

The month ends with a bang! IJN subs once again rear there ugly heads and this time the allies are forced to wake up and take notice. First the Good news:

The pounding of Lae continues. For the first time in weeks the allies suffer no ops losses, and no damage to flak. Evidently enraged, the Japanese commandant at Lae summarily executes 300 of his own men as a result! [:'(]

A Japanese naval gsn force captures Woodlark Island. Am considering a small raiding operation to do some harm…

Now the bad news:

As mentioned before, Spurance, with the Carriers Lex, Yorktown, 2 CA’s and 6 DD’s was moving into position north-east of PM to launch an attack on Lae. Turns out the approaches to PM are swarming with IJN submarines. All aircraft are on ASW patrol, but no attacks ensue. No untoward incident occurs until nightfall though, and then the shit hits the fan….

At 2130 May 31 1942 the two crack carriers CV-2 Lexington, and CV-5 Yorktown, were steaming proudly in formation, readying to launch air strikes against Lae the following morning. The duo formed a line, with Lexington in the lead and the Yorktown bringing up the rear. Little did the allied crew members of the task force know that they were heading right into a Japanese ambush.

It was nearly a perfect setup. At a range of 1,200 yards I-22 unleashed a salvo of three torpedoes at the Yorktown’s starboard side. Just seconds before, the submarine had been detected by the Yorktown’s alert watch. The news was barked up to Captain Buckmaster immediately. "Contact! 30 degrees starboard!" The dreaded shout was followed by a worse one: "Torpedo wakes, 30 degrees starboard!" from the lookouts, and "Torpedo noise, starboard bow, approaching!" from the sound-men below decks as well. The time was half-a minute past 2208.

There was little Buckmaster could do. Desperately the Yorktown revved to full speed and attempted a maximum starboard turn in an attempt to comb the wake. The Captain and lookouts watched with bated breath as the wakes bubbled toward them. Fortunately, two passed ahead; but the third! The bow had just begun to turn when the third and last torpedo caught the Yorktown square off the central part of the island.

The bridge staff felt the explosion as the warhead detonated literally a few meters under them with a thunderous crash. Immediately, Yorktown began to tremble and lose way. The torpedo had hit square in the Control Center under the flight deck, at a spot just forward of No. 1 boiler room, flooding the Control room, No. 1 boiler room, and the forward generator room. It also damaged the bulkhead separating No. 1 from No. 2 boiler room on the port side, allowing it to flood as well, and ignited a fire in the No. 2 crew's space forward.

The mighty ship refused to give in though… speed was reduced to maximum of 20 knots, and the buckling of the elevators shafts made the launching of aircraft impossible. Early damage reports pointed to 25% of all systems inoperable and 40% of all lower compartments flooded. Spurance ordered Yorktown to make for the nearest port. Lady Lex will continue on her own. Meanwhile, revenge….

I-22s periscope was spotted, evidently readying for another attack. It was not to be. DDs Hammann & Russell pursued her relentlessly. After nearly an hour of cat and mouse, the sonar crews gain firm contact. Dozens of depth charge salvos are released. At about 2320 a sonar man onboard the Russell reports hearing a faint ‘Banzai!’, like an echo from the deep, then, nothing….

I-22 is no more. All that remains are bits of wreckage and hopefully a few bloated carcasses to be fed on by the sea gulls come the morrow. [:@]

The torpedoing of the Yorktown


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/31/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 9,42

Japanese Ships
SS I-22, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage ***sunk***

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 1 ****25 sys, 39 Flt****
DD Hammann
DD Russell

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

[TAIL GUNNER]

Wow you're pretty brave with your carriers so early into the scenario!

But sadly, I forsee sneaky_jap pounding Lex with Zuikaku, Shokaku, and Shoho very soon.....


Great AAR though!
The most entertaining one I've ever read!

Chad

[Veer]

May 31, 1942 Month End Report:

Dear Nimitiz,
Hi! I trust Hawaii is keeping you well. The weather is great here in the South Pacific – thunderstorms every other day, constant rain, mosquitoes, malaria, the works! You should come visit sometime.

The month of May was a mixed bag. An early Jap invasion of Gilli was thwarted, but events since then have gone sour. Operation ‘Lightfoot’- the plan to retake New Guinea is proceeding slowly. Lt. Colonel Gilmore and elements of 3 Bdes have secured Nadzab and are marching on Lae as we speak. Lae itself is little more than a blackened hole in the ground, but some resistence is expected. Engineers have finished securing a locked gate at PM – Chief engineer Bryan assures me this equates to a Level 3 defense as per the 1833 Naval Regulations, Section IV, Article 3.2. PM is now adequately garrisoned by the 7th Australian Div, with elements of the 3rd Australian on the way.

The Japanese have made disturbing progress in the Solomons. Unfortunately I am unable to counter them with anything since I have no troops in area, and even if I did have troops, I would still have no ships to transport them with – hint, hint.

Intelligence reports the Japanese land and naval forces will increase significantly during June, and we can expect some real offensive action by the middle of the month. Truth be told, the Japanese have been less aggressive than anticipated so far, though this bodes ill for our future operations. Unfortunately the Japanese sub menace has increased day by day, and my ASW assets are woefully inadequate for the task. I know we’re getting our asses kicked in the Battle of the Atlantic, but do you think Marshall could spare me a few corvettes? That said, I am recommending Captain J.W. Davis of Sub SS-47 for a decoration. His ship has single-handedly taken the fight back to the enemy, torpedoing 3 Japanese transports this month alone.

With much longing,

Veer
________________________________________________________ End of Message


End of May 1942 stats:


Bases controlled

Jap Allied
Start 15 15
May 31 16 (+1) 18 (+3)

Aircraft Losses YTD:

Jap – 72 – 33 Bombers, 33 Fighters, 6 Misc

Allied – 84 – 19 Bombers, 8 Dive Bombers, 28 Fighters/FBs, 29 Misc

Ships confirmed sunk:

Jap – 1 SS

Allied – 1 AP, 1 AK, 1 SS

Army Loss points:

Allied : 10
Japan : 38

Allied LBA in theatre: 453 (+214)
At start: 239

Overall Score:

Japan | Allied
4277 | 3066

Change: +581 [:(]


The Plan for June:

[Veer]

June 1 1942

The War is lost.

CV Yorktown was struck again by torpedoes early this morning, and sank. 77 aircraft and crew go down with her to meet Davie Jones.

That is all.

*****

The last voyage of the Yorktown:



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/01/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage ***sunk*** [:(]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everybody together now:


NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[Veer]

June 02, 1942

More bad news –

In anger due to the sinking of the Yorktown, I order a MASSIVE strike on Lae. Over 550 Japanese are slaughtered and the airfield now has so many overlapping craters it resembles one giant smooth bowl. OTOH, with my ordering of the strike, I neglect to assign sufficient cap over PM, and 40+ IJN bombers fly in to ruin my day. Someone talked, that’s the only explanation…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/02/42

Weather: Clear

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 15
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
PG Warrego
SC 518, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage ***sunk***
AP Ormiston, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Asphalion
AK Adelong, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Neleus
PG Swan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Orungal, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Lycaon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Whyalla

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
G3M Nell x 14
G4M1 Betty x 19

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 2 destroyed
G3M Nell x 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 damaged

FLT W.Middelton of No. 75 Sqn RAAF is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
SC 517, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage ***sunk***
AK Barwon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Swan, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage ***sunk***
AK Adelong, on fire
AP Wanganella

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

Actually it’s not that bad, my supply ships are damaged, but none really in danger of sinking. My escorts do something useful for a change and act like targets. The Japs lose 7 planes, I lose 3.

More bad news for Operation Littlefoot. 7th Aus Bde. marches half way to Lae, and then inexplicably returns to Nadzab Evidently Brig. Gen. Field forgot his marching shoes. And Kanga force, which I dispatched a day early to act a recon, has actually fallen behind my Eng units. Guess this is going to be a three echelon attack. [:o]

June 03, 1942

Jap subs attack again, AK Murada (a non damaged ship) bites three fish from I-31 and sinks like a stone. At least no need to look for any survivors.

For my part SS-37 takes a shot at CL Yubari but misses. *sigh* [:-]

SJ finally wises up and assigns LRCAP over Nadzab, intercepting my transports. Too Late!!! Most of the ground forces have already landed!

I hope you feel guilty:

[Veer]

June 04 1942

Despite the losses of the previous turns another Sydney Express TF makes it to PM. PM now has 50K+ supplies and 4 ¾ Bdes. Why ¾ do you ask? It seems a bit of the 7th Bde decided to stay in PM instead of boarding transports to Nadzab. Something about their 25 Pdrs not fitting through the doors. I would have a word with General Field about this, but he and I are not on talking terms.

I assign some of my aircraft on naval strike, hoping to hit some of the FT TFs I keep spotting off the coast of New Britain. 12 B-17 and 6 Hudsons decide to attack Rabaul instead, putting a 500 lb bomb in the AP Tokai Maru. [:)]

Pounding of Lae continues unabated.

June 05 1942

My submarines attempt to take one back for democracy. DD Ariake bites two fish from SS-37 and Captain Reynolds reports she has sunk! While this hasn’t been confirmed, we have received credible reports that Captain Yoshida has committed Seppuku, and if the Ariake hasn’t sunk, atleast she is leaderless.

The leaderless Ariake.


P.S: On running the replay again, I am unable to confirm the torpedoing of the Ariake – this may be a replay bug, or Captain Reynolds having delusions of grandeur.

[Veer]

June 06 1942

Evidently sensing that I thought yesterdays ‘kill’ was dubious; SS-37 struck another blow for democracy. This time the DD Shigure bites three fish and slips below the waves. Captain Reynolds was kind enough to provide photographic evidence:

Going Down:


After checking with the subs cook that no hallucinogens were found in the Captains food, my Intelligence staff agreed on this kill. Strike one for the good guys! Now if I can just sink another 40 or so DDs, I may be able to avenge the loss of the Yorktown, maybe….[8D]

Meanwhile, SS Grenadier unloaded 20 mines into Rabual port last night. Since the port commandant wasn’t awake at time, no notice was given to the Japanese on the arrival of this cargo. I feel they will find out about it soon enough anyway…. [:'(]

1st Echelon reaches Lae today. A preliminary recon discovers some interesting facts –



Once the 2nd and 3rd Echelons arrive ('bout a week) I may be able to take it!!! [X(]
More significant is the presence of the 11th Air HQ and 4th Base Force, this shows SJ had planned to use Lae as a major staging area for his assault on PM... maybe if I had started my aerial assault a few days latter I could have trapped some air units here as well. Oh well...

[Veer]

June 07 1942

It seems I’m running out of Japanese to kill to Lae. My recent attack runs have yielded only 100-150 japs killed, compared to 300-500 just a few days ago. Or maybe SJ’s troops are now learning not to stand around gawking when my planes fly over. [:D]

Still no luck with any naval strikes…

June 08 1942

Battle of Lae begins in earnest today. 4000 tired and hungry Aussies vs 10,000 shell shocked Japs. Should be about even…

June 09 1942

Woohooo! My subs kick ass today. Nimitz will be pleased. SS S-39 puts a trop in CL Yubari, evidently leading an FT TF, while SS S-40 puts two torps in troop transport Hakozaki Maru. 77 Japanese run for the lifeboats, only to find out that there are none….

Another Jap Naval Gsn unit makes an appearance at Lae – the 85th. Makes no difference. Odds now 6000 Aussies to 9000 Japs. My plan is not really to take Lae, but if I can get him to commit enough IJN brigades there, it may delay an invasion of PM.

CL Yubari, looking a little low in the water:

[Veer]

June 10-11 1942, the Battle for Lae:

With the 2nd Echelon only 2 days out, Lt Gen. Gilmour decides to launch a preliminary assault on Lae. 14th Bde is drawn up on the outskirts, along Boundary Road. On the left flank is the redoubtable Kanga Force under Major Fleay, and the right flank is secured by various Eng units. The plan calls for an assault on the Golf course, were an estimated 3000 Japanese have congregated (how things don’t change!), with Kanga Fr liberating the School district on the left. Following which, both forces will advance to secure the main cross-roads leading into the town.

The battle goes pretty much according to plan. Around 300 Japnese are killed for 30 killed and 40 wounded on the allied side. Complete success in the School district is thwarted however when the crack Maizuru SNLF Bn (the only worthwhile Japanese unit in Lae) launches a counterattack. A Map of the assault is shown below:


Click here (image 150K)
How to you link thumbnails in the board??? [&:]

On other news, Tokai Maru hit a mine in Rabaul yesterday! While this ship had already been damaged before, it’s a small pleasure. [:)]

My subs continue their redemption. SS-39 torpedoes the AP Teia Maru off New Britain, though it’s only a supply transport (no troops killed), while the Hakozaki Maru (torpedoed yesterday) sinks 200 miles out of Lae. An FT TF enroute to Lae evades attacks by two subs though.

Recon spots a Jap transport TF just off Lae – looks like 2 + APs, and a few escorts. All planes at PM (over 100 bombers) are placed on naval attack. This should be an easy kill…. [8D]

A Mavis spots an AV in the Coral Sea and reports it as a CV. I have no CV’s at sea at the moment. [:D] Lady Lex is hiding at Townsville, and Enterprise and Hornet are one day out of Noumea.

[Veer]

Hey guys, just FYI the above AAR was for events on June 10th and 11th. Sorry about the dating mistake.

June 12 1942

Aerial disaster today!

First off thunderstorms ground most of planes. Those that do fly try for Rabaul instead of Lae. I lose 4 hudsons and 1 B-17 for no hits. My FBs launch a sweep of Lae, only to encounter the E-II Datai flying LRCAP. I lose 16 for 2 Zeros. Total score for the day – 20 allied planes for 2 Japanese. [:(] Those factories in the homeland better be pumping.

Even worse, the Jap TF has reached Lae, and not a single attack!!![:@]

APDF - Allied planes go down in Flames:

[Veer]

June 13 - 14 1942

Air battles continue today. As if making up for their omission yesterday, all my strike aircraft at PM fly against the Jap TF off Lae on the 13th – which turns out to be composed only of 2 transports and a Patrol Gunboat. Probably overkill, but a good feeling nonetheless.
They weren’t able to prevent most of 170th Rgt from disembarking, but atleast over 100 elite Japanese troops are trapped in the burning hulls of their ships. [:-]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/13/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on TF, near Lae at 9,33

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 39

SBD Dauntless x 30 **** detached from the Lex****
Hudson x 6
Beaufort x 15
A-24 Dauntless x 12
B-25D Mitchell x 23
B-26B Marauder x 38
A-20B Havoc x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Hakusan Maru, Bomb hits 17, on fire, heavy damage [8D]
AP Brazil Maru, Bomb hits 14, on fire, heavy damage [8D]
PG Keijo Maru, Bomb hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage [8D]

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 115
Guns lost 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Heavies still go for PM though. *sigh*
The morale of my FBs has hit new lows. Don’t think they will be flying for a while. [:(]


In retaliation the Japanese launch a strike against the Sydney express, now with its 10th on-time every-time convoy docked at PM. An SC absorbs a Nell, I call it even. But the real good news is:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LCDR S. Sakai of F1/Tainan Daitai is KILLED [:D]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile Japanese subs appear once again, fatally wounding the AK Mercury, a valuable ship. She may make PM, but I doubt she’ll last very long.

In order to deal with the sub menace I assign Rear Admiral Reeves to take a few ships on an ASW patrol.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 10,42

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
AK Mercury, Torpedo hits 2 *** 45 Sys, 65 Flt, 45 Fr***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, onto the Battle of Lae

With the arrival of the 2nd Echelon (7th bde), the real assault can start. Plan is for 7th and 14th Brigades, attacking together to drive down Markham road towards the Old Cemetry, which will take us the outskirts of Lae airfield. Kanga force will engage and pin down the enemy forces in the school district.

The battle doesn’t go quite as planned. First off a Japanese strongpoint was discovered just off Bumbu Road (what a name!). The 14th Bde took most of the morning to clear out this nest. 7th Bde made good progress initially, but the arrival of the 170 Rgt put a break to its offensive. Despite repeated attempts, Fields troops could only make it as far at the Botanical Lake, the airfield was beyond reach. Meanwhile, on its left flank, Gilmour’s Bde broke through the Japanese center, pushing to the outskirts of the Botanical Gardens. Reconnaissance and Engineer units pushed forward in an attempt to trap the Japanese facing Kanga force, but the Japanese made good their escape. In two days of bitter fighting, the Japanese garrison suffered 600 casualties, the allies lost 60 killed and 140 wounded.

See map below:



Click on Link (image 170K)

[Veer]

June 15 1942

Well, what do you know? I-171 tastes Allied retribution and catches two depth charges. Maybe there is some point to this ASW thing afterall. [8D]

The Battle of Lae grinds to a halt. While I’m still getting 2-1 or better odds in my attacks, there is no hope in taking the base until the 3rd Echelon arrives. It’s clear that SJ took a gamble to send the 170th Rgt to Lae via regular transports. Unfortunately for me his gamble paid off, and I lost a golden opportunity to sink an entire Rgt at sea. [:(]

Updated Intelligence brief on the situation at Lae:



In other news, Enterprise and Hornet arrive at Noumea. I detach Enterprise to rendezvous with Lex at Townsville. Hornet will remain with SOPAC incase an opportunity arrives for a sneak anti-shipping attack @ Lunga. This is a gamble, but I don't like my carriers siting in port...

[Veer]

June 16 – 17 1942

Strangely, sub SS I-171 makes a re-appearance, taking pot shots at the Sydney Express. I thought she had been hurt..... Rear Adm Reeves is ordered to report back pronto.

Meanwhile, more confusion in getting the 3rd Echelon to Lae. Part of the 30th Bde got to the base OK, however the remainder seemed stuck at Nadzab, and a part (the commander included!) is still in PM!!! Such ineptitude cannot be tolerated! I would cashier the person responsible, except I have a sneaky suspicion that person may be me… Time for a another beer I say.

Marching and counter Marching



The Ent and Lady Lex have rendezvoused north of Townsville. Lex will pickup her SBDs from PM and pound Lae for good measure on the way back.

Now, curiously, a Jap TF consisting of Tankers and PGs is spotted between Lunga and Gilli!!![X(] Is this bait? Is sneaky_jap being particularly sneaky???

Now that I mention it, the Japanese force has been unusually quiet the past few weeks. Too quiet….

[Veer]

June 18 -19 1942

The Battle for Lae cools down awaiting the arrival of the rest of 3rd Echelon (now re-designated 4th Echelon). Bombing attacks continue as planned. TF 1 (Lex and Ent) pick up the SBDs at PM, and pummel Lae for good measure…

There are some points of concern though…

The Japanese recon Crains and Cooktown today. There is nothing there. Hmmm…

A few stranded tourists on Bougainville report several large convoys of APs, DD, and CAs passing the Island. All attempts at contact are ignored. Hmmmm…

The TF of TKs spotted last turn turns out to be AVs and PGs instead. It is now at Rossel. Hmmmm…

Recon out of Gilli reports a strange group of ships in the middle of the Solomon Sea. It’s a DD, It’s a CA, it’s a CV!!!! OMG!!!

[X(]

The reaction at Allied HQ:

[Veer]

June 20 1942

Dawn broke over the South Pacific, and the allied commanders wished only to back to bed. The Solomon Sea is awash in red dots moving inexorably towards the Coral Sea. Normally this wouldn’t bee too bad, but it seems as if the entire Kido Butai, Sensuikan, Junyokan, and ever other ‘kan’ was on its way to a pay an uninvited visit to Australia.
Nimitz assures me that I only face approx 8 CVs, 5 BBs, 16+ CAs and 40+ DDs. To combat this I have 3 CVs (Saratoga about 5 days away), about 6 CAs (5 more coming up) and 20 DDs. It’s not encouraging. [X(]

Priority 1 is to rescues my carries. Firstoff, they have been spotted. Secondly, their stuck NW of PM. Thirdly, the enemy CVs could easily swing down and cut them off. Fourthly, I’m not very hopeful about this. I rebase a few heavies and FBs to Australia. They will act as a cover to evacuate my carriers from the region. All surface units will move to Townsville pending further developments. The Sydney express is cancelled. PM has about 85K supplies, should be enough. All transports will evacuate the region.

The Situation, June 20 1942:



June 21 1942

Subs attempt to interdict my carriers, which have made it only as far as Cooktown. Crap. [:-] DD Patterson fulfills it’s duty as a screen by ramming an IJN torpedo. While I had specifically informed the Captain to ram submarines instead at least it is a start. DD Patterson now forms a reef of her own.

Still not clear if the emperor is going for Australia or NG as his latest holiday destination. I’m hoping the former though. Macarthur stands alone and ready, no way the Japanese can resist his steely gaze and clenched teeth.

[Veer]

June 22 1942

IJN carriers have penetrated to the Coral Sea!! Still no indication of whether they are going for PM or Australia. Strange that Gilli has been left alone though.... Thunderstorms force most air units to undertake forced R&R… I hate to admit it, but morale is rather bad.

The situation at Lae has not changed, and nor is it expected to until the arrival of reinforcements. Odds are about 10500 Aussies to 12000 Japs. Since we probably won’t hear about Lae for some time, here is a map of the current situation:



Click here for map (145K)

And yes, someone at PM had the bright idea that posting sentries at the gate would improve Base security. Thanks to this, PM now has a Level 4 fort! Yaaa! [&o]

[Veer]

June 23 – 24

The invasion is on – The entire combined fleet has penetrated the Coral Sea,a nd seem to be heading for PM instead of Australia. Obvisouly someone tipped them off as to Macarthur’s whereabouts [:@]. Most of my transports have been evacuated, my carriers are (safe, phew!), still 3 days till Sara arrives, then I might be able to attempt something with them… For now the only forces avail to combat the massive Japanese force is 6 CAs, 2 CLs & 8 DDs under Lee at Townsville. Will have them move to PM next turn to catch the transports if possible…

Thunderstorms and rain still (The Emperor has chosen well), but my bombers do fly today aiming a huge collection of TFs (about 5, but no CVs spotted this time) between PM and Gilli. Some 60 Level bombers and 15 Torpedo bombers (Beauforts) fly with an escort of 40 FBs… a good show, but not good enough. Most of the bombers miss, I get a dismal amount of hits (only breaking the cutlery onboard the Nagato) while my FBs get slaughtered (again!).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/24/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air attack on TF at 14,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 57 **** F1/Tainan, F1/2nd, EI-1 Datais****
A6M3 Zero x 15 **** EIII-1 Datai**** – where are they flying from????

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 9
Beaufort x 15
Wirraway x 14
P-400 Airacobra x 17
P-39D Airacobra x 24
B-26B Marauder x 44
A-20B Havoc x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 damaged *** All by bombers, the FBs don’t get a shot off!***
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 2 destroyed
Hudson x 2 damaged
Beaufort x 2 destroyed
Beaufort x 8 damaged
Wirraway x 13 destroyed
Wirraway x 1 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 12 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra x 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 7 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 4 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 4 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Isokaze
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire ***only 1 penetration*** [:(]
CA Chikuma
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1
CL Abukuma, Bomb hits 2 ***only 1 penetration*** [:(]
DD Michishio
CA Tone

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

A sad day for allied air forces…

Meanwhile the Japs capture Basilaki Island just off Gilli, I wonder why?

A near miss on an IJN ship

[Veer]

June 25 - 26 1942

The story of today can be best told in a few pictures:

















Yup, so it’s true. The Allied SC TF blunders into a trap. A combination of errors, they don't even get to PM. Of 6 CAs, 4 are sunk, or will be sunk next turn. Both CLs are lost. 4 out of 8 destroyers are also lost.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/26/42
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Air attack on TF at 19,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
A6M3 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 104
B5N Kate x 126

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 8 damaged
B5N Kate x 6 destroyed
B5N Kate x 32 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Walke, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chester, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Arunta, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Australia, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mugford, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Portland, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 5, on fire
DD Sims
DD Cushing, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Russell, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Farragut, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

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Meanwhile PM one day of bombarding has completely closed PM airbase. Over 150 aircraft trapped there. Supplies available have gone from 80K to 45K in 2 turns. [:(]

In return, SS S-38 sinks the DD Ariake, SS S-39 shoots and misses at CV Hiryu, 3 APs are hit by bombs, and some 35K troops have landed at PM.

All in all a bad 2 days. Only good news is that 4th Echoln is arriving at Lae tomorrow and I’m feeling mad. [:@]

[Veer]

June 27 – 28 1942

Clear skies today, but I have so many damaged planes at PM that even if the airfield was not one giant hole, I would still have nothing to sky. Nonetheless my boys from Australia try to put up their best. 4 APs are hit by bombs as is the CA Mogami and BB Mutsu (1 each). Another AP is sunk by a sub (SS-40).

The Japanese landing force at PM has stabilized at about 60K men – I have about 35K, so the base should be able to hold out for a while. Will try to scrounge up reinforcements.

CA Louisville comes under attack just outside Townsville harbour by I-121 (how I hate that sub!). The ship is so badly damaged that the torp just goes through one side and out the other [:D]. The Louisville and Chester and 4 DDs are the only survivors of the massacre last turn.

Meanwhile, Sara and escorts has arrived at Noumea, so I’m ready to create a mini-death star of my own. IJN CVs have retreated back to the Solomon Sea (probably worried about the sub threat), so I may be able to get in a sneak attack at his transports retiring from PM…

Lee takes command of a reconstituted surface force of 3 CAs, 3 CLs and 10 DDs fresh from Pearl. Will try for a night attack on Basilaki Island, which seems to be a congregation point for Axis transports retiring from PM.

Now onto the Situation at Lae:

2100 Hours : June 27, Fwd Base Camp

During a game of two up.

Aussie Soldier 1: I say, it’s been a long time since I’ve had me some stubbie.
Aussie Soldier 2: Aye, I could do with some the o’ll amber fluid myself.
Aussie Soldier 1: Wonder what those drongos in HQ are up too. Sticking a man in the blooming jungle with nothing but an empty dilly bag.
Aussie Soldier 2: It’s that MacArthur fellow. A good earbashing he needs.
Aussie Soldier 1: Say, I hear the Japs got them some beer yesterday.
Aussie Soldier 3: Cods wallop!
Aussie Soldier 2: I kid you not, McGregor saw some ships unload a slab of tinnies yesterday.
Aussie Soldier 3: His word is acid!
Aussie Soldier 4: What we hanging on for? Lets go gets some!


The rumour that the Japs are drinking all the beer spreads like wildfire. Gen Field is unable to contain his troops. By early morning 15K tired, hungry and most of all thirsty troops assault the Japanese positions with a yell! Evidently this type of attack is known as a shock attack! Shocking for the Japanese because it wasn’t expected. Shocking for the allies because it actually worked!

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/28/42
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Weather: Clear

Ground combat at Lae

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 15853 troops, 145 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 11619 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Lae base !!! [:D]

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 976
Guns lost 22

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 79

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