Re: "We want the big ones!" DBB-C vs IdahoNYer (J): Darwin recaptured [closed]

[BBfanboy]

First time I have seen a complete combat report in a little window like that. How do you get that to work?

[LargeSlowTarget]

@BBfanboy: I have used the "Code display" format for the combat report. The window is a bit too small for my taste but IMO it helps with overall readability by avoiding ultra-long combat reports in the post.

August 27/28, 1942

Highlights: Naval clash off Noumea, last outpost in SRA falls

Bases lost:
Sintang

Allied ships lost:
DD Hughes
DD Morris

Japanese SRA:
Heavy bombing raids against Sintang followed by a ground attack have eliminated the remnants of the Dutch Army and captured the last Allied outpost within the SRA.

CBI:
Ineffective full moon night bombing of Magwe by Wellingtons - deflected by Tojos on night CAP.

Northwestern Australia:
In a 3 vs 3 fight between sweeping Zeros and LRCAPing Kittyhawks over the Port Hedland Expeditionary Force, one Australian fighter has been lost.

Northern Australia:
Mutual bombing of the ground forces around Daly Waters, a few vehicles destroyed on each side.

SoPac:
Naval search has reported a convoy at Noumea and 3 USN DDs have paid a visit. I have set them to low threat tolerance undder a cautious TF leader, hoping for a quick spread of torps followed by a quick retirement. Instead I got a prolonged night gun battle with the IJN covering force of one CL and 4 DDs. USS Hughes got sunk outright, USS Morris was sunk the following day when the IJN pursued the retiring US force.
Next, medium bombers from Norfolk attacked the Japanese convoy at Noumea at 2k feet, found a dozen Rufe,Zeros and Nicks on CAP, suffered 5 B-25 and 1 B-26 lost for nothing at all to show for - the US pilots all had 70+ skill in naval attack, but low exp.
The Marine Raiders at Tanna have been bombed by Betties and the full might of KB, resulting in three disabled squads.
The only bright spot this turn - S-35 has torpedoed xAK Azuma Maru near Koumac, heavy fires and heavy damage reported - the ship may have gone down.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Noumea at 115,160, Range 6,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      CL Yura, Shell hits 1
      DD Kuroshio
      DD Natsushio
      DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 3,  heavy fires
      DD Usugumo, Shell hits 1
 
Allied Ships
      DD Hughes, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DD Anderson, Shell hits 5,  on fire
      DD Morris, Shell hits 1,  on fire
 
Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 100% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Morris at 6,000 yards
DD Anderson engages CL Yura at 6,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Hughes at 6,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Anderson at 6,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Hughes at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Kuroshio at 2,000 yards
DD Hughes sunk by DD Usugumo at 2,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Anderson at 2,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Anderson at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Morris at 5,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Anderson at 5,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Natsugumo at 5,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Morris at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Natsugumo collides with DD Usugumo at 115 , 160 
CL Yura engages DD Anderson at 8,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Anderson at 8,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Morris at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Anderson at 11,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Anderson at 11,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Anderson at 11,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Morris at 11,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Anderson at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Morris at 13,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Natsugumo at 13,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Morris at 13,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Morris at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Morris at 12,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Morris at 12,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Anderson at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Morris at 8,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Usugumo at 8,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Natsugumo at 8,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Natsushio at 8,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Anderson at 8,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Morris at 8,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Morris at 8,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Natsugumo at 8,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Anderson at 8,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Anderson at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Morris at 9,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Usugumo at 9,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Natsugumo at 9,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Anderson at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Usugumo at 12,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Usugumo at 12,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Morris at 12,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Natsugumo at 12,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Anderson at 12,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Natsugumo at 12,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Natsushio at 12,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Anderson at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages DD Morris at 8,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Usugumo at 8,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Anderson at 8,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Anderson at 8,000 yards
Kline V. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Natsushio at 9,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Natsugumo at 9,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Anderson at 9,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Kuroshio at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Sintang (59,92)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 1860 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61
 
Defending force 871 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 13 
 
Allied adjusted defense: 1 
 
Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 1) 
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Sintang !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-), fatigue(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      12 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Allied ground losses:
      1053 casualties reported
         Squads: 40 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 109 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units destroyed 4
 
Assaulting units:
    23rd Nav Gd Unit 
 
Defending units:
    VII KNIL Battalion
    VI KNIL Battalion
    107th RN Base Force
    100th RN Base Force

[LargeSlowTarget]

August 29/30, 1942

Highlights: Marines on Tanna heavily bombed

CBI:
Still no joy at Magwe with night-bombing Wellingtons, one bomber lost and no hits. A daylight attack by Blenheims against Japanese forces in the open terrain north of Shwebo caused several hundred casualties. A ground attack by Chinese units with tank support has pushed-back the Japanese forces SE of Kalemyo.

Northwestern Australia:
Another 3 vs 3 and another Kittyhawk lost. The Zero sweep was followed by two dozen Lilies which managed to disable a few squads of the Port Hedland Expeditionary Force. B-17s and B-25s attacking Port Hedland found 6 Rufe in CAP - one B-17 and one B-25 lost.

Northern Australia:
Sallies and Nells attacked ground forces at Daly Waters, a dozen squads disabled and one Sally downed by AA. My B-17s bombing enemy ground forces got intercepted by Zeros over Daly Waters, losing one B-17 and rendering the attack ineffective. However, the deliberate attacks launched by the Australians caused lopsided casualties and reduced forts.

SoPac:
Tanna again bombed by Betties and KB, this time disabling about 50 squads among the three Marine Raider Bns - mostly support squads since most of the combat squads have been airlifted back to Suva by PBYs.
An enemy sub identified as I-1 has torpedoed an escorted xAK near Tahiti

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Ground combat at Daly Waters (76,131)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 4966 troops, 20 guns, 441 vehicles, Assault Value = 325
 
Defending force 4545 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 122
 
Allied adjusted assault: 200 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 66 
 
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 3) 
 
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      149 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
      Guns lost 35 (4 destroyed, 31 disabled)
 
Allied ground losses:
      16 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 28 (1 destroyed, 27 disabled)
 
Assaulting units:
    2/7th Armoured Regiment
    2/9th Armoured Regiment
    2/11th Armoured Car Regiment
    632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
    6th Aus Cav Brigade
    Northern Territory 
    2nd KNIL AA Battalion
 
Defending units:
    4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
    32nd Field AA Battalion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Daly Waters (76,131)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 4939 troops, 20 guns, 440 vehicles, Assault Value = 308
 
Defending force 4562 troops, 53 guns, 67 vehicles, Assault Value = 132
 
Allied adjusted assault: 122 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 107 
 
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2) 
 
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      485 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 36 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
      Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 32 (4 destroyed, 28 disabled)
 
Allied ground losses:
      28 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    2/7th Armoured Regiment
    2/9th Armoured Regiment
    632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
    2/11th Armoured Car Regiment
    6th Aus Cav Brigade
    Northern Territory 
    2nd KNIL AA Battalion
 
Defending units:
    8th Tank Regiment
    4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
    32nd Field AA Battalion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at 59,43 (near Kalemyo)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 7653 troops, 52 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 322
 
Defending force 3254 troops, 29 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 45
 
Allied adjusted assault: 203 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 49 
 
Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      516 casualties reported
         Squads: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 1
 
Allied ground losses:
      Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
 
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    3rd Carabiniers Regiment
    7th New Chinese Corps
    8th New Chinese Corps
    21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
    NCAC 
    25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
 
Defending units:
    4th/B Division

[LargeSlowTarget]

August 31/September 1, 1942

Highlights: Lots of naval bombardments, good sweep results in Burma, Tanna counter-invaded

Allied ships lost:
xAKL Nicarata

CBI:
The only success of my night bombing campaign against Magwe is the increasing mobilization of IJA fighter assets in the defense of this target - the Wellingtons encountered Oscar IIb, Tojos and Nicks, suffering some damaged planes. With the waning moon, the bombers will switch back to supply transport duty into Northern Burma. The Blenheims have been switched to supply transport as well, since Katha and Warazup have reached level 1 and AV support is on the way to provide forward airfields - however supply flow via the ground route is slow due to the complete absence of roads between India and Northern Burma. The fighters freed from bomber protection have been sent on a sweep in the direction of Shwebo, promptly running into enemy Zeros, Oscars and Tojos. 23 enemy fighters downed for 6 own losses - who said P-40s are bad planes?
On the China back door, the 5th Chinese Corps found out the hard way via deliberate attack that the Thai units blocking the Burma Road have been reinforced by Japanese infantry.
In the Indian Ocean, the combined RN cruisers force bombarded Cocos Is. again.

Northwestern Australia:
CL Birmingham on a bombardment run on her own all alone - there is a shortage of RN/RAN/RNN DDs - has been surprised off Port Hedland by a small IJN SAG (CL Isuzu + 2 DDs). Luckily the initial Long Lance salvo at 9k yards failed to hit and both sides withdrew after each cruiser collected one hit. The IJN pursued the retreating British cruiser and then got a dose of superior RN daylight gunnery - Birmingham obtained 9 hits while collecting two, setting all three Japanese ships on fire.
Betties have attacked a supply convoy unloading at Exmouth while the Kittyhawks were busy providing LRCAP over the Port Hedland Expeditionary Force four hexes away - results: four Lilies on ground attack downed for an xAKL lost.
B-25s sent to Corunna Downs for a recon-by-bombing have been surprised by Zeros on CAP, costing four bombers - ouch! B-17s sent to Port Hedland lost one B-17 and downed one Rufe in exchange

Northern Australia:
Mutual bombing at Daly Waters continues. A new deliberate attack has reduced forts to 0, but supplies in the attacking force are low and the B-17s will switch to parachuting food and ammo next turn.

SWPac:
A division of USN DDs has bombarded Port Moresby, while the balance of the USN combat and amphib shipping is still in transit from Suva to Sydney via a wide detour to avoid KB operating in the New Caledonia area. Many ships need yard-time for repairs, some for upgrades. For the time being activities will be limited to pinpricks like the PM bombardment.

SoPac:
IJA SAG (4 CA, CL, DDs) bombarded Tanna, causing 9 casualties, in preparation of a counter-landing coming in. Only a few squads of the Marine Raiders remain, they should be lifted out before the enemy can launch a ground attack next turn.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Hedland at 57,129, Range 9,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
      DD Amagiri
      DD Kamikaze
 
Allied Ships
      CL Birmingham, Shell hits 1
 
Improved night sighting under 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 75% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 9,000 yards
CL Isuzu launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Birmingham at 9,000 yards
DD Kamikaze fires at CL Birmingham at 9,000 yards
DD Amagiri launches Long Lance Torpedoes at CL Birmingham at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CL Birmingham at 4,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Kamikaze at 4,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Amagiri at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CL Isuzu at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CL Isuzu at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Hedland at 57,128, Range 22,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      CL Isuzu, Shell hits 6,  on fire
      DD Amagiri, Shell hits 2,  on fire
      DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 1,  on fire
 
Allied Ships
      CL Birmingham, Shell hits 2
 
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 22,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 22,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Amagiri at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Amagiri at 15,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Kamikaze at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CL Birmingham at 11,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Kamikaze at 11,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages CL Birmingham at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CL Birmingham at 4,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Kamikaze at 4,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Amagiri at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CL Birmingham at 8,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Amagiri at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CL Birmingham at 13,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Kamikaze at 13,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Amagiri at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CL Isuzu engages CL Birmingham at 18,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Kamikaze at 18,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Amagiri at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CL Isuzu at 20,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Amagiri at 20,000 yards
Ransome, W.M. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CL Isuzu at 22,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Kamikaze at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages CL Isuzu at 23,000 yards
CL Birmingham engages DD Amagiri at 23,000 yards
Suzuki, K. orders Japanese TF to disengage
CL Birmingham engages DD Amagiri at 23,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      DD Caldwell
      DD Woodworth
      DD Laffey
      DD Monssen
 
Japanese ground losses:
      20 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
Runway hits 1
 
DD Caldwell firing at Port Moresby 
DD Woodworth firing at 18th/A Division
DD Laffey firing at Port Moresby 
DD Monssen firing at Port Moresby  
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Cocos Islands at 33,101
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G3M3 Nell: 2 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      CA Exeter
      CA Devonshire
      CA Dorsetshire
      CL Capetown
      CL Mauritius
      CL Ceres
      CL Dauntless
 
Japanese ground losses:
      154 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
      Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
 
Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 14
Runway hits 68
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 1
 
Walrus II acting as spotter for CA Exeter
CA Exeter firing at Cocos Islands 
CA Devonshire firing at Cocos Islands 
CA Dorsetshire firing at Cocos Islands 
CL Capetown firing at Cocos Islands 
CL Mauritius firing at Cocos Islands 
CL Ceres firing at Cocos Islands 
CL Dauntless firing at Cocos Islands 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157
 
Japanese Ships
      CA Kako
      CA Furutaka
      CA Maya
      CA Takao
      CL Abukuma
 
Allied ground losses:
      9 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Port hits 15
Port supply hits 8
 
E7K2 Alf acting as spotter for CA Kako
CA Kako firing at Tanna 
CA Furutaka firing at Tanna 
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Maya
CA Maya firing at 2nd Marine Raider Battalion
CA Takao firing at Tanna 
CL Abukuma firing at Tanna  
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Tanna (120,157)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
 
12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Japanese Ships
      CL Yubari
      DD Satsuki
      AMC Aikoku Maru
 
Allied ground losses:
      46 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
CL Yubari firing at 2nd Marine Raider Battalion
DD Satsuki firing at 2nd Marine Raider Battalion
DD Satsuki fired at enemy troops 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tanna (120,157)
 
TF 17 troops unloading over beach at Tanna, 120,157
 
Japanese ground losses:
      Vehicles lost 9 (0 destroyed, 9 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Daly Waters (76,131)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 4879 troops, 20 guns, 440 vehicles, Assault Value = 283
 
Defending force 4178 troops, 51 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 83
 
Allied adjusted assault: 34 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 27 
 
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1) 
 
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: supply(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      103 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
      Guns lost 9 (8 destroyed, 1 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 36 (19 destroyed, 17 disabled)
 
Allied ground losses:
      52 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 23 (2 destroyed, 21 disabled)
 
Assaulting units:
    2/9th Armoured Regiment
    632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
    2/7th Armoured Regiment
    2/11th Armoured Car Regiment
    6th Aus Cav Brigade
    Northern Territory 
    2nd KNIL AA Battalion
 
Defending units:
    8th Tank Regiment
    4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
    32nd Field AA Battalion 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at 63,45 (near Bhamo)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 8907 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 334
 
Defending force 6760 troops, 63 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 219
 
Allied adjusted assault: 245 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 559 
 
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      287 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Allied ground losses:
      573 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 80 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    5th Chinese Corps
 
Defending units:
    7th RTA/A Division
    6th RTA/B Division
    21st/A Division

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 02/03, 1942

Highlights: Tanna evacuated and lost

Bases lost:
Tanna

Enemy ships sunk:
I-1

SoPac:
Allied subs around and at Tanna made repeated contact with the invasion force and the covering force (3 CA, CL, DDs), but without success. After a preparatory naval bombardment and bombing by Betties and KB, the Japanese ground attack found no resistance - the last few men of the three Marine Raider Bns have been airlifted back to Suva in time.
Off Tahiti, I-1 finds out the hard way about the improved ASW capabilities of USN DDs and is sunk.

NoPac:
A rare occurrence - Betties attacked a small supply convoy near Attu. No hits obtained but this means Paramushiro is well-guarded.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Ground combat at Tanna (120,157)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 1280 troops, 11 guns, 23 vehicles, Assault Value = 53
 
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 81 
 
Allied adjusted defense: 1 
 
Japanese assault odds: 81 to 1 (fort level 0) 
 
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tanna !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Assaulting units:
    1st Ind.Tank Co 
    89th Naval Guard Unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tahiti  at 172,178
 
Japanese Ships
      SS I-1, hits 16, and is sunk
 
Allied Ships
      DD Bancroft
      DD Farenholt
      DD Lansdowne
 
SS I-1 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Bancroft
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bancroft fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bancroft attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-1 forced to surface!
DD Farenholt firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lansdowne firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Farenholt firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lansdowne firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Farenholt firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lansdowne firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Farenholt firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lansdowne firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 04/05, 1942

Highlights: Daly Waters liberated

CBI:
Cocos Is. bombarded by RN battleships.

Northern Australia:
Hungry and angry Aussies shock-attacked and liberated Daly Waters. However, the offensive is on a shoes-string, supplies move forward slowly and in homeopathic doses and the base force allocated for Daly Waters has barely left the nearest railhead. It will take weeks if not months before the Aussies and the supporting US Tank Destroyers will be able to move on to Katherine.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

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Ground combat at Daly Waters (76,131)
 
Allied Shock attack
 
Attacking force 4880 troops, 20 guns, 435 vehicles, Assault Value = 285
 
Defending force 3648 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 41
 
Allied adjusted assault: 301 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 11 
 
Allied assault odds: 27 to 1 (fort level 1) 
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Daly Waters !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1857 casualties reported
         Squads: 58 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 18 disabled
         Engineers: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 37 (18 destroyed, 19 disabled)
      Units retreated 1
 
Allied ground losses:
      52 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
 
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    2/7th Armoured Regiment
    2/9th Armoured Regiment
    2/11th Armoured Car Regiment
    632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
    6th Aus Cav Brigade
    Northern Territory 
    2nd KNIL AA Battalion
 
Defending units:
    4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
    32nd Field AA Battalion

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Naval bombardment of Cocos Islands at 33,101
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G3M3 Nell: 2 damaged
      G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground
 
Allied Ships
      BB Resolution
      BB Ramillies
      BB Revenge
      BB Valiant
      CL Newcastle
 
Japanese ground losses:
      93 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 12 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 26
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
 
BB Resolution firing at Cocos Islands 
BB Ramillies firing at Cocos Islands 
BB Revenge firing at Cocos Islands 
BB Valiant firing at Cocos Islands 
CL Newcastle firing at 14th Naval Guard Unit

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 06/07, 1942

Highlights: IJN subs get feisty

Allied ships lost:
xAP Boschfontein

Northwestern Australia:
Another pair of Kittyhawk on LRCAP lost, Aussie ground forces continue to suffer losses from enemy bombers, the RN cruisers dodged SS RO-33 near Port Hedland, bombarded the target and on the way back SS I-159 managed to put a torp into CA Dorsetshire near Exmouth. The same sub also took a shot at another TF in the area - CV Illustrious and DD escorts - but missed the carrier.

SWPac:
A US cruiser SAG dodged SS RO-61 near Port Moresby and delivered another bombardment. DDs bombarded Terapo.

SoPac:
SS I-11 made her presence felt near Waipapakauri by sinking the modern fast Dutch liner xAP Boschfontein in two attacks and four torpedo hits. SS I-17 torpedoed xAK Andrea Luckenbach near Aukland.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D3A1 Val: 4 damaged
      D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed on ground
      A6M3a Zero: 8 damaged
      A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
      E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground
      Ki-46-II Dinah: 8 damaged
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 5 damaged
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 6 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      CA Northampton
      CA Portland
      CL Helena
      CL St. Louis
      CL Trenton
      CL Concord
      DD MacDonough	
      DD O'Brien
      DD Caldwell
      DD Woodworth
      DD Laffey
      DD Monssen
      DD Grayson
      DMS Zane
      DMS Litchfield
      DMS Whipple
      DMS Stewart
 
Japanese ground losses:
      326 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 32 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
      Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
 
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 31
Port hits 18
Port supply hits 3
 
CA Northampton firing at 18th/A Division
CA Portland firing at Port Moresby 
CL Helena firing at Port Moresby 
CL St. Louis firing at Port Moresby 
CL Trenton firing at Port Moresby 
CL Concord firing at Port Moresby 
DD MacDonough firing at 18th/A Division
DD Aylwin firing at Port Moresby 
DD O'Brien firing at Port Moresby 
DD Caldwell firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Woodworth firing at Port Moresby 
DD Laffey firing at Port Moresby 
DD Monssen firing at Port Moresby 
DD Grayson firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Zane firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DMS Litchfield firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Whipple firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Stewart firing at 18th/A Division 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Terapo at 96,127
 
Allied Ships
      DD Lang
      DD Wilson
      DD Stack
      DD Benham
      DD Gridley
      DD Jarvis
      DD Patterson
      DD Blue
      DD Bagley
 
Japanese ground losses:
      14 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Runway hits 3
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
 
DD Lang firing at Terapo 
DD Wilson firing at Sasebo 3rd SNLF
DD Stack firing at Terapo 
DD Benham firing at Terapo 
DD Gridley firing at 18th/B Division
DD Jarvis firing at 18th/B Division
DD Patterson firing at 18th/B Division
DD Blue firing at Terapo 
DD Bagley firing at Sasebo 3rd SNLF 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Hedland at 57,129
 
Allied Ships
      CA Exeter
      CA Devonshire
      CA Dorsetshire
      CL Capetown
      CL Mauritius
      CL Ceres
      CL Dauntless
 
Japanese ground losses:
      158 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
Port hits 26
Port supply hits 7
 
Walrus II acting as spotter for CA Exeter
CA Exeter firing at Port Hedland 
CA Devonshire firing at Port Hedland 
CA Dorsetshire firing at Port Hedland 
CL Capetown firing at Port Hedland 
Walrus II acting as spotter for CL Mauritius
CL Mauritius firing at 56th/B Division
CL Ceres firing at Port Hedland 
CL Dauntless firing at Port Hedland 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Exmouth  at 50,128
 
Japanese Ships
      SS I-159
 
Allied Ships
      CA Dorsetshire, Torpedo hits 1
      CA Exeter
      CL Capetown
      CL Mauritius
      CL Dauntless
      DD Napier
      DD Decoy
      DD Arrow
 
SS I-159 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Dorsetshire
I-159 diving deep ....
DD Decoy fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Arrow fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Decoy attacking submerged sub ....
DD Decoy fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Decoy fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Decoy fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Exmouth  at 50,128
 
Japanese Ships
      SS I-159
 
Allied Ships
      CV Illustrious
      DD Thracian
 
SS I-159 launches 2 torpedoes at CV Illustrious
I-159 diving deep ....
DD Thracian attacking submerged sub ....
DD Thracian cannot establish contact with SS I-159
DD Thracian cannot establish contact with SS I-159
DD Thracian fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Thracian fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Thracian fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Thracian fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 08/09, 1942

Highlights: Amphib ops 101: Always stay under air cover

Allied ships lost:
xAKL Benkalis
xAKL Belawan
xAKL Boelongan

Northwestern Australia:
2 Lilies downed but 43 casualties reported by the Port Hedland Expeditionary Force

Northern Australia:
I have tried to sneak-in troops on Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria without aircover over the TF - too far from friendly bases - and Betties from Darwin promptly sank three xAKLs, drowning 400 men of an US Army Construction Rgt

SWPac:
Two cruisers SAGs bombarded Port Moresby, avoiding sub torpedoes on both the way in and the way out. A number of aircraft damaged or destroyed - good.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
      E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged
      E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground
      Ki-46-II Dinah: 5 damaged
      Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
      D3A1 Val: 4 damaged
      D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed on ground
      A6M3a Zero: 11 damaged
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 12 damaged
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      CA Chester
      CA Indianapolis
      CL Nashville
      CL Phoenix
      DD Maury
      DD McCall
      DD Craven
      DD Mugford
      DMS Chandler
      DMS Perry
      DMS Lamberton
      DMS Boggs
 
Japanese ground losses:
      147 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
 
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 35
Port hits 9
Port supply hits 3
 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Chester
CA Chester firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Indianapolis
CA Indianapolis firing at Port Moresby 
CL Nashville firing at Port Moresby 
CL Phoenix firing at Port Moresby 
DD Maury firing at Port Moresby 
DD McCall firing at Port Moresby 
DD Craven firing at Port Moresby 
DD Mugford firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Chandler firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Perry firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Lamberton firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Boggs firing at Port Moresby 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 5 damaged
      A6M3a Zero: 3 damaged
      D3A1 Val: 5 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      CL Marblehead
      CL Detroit
      CL Raleigh
 
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
Port hits 3
 
CL Marblehead firing at Port Moresby 
CL Detroit firing at Port Moresby 
CL Raleigh firing at Port Moresby 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Groote Eylandt at 82,130
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G3M2 Nell x 12
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied Ships
      xAKL Benkalis, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      xAKL Belawan, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
 
Allied ground losses:
      272 casualties reported
         Squads: 13 destroyed, 3 disabled
         Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 7 (5 destroyed, 2 disabled)
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      12 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 10/11, 1942

Highlights: Not much happening except prepping and marching

CBI:
Agents report that sub-laid mines in the Strait of Malacca have found a victim - a PC has been hit.
Some Oscars tried a CAP-trap near Myitkyina against Chinese P-43A-1 Lancers flying ground attacks against the 14th Tank Regiment - one Lancer ytyraded for one Oscar.

SWPac:
Two divisions of DDs bombarded Terapo, little effect but nice intel gathered - the garrison includes one SNLF and a Bde of the 18th Division. I have two divisions preping for Terapo, should be enough.


Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 81 encounters mine field at Batu Pahat (49,82)
 
Japanese Ships
      PC Kaki, Mine hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Terapo at 96,127
 
Allied Ships
      DD Lang
      DD Wilson
      DD Stack
      DD Benham
      DD Gridley
      DD Jarvis
      DD Patterson
      DD Blue
      DD Bagley
 
Runway hits 8
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
 
DD Lang firing at Terapo 
DD Wilson firing at Terapo 
DD Stack firing at Terapo 
DD Benham firing at Sasebo 3rd SNLF
DD Gridley firing at Terapo 
DD Jarvis firing at Terapo 
DD Patterson firing at 18th/B Division
DD Blue firing at 18th/B Division
DD Bagley firing at 18th/B Division

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 12/13, 1942

Highlights: Northern Burma under Allied control

Bases liberated:
Myitkyina

CBI:
Myitkyina has been evacuated by the Japanese and taken-over by British forces. The airbase will be developped into a supply hub - I just need some more C-47s...

Northwestern Australia:
Casualties from enemy air attacks on the Port Hedland Expeditionary Force start to mount. The force is now two hexes short of the target and too far from Exmouth for effective LRCAP. I will send the RN to supress the airfield at Broome and will risk the lone RN carrier available to provide CAP. This will probably invite disaster at the hands of Netties but hey, that CV will have to be withdrawn off map in a few weeks anyway.

SWPac:
A cruiser SAG as well as B-17s and B-24s have bombarded/bombed Merauko, for training, intel and maskirovka. This operation saw the first use of P-38Fs as escorts (the fighter pilots need more exp before I can send them on offensive sweeps). Merauke seems to be lightly garrisoned - the 2nd Raiding Regiment, one SNLF Coy and one Engineer Coy. I may grab it before the Terapo invasion.
Port Moresby bombarded again as well by another cruiser SAG, causing little damage. It appears that the operational enemy aircraft have evacuated that base. The only defensive measures on the Japanese side seem to be submarines - numerous contacts but so far I have been lucky. Won't last I'm afraid.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Motor Brigade, at 55,129 , near Port Hedland
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 17
      Ki-48-IIa Lily x 13
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied ground losses:
      113 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      13 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 7000 feet * 
               Ground Attack:  2 x 100 kg GP Bomb
      17 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 7000 feet * 
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
 
Also attacking 4th Aus Cav Brigade ...
Also attacking 2/5th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 2/10th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 4th Aus Cav Brigade ...
Also attacking 2/10th Armoured Regiment ...
Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 4th Aus Cav Brigade ...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Motor Brigade, at 55,129 , near Port Hedland
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G4M1 Betty x 9
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied ground losses:
      69 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 7000 feet
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3a Zero: 2 damaged
      D3A1 Val: 1 damaged
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      CA Chester
      CA Indianapolis
      CL Nashville
      CL Phoenix
      DD Sterett
      DD Ellet
      DD Maury
      DD McCall
      DD Craven
      DD Mugford
      DD Meredith
      DMS Chandler
      DMS Perry
      DMS Lamberton
      DMS Boggs
 
Japanese ground losses:
      67 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 11
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Chester
CA Chester firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Indianapolis
CA Indianapolis firing at Port Moresby 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Nashville
CL Nashville firing at 18th/A Division
CL Phoenix firing at Port Moresby 
DD Sterett firing at Port Moresby 
DD Ellet firing at Port Moresby 
DD Maury firing at Port Moresby 
DD McCall firing at 18th/A Division
DD Craven firing at Port Moresby 
DD Mugford firing at Port Moresby 
DD Meredith firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Chandler firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Perry firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DMS Lamberton firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DMS Boggs firing at Port Moresby 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Merauke at 89,124
 
Allied Ships
      CA Northampton
      CA Portland
      CL Helena
      CL St. Louis
      CL Trenton
      CL Concord
      DD MacDonough
      DD Aylwin
      DD O'Brien
      DD Caldwell
      DD Woodworth
      DD Laffey
      DD Monssen
      DD Grayson
      DMS Zane
      DMS Litchfield
      DMS Whipple
      DMS Stewart
 
Japanese ground losses:
      189 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 10 disabled
         Engineers: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
 
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 26
Port hits 26
Port supply hits 6
 
CA Northampton firing at Merauke 
CA Portland firing at Merauke 
CL Helena firing at Merauke 
CL St. Louis firing at Merauke 
CL Trenton firing at Merauke 
CL Concord firing at Merauke 
DD MacDonough firing at Merauke 
DD Aylwin firing at Merauke 
DD O'Brien firing at Merauke 
DD Caldwell firing at Merauke 
DD Woodworth firing at Merauke 
DD Laffey firing at Merauke 
DD Monssen firing at 2nd Raiding Regiment
DD Grayson firing at 2nd Raiding Regiment
DMS Zane firing at Merauke 
DMS Litchfield firing at 2nd Raiding Regiment
DMS Whipple firing at 2nd Raiding Regiment
DMS Stewart firing at Merauke

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 14/15, 1942

Highlights: Merauke invaded

Allied ships lost:
xAK Itola

CBI:
SS I-157 sinks xAK Itola near Colombo.

Northwestern Australia:
The RN cruisers have bombarded Broome, brushing aside a PB on the way in. A good number of planes damaged or destroyed.

Northern Australia:
Then 2/1 NAOU Det. at Nookanbah has been wiped-out by one devastating air attack.

SWPac:
US cruiser SAGs bombarded Port Moresby and Terapo again. Merauke invaded by a US Inf Rgt and Aussie Tank Rgt, using Australian, British and Dutch xAPs covered by old USN CLs and escorts. Prompt counterattack by a dozen Nells from Darwin beaten off by Wildcats on LRCAP from Horn Island. 4E bombers pound Merauke in support.
Meanwhile, a big SNAFU has happened at Cooktown - the Terapo invasion force has finished loading, but the High Command discovered that the loaded TF is a transport TF, not an amphib TF. The shoddy staff work has been hushed-up as an exercise, unloading has been ordered and proper reloading for an amphib ops will start asap.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
      A6M3a Zero: 2 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      CA Chester
      CA Indianapolis
      CL Nashville
      CL Phoenix
      DD Sterett
      DD Ellet
      DD Maury
      DD McCall
      DD Craven
      DD Mugford
      DD Meredith
      DMS Chandler
      DMS Perry
      DMS Lamberton
      DMS Boggs
 
Japanese ground losses:
      66 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 26
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 2
 
CA Chester firing at Port Moresby 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Indianapolis
CA Indianapolis firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
CL Nashville firing at 18th/A Division
CL Phoenix firing at Port Moresby 
DD Sterett firing at 18th/A Division
DD Ellet firing at Port Moresby 
DD Maury firing at Port Moresby 
DD McCall firing at 18th/A Division
DD Craven firing at 18th/A Division
DD Mugford firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Meredith firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DMS Chandler firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Perry firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Lamberton firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Boggs firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Terapo at 96,127
 
Allied Ships
      CA Northampton
      CA Portland
      CL Helena
      CL St. Louis
      DD MacDonough
      DD Aylwin
      DD O'Brien
      DD Caldwell
      DD Woodworth
      DD Laffey
      DD Monssen
      DD Grayson
      DMS Zane
      DMS Litchfield
      DMS Whipple
      DMS Stewart
 
Japanese ground losses:
      75 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
 
Runway hits 10
Port hits 2
 
CA Northampton firing at Terapo 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Portland
CA Portland firing at 18th/B Division
CL Helena firing at Sasebo 3rd SNLF
CL St. Louis firing at 18th/B Division
DD MacDonough firing at 18th/B Division
DD Aylwin firing at 18th/B Division
DD O'Brien firing at Terapo 
DD Caldwell firing at 18th/B Division
DD Woodworth firing at 18th/B Division
DD Laffey firing at 18th/B Division
DD Monssen firing at 18th/B Division
DD Grayson firing at 18th/B Division
DMS Zane firing at 18th/B Division
DMS Litchfield firing at Terapo 
DMS Whipple firing at 18th/B Division
DMS Stewart firing at 18th/B Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Broome at 62,127, Range 2,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      PB Kunitu Maru, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
 
Allied Ships
      CA Devonshire
      CA Exeter
      CL Dauntless
      CL Ceres
      CL Mauritius
      CL Capetown
      DD Nestor
      DD Napier
      DD Arrow
      DD Decoy
 
Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 28% moonlight: 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
CA Exeter engages PB Kunitu Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
PB Kunitu Maru sunk by CL Capetown at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk... 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Broome at 62,127
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-48-IIa Lily: 14 damaged
      H6K4 Mavis: 8 damaged
      H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground
      G4M1 Betty: 40 damaged
      G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed on ground
      A6M2 Zero: 5 damaged
      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 20 damaged
      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 destroyed on ground
      Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged
      Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
      E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged
      E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground
 
Allied Ships
      CA Exeter
      CA Devonshire
      CL Capetown
      CL Mauritius
      CL Ceres
      CL Dauntless
 
Japanese ground losses:
      175 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 41
Port hits 1
 
Walrus II acting as spotter for CA Exeter
CA Exeter firing at Broome 
CA Devonshire firing at Broome 
CL Capetown firing at Broome 
CL Mauritius firing at Broome 
CL Ceres firing at Broome 
CL Dauntless firing at Broome 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 2/1 NAOU Det. , at 66,130 (Nookanbah)
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G3M2 Nell x 22
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied ground losses:
      296 casualties reported
         Squads: 10 destroyed, 10 disabled
         Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 11 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      22 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 16/17, 1942

Highlights: Merauke invasion continues

Allied ships lost:
xAP Macdhui

Enemy ships sunk:
PB Toko Maru sunk by SS Thresher near Shanghai

Northwestern Australia:
The RN cruisers have been found with more than 60% ammo left and made another bombardment run at Broome.

SWPac:
Unloading continued at Merauke. On the 16., Nells returned with Zero escorts, 7 Zeros and 2 Nells splashed by landbased Wildcats and P-38s on LRCAP, but some bombers got through and sank xAP Macdhui, drowning 632 troops. On the 17., US carriers reached the scene and their Wildcats splashed a dozen more Nells and prevented more ship losses. Carrier bombers pounded the enemy ground forces at Merauke. The first ground attack will go in next turn.
US subs have intercepted a IJN cruiser SAG, first at Milne Bay, then off PM. Looks like the Merauke invasion has triggered this reaction. The US carrier air groups will be ready, two US cruiser groups cover the carrier TF and the Merauke invasion force.

SoPac:
SS I-3 attacked but missed xAP Rochambeau near Tetiaroa on the approaches to Tahiti. The sub then attacked and torpedoed xAK Steel Navigator near Tahiti, but the escorting PC Atalanta managed to obtain three hits on the sub, causing heavy damage.
Misinterpreting orders to fly a recon mission, a B-25s squadron on Norfolk Is. tried to bomb Noumea, but lost 2 planes to Zeros and Nicks on CAP. Snafued again.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Broome at 62,127
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      H6K4 Mavis: 2 damaged
      H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground
      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 11 damaged
      Ki-48-IIa Lily: 3 damaged
      G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged
      G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
 
Allied Ships
      CA Exeter
      CA Devonshire
      CL Capetown
      CL Mauritius
      CL Ceres
      CL Dauntless
 
Japanese ground losses:
      231 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
 
Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 16
Port hits 8
 
CA Exeter firing at Broome 
CA Devonshire firing at Broome 
CL Capetown firing at Broome 
CL Mauritius firing at Broome 
CL Ceres firing at Broome 
CL Dauntless firing at Broome 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 89,124
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 15
      G3M2 Nell x 15
 
Allied aircraft
      P-38F Lightning x 6
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
      G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      CL Marblehead
      xAP Maetsuycker
      CL Concord
      xAP Macdhui, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
 
Allied ground losses:
      632 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 63 destroyed, 23 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      15 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 89,124
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G3M2 Nell x 14
 
Allied aircraft
      P-38F Lightning x 6
      F4F-3A Wildcat x 7
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G3M2 Nell: 10 destroyed
 
No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Milne Bay  at 101,133
 
Japanese Ships
      DD Uranami
      CA Kako
      CA Furutaka
      CL Tama
      DD Natsushio
      DD Kuroshio
      DD Wakaba
      DD Yudachi
      DD Amatsukaze
 
Allied Ships
      SS S-30, hits 5
 
SS S-30 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Uranami
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wakaba attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yudachi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yudachi fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby  at 97,131
 
Japanese Ships
      DD Akigumo, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
      CA Kako
      CA Furutaka
      CL Tama
      DD Natsushio
      DD Kuroshio
      DD Uranami
      DD Wakaba
      DD Yudachi
 
Allied Ships
      SS S-27
 
SS S-27 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Akigumo
DD Uranami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yudachi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yudachi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yudachi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 18/19, 1942

Highlights: Darwin raided by USN, Merauke falls

Bases liberated:
Merauke

Allied ships lost:
xAKL Belawan
xAKL Lorinna
xAKL Lee Sang

Enemy ships sunk:
DMS W-12
APD Nadakaze
xAK Lisbon Maru
xAP Huzi Maru

Northwestern Australia:
Betties, Sallies and Lilies continued to pound the Port Hedland Expeditionary Force, causing a few disablements - but LRCAP by RN carriers splashed two Betties.

Northern Australia:
USN DDs raided Darwin, fighting surface actions against multiple small TFs and sinking four ships.

SWPac:
Supported by 4Es and carrier air on ground attack, US infantry and Aussie tanks took Merauke.
Nells sank three xAKLs on a supply run near Groote Eylandt.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 17,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      APD Aoi, Shell hits 26,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DMS W-12, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
 
Allied Ships
      DD O'Brien
      DD Aylwin
      DD Dale
      DD MacDonough
      DMS Perry

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 18,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      APD Nadakaze, Shell hits 33, and is sunk
      AK Sakura Maru, Shell hits 36,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      xAK Lisbon Maru, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
      xAP Huzi Maru, Shell hits 34, and is sunk
 
Allied Ships
      DD O'Brien
      DD Aylwin
      DD Dale, Shell hits 1
      DD MacDonough
      DMS Perry, Shell hits 1,  on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 17,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      PB Choko Maru #5, Shell hits 28,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
Allied Ships
      DD O'Brien
      DD Aylwin
      DD Dale
      DD MacDonough
      DMS Perry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 18,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      xAK Tamon Maru, Shell hits 3,  on fire
      PB Toyotu Maru, Shell hits 1
 
Allied Ships
      DD O'Brien
      DD Aylwin
      DD Dale
      DD MacDonough
      DMS Perry, Shell hits 1,  heavy fires

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Hedland at 56,127
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G4M1 Betty x 8
 
Allied aircraft
      Martlet II x 17
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed
 
No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 3229 troops, 61 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 137
 
Defending force 1192 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 35
 
Allied adjusted assault: 76 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 15 
 
Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1) 
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Merauke !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      299 casualties reported
         Squads: 9 destroyed, 12 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Units destroyed 1
 
Allied ground losses:
      100 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    34th Infantry Regiment
    2/4th Armoured Regiment
 
Defending units:
    1st Indpt SNLF Coy 
    2nd Raiding Regiment
    6th Indpt SNLF Coy

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 20/21, 1942

Highlights: Broome bombarded by BBs

Japanese Home Islands:
SS Thresher received a pounding from sub-chaser Ch 30 near Shanghai - four hits, 86 float damage and a long way from home - fingers crossed!

Northwestern Australia:
Broome has been bombarded by four RN battleships, but the damage is slight for the means employed.

SWPac:
An ASW patrol consisting of 2 ML and two AM has found a minefield south of Horn Island - those pesky mine-laying subs! Shortly afterwards the culprit - I-124 - has been sighted near Portland Roads by escorts of a bombardment force moving up for the next run against the enemy. Despite the warnings, the returning Merauke invasion TF passed through the minefield and CL Omaha promptly triggered an egg and will need yard time.
In the same area, feeble Japanese air attacks against the Terapo invasion TF moving up to stage at Horn Island have been intercepted by CAP - four Vals and a Zero downed. Allied bombers started softening-up the next target - Terapo - but got surprised by Zeros on CAP, losing a B-24 for one Zero downed.
DDs conducted recon / nuisance bombardments against Terapo and PM.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Broome at 62,127
 
Allied Ships
      BB Resolution
      BB Ramillies
      BB Revenge
      BB Valiant
      CL Newcastle
      CL Birmingham
      DD Inconstant
      DD Hotspur
      DD Griffin
      DD Foxhound
      DD Fortune
      DD Arunta
 
Japanese ground losses:
      232 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 10 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
      Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
 
Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 13
Port hits 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 268 encounters mine field at 91,129
 
Allied Ships
      DMS Hopkins
      DMS Trevor
      DMS Southard
      DMS Wasmuth
      DD Lang
      DD Stack
      DD Benham
      DD Gridley
      DD Patterson
      DD Blue
      CL Marblehead, Mine hits 1
 
37 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 93,130
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M3a Zero x 6
      D3A1 Val x 5
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 25
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
      D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
 
No Allied losses
 
Allied Ships
      BB Tennessee
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sasebo 3rd SNLF, at 96,127 (Terapo)
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 3
      A6M3 Zero x 1
      A6M3a Zero x 14
 
Allied aircraft
      B-17E Fortress x 22
      B-24D Liberator x 11
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
      B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
      10 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th/B Division, at 96,127 (Terapo)
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 3
      A6M3 Zero x 1
      A6M3a Zero x 5
 
Allied aircraft
      B-17E Fortress x 22
      B-24D Liberator x 5
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
      10 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Milne Bay at 101,133
 
Allied Ships
      DD Smith
      DD Mahan
      DD Fanning
      DD Dunlap
 
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1
 
DD Smith firing at Milne Bay 
DD Mahan firing at 18th/C Division
DD Fanning firing at Milne Bay 
DD Dunlap firing at Milne Bay  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged
      A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
 
Allied Ships
      DD Case
      DD Lamson
      DD Drayton
      DD Cummings
 
Japanese ground losses:
      43 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 22/23, 1942

Highlights: Terapo invaded

Bases liberated:
Wessel Is.

CBI:
Shoddy staff work has sent a squadron of Wellingtons against Mandalay in plain daylight and without escorts - one bombers lost outright and three others on the way home. This was supposed to be a night raid, but well..
Chinese P-43s have tangled with Zeros near Myitkyina, losing one Lancer for two Zeros downed - yes, those Chinese pilots have been trained to 70+ air skill.

Northwestern Australia:
A CAP trap by Rufes over Port Hedland costs 7 Beauforts sent to ground-bomb Port Hedland.

Northern Australia:
SST Argonaut has landed Aussie Commandos on Wessel Is. halfway between Horn Island and Darwin - enemy bombers promptly bombed and disabled most of the small raiding force. Argonaut will return to pick-up any survivors.

SWPac:
All USN amphib assets - AP and AK types - have been used to land two US Infantry divisions, a Corps HQ, arty, tanks, engineers and a base force at Terapo - all troops have disembarked in 36 hours! The covering CVs supported the invasion with a strike against the enemy airfield at Lae. The big question is - will the IJN react? The nightmare scenario: The longer-legged IJA carrier planes can launch a strike across New Guinea, the shorter-ranged USN planes cannot hit back.
At Merauke, mopping-up continues.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 56th/B Division, at 57,129 (Port Hedland)
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2-N Rufe x 9
 
Allied aircraft
      Beaufort V x 12
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Beaufort V: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46 
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 14
 
Allied aircraft
      Wellington Ic x 14
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Wellington Ic: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
 
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      12 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
               Airfield Attack:  8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 14th Tank Regiment, at 63,43 , near Myitkyina
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M3a Zero x 4
 
Allied aircraft
      P-43A-1 Lancer x 14
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 14th Tank Regiment, at 63,43 , near Myitkyina
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M3a Zero x 2
 
Allied aircraft
      P-43A-1 Lancer x 12
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Lae , at 99,126 
 
Weather in hex: Severe storms
 
Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 18
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 12
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3A Wildcat x 10
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 26
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 96
      TBF-1 Avenger x 37
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
      Ki-57-I Topsy: 2 destroyed on ground
      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed
      F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
      TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged
 
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Terapo (96,127)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
 
86 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Allied Ships
      BB New Mexico
      BB Tennessee
      BB Maryland
      DD Reid
      DD Conyngham
      APD Rathburne
      DD Tucker
 
Japanese ground losses:
      161 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Allied ground losses:
      8 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
BB New Mexico firing at 18th/B Division
BB Tennessee firing at 18th/B Division
BB Maryland firing at 18th/B Division
DD Reid firing at 18th/B Division
DD Conyngham firing at 18th/B Division
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Terapo (96,127)
 
TF 448 troops unloading over beach at Terapo, 96,127
 
Allied ground losses:
      742 casualties reported
         Squads: 4 destroyed, 92 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 109 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 43 (1 destroyed, 42 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 28 (3 destroyed, 25 disabled)
 
13 troops of a USA 42 Rifle Squad lost overboard during unload of 27th Infantry/B Div
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 27th Infantry/C Div /2
Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 205th FA Bn
Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 27th Infantry/C Div /3
13 troops of a USA 42 Rifle Squad lost overboard during unload of 32nd Infantry Div /2
37mm M3 AT Gun lost in surf during unload of 32nd Infantry Div /4
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 32nd Infantry Div /5
13 troops of a USA 42 Rifle Squad lost overboard during unload of 27th Infantry/A Div /2
M3 Stuart Light Tank damaged beyond repair during unload of 762nd Tank Bn
Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 27th Infantry/A Div /3

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Ground combat at Terapo (96,127)
 
Japanese Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 5568 troops, 71 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 176
 
Defending force 29402 troops, 499 guns, 463 vehicles, Assault Value = 778
 
Japanese ground losses:
      87 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    Sasebo 3rd SNLF
    85th Naval Guard Unit
    24th Ind Engineer Regiment
    18th/B Div /1
    31st Field Const Co 
 
Defending units:
    763rd Tank Battalion
    762nd Tank Battalion
    32nd Infantry Division
    27th Infantry/B Division
    27th Infantry/A Division
    27th Infantry/C Division
    197th Coast AA Regiment
    205th Field Artillery Battalion
    808th Aviation Engineer Battalion
    I US Corps
    134th Field Artillery Battalion
    803rd Aviation Engineer Battalion
    42nd Base Group 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 3212 troops, 61 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 124
 
Defending force 760 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 17
 
Allied adjusted assault: 100 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 1 
 
Allied assault odds: 100 to 1 
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
 fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      368 casualties reported
         Squads: 22 destroyed, 8 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Units destroyed 1
 
Assaulting units:
    34th Infantry Regiment
    2/4th Armoured Regiment
 
Defending units:
    2nd Raiding Regiment
    6th Indpt SNLF Coy 
    4th Engineer Co /1

2nd Raiding Regiment Wiped Out at Merauke by attrition!!!

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 24/25, 1942

Highlights: Aussies and Americans victorious

Bases liberated:
Port Hedland
Terapo

Allied ships lost:
xAK William C. Claiborne

CBI:
A night-bombing raid on Meiktila destroyed a Zero M3a on the ground for the cost of one Wellington downed by AA.

Northwestern Australia:
Port Hedland fell in the second attack to the waltzing Matildas (and Grants) of three Aussie Tank Regiments and their accompanying infantry brigades. The offensive will pause here to build-up the base and supplies.

SWPac:
Two USN cruiser SAGs bombarded enemy positions at Terapo and then followed the withdrawing amphib shipping back to Australia, covered by the carriers.
Heavy bombers added their weight to the ground campaign, muscling aside some Zeros on CAP and bombing the 18th/B Division at Terapo - one B-17 and two Zeros downed.
The two USA divisions captured Terapo in the second attack with very light losses and will pursue the fleeing enemy in the direction of Salamaua.
The level-1 airfield at Terapo promptly received fighter cover and there will be some serious base-building program to support the PNG campaign.
Four old USN CLs have bombarded PM where the 18th/A Division is waiting to share the fate of its sister brigade.
Betties have tried a night naval strike against Allied TFs at Terapo and PM, without success and one Betty lost to AA.
The 6th Indpt SNLF Coy got wiped out at Merauke.
Nells and Lilies from Darwin continued to attack the Aussie Commandos at Wessel Is.

SoPac:
I-11 sank a large AK near Waipapakauri

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Terapo (96,127)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 22853 troops, 431 guns, 369 vehicles, Assault Value = 782
 
Defending force 6166 troops, 71 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 157
 
Allied adjusted assault: 535 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 117 
 
Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 3) 
 
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
 fatigue(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1687 casualties reported
         Squads: 27 destroyed, 78 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
         Engineers: 9 destroyed, 2 disabled
      Guns lost 23 (2 destroyed, 21 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
 
Allied ground losses:
      5 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
 
Assaulting units:
    762nd Tank Battalion
    27th Infantry Division
    32nd Infantry Division
    763rd Tank Battalion
    803rd Aviation Engineer Battalion
    197th Coast AA Regiment
    808th Aviation Engineer Battalion
    205th Field Artillery Battalion
    I US Corps
    134th Field Artillery Battalion
    42nd Base Group 
 
Defending units:
    85th Naval Guard Unit
    Sasebo 3rd SNLF
    24th Ind Engineer Regiment
    18th/B Div /1
    31st Field Const Co 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Terapo (96,127)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 22863 troops, 431 guns, 368 vehicles, Assault Value = 776
 
Defending force 4848 troops, 66 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 73
 
Allied adjusted assault: 743 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 29 
 
Allied assault odds: 25 to 1 (fort level 2) 
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Terapo !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
 supply(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      2540 casualties reported
         Squads: 40 destroyed, 22 disabled
         Non Combat: 43 destroyed, 19 disabled
         Engineers: 34 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 38 (30 destroyed, 8 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 5
 
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    762nd Tank Battalion
    27th Infantry Division
    32nd Infantry Division
    763rd Tank Battalion
    205th Field Artillery Battalion
    808th Aviation Engineer Battalion
    197th Coast AA Regiment
    I US Corps
    803rd Aviation Engineer Battalion
    134th Field Artillery Battalion
    42nd Base Group 
 
Defending units:
    Sasebo 3rd SNLF
    18th/B Div /1
    24th Ind Engineer Regiment
    31st Field Const Co 
    85th Naval Guard Unit  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Port Hedland (57,129)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 7759 troops, 111 guns, 512 vehicles, Assault Value = 422
 
Defending force 5505 troops, 34 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 192
 
Allied adjusted assault: 248 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 106 
 
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3) 
 
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      97 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 39 (12 destroyed, 27 disabled)
 
Allied ground losses:
      34 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 34 (2 destroyed, 32 disabled)
 
Assaulting units:
    2/5th Armoured Regiment
    2/6th Armoured Regiment
    3rd Motor Brigade
    2/10th Armoured Regiment
    4th Aus Cav Brigade
    2/9th Field Regiment
    2/11th Field Regiment
 
Defending units:
    4th Tank Regiment
    56th/B Division
    9th JNAF Coy 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Port Hedland (57,129)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 7683 troops, 111 guns, 509 vehicles, Assault Value = 399
 
Defending force 5395 troops, 34 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 166
 
Allied adjusted assault: 273 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 68 
 
Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 2) 
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Port Hedland !!!
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2-N Rufe: 7 destroyed
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1792 casualties reported
         Squads: 38 destroyed, 51 disabled
         Non Combat: 66 destroyed, 15 disabled
         Engineers: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 25 (17 destroyed, 8 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 45 (45 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units retreated 3
 
Allied ground losses:
      140 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
 
Assaulting units:
    3rd Motor Brigade
    2/5th Armoured Regiment
    2/10th Armoured Regiment
    2/6th Armoured Regiment
    4th Aus Cav Brigade
    2/9th Field Regiment
    2/11th Field Regiment
 
Defending units:
    56th/B Division
    4th Tank Rgt /1
    9th JNAF Coy 

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 26/27, 1942

Highlights: Not much going on

SWPac:
P-38s made an unimpressive sweep over PM, killing one Zero while losing two planes.
Seems to be more effective to bombard.


Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130 
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 10
      A6M3a Zero x 18
 
Allied aircraft
      P-38F Lightning x 24
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-38F Lightning: 2 destroyed
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       9 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
      Ki-46-II Dinah: 3 damaged
      A6M3a Zero: 5 damaged
      A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
 
Allied Ships
      CA Chicago
      CA Louisville
      CA Chester
      CA Northampton
      CA Indianapolis
      CA Portland
 
Japanese ground losses:
      141 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
      Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
 
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 20
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1
 
CA Chicago firing at Port Moresby 
CA Louisville firing at Port Moresby 
CA Chester firing at Port Moresby 
CA Northampton firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Indianapolis
CA Indianapolis firing at Port Moresby 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Portland
CA Portland firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3a Zero: 11 damaged
      A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
      A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged
      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
      Ki-46-II Dinah: 3 damaged
      Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
      E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      CL Nashville
      CL Phoenix
      CL Honolulu
      CL Helena
      CL St. Louis
      DD Caldwell
      DD Woodworth
      DD Laffey
      DD Monssen
      DD Grayson
      DD Gwin
      DD Meredith
      DMS Zane
      DMS Litchfield
 
Japanese ground losses:
      99 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 16
Port hits 22
Port supply hits 4
 
CL Nashville firing at Port Moresby 
CL Phoenix firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
CL Honolulu firing at Port Moresby 
CL Helena firing at Port Moresby 
CL St. Louis firing at Port Moresby 
DD Caldwell firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Woodworth firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Laffey firing at Port Moresby 
DD Monssen firing at Port Moresby 
DD Grayson firing at Port Moresby 
DD Gwin firing at Port Moresby 
DD Meredith firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Zane firing at Port Moresby 
DMS Litchfield firing at Port Moresby 

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 28/29, 1942

Highlights: Sweep over Mandalay, PM and Noumea bombarded

Enemy ships sunk:
SS O23 torpedoed and sank YO J-3998 near Muntok

CBI:
SS KXVIII torpedoed xAP Hakusan Maru near Phuket, a convoy of 2 AMC, 3 huge xAK and the xAP plus escort probably bringing reinforcements to Burma.

A break in the bad weather allowed sweeps over Mandalay from Kalemyo. First use of the P-40K. Zero M3a, Oscars IIB and Tojos encountered, the Oscars suffered a lot. 23 Japs downed for 8 own losses, but at least the same number as ops losses, either missing or written off.

Northwestern Australia:
A few Lilies bombed ground troops at Port Hedland. AV support needs to be brought in to provide CAP.

Northern Australia:
Nells with Zero escort bombed troops at Daly Waters, causing a few disablements. Have to take it for the moment, AV support still struggling to reach that base.

SWPac:
Another sweep by P-38s found reduced CAP over PM courtesy of the Navy bombardment runs, 2 Zeros downed and one Lightning lost.
Old USN CLs bombarded PM, one Zero destroyed.

SoPac:
USN modern BBs bombarded Noumea, one Ki-45 destroyed.

Homefront / Rear areas:
Repairs completed on CV Lexington at Mare Island, ship returned to service

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46 
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M3a Zero x 8
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 39
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5
 
Allied aircraft
      P-40E Warhawk x 20
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46 
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M3a Zero x 8
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 32
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5
 
Allied aircraft
      P-40E Warhawk x 72
      P-40K Warhawk x 23
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
      Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 14 destroyed
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

(some more sweeps, not showing all)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at 63,45 (near Bhamo)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 8585 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 290
 
Defending force 4129 troops, 34 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 130
 
Allied adjusted assault: 123 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 727 
 
Allied assault odds: 1 to 5 
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      259 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Allied ground losses:
      541 casualties reported
         Squads: 5 destroyed, 35 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    5th Chinese Corps
 
Defending units:
    21st/A Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Noumea at 115,160
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 11 damaged
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
      A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      BB South Dakota
      BB North Carolina
      DD Bancroft
      DD Farenholt
      DD Lansdowne
      DD Duncan
      DD Aaron Ward
 
Japanese ground losses:
      363 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 26 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Guns lost 13 (8 destroyed, 5 disabled)
 
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16
Port hits 10
Port supply hits 3
 
BB South Dakota firing at 14th/C Division
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB North Carolina
BB North Carolina firing at Noumea 
DD Bancroft firing at 14th/C Division
DD Farenholt firing at 14th/C Division
DD Lansdowne firing at 14th/C Division
DD Duncan firing at Noumea 
DD Aaron Ward firing at Noumea 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Japanese aircraft
      no flights
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
      E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      CL Trenton
      CL Detroit
      CL Raleigh
      CL Concord
      DD Dale
      DD Aylwin
      DD Stack
      DD Benham
      DD Gridley
      DD Blue
      DD Bagley
 
Japanese ground losses:
      65 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 10
Port hits 6
 
CL Trenton firing at Port Moresby 
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Detroit
CL Detroit firing at Port Moresby 
CL Raleigh firing at Port Moresby 
CL Concord firing at 18th/A Division
DD Dale firing at Port Moresby 
DD Aylwin firing at Port Moresby 
DD Stack firing at Port Moresby 
DD Benham firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Gridley firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Blue firing at Port Moresby 
DD Bagley firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade

[LargeSlowTarget]

September 30/October 01, 1942

Highlights:Japanese convoy hit by US carriers.

Enemy ships sunk:
xAP Naminoue Maru
xAP Palau Maru
xAP Kowa Maru

Northwestern Australia:
Sallies bombed the 4th Aus Cav Brigade near Port Hedland pursuing Japanese troops trying to withdraw to Broome. Only a few disablements and didn't make a difference - the 4th Tank Rgt /1 and the 9th JNAF Coy have been overrun.


Northern Australia:
Nells and Lillies bombed Allied troops at Daly Waters, the Dutch AA Bn downed one bomber.


SWPac:
The USN is on the move again, escorting the amphib gaggle with 2.5 Aussie Divisions to stage at Terapo and then on to PM. Routing instructions ordered all TFs to pass through the shallow waters around Horn Island because numerous enemy subs are in the area. I have stepped-up naval search day and night, switched pilots on a B-24 squadron from ground pounders to ASW specialists, and have sent out ASW TFs to clear the way. RO-60 and I-26 were sidestepped off Portland Roads, but arriving off Terapo, I-24 managed to put a fish into Enterprise. Terapo has two ocean hexsides, the TF had instructions to stand-off one hex and promptly has chosen to stand-off in the deep water hex where subs had been spotted instead of the shallow water hex to the North where the routing instructions ordered them to go. Sheesh... Ok, should be glad that only one in the spread of eight torps connected, causing only 12 points of float damage. But nonetheless the third carrier hit by subs and forced to take yardtime. Wasp still has 17 days in the yards at Sydney and Saratoga just finished repairs last turn and entered the yards again this turn for the October upgrades which will take 3 weeks. With only three fully operational CVs, the planned operation against Noumea after the PM invasion must be postponed.
Got some payback when naval search discovered a convoy at Lae. Zeros, Tojos and Nicks on CAP killed a few attackers but three xAP were sunk outright and an xAK and an AMC may sink as well. 10 unescorted Betties tried to attack Allied shipping, losing to CAP for no hits.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Terapo  at 96,128
 
Japanese Ships
      SS I-24
 
Allied Ships
      CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 1
      CA Quincy
      CA Minneapolis
      CLAA San Juan
      CLAA Atlanta
      DD Farragut
      DD Anderson
      DD Hull
      DD Dewey
      DD Worden
      DD Monaghan
 
SS I-24 launches 8 torpedoes at CV Enterprise

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 6
      A6M3 Zero x 10
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 27
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3A Wildcat x 14
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 20
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 31
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 76
      TBF-1 Avenger x 31
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 12 damaged
      TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
      xAP Naminoue Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      xAK Norfolk Maru, Bomb hits 7,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      xAP Kowa Maru
      DD Uranami, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      AMC Kongo Maru, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DD Kikuzuki, Bomb hits 1
      xAP Palau Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      PB Nikkai Maru
      DD Oite
      DMS W-13, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires
 
Japanese ground losses:
      353 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 46 destroyed, 26 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 13 (7 destroyed, 6 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 52 (25 destroyed, 27 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lae at 99,126
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 5
      A6M3 Zero x 7
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6
      Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 16
 
Allied aircraft
      F4F-3A Wildcat x 12
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 10
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed
 
Japanese Ships
      xAP Kowa Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
      DD Kikuzuki

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at 58,130 (near Port Hedland)
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 4909 troops, 77 guns, 349 vehicles, Assault Value = 251
 
Defending force 553 troops, 0 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 14
 
Allied adjusted assault: 161 
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 1 
 
Allied assault odds: 161 to 1 
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: 
 
Japanese ground losses:
      696 casualties reported
         Squads: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Units destroyed 2
 
Assaulting units:
    2/10th Armoured Regiment
    2/5th Armoured Regiment
    4th Aus Cav Brigade
    2/9th Field Regiment
    2/11th Field Regiment
 
Defending units:
    4th Tank Rgt /1
    9th JNAF Coy 

[LargeSlowTarget]

October 02/03, 1942

Highlights: PM invaded

Enemy ships sunk:
DMS W-4
xAK Daifuku Maru

Northwestern Australia:
Enemy bombers continue to harass our ground forces in the Port Hedland area and our bombers returned the favors. AV support moving overland is still weeks out, will risk a TF to move some AV by sea.
2/6th Armoured Regiment pursuing the enemy ex-Port Hedland garrison has been surprised by a counterattacked and badly mauled, the units needs to return to base for replacements.

SWPac:
Despite the torpedoing of CV Enterprise I decided to go ahead with the PM operation. The invasion force staging at Terapo suffered a scare from a midget sub attack but alert escorts heavily damaged SSX Ha-16. The accompanying SAG also sidestepped torps sent by SS I-20. The forces proceeded down the coast to land the 6th, 7th and 8th Australian divisions at PM. SS I-7 tried to interfere but was pounded by alert escorts. All troops ashore in two days with several thousand tons of internal supplies each, so the amphib shipping will leave the sub-infested waters at full speed. 6th and 7th are at full (jungle) TO&E strength, the 8th is about half strength. An enemy bombardment reveals as opposing force two brigades and a tank regiment, I really hope the Aussies will be able to take PM in short order but secretly I fear that they will impale themselves - will depend on the fort levels.
The CVs moved south two hexes off PM into an area void of (spotted) IJN subs to provide LRCAP, some feeble air attacks were promptly beaten-off. The carriers and supporting SAG will also retire with the amphib gaggle. Most ships have upgrades for October and will move to the yards (as soon as PM has been secured), so there will be a lull again in USN activities.

SoPac:
Naval search has reported enemy shipping at Noumea and Koumac these last few turns, a DD raid against Noumea came up empty but at Koumac a TF led by 31-knot-Burke arrived in time and a DMS and an xAK have been dispatched to the fishes. The TF then sent the remaining ammo into Koumac base, scaring the local garrison (82nd Naval Guard Unit) and obtaining some port and port supply hits.

CentPac:
After some weeks of training, PBY pilots have taken over naval search from the B-17s, which have been switched to ground bombing good old Funafuti once more.

Selected action reports:

Code: Select all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Terapo  at 96,127
 
Japanese Ships
      SSX Ha-16, hits 4,  heavy damage
 
Allied Ships
      DMS Whipple
      CA Chicago
      CA Chester
      DD Craven
      DD Lamson
      DD Drayton
      DD Sterett
      DD Ellet
 
SSX Ha-16 launches 2 torpedoes at DMS Whipple
DD Lamson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Drayton fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Sterett fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ellet fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Lamson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sterett fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Lamson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lamson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lamson attacking submerged sub ....
DD Lamson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lamson fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Allied Ships
      CA Chicago
      CA Louisville
      CA Chester
      CA Northampton
      CA Indianapolis
      CA Portland
 
Japanese ground losses:
      269 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 18 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
 
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
 
CA Chicago firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
CA Louisville firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
CA Chester firing at Port Moresby 
CA Northampton firing at 18th/A Division
CA Indianapolis firing at Port Moresby 
CA Portland firing at Port Moresby 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
 
168 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Allied Ships
      BB New Mexico
      BB Tennessee
      BB Maryland
      DD Reid
      AP Crescent City
      DD Tucker
 
Japanese ground losses:
      199 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
 
Allied ground losses:
      64 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
BB New Mexico firing at 18th/A Division
BB Tennessee firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
BB Maryland firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Reid firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Reid fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Port Moresby (98,130)
 
TF 448 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 98,130
 
Allied ground losses:
      199 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 30 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 14 (2 destroyed, 12 disabled)
 
11 troops of a AMF Inf Sect 42 lost overboard during unload of 7th Australian Div /1
Motorized Support lost overboard during unload of 7th Australian Div /5
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 7th Australian Div /7
25 Pounder Gun damaged beyond repair during unload of 8th Australian Div /4
11 troops of a AMF Inf Sect 42 lost in surf during unload of 6th Australian Div /3
Motorized Support dropped into water during unload of 6th Australian Div /5
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 6th Australian Div /6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 2
      G4M1 Betty x 10
 
Allied aircraft
      P-40E Warhawk x 12
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      BB Tennessee

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 6
      G4M1 Betty x 3
 
Allied aircraft
      P-40E Warhawk x 11
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
 
No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 6
      G4M1 Betty x 3
 
Allied aircraft
      P-40E Warhawk x 12
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
      G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
 
No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)
 
Japanese Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 4857 troops, 42 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 345
 
Defending force 31784 troops, 508 guns, 232 vehicles, Assault Value = 921
 
Japanese ground losses:
      13 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
    8th Ind Engineer Regiment
    11th Tank Regiment
    18th/A Division
    53rd Field AA Battalion
    304th Ship Eng Coy 
    54th Field AA Battalion
    42nd JNAF AF Unit 
    17th Army
    26th JAAF AF Bn 
 
Defending units:
    6th Australian Division
    7th Australian Division
    8th Australian Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Koumac at 113,156, Range 11,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      DMS W-4, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      xAK Daifuku Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
 
Allied Ships
      DD Lardner
      DD Shaw
      DD Cushing
      DD Flusser
 
Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF begins to get underway
Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 50% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Flusser engages DMS W-4 at 11,000 yards
DD Cushing engages DMS W-4 at 11,000 yards
DD Lardner engages DMS W-4 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Flusser engages DMS W-4 at 8,000 yards
DD Shaw engages xAK Daifuku Maru at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DMS W-4 sunk by DD Flusser at 7,000 yards
DD Cushing engages xAK Daifuku Maru at 7,000 yards
xAK Daifuku Maru sunk by DD Shaw at 7,000 yards
xAK Daifuku Maru sunk by DD Shaw at 7,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Koumac at 113,156
 
Allied Ships
      DD Flusser
      DD Cushing
      DD Shaw
      DD Lardner
 
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2
 
DD Flusser firing at Koumac 
DD Cushing firing at Koumac 
DD Shaw firing at 82nd Naval Guard Unit
DD Lardner firing at Koumac 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at 59,130 (near Port Hedland)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 3042 troops, 21 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 69
 
Defending force 432 troops, 0 guns, 104 vehicles, Assault Value = 40
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 17 
 
Allied adjusted defense: 3 
 
Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)
 
Allied ground losses:
      Vehicles lost 31 (20 destroyed, 11 disabled)
      Units retreated 1
 
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
 
Assaulting units:
    56th/B Division
 
Defending units:
    2/6th Armoured Regiment