Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Mynok


There you go.  He's got radar at W now. You can see the serious difference in CAP effectiveness.

Yep. Raid detections at 160 nm ....

There are probably not so much engineeres at Waingapoe, so it seems it is pretty easy to reopen airfield at night. That brings two things:
1) 4Es can not close airfields, because they can be easily reopen at night (at least for fighters)
2) Your only option is night naval bombardment (especially with number of damaged airplanes there now)

GEORGEs seems to not be especially good. TONY looks to be the best fighter currently. Where are c models?

Go to Waigapoe, I think presence of ground forces will slow LCUs recovery at base.

And again, make night naval attack. You do not want to get into CAP again. Yet.
Actually, what about night air bombardment of Waingapoe? LILYs could be good for this role.

Wow, IJN rules the seas, but the carnage in the air was... um, a carnage.  Now, he must indeed have a lot of damaged planes sitting there.  Those fighters must be dealt with, else he has a nice umbrella for his CV. The only hope would then be an ambush on their route back to Port Hedland or whereever, far from the bases.  I think it must soon be time to commit the CVs.  With the air losses, the battle is once again on the brink.  Andy probably did the right thing -- for once a clear center of gravity and a sustained effort.  Even if the losses are high, the one who prevails can clean up the battlefield...

The service facilities at Wai* are probably 100% damaged, so the number of flyers should decrease a bit.  I concur with INQ that naval bombardments on this largely overstacked field could offer some benefits.  Maybe from >15ky, I think the longer the range the lesser the chance ground units are target over facilities.
Also night bombardments by aunt Lilly and sister Helene might offer some easy plane kills on the ground.  They are no B-17s, but they should have some success too?

As for marching or inviting Andy, I am in favor of marching towards him and trying to keep the initiative and pressure on.  Time is of essence it seems...

Maybe high fatigue is for your fighters on sweep very important factor. They need some rest and their casaulties goes down.

The George performs very well on sweep; see results today.
On escort mission most fighters suck [8|]

Yes, need to rest some fighter units but I also had to keep up pressure and prevent Allies from regaining their full strength.
I know it's still early in the "Thunderbolt era" and by inflicting heavy casualties we can keep their numbers down throughout this campaign.
If it comes to a face down with the KB I'd hate to see my air groups shredded by T-bolts.

This turn saw more sea and air battles but not as heavy as last turns.
I had _loved_ to hit Waingapo with the combined fleet but at full speed runs 90% of all ships would end up 1 hex short of reaching the objective
during night. I couldn't take such a big chance so the few ships in range had to go in alone.

But we did achieve results; a damage Shimakaze destroyers caused havoc with a loaded LCT convoy. Think it was heading for a dot base.
A huge convoy was harassed and ships collided, unfortunately the 2 destroyers were low on ammo and quickly disengaged.

The Shimakaze TF went into Waingapoe and engaged a superior TF with 2 CAs, 1 CL and 5 DDs.
In a long running battle we torpedoed a heavy cruiser (the CL was also hit, but dud again) and landed hits on most other ships.
Our only casualty was the Shimakaze; on fire she was abandoned in the afternoon.

Our sweeps performed ok, but not optimal. The reason was that smaller units went in first and the big combined sweep came in last.
This caused the initial sweeps to suffer high casualties. 56 enemy ac were claimed for 74 Jap. We didn't have any problems clearing the enemy CAP this time though.

Enemy carriers are hiding on the far side of the island.
I again had to spend much time preparing the next turn! The LBA fighter force needed much attention but we have reinforcements and rested units arriving daily.
- I'm planning to upgrade a good unit to the Tony c model but it takes 15 days for all ac in such units to complete conversion training.

We also got house rules against night bombing..and I don't have any Lily's left, only in ASW service.
It looks like Andy has managed to land another 30k troops on the island, no doubt more troops and engineers.
With these reinforcements it will become all but impossible to destroy the enemy. 3 Divisions should be enough to force a prolonged siege though, so yes I agree.
We march into Waingapoe.

I also don't think it's realistic to think we can destroy the Allied carrier force; it's too big and well defended by flak, CAP and LBA.
Our best bet in the current situation would be to destroy as much of the Allied fleets as possible. As we have seen the Combined Fleet and especially its heavy cruisers are
very formidable.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 08, 43

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Roti at 66,116, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Arikaze

Allied Ships
LCT-131
LCT-136
LCT-137
LCT-138
LCT-140
LCT-142
LCT-143
LCT-144
LCT-145
LCT-153, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
LCT-155
LCT-156
LCT-157, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LCT-160, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
LCT-161, Shell hits 2
LCT-162, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-163, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LCT-164, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1353 casualties reported
Squads: 180 destroyed, 144 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 66 (45 destroyed, 21 disabled)

Improved night sighting under 71% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 71% moonlight: 8,000 yards

Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 331 encounters mine field at 64,114

Allied Ships
DD McCook
DD Dashiell

2 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Endeh at 64,113, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Tadeshiwa
DD Katsutade

Allied Ships
DD Rapid, Shell hits 2
xAK Delawarean
xAK Andrew Furuseth
xAK B. Livingston
xAK Benjamin Franklin
xAK Benjamin Holt
xAK Charles Lummis
xAK David Dudley Field
xAK Elihu Thomson
xAK Elizabeth Blackwell
xAK George M. Pullman
xAK George Read
xAK John Bartram
xAK John C. Fremont
xAK John S. Casement
xAK Jose Sepulveda
xAK Joseph Holt
xAK Josiah Snelling
xAK Matthew B. Brady
xAK Moses Rogers
xAK R. C. Brennan
xAK Samuel Adams
xAK Sheldon Jackson
xAK Smith Thompson
xAK Stanley Matthews
xAK Starr King
xAK Stephen M. White
xAK Thomas A. Edison
xAK Vitus Bering
xAK Walter Colton
xAK William C. Claiborne
xAK William H. Gray
xAK William R. Davie
xAK William T. Sherman
xAK William Vanderbilt
xAK William Williams
xAK William Windom
xAK Zachary Taylor
xAP Takliwa
xAK African Prince
xAK Alice Moller
xAK Bellerophon
xAK Bhima
xAK Bucegi
xAK Catrine
xAK Barala
xAK Barjora, heavy damage
xAK Cabarita
xAK Chyebassa
xAK City of Adelaide
xAK Clan Cameron
xAK Empire Condor
xAK Empire Curlew
xAK Empire Glade
xAK Empire Glen
xAK Empire Plover
xAK Empire Rani
xAK Esperance
PG Indus, Shell hits 1

Improved night sighting under 71% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 71% moonlight: 8,000 yards

Task forces break off...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 120 encounters mine field at Waingapoe (63,113)

Allied Ships
xAK Pardo, Mine hits 1

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Endeh at 64,113, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shimakaze
DD Takakaze
DD Satsukaze
DD Susukaze
DD Ishikaze

Allied Ships
LCT-320, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LCT-321, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
LCT-322, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LCT-326, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
LCT-327, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-137, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Waingapoe at 63,113, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Takakaze
DD Satsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Susukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Ishikaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Durban, Shell hits 5
DD Dashiell
DD DeHaven
DD LaVallette, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD McKee, Shell hits 2
DD McCook
DD Frankford

Improved night sighting under 71% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 71% moonlight: 8,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks

Submarine attack near Port Hedland at 58,127

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
AMC Worcestershire, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

AMC Worcestershire is sighted by SS I-1
SS I-1 launches 4 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3
Martlet II x 4
Martlet IV x 3
Kittyhawk IV x 2
Hurricane XIIb x 1
P-39N1 Airacobra x 3
P-40K Warhawk x 22
P-40N1 Warhawk x 10
P-40N5 Warhawk x 9
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 29
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 33
F6F-3 Hellcat x 56
SOC-1 Seagull x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39N1 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3
Martlet II x 4
Martlet IV x 3
Kittyhawk IV x 2
Hurricane XIIb x 1
P-39N1 Airacobra x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 19
P-40N1 Warhawk x 10
P-40N5 Warhawk x 9
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 28
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 30
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51
SOC-1 Seagull x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 20

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Martlet II x 3
Martlet IV x 2
Kittyhawk IV x 1
Hurricane XIIb x 1
P-39N1 Airacobra x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 17
P-40N1 Warhawk x 8
P-40N5 Warhawk x 7
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 22
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 25
F6F-3 Hellcat x 33
SOC-1 Seagull x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Martlet II x 1
Martlet IV x 2
Kittyhawk IV x 1
Hurricane XIIb x 1
P-39N1 Airacobra x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 13
P-40N1 Warhawk x 5
P-40N5 Warhawk x 4
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 17
F6F-3 Hellcat x 19
SOC-1 Seagull x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 15

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Martlet II x 1
Martlet IV x 1
Kittyhawk IV x 1
Hurricane XIIb x 1
P-39N1 Airacobra x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 9
P-40N1 Warhawk x 5
P-40N5 Warhawk x 3
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 16
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16
SOC-1 Seagull x 1

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Martlet II x 1
Martlet IV x 1
Kittyhawk IV x 1
Hurricane XIIb x 1
P-39N1 Airacobra x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 8
P-40N1 Warhawk x 5
P-40N5 Warhawk x 3
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16
SOC-1 Seagull x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Kittyhawk IV x 1
P-39N1 Airacobra x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 8
P-40N1 Warhawk x 4
P-40N5 Warhawk x 3
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
F6F-3 Hellcat x 14
SOC-1 Seagull x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Memboro , at 63,112
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 2
B-17E Fortress x 17
B-24D Liberator x 36
B-24D1 Liberator x 27
B-24J Liberator x 15
P-40K Warhawk x 7
P-40N5 Warhawk x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 50
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Memboro , at 63,112
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 7
P-40N5 Warhawk x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 200 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 60 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 33
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 52
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 39
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
P-39N1 Airacobra x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 7
P-40N1 Warhawk x 3
P-40N5 Warhawk x 2
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 12
SOC-1 Seagull x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 30000 feet
24 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
16 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
8 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
8 x Ki-61-Ib Tony sweeping at 30000 feet
6 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Memboro , at 63,112
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
P-39N1 Airacobra x 3
P-40K Warhawk x 9
P-40N5 Warhawk x 1
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 6
F4U-1 Corsair x 11

No Allied losses
Airbase hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Memboro , at 63,112
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 6
P-40N1 Warhawk x 5
P-40N5 Warhawk x 1
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 9
F4U-1 Corsair x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Battles

Radar realy hurts, but you have to sweep Waingapoe more. Just forget to shut that base down by air only. There are more than enough
engis and engineering vehicles there to reopen a base during the night. Yes you can use your assets to hit the airfield but you have to rely on bombardment and sweeps to kill the planes not to shut down the airfield. There is no way to shut down the airfield any more until you have full air control and your bombardment fleets hit that base daily.

Your bombers can just delay base expansion and build of fortifications. Kill the planes kill the supply and recap the base. That was a turn which did a lot of damage to your air force which hurts but is not end of the world. Use your planes to kill his planes, you will have to just no other way. And Escort vs. cap and radar hurts to the extreme, use sweeps instead. It will hurt too with radar but it will be more effective.

Did not see your last combat report and it looks much better. Use the bombers when the enemy is worn down but not against a full cap as your bombers and escorts will be killed.

And in the long term nothing is currently lost. Yes the base got reinforced and yes it will be a hard nut to crack. But your fleet is doing well and as soon as you can cut of the base from reinforcements you can still capture it sometimes in the future. Kill the navy first and then the army.

he is sweeping but typicaly weakness of WITP and AE is that the sweeps come in several smal waves. just like this stuppid "200 zeros eskorting 3 bombers" missions.

the allied side seems to have much lesser problems to coordinate strikes/sweeps...see the 1200 Ac carrier strike in the AAR of CT right around the corner.

Yes, sweeps daily! The turn we lost so many ac the purpose was not to bomb airfields but to strike at the invasion fleets.
Since Andy moved back to Waingapo instead of Roti area the scene was set....

The question is how many divisions Andy unload at Waingapo; if he mostly lands support units and supplies we may still defeat them.
Another 2 divisions and it will be next to impossible...both ways.

Carriers can launch strikes and sweeps without the penalties that apply to LBA Bigbaba!

ORIGINAL: bigbaba

he is sweeping but typicaly weakness of WITP and AE is that the sweeps come in several smal waves. just like this stuppid "200 zeros eskorting 3 bombers" missions.

the allied side seems to have much lesser problems to coordinate strikes/sweeps...see the 1200 Ac carrier strike in the AAR of CT right around the corner.

have you missed the 40 pages of my ranting about hundreds of fighters for a couple of bombers and the rants about sweeps going in in squadron size while losing a fragment of fighters all the time? [:D] Yeah, I had one strike that can only be called mega, the carrier strike.

ORIGINAL: bigbaba

he is sweeping but typicaly weakness of WITP and AE is that the sweeps come in several smal waves. just like this stuppid "200 zeros eskorting 3 bombers" missions.

the allied side seems to have much lesser problems to coordinate strikes/sweeps...see the 1200 Ac carrier strike in the AAR of CT right around the corner.

I beg to differ. [;)] Carrier sweeps are one thing but I find it impossible to coordinate Land based fighter sweeps as the Allies. In fact, Japan gets the edge here because they have a few very large fighter formations so at least they can get a fair number of planes over the target. Allied 24 plane squadrons just get cut up and don't even try it with the Commonwealth 16 plane squadron. The rare occasion I get a coordinated sweep-well, I could just cry, I am so happy......[:D]

Next turn could be fun....

Go Team GO!!!
 
[:D]

What can I say; this must be the mother of all naval battles [8D]
No idea were to start, think I divide this into 2 parts again and start with the surface combat!

Key: Our naval plan worked like clockwork while the air force had another hard day at work.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 09, 43

Surface Combat

I've removed all indecisive and PT boat engagements to make it easier to read.

All our 6 surface combat TFs engaged as planned and after a rough start we slowly wore down the Allied fleets.
We finally got the the transports and if we only had more ammo enemy losses would have been much higher!

The "grande finale" came when the battle fleet with the Yamato and Musashi in lead attacked the huge convoys at anchor.
The large light cruiser Denver was blasted from the surface by 18.1" shells [:)]
- Just to complete the carnage the very same fleet nuked Waingapo and made certain it remained closed for the day.

The only fleet units lost today was a destroyer and a submarine! [&o]
All other ships withdrew from combat and escaped further attention from enemy CAG that was mostly busy with CAP duties - something which
our LBA suffered for.

Still, a very decisive result even though we couldn't prevent the Allies from landing reinforcements.

Night Time Surface Combat, near San Francisco at 212,81, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yura

Allied Ships
DE Edward C. Daly, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Alabaman, Shell hits 2
xAK Mormacdove, Shell hits 1
xAK Unicoi
xAKL Elna, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Endeh at 64,113, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Aoba
DD Hatsushima, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Concord, Shell hits 1
DD Flusser
DD Dale
DD Alden
DD Roebuck
DD Dent

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Waingapoe at 63,113, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Kinu
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 1
DD Yudachi
DD Shirayuki
DD Tatsuyuke, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 2
BB Ramillies, Shell hits 4
CA Frobisher, Shell hits 2
CL Emerald, Shell hits 2
DD Baldwin, Shell hits 2
DD Carmick
DD McCall, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD MacDonough

DD Makigumo engages DD Baldwin at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Waingapoe at 63,113, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Susuzuki, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hatsuzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Niizuki
DD Wakazuki
CL Ninaru

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 3
BB Idaho, Shell hits 4
CL Detroit, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Hammann, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Henley, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DD Cummings, Shell hits 1
DD Hull, Shell hits 1
DD Edsall, Shell hits 3
DD Rotherham, Shell hits 3, on fire

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Waingapoe at 63,113, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Agano
DD Yugumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Natsugumo
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 1
CL Durban, Shell hits 2
DD Dashiell, Shell hits 1
DD DeHaven
DD Schroeder, Shell hits 1
DD Taylor
DD McCook, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Frankford

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Waingapoe at 63,113, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano, on fire
CL Agano
DD Yugumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Uzuki

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
CL Durban
DD Dashiell, Shell hits 1
DD DeHaven
DD Schroeder
DD Taylor
DD McCook, on fire
DD Frankford, Shell hits 3, heavy fires

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Waingapoe at 63,113, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 3
CA Ashigara
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Tadeshiwa, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Katsutade
CL Teshio, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Idaho, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Hammann, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Cummings, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hull, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Rotherham, Shell hits 15, and is sunk

DD Akigumo engages DD Hammann at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Waingapoe at 63,113, Range 9,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
BB Yamato, Shell hits 3
BB Musashi, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1
DD Onami
DD Asashio
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Uranami, Shell hits 1
DD Suruyame
DD Tadeyame

Allied Ships
CL Denver, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
DD Philip
DD Terry, Shell hits 13, on fire
DD Rapid, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APA Leonard Wood, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Republic
xAP President Fillmore
xAP President Tyler, Shell hits 3
APA Custer, Shell hits 30, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APA Du Page, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Lurline
AK Etamin, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AK Bootes, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAK Delawarean
xAP Cape Perpetua
xAP Cape Johnson
xAP Cape San Juan
xAK Andrew Furuseth
xAK B. Livingston
xAK Benjamin Franklin
xAK Benjamin Holt
xAK Charles Lummis
xAK David Dudley Field
xAK Elihu Thomson
xAK Elizabeth Blackwell
xAK George M. Pullman
xAK George Read
xAK John Bartram
xAK John C. Fremont
xAK John S. Casement
xAK Jose Sepulveda
xAK Joseph Holt
xAK Josiah Snelling
xAK Matthew B. Brady
xAK Moses Rogers
xAK R. C. Brennan
xAK Samuel Adams
xAK Sheldon Jackson
xAK Smith Thompson
xAK Stanley Matthews
xAK Starr King
xAK Stephen M. White
xAK Thomas A. Edison, Shell hits 2
xAK Vitus Bering
xAK Walter Colton
xAK William C. Claiborne
xAK William H. Gray
xAK William R. Davie
xAK William T. Sherman
KV Vancouver, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
xAK La Pampa, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Bellerophon, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
LSI(L) Westralia, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
PG Indus, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
LSI(L) Empire Silver, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Van Neck, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Chyebassa, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAP Van Landsberge, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
xAK William Williams, Shell hits 2

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 69 (53 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Endeh at 64,113, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi, Shell hits 4
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Susuzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Niizuki
DD Wakazuki, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
CL Ninaru

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 3
BB Ramillies
CA Frobisher, Shell hits 1
CL Emerald, Shell hits 1
DD Baldwin, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Carmick
DD McCall, Shell hits 1
DD MacDonough

Hashimoto, Shintaro orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Waingapoe at 63,113, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1
CL Agano
DD Yugumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Uzuki

Allied Ships
DD Philip, Shell hits 1
DD Terry, Shell hits 19, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA Leonard Wood, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Republic
xAP President Fillmore
xAP President Tyler
APA Du Page, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Lurline
xAK Delawarean
xAP Cape Perpetua
xAP Cape Johnson
xAP Cape San Juan
xAK Andrew Furuseth
xAK B. Livingston
xAK Benjamin Franklin
xAK Benjamin Holt
xAK Charles Lummis
xAK David Dudley Field
xAK Elihu Thomson
xAK Elizabeth Blackwell
xAK George M. Pullman
xAK George Read
xAK John Bartram
xAK John C. Fremont
xAK John S. Casement
xAK Jose Sepulveda
xAK Joseph Holt
xAK Josiah Snelling
xAK Matthew B. Brady
xAK Moses Rogers
xAK R. C. Brennan
xAK Samuel Adams
xAK Sheldon Jackson
xAK Smith Thompson
xAK Stanley Matthews
xAK Starr King
xAK Stephen M. White
xAK Thomas A. Edison, on fire
xAK Vitus Bering
xAK Walter Colton
xAK William C. Claiborne
xAK William H. Gray
xAK William R. Davie
xAK William T. Sherman
xAK William Vanderbilt
xAK William Williams
xAK William Windom
xAK Zachary Taylor
xAP Takliwa
xAK African Prince
xAK Alice Moller
xAK Bhima
xAK Bucegi
xAP Van Imhoff, Shell hits 1
xAP Van Diemen, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 9 (5 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Waingapoe at 63,113, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
CL Agano
DD Yugumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Natsugumo, on fire
DD Uzuki

Allied Ships
LST-478, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Barala, Shell hits 11, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 12 disabled
Vehicles lost 46 (31 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Endeh at 64,113, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
DD Makigumo
DD Yudachi

Allied Ships
APA Leonard Wood, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA Du Page, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
xAK City of Adelaide, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
xAK La Pampa, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Pardo, Shell hits 2
xAP Van Diemen, on fire

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Endeh at 64,113, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
DD Katsutade, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Concord, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Flusser
DD Dale, Shell hits 1
DD Alden
DD Roebuck, Shell hits 1
DD Dent

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Endeh at 64,113, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
DD Yugumo
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Dashiell, Shell hits 4
DD DeHaven, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Taylor
DD Frankford, Shell hits 1

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 287 encounters mine field at 64,114

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin
LCI-218, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

2 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Endeh at 64,113, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
DD Onami
DD Asashio
DD Suzukaze
DD Uranami
DD Suruyame
DD Tadeyame

Allied Ships
LST-340, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
LST-341, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
LST-342, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-343, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAP Kingswood, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
KV Commandant Duboc, Shell hits 13, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
2524 casualties reported
Squads: 67 destroyed, 50 disabled
Non Combat: 88 destroyed, 136 disabled
Engineers: 23 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 11 (7 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 78 (51 destroyed, 27 disabled)

Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Endeh at 65,113, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CL Agano, Shell hits 1
DD Natsugumo, on fire
DD Uzuki

Allied Ships
CL Concord, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Flusser
DD Dale
DD Alden
DD Roebuck, on fire
DD Dent

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Endeh at 65,113, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
DD Onami
DD Asashio
DD Suzukaze
DD Uranami
DD Suruyame
DD Tadeyame

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB Ramillies
CA Frobisher
CL Emerald
DD Baldwin
DD Carmick
DD McCall
DD MacDonough

Allied Surface Combat TF evades combat
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Guess what happened when the mighty Yamato & Musashi opened up to take revenge on the airfields at Waingapoe [:D]

Night Naval bombardment of Waingapoe at 63,113

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 19 destroyed on ground
P-40N1 Warhawk: 5 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 16 destroyed on ground
Hurricane XIIb: 2 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 6 destroyed on ground
P-39N1 Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground
P-40N5 Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IV: 7 destroyed on ground
F-4 Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
F-4 Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima
BB Haruna
BB Kongo

Allied ground losses:
249 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (13 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 107

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Musashi
BB Musashi firing at Waingapoe
BB Yamato firing at Waingapoe
BB Kirishima firing at Waingapoe
BB Haruna firing at Waingapoe
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Kongo
BB Kongo firing at 11th (East African) Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks

Our subs excelled today! [&o]
Brave I-154 sacrificed herself to put a torpedo in the "New" Hornet!
The crippled Valiant took a hit, the Pennsylvania 2!! We also got a large loaded tanker and a cargo ship.

Sub attack near Waingapoe at 63,114
Japanese Ships
SS I-154, hits 15, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1
CL Columbia
CL Nashville
CL Mauritius
CLAA Atlanta
DD O'Bannon
DD Farenholt
DD Lardner
DD Duncan

SS I-154 launches 8 torpedoes at CV Hornet
DD Farenholt fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Lardner attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-154 forced to surface!
DD Lardner firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Duncan firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Waingapoe at 64,114

Japanese Ships
SS RO-102

Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

BB Valiant is sighted by SS RO-102
SS RO-102 launches 4 torpedoes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Donggala at 69,96
Japanese Ships
PB Takunan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PB Lushan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Plunger

SS Plunger launches 4 torpedoes at PB Takunan Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near San Francisco at 215,76
Japanese Ships
SS I-22

Allied Ships
xAK Mormacdove, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

xAK Mormacdove is sighted by SS I-22
SS I-22 attacking xAK Mormacdove on the surface
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Balikpapan at 65,99

Japanese Ships
PB Hakkaisan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PB Tatsumiya Maru

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Port Hedland at 57,129
Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
TK War Sirdar, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

TK War Sirdar is sighted by SS I-27
SS I-27 launches 6 torpedoes at TK War Sirdar
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Waingapoe at 63,113
Japanese Ships
SS I-165

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

BB Pennsylvania is sighted by SS I-165
SS I-165 launches 4 torpedoes at BB Pennsylvania
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the list of major Allied naval vessels seriously hit or sunk in todays naval battles.
More to follow in the Air Combat section.

CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1
BB Valiant, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
BB Idaho, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Australia, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
CL Denver, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
CL Concord, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
CL Detroit, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD DeHaven, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Terry, Shell hits 19, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Rapid, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hammann, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hull, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Rotherham, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
DD Frankford, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Henley, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DE Edward C. Daly, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
PG Indus, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
KV Vancouver, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Included an overview of damaged Japanese ships!

I expect Andy to withdraw his fleets to Oz to rest and reorganize after todays battles.
No way he's going back into Waingapo and I can't see why he wants to keep his carriers around any longer either.

The question is now "What next"?

Our heavy LBA losses need a week or two to be made good.
Can't afford to loose pilots in this magnitude; even our sweeps suffered appalling losses today.

What I see should have been done in hindsight was to move the KB closer;
- this would have destroyed the Allied fleets withdrawing 3-4 hexes east of Waingapo and thus ending up outside of our naval strike range.
The dange is that large part of the elite KB wings could have been ripped apart as well.

I really need to keep the KB as a fleet in being and constantly pose a threat to Andy.
As long as we do this the Allied carriers will be tied into a stand-off.

An all out assault on the Allied carriers could have provided results but most likely the price would have been to high.
If I had to replace 800 KB pilots I would have had to scrounge the Empire for pilots [;)]

PS! The Musashi took a single torpedo hit and suffered 25 flood damage (10 major) - lots of damage for 1 hit.
So she's heading towards a repair yards for R&R and upgrades; see you in 3 months....

Battleships are really best as bomb magnets and bombardment platforms.
They perform well against convoys but in battle against fast and agile cruisers and destroyers they're just targets.
- Look at the Allied battleships; torched and tortured without being able to hit back with much effect.

I'm therefore really happy about not loosing a single Jap cruiser [:)]
Together with the Shimakaze and Akizuki class destroyers they're a challenge for anything the Allies can throw at us even in late 43.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 09, 43

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 4
Martlet II x 7
Martlet IV x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
F6F-3 Hellcat x 162

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 31

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3
Martlet II x 7
Martlet IV x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
F6F-3 Hellcat x 127

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 31

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
Martlet II x 3
Martlet IV x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
F6F-3 Hellcat x 80


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 9 destroyed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,11
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 24

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Martlet II x 2
Martlet IV x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ruteng , at 64,111
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 34,300 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 28300 feet
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Endeh at 66,114
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sawoe-eilanden at 65,115
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 4
Martlet IV x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 9000 feet
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Waingapoe at 63,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 5
Martlet II x 1
Martlet IV x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 59

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Waingapoe at 63,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
B6N1 Jill x 13

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 5
Martlet II x 1
Martlet IV x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ruteng , at 64,111
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 19
B-24D Liberator x 36
B-24D1 Liberator x 37
B-24J Liberator x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 41
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 147
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ruteng , at 64,111
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Waingapoe at 63,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 19
D4Y1 Judy x 43

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 4
Martlet II x 1
Martlet IV x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 17 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Australia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sawoe-eilanden at 65,115
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 13

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 1
Martlet IV x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Ramillies
BB Mississippi

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Waingapoe at 63,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 13

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3
Martlet II x 1
Martlet IV x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 5 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 49

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Martlet II x 1
Martlet IV x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ruteng , at 64,111
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 170

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
12 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
16 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
12 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
20 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
9 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
19 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
8 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
9 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
6 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
6 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
10 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
9 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
6 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
7 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
6 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Endeh at 66,114
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 14

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Flusser
DD Alden, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 1
Martlet II x 1
Martlet IV x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Waingapoe , at 63,113
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 18
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 25

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sawoe-eilanden at 65,115
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sawoe-eilanden at 65,115
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 10

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 7 destroyed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Endeh at 64,113
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 36
D4Y1 Judy x 27

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 6
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 9 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Pardo, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
xAP Van Diemen, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 40 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 46 (32 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Van Diemen
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Pardo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Endeh at 65,113
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 30
D4Y1 Judy x 20

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Dent, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Concord, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Dent
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Concord
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

So LBA sank a few transports, a destroyer and finished a crippled CL.
Not much to show for but looking at the battle as a whole it's something we can live with.

ORIGINAL: PzB

Our heavy LBA losses need a week or two to be made good.

My God - those losses and only a week or two?!! By just how much is Japan outproducing the Allies? [&:]

PS: Great job on the surface strikes.

PS! This is the part of the battle when subs perform optimally; lots of damaged and crippled ships around.
To bad I don't have more than a dozen operational boats or so in this theater.
Allied subs have to a large degree been neutralized by our ASW assets; Helens with special training keep good track of them and tag the occasional boat, severly reducing their effectiveness.

I also had to make a very important decision about KB this turn; should we stay on the defensive, play more offense or just fade out of view again! [:'(]

-> Witpqs; it's veteran pilots, not airframes that hurt at this stage.
I'm low on Tojo IIbs but have converted training units in Japan to the older model.
Same with Helen IIs (the IIB model entered production not so long ago)and Zeke A6M5s.
- I still have lots of Jacks and George's in the pools but I'm not allowed to upgeade to these units; only have 1 unrestricted.

When losses sky rocket like they did in this campaign I have turned all factories back on.
Another week with similar casualties will force me to start rotating in units from Central Pacific and Burma theatres; these are strategic reserves to be used in future Allied invasions in 44-45.

Pretty sure that Andy can take his losses as well; he may be burning up his best fighters like T-bolts and Corsair at a rather high rate though.

No CAs lost? Are you telling me Tone will survive? She got rocked.

Niiice. I do not see possibility to strike at cripples with KB (without Carriers CAP), so keep it safe.
Just remember the weird model AA ammunition is spent. If night attacks resemble those during daylight, if you manage to send 100+ anti-ship planes at night, after 3 days, Allied CVs should spent most of their AA ammunition. And without AA ammunition hit rate triples.

Also, it seems you sank at least Division during this whole operation. If "Vehicles" do not include Motorized Support, Allies are seriously short on tanks now.

ORIGINAL: PzB
I expect Andy to withdraw his fleets to Oz to rest and reorganize after todays battles.
No way he's going back into Waingapo and I can't see why he wants to keep his carriers around any longer either.

The question is now "What next"?

Great job, quite unbelievable that IJN came out of that so far with little loss. The air losses are appalling, but I don't see much option for a general change of strategy. If the perimeter will be breached... that has to be prevented at "almost all" costs as long as possible. Keep in mind that even your heavy pilot losses can be replaced if you retook WP -- it could buy substantial amounts of time.

I'd say keep the battlewagons closing the fields, keep them CAPped, and keep your airforce in the fight. Once the allied fighter numbers drop, your sweeps should again approach a better kill-loss ratio. It seems to be especially his huge numbers that kill your fighters. March in the ground forces, but be sure to secure your side of the island well. If I were Andy, I would now be plotting a second landing to cut you off from supply. As long as the facilities in WP are closed, you are actually in a reasonable position to probe his defenses. Critical would now be a way to also shut down his supply convoys for the next couple of weeks, but that requires more luck like today, and perhaps KB...

ORIGINAL: PzB
I really need to keep the KB as a fleet in being and constantly pose a threat to Andy.
As long as we do this the Allied carriers will be tied into a stand-off.

I am afraid to say, but I think aside from the beatings by your CA, Andy probably is quite satisfied with KB remaining in the shadows at this point. At least I were. Your CA may hurt, and hurt badly, but his CLs and DDs are just "consumables". And your CA might get caught on their way limping home by his TBF/SBD. With every day his CV can operate without attack by KB, they fulfill their strategic goal. Andy's advance is slow, but he can repeat this many times if always KB stays out of range. If he opens another such base with the exact same approach, the perimeter would fall much sooner.
I am in favor of putting KB into action when a reasonably good moment comes, i.e. when his CV air gets worn down against your LBA.

Tone is 56/58/16 in damage and unless hit again she will make it Mynok! [:)]

Andy says he needs 24 hours to think through the next turn...now that's a first; looks like we've upset his plans a bit.
Ok with me, been a few loong turns now.

Yes, the battle still hangs in the balance. We have not achieved the results in the air that I hoped despite my best efforts.
Enemy losses over Waingapo have been gratifying but this is in large part something we can thank the Navy for.
- The Combined Fleet has performed with grandeour but depends on Army and Navy LBA for protection.

Loss of ac and pilots is not critical; both can be replaced even though quality will suffer some.
Ships on the other hand can not be replaced.

Jahn; I really considered sending in the KB but with Waingapoe open for business I couldn't risk it.
You all saw our our strikes were murdered.

I have now moved the KB - not offensively - want to see Andy's next move before committing again.
Next turn we send in another bombardment of Waingapo and light surface units and subs will try to strike at the damaged enemy units.

...talk about the sun and 24 hours; new turn from Andy is in:
"There is something wrong wit my ships.....
Damn those jap CA's are nasty"

It will be some time before I can complete the turn though, chores and work out first.

Damn those jap CA's are nasty