Banda Sea
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:38 am
I made a map of the 2nd battle of the Banda Sea...twice....and my 10 year old computer ate it..twice. I blame Stalker Girl, of course, for using IE instead of Firefox. I therefore have elected to describe the battle in words.
Upon the approach of the Grey Funnel Line, the Japs bugged out of Kendari on the night of 12-27/28, retreating some 120 miles to the NE. Force Z and the Dutch force reached an empty harbour and turned about without firing a shot.
TF Enterprise (Halsey), stopped to refuel the DD's, reaching only 160 mi SE of Kendari by daylight. TF Lexington, refueled somewhat later and was 80 miles ESE of Kenadari by daylight. Catastrophically, Lexingon was unable to launch any CAP or conduct strikes. Shortly after dawn 23 Bettys showed up from Manado with 8 Zeroes in escort. Lexington had no air cover from Enterprise as they wre separated in the night. One Betty scored a torpedo hit. A small attack of Kates (presumably from Ruyjo 100 miles away did no damage. In the interim, Enterprises dive bombers found Ruyjo at extreme range and reported four hits each on Ryujo and Taiyo, with each burning heavily. A weak group of Kates approched Enterprise but were destroyed by the F3F CAP. In the afternoon, 3 Bettys again found Lexington dead in the water and scored another torpedo hit. Enterprises dive bombers scored 2 more hits each on Ryujo and Taiyo (probably fatal damage on both).
At nightfall, Lexington had 47% flooding and a fire level of 7. She is unable to refuel from her sister ships, presumably from the fire.
Enterprise will join her to provide CAP as she limps to port. The B-17's at Balikpapan will try to supress Manado on the 29th. Recon of Kendari shows only 6 fighters. The greatest threat to Lexington will likely be Jap subs but the weather is clear so the Bettys will be back.
Upon the approach of the Grey Funnel Line, the Japs bugged out of Kendari on the night of 12-27/28, retreating some 120 miles to the NE. Force Z and the Dutch force reached an empty harbour and turned about without firing a shot.
TF Enterprise (Halsey), stopped to refuel the DD's, reaching only 160 mi SE of Kendari by daylight. TF Lexington, refueled somewhat later and was 80 miles ESE of Kenadari by daylight. Catastrophically, Lexingon was unable to launch any CAP or conduct strikes. Shortly after dawn 23 Bettys showed up from Manado with 8 Zeroes in escort. Lexington had no air cover from Enterprise as they wre separated in the night. One Betty scored a torpedo hit. A small attack of Kates (presumably from Ruyjo 100 miles away did no damage. In the interim, Enterprises dive bombers found Ruyjo at extreme range and reported four hits each on Ryujo and Taiyo, with each burning heavily. A weak group of Kates approched Enterprise but were destroyed by the F3F CAP. In the afternoon, 3 Bettys again found Lexington dead in the water and scored another torpedo hit. Enterprises dive bombers scored 2 more hits each on Ryujo and Taiyo (probably fatal damage on both).
At nightfall, Lexington had 47% flooding and a fire level of 7. She is unable to refuel from her sister ships, presumably from the fire.
Enterprise will join her to provide CAP as she limps to port. The B-17's at Balikpapan will try to supress Manado on the 29th. Recon of Kendari shows only 6 fighters. The greatest threat to Lexington will likely be Jap subs but the weather is clear so the Bettys will be back.
