Spanking Lowpe (NJP72 vs Lowpe (A))

[Lowpe]

Then three relatively unescorted waves of bombers go in with predictable results, here is the 3rd one:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bundaberg at 96,155

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
F1M2 Pete x 4
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 23

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Nishimi Maru
CA Mikuma
xAK Venice Maru
xAK Nanman Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

[Lowpe]

Some strafing Airacobras...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bundaberg at 96,155

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
F1M2 Pete x 3
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
xAK Kosin Maru #2, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Kiso, Shell hits 1
CL Nagara, Shell hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x P-39D Airacobra bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

[Lowpe]

And finally a sub connects:

Submarine attack near Bundaberg at 96,155

Japanese Ships
xAK Tokusima Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Salmon

xAK Tokusima Maru is sighted by SS Salmon
SS Salmon launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Tokusima Maru

[Lowpe]

About normal for an early war land based attack on shipping...but now the IJN is at Rockhampton with the Allied fleets fresh, and armed at Marysborough.

The damaged IJ fighters are landlocked at Rockhampton, unless he loads them on xak.

His fleets have fired quite a few rounds, both against the PT boats and the attacking planes...

Moonlight is high, the forecast is clear...the KB is somewhere?

[Lowpe]

Lots of action likely tomorrow...

[Lowpe]

China...IJA going off road again...have four squadrons of SBs flying recon over the hex to determine his direction of movement.

[Lowpe]

Interesting...but not definitive.

[Lowpe]

Bombardment at Bundaberg, IJA troop levels about the same as yesterday...are they bringing in supplies? Or is it a withdraw? Does Japan plan to load troops this day? Why not an emergency fleet withdraw?:

Ground combat at Bundaberg (96,155)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2784 troops, 149 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 797

Defending force 17579 troops, 176 guns, 38 vehicles, Assault Value = 421

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
34th Infantry Regiment
3rd Australian/A Division
4th Australian/B Division
5th Australian Division
46th Indian Brigade
3rd Australian/B Division
3rd Australian/C Division
131st Field Artillery Battalion
260th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
98th Coast AA Regiment
4th RAAF Base Force
2nd Marine Defense Battalion
147th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd RAA Coastal Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Sasebo 8th SNLF
33rd Division
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
5th Naval Construction Battalion
1st Raiding Rgt /2
4th JAAF AF Bn
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Infantry Rgt /7

[Lowpe]

The Allied fleet sorties from Maryborough...full ammo, PT boats leading the way...a bombardment force the last group leaving Brisbane...

Australia hangs in the balance...

[Lowpe]

May 3, 1942

In the late hours of May 2, 1942...the Allied fleet sorties...in groups on the smallish side, but not multiple small task forces...

Brace yourselves, true believer! The IJN is still at Bundaberg!

Sirens, battlestations...danger![X(]

[Lowpe]

Dream conditions for the Allies...a solid five rounds of gunnery, and better yet the IJN launches lots and lots of torpedoes!

It is up to our local Captains now...to see this night triumphant!

[Lowpe]

The light cruiser task force...lots of torpedoes again from Japan and Achilles took a 20cm hit too!

[Lowpe]

Another Allied light cruiser force shows up and finds a fresh IJN SAG...and punishes them![:)]

[Lowpe]

Ching takes his task force straight at them and slugs it out...refusing to let them disengage...a punishing fight!

[Lowpe]

Conditions aren't the best for PT boats...but they are covering some different vectors...

[Lowpe]

PT boats are plucky!

[Lowpe]

A fresh IJN SAG spotted, and engaged...this is our bombardment task force.

[RangerJoe]

Very nice![&o]

One CA gone for sure, four more may sink along with a CL and a DD. If nothing else, they will have a long time in the body and fender shop - if they can get to one!

There is a way to get the fighters to sweep first . . . [;)]

[Lowpe]

The damaged Java breaks off and flees...

[Lowpe]

Helm can't fight off the destroyer squadron, they race in and torpedo Achilles from 2k yards...