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Great job.

Where are you headed next? Where do plan to be in 6 months?

I just read closer and answered my own question Marianas and Carolines.

Grit.....the next offensive thrust for the Allies will be from SWPAC completing its conquest of New Guinea and capturing the Paulaus/Carolines.



6/1/43


Every 2 monthe StoneAge and I post all the Intel screenies for points, ship and AC losses and pilots.





THE NAVAL WAR


Ship losses as 6/1/43 are as follows:


ALLIES

3 CVs; 1 CVL; 6 BBs; 2 CAs; 3 CLs; 1 CLAA; 19 DDs; 7 APs; 93 AK/AKLs; 5 AOs; 8 TKs; 21 SS; 4 SCs; 3 DMS



JAPANESE

8 CVs; 3 CVLs; 1 CVE; 4 BBs; 4 CAs; 9 CLs; 2 CS; 21 DDs; 5 APDs; 3 APs; 212 AK/AKLs; 3 AOs; 28 TKs; 38 SS; 8 SSX; 10 DMS; 13 SCs; 1 E; 71 PBs


Besides the slaughter of the escorts it appears that the IJN TK losses are ramping up now.


Here is a screenie of the Intel Screen:

6/1/43......THE AIR WAR


Last time I posted these results 2 months ago Allied and Japanese aircraft losses were about the same. Now with all the CENTPAC carrier air activity and base suppression in the Marshalls Allied AC losses have surged ahead of the Japanese.

The Allies have lost 5506 AC vs 5133 Japanese AC. In A2A its almost equal.......some 2183 Allied AC to 2157 Japanese AC.


Here is a screenshot of Japanese aircraft losses. With all the carrier activity in the Marshalls losses of Zero's have shot past those of the Oscars:

6/1/43......THE AIR WAR


And here is a screenie of Allied plane losses. Notably SBD-3 losses have skyrocketed due to IJN AA in the carrier battles of the Marshalls.....some 166 SBD-3s lost to AA and 100 SBDs to ops:

6/1/43.....THE AIR WAR


Here is a screenshot of the top Allied pilots.....hasnt changed much from the last time we checked 2 months ago:

6/1/43.....THE AIR WAR



And finally here is a screenie of the pilot pool....all I can see from this is that the US Army pilots have decreased in graduation experience to 26:

OPERATIONAL PLANNING: JUNE-DECEMBER 1943




CENTPAC: THE MARIANAS CAMPAIGN.....SEPT.-DECEMBER 1943


CENTPAC has handed the offensive baton to SWPAC and is now building up vigorously at Rabaul for its upcoming Marianas offensive.

The capture of the Gilberts and Marianas has drastically shortened the length of the Allied supply line from the US west coast to the Allied forward base in the Pacific. In 1942, the supply line was over 200 hexes(8000 miles) from California to the South Pacific forward base at Noumea.

Now, Allied convoys can sail directly from San Franscisco to Rabaul over a 140 hex pathway(5600 miles) in journey that lasts just over a month....the round trip of 2 months saves some 4800 miles and around a month of transit time.

Troops, base forces, supplies and engineers are pouring into Rabaul from a steady stream of convoys that stretch back to California.

The Marianas will be a very difficult nut to crack....recon shows over 80,000 IJA troops stationed on Guam, Tinian and Saipan.... but General Hap Arnold need these islands for airbases for the new B-29 bombers that will be arriving in 1944. The Allies will need to capture islands in the Carolines and Paulaus for airfields for land based bombers to soften up the Marianas.



SWPAC SUMMER OFFENSIVE 1943: PHASE I.....JUNE 1943


The Pacific has been fairly quiet for the last 2 weeks as the hundreds of ships of the Pacific Fleet stage from the Marshalls to Rabaul.

The 1st Phase of the SWPAC summer offensive will see the capture of the remainder of the northern coast of New Guinea. The forward SWPAC base on New Guinea is at Hollandia. There are currently 7 squadrons of transport AC there that will drop USMC paratroops at Sarmi, Biak and Manokwari. In mid
June an amphibious assault will secure Sorong. Sorong will give SWPAC a large airfield to support offensive thrusts into the DEI and eventually the Philippines.

In late June another amphibious assault will capture Woleai. Woleai will give SWPAC a level 2 airfield to support fighter sweeps and SBD-5 divebombers
against Ulithi, Yap, Babeldaob and eventually he Marianas.

OPERATIONAL PLANNING: JUNE-DECEMBER 1943



SWPAC SUMMER OFFENSIVE: PHASE II.....JULY-AUGUST 1943


In July 1943 SWPAC will amphibious assault Ulithi, Yap and Morotai. Ulithi will give the Allies an eventual level 6 anchorage for the Pacific Fleet as it engages the Japanese in the Marianas, and Yap(currently a level 2 airfield) will eventually give the Allies a level 6 airfield for bombing Babeldaob and the Marianas.

Morotai will eventually be developed into a level 6 airfield for air support for offensive ops in the eastern DEI and the Philippines.

In August SWPAC will assault Babeldaob.....there are currently over 25,000 diehard Japanese there and this will be a bloody fight. If memeory serves me right there was an 8" CD gun unit there in its equivalent in stock WitP.

6/2-6/13/43



SUBS


SS Snook sinks TK Akare Maru off Iriomote.

SS Harder is hit by by 5 DCs from IJN ASW TF near Donggala and sinks.

SS Growler sinks E Wakataka by Balabac.

SS Albacore takes 6 DCs from IJN ASW TF and limps back towards Midway.

SS Pollack sinks AK Kyosei Maru off Waskkanai.



CENTPAC


Medium bombers are staged into the new level 4 airfield at Ponape and IJN shipping is hit off Truk:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 8


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Asanagi
PB Tatibana Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Asanagi caught transferring cargo ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Tatibana Maru



SBDs, TBFs, medium and heavy bombers based at Tarawa, Makin, Mili and Maloelap pound the Japanese base at Wotje.






SWPAC


SWPAC kicks off their SUMMER 1943 offensive with a drop of USMC paratroops on Sarmi.

Amphibious transports load seabees Manus, Kaving and Feni Island for the the next wave of basebuilding in north western New Guinea.

With respect, Admiral, I think you are going to need more infantry to take Babeldaob. He's likely to have that place fortified up to at least 6. How much pre-invasion air attack and bombardment are you planning to do?

That said, I do like your plan, and wish you every success.

Carny....thanks for the heads up and u r absolutely correct about Babeldaob. I forgot to list Americal Division on the screenshot for the Babeldaob invasion.

BTW....all of the HQs and LCUs I use in the invasions are 100% prepped for their targets. Its another good reason for alternating offensives between commands every 3-5 months. Not only does that allow commands to build up supplies, fuel and troops but it allows all the HQs and LCUs to become 100% prepped for their objectives and maximize the efficiency of every AV point. While SWPAC was attacking New Guinea in late 1942 CENTPAC was prepping HQs and LCUs for the Gilberts/Marshalls. While CENTPAC was attacking Gilberts/Marshalls SWPAC was prepping for Paulaus/Carolines. And now while SWPAC attacks Paulaus/Carolines CENTPAC is prepping for the Marianas.



6/14-6/17/43





SUBS


SS I-33 sinks AP Koolinda off Kai Island.

SS S-45 sinks TK San Pedro Maru by Tanjoengelor.

SS KXVIII sinks PB Aso Maru #3 by Tanjoengelor.

SS Halibut attacks AO convoy and is hit by 2 Dcs from the escorts.



SWPAC SUMMER 1943 OFFENSIVE


USMC Paratrrops capture Biak.

SWPAC invasion forces for Sorong mass at Hollandia and are attacked by Bettys on a Hari Kari mission:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 17, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 22



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 23


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 11 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied Ships
CL Adelaide
CL Raleigh



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
347th FG/67th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

6/18-6/21/43




SWPAC SUMMER 1943 OFFENSIVE: NAVAL BATTLE OF HOLLANDIA


Task Group 58.....CV Hornet, CV Enterprise, CV Yorktown, CV Lexington and CV Saratoga......takes up station just off Sorong to support Admiral Hill's Amphibious TF 86 assault on Sorong next turn with the 112th Calvary Regiment.

Admiral Halsey's SAG with BB Washington, BB Nevada and BB Arizona leaves Rabaul to join TF 86 at Sorong and provide surface cover for the assault of the 112th Calvary Regiment.

The Imperial japanese Navy suddenly appears off Hollandia with both a SAG centered around BB Hyuga, BB Fuso and BB Ise and an Air Combat TF based around CVE Taiyo and CVL Ryuho.

SWPAC land based AC strike repeatedly at both the SAG and the Air Combat TF:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,114

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 19



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 19
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 8 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(16 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers



Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,114

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,114

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 5



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 14


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Ise



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead
Hiryu-1 with A6M3a Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead


The IJN Air Combat TF launches strikes against Admiral Halsey's SAG and an Allied transport TF:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Aitape at 96,118

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 2
B6N1 Jill x 12
D4Y1 Judy x 9



Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Torpedo hits 2
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Washington, Bomb hits 1
CA New Orleans



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-111 with F4F-3A Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 32000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 93,115

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 4
D3A2 Val x 8



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged


Allied Ships
AP Henderson, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Edsall, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A2 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
347th FG/67th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 26000
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AP Henderson


Allied land based airstrikes continue on through the morning into the afternoon:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 95,112

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 2


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryuho



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,114

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 8
P-38G Lightning x 19


Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 95,112

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 16



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes



Finally some Marine SBD pilots score some hits on the IJN carriers:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 95,112

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 28
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 1
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 2, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M3a Zero (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead


Airstrikes continue throughout the afternoon and eventually BB Arizona is hit by a torepdo:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,114

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 7
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 2


Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 95,112

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 8



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 9
Kittyhawk I x 7
P-38G Lightning x 19


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
CVE Taiyo
CA Kumano



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
6 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 12000 feet
2 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Kittyhawk I sweeping at 12000 feet *

CAP engaged:
Hiryu-1 with A6M3a Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Aitape at 96,118

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 2
B6N1 Jill x 3



Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 7


Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VMF-111 with F4F-3A Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 32000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 93,115

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 2
D3A2 Val x 4



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged


Allied Ships
APA U.S. Grant



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A2 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
347th FG/67th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 26000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes



I guess that Im a bit surprised that when I attacked some IJN BBs in the Marshalls with over 140 SBDs I lost 38 to AA and 10 more to ops while maybe scratching the paint on a Jap BB. Here Japan attacks with 3 Jills and still scores a torpedo hit while losing 1 Jill....and all of these USN BBs have been upgraded to the latest and greatest AA and fire directors and radar.....and torpedo bombers(two dimensional) are much easier to hit with AA than divebombers(three dimensional). In RL on 6/4/42 at Midway...the day all 4 IJN carriers were mortally wounded....only 1 SBD was lost the entire day from IJN AA.


Admiral Halsey is forced to withdraw his SAG back to Rabaul....BB Arizona has 1 SYS, 22 FLT damage, BB Nevada has 10 SYS, 43 FLT while CA Northampton has 19 SYS damage.

The turn ends with the IJN SAG a couple hexes off Hollandia.....looks like StoneAgwe will do another one of his naval bombardments here. All AC are staged out of Hollandia and more land based bombers are staged into Aitape.

While CV Lexington and CV Saratoga cover the landings on Sorong, CV Hornet, CV Enterprise and CV Yorktown are ordered to intercept the IJN SAG and Air Combat TF off Hollandia.

CV Essex just reached Rabaul this turn and refueled. She will be joined by CV Victorious and they will also attempt to intercept the IJN TFs. If StoneAge hangs around to bombard Hollandia next turn all 7 Allied carriers have a chance to intercept.

There's been some threads on AA. I did some sandbox testing and found surprising results. When attacking CV task forces, more Allied planes are destroyed/damaged than IJN to flak. I think it's because of the pre-cap flak phase being stronger than it should be. JuanG also mentioned that in game, IJN DD's have a lot more AA capability than in real life. Most of their main armament was not true DP guns, yet they are in game.

The testing I did showed about 1.5 us planes lost vs 1 ijn plane lost to approximately equivalent CV task forces in 42. In 43, it becomes better for the Allies, at about 1 US plane lost to 1.25 IJN plane lost to AA.

I don't think it's very historical, though. Flak did kill US planes in 1942, but not to a great degree. Flak was very significant to IJN plane losses in 42 and continued through the war.

Bradley7735..... Thanx for the information on the AA testing.

USN AA in RL, OTOH, became extremely lethal by late 1942. BB South Dakota single handedly shot down 26 divebombers and torpeso bombers on 10/26/42 during the Battle of Santa Cruz.



6/22/43




SUBS


SS Pompano sinks AK Kasuga Maru #2 off Ningpo.

SS Muskallunge sinks PB Toyokuni Maru by Sapporo.



NAVAL BATTLE OF HOLLANDIA......DAY TWO


The torpedo hits on BB Arizona and BB Nevada on 6/21/43 forced Admiral Halsey to withdraw his SAG to Rabaul for repairs.

This left USN Amphibious TFs off the northern coast of New Guinea without surface escort.

Two IJN SAGs....one built around BB Hyuga, BB Fuso and BB Ise......and a second SAG built around BB Yamato....go in for the kill in a night action on the unescorted USN Amphibious TFs.

First the BB Hyuga SAG finds some transports off Hollandia but they make good their escape in the dark:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 22, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Hollandia at 93,115, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CS Chiyoda
BB Fuso
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CA Takao
CA Aoba
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
CL Sendai
CL Naka
DD Susuzuki
DD Yugumo
DD Akigumo
DD Makigumo
DD Takanami
DD Naganami
DD Tamanami
DD Onami
DD Kiyonami
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
DD Yukikaze
DD Maikaze

Allied Ships
APA William P. Biddle
APA U.S. Grant
AP McCawley



Improved night sighting under 78% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 78% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 14,000 yards...
Range increases to 15,000 yards...
Range increases to 16,000 yards...
Range increases to 17,000 yards...
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
Range increases to 19,000 yards...
Range increases to 20,000 yards...
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Range increases to 23,000 yards...
Range increases to 24,000 yards...
Range increases to 25,000 yards...
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Range increases to 27,000 yards...
Range increases to 28,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Allied Amphibious TF evades combat


Then the BB Yamato SAG annihilates 2 USN Amphibious TFs off Manokwari. The 1st Fiji Commando Bn barely gets ashore before BB Yamato shows up:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Biak at 86,109, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
CA Ashigara
CA Kumano
DD Isokaze
DD Yamagumo
DD Shiratsuyu

Allied Ships
APD Waters, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
APA Heywood, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APA George F. Elliot, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LSD Carter Hall, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
LST-16, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-473, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
LCI-23, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
LCI-24, Shell hits 2, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
313 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 66 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 80 disabled
Vehicles lost 27 (12 destroyed, 15 disabled)


Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 29,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 29,000 yards
BB Yamato engages APA George F. Elliot at 29,000 yards
BB Yamato engages LST-473 at 29,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards
BB Yamato engages APA George F. Elliot at 25,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages LST-473 at 25,000 yards
BB Yamato engages LST-16 at 25,000 yards
BB Yamato engages LCI-24 at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
BB Yamato engages APA George F. Elliot at 21,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages LSD Carter Hall at 21,000 yards
LCI-24 sunk by CA Kumano at 21,000 yards
BB Yamato engages LCI-23 at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages APA George F. Elliot at 19,000 yards
CA Kumano engages APD Waters at 19,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages LSD Carter Hall at 19,000 yards
LST-473 sunk by BB Yamato at 19,000 yards
CA Kumano engages LST-16 at 19,000 yards
BB Yamato engages LCI-23 at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
BB Yamato engages LSD Carter Hall at 16,000 yards
CA Kumano engages LSD Carter Hall at 16,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages LSD Carter Hall at 16,000 yards
CA Kumano engages LSD Carter Hall at 16,000 yards
BB Yamato engages LST-16 at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
LSD Carter Hall sunk by BB Yamato at 15,000 yards
CA Kumano engages APA Heywood at 15,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages APD Waters at 15,000 yards
BB Yamato engages LST-16 at 15,000 yards
LCI-23 sunk by BB Yamato at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
BB Yamato engages APA George F. Elliot at 13,000 yards
CA Kumano engages APA Heywood at 13,000 yards
CA Kumano engages APD Waters at 13,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages APA Heywood at 13,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages APA George F. Elliot at 13,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages APA George F. Elliot at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
APA George F. Elliot sunk by BB Yamato at 11,000 yards
CA Kumano engages APA Heywood at 11,000 yards
BB Yamato engages APD Waters at 11,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages APD Waters at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
APA Heywood sunk by BB Yamato at 8,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages APD Waters at 8,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages APD Waters at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Yamato engages APD Waters at 9,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages APD Waters at 9,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages APD Waters at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Yamato engages APD Waters at 11,000 yards
CA Kumano engages APD Waters at 11,000 yards
APD Waters sunk by CA Ashigara at 11,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages LST-16 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages LST-16 at 9,000 yards
LST-16 sunk by CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


Day Time Surface Combat, near Manokwari at 85,109, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
CA Ashigara
CA Kumano
DD Isokaze
DD Yamagumo
DD Shiratsuyu

Allied Ships
AM Conflict, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
APA Fuller, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 29,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 29,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
BB Yamato engages APA Fuller at 24,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages APA Fuller at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
BB Yamato engages APA Fuller at 19,000 yards
BB Yamato engages APA Fuller at 19,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages APA Fuller at 19,000 yards
APA Fuller sunk by DD Shiratsuyu at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
BB Yamato engages AM Conflict at 16,000 yards
CA Kumano engages AM Conflict at 16,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages AM Conflict at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
AM Conflict sunk by CA Kumano at 13,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


The 1st Fiji Commando BN made it ashore at Manokwari and will attack next turn but 3 naval construction regiments are lost offshore in the debacle, along with 1 APD, 1 AM, 3 APAs, 1 LSD,2 LCIs and 2 LSTs.

As the sun rises USN SBDs search the seas looking for revenge. I forgot to remove the "Follow TF" prder from the Air Combat TF with Lex and Sara so they follow the other 3 USN CVs seeking out the IJN TFs( the screenshot below is mislabeled....Lex and Sara are NOT off Sorong).

First they find the IJN Air Combat TF and punish it:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Woleai at 99,104

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 5



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 28
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36
SBD-5 Dauntless x 28


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 21 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires
DD Shigure



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
18 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Raid is overhead
Hiryu-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryuho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Taiyo


The IJN carrier response is minimal:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Peleliu at 93,106

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 1
B6N1 Jill x 2



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 104


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes



Allied land based based AC make repeated attacks on the IJN Tfs during the morning:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,109

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 6
P-38F Lightning x 12


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Manokwari at 85,109

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 18


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yamagumo
DD Isokaze
CA Ashigara
DD Shiratsuyu
CA Kumano



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,109

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
DD Maikaze
CS Chiyoda



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



Then the USN carriers launch a devastating attack on ther BB Hyuga SAG:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,109

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 13
SBD-5 Dauntless x 14
TBF-1 Avenger x 63


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 5 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 37 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Sendai
CA Furutaka
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 1
CA Takao
CS Chiyoda, Torpedo hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
2 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



Alied land based AC launch more sorties on ther IJN TFs:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,109

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 4


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Beaufighter Ic bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Manokwari at 85,109

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

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


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 6
CA Kumano



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



In the afternoon land based Bettys make a futile attack on the USN CVs:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Peleliu at 93,106

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 17



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 103


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed


Allied Ships
CV Lexington



CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
17 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers


The USN CVs launch another heavy attack in the afternoon:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,109

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 36
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 63
SBD-5 Dauntless x 12
TBF-1 Avenger x 56


Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 44 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 36 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 10, heavy fires
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CA Takao, Torpedo hits 1
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Akigumo
DD Hatsukaze
CL Naka, Torpedo hits 1
DD Takanami
DD Kiyonami
CS Chiyoda, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CA Kako
DD Makigumo
DD Oyashio
CL Sendai
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 1
DD Tamanami
DD Maikaze



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
3 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
21 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
2 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Ise
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga


CA Aoba and CS Chiyoda sink immediately.


The US carriers recover their planes and re-arm for more attacks tomorrow.

6/23/42




NAVAL BATTLE OF HOLLANDIA.....DAY THREE



The BB Yamato SAG escapes to the north unscathed by USN carrier bombers.


The BB Hyuga/BB Fuso/BB Ise SAG is slowed down due to massive damage and is hit repeatedly by both Allied land based and carrier bombers:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Biak at 91,107

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
P-38F Lightning x 25


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
BB Ise, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Biak at 92,107

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 47
SBD-3 Dauntless x 22
TBF-1 Avenger x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CA Takao, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Naka, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese CA


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Biak at 91,107

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9
TBF-1 Avenger x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Sendai



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Biak at 91,107

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Biak at 92,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
18 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Biak at 92,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45
SBD-5 Dauntless x 24


Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
9 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese CA


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Biak at 91,107

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11
TBF-1 Avenger x 11


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 2, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



When the smoke clears the IJN has lost BB Fuso, BB Ise, CA Takao and CL Naka.


CV Essex and CV Victorious arrive on the scene as well as 8 USN CVEs and all Allied carriers race to the north and west to attempt to cut off IJN stragglers.

The 112th Calvary Regiment is landed at Sorong and will attack tomorrow. The USN transports at Sorong are at risk from the rampaging BB Yamato SAG and are ordered to withdraw to Ambon...here they will be covered both by land based fighters and an RN SAG built around 3 "R" Class BBs.

Another USN Amphibious TF loaded with the 40th Division A Regiment leaves Rabaul......destination Woleai. They are escorted by Admiral Halsey's SAG now down to a single BB.....the USS Washington.

6/24/43




NAVAL BATTLE OF HOLLANDIA......DAY FOUR



As the epic naval battle off the northern coast of New Guinea enters its 4th day it has become a very confused affair.


Admiral Hill's Amphibious TF 86 halts unloading at Sorong.....all of the transports are sent out of harm's way to Ambon where they will rendezvous with an RN SAG with 3 "R" Class BBs under the cover of land based fighters.

Admiral Hill's TF 86 now consists of all escort ships...and is ordered east to link up with another amphibious TF carrying "A" Regiment of 40th Division off the coast of Woleai. TF 86 pulls up anchor and barely leaves Sorong before they run into a remnant of the BB Hyuga SAG in a night engagement:


Night Time Surface Combat, near Manokwari at 85,107, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Shell hits 4

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide
CL Richmond
CL Raleigh
CL Concord, Shell hits 1
DD Ellet
DD Flusser
APD Little
DMS Hovey
DMS Hopkins
DMS Zane
DMS Trevor
DMS Hamilton
DMS Boggs
DMS Lamberton
DMS Dorsey
DMS Long
DMS Chandler
DMS Elliot




Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 57% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CL Concord engages CL Sendai at 10,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DMS Lamberton at 10,000 yards
CL Concord engages CL Sendai at 10,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DMS Lamberton at 10,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DMS Trevor at 10,000 yards
DMS Elliot collides with DMS Dorsey at 85 , 107
CL Sendai engages CL Raleigh at 10,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DMS Boggs at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Sendai engages CL Concord at 12,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DMS Lamberton at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CL Sendai engages CL Concord at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Sendai engages CL Concord at 8,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DMS Trevor at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Sendai engages CL Concord at 11,000 yards
CL Sendai engages APD Little at 11,000 yards
DMS Chandler collides with DMS Dorsey at 85 , 107
CL Concord engages CL Sendai at 11,000 yards
CL Sendai engages DMS Boggs at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Sendai engages CL Concord at 13,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


Evidently StoneAge sent both the BB Hyuga SAG and the BB Yamato SAG BACK to Sorong in an all-out effort to break up the landings there.

When the BB Hyuga SAG arrives at Sorong BB PoW and BB Repluse are waiting for them:


Day Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 82,107, Range 27,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 3
CA Kako, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Susuzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Yugumo
DD Akigumo
DD Makigumo
DD Takanami
DD Naganami
DD Tamanami
DD Onami
DD Kiyonami
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 4
BC Repulse, Shell hits 1
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Wichita, Shell hits 1
CA Dorsetshire
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 2
CL Hobart
DD Grayson, Shell hits 1
DD Blue
DD Wilson, Shell hits 1
DD Banckert, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Evertsen, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Thanet
DD Thracian, Shell hits 1
DD Encounter, Shell hits 1
DD Nestor



Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 27,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 27,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales fires at BB Hyuga at 27,000 yards
BC Repulse fires at BB Hyuga at 27,000 yards
CA Cornwall fires at CA Furutaka at 27,000 yards
CA Dorsetshire fires at CA Furutaka at 27,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales fires at DD Naganami at 27,000 yards
BC Repulse fires at DD Makigumo at 27,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales fires at DD Yugumo at 27,000 yards
BC Repulse fires at DD Susuzuki at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages BB Hyuga at 24,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BC Repulse at 24,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages CA Cornwall at 24,000 yards
CA Wichita engages DD Susuzuki at 24,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Hatsukaze at 24,000 yards
BC Repulse engages DD Kiyonami at 24,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Evertsen at 24,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Naganami at 24,000 yards
CA Cornwall engages DD Susuzuki at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Prince of Wales at 23,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BC Repulse at 23,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Cornwall at 23,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Dorsetshire at 23,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Wichita at 23,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages DD Encounter at 23,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages DD Grayson at 23,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Yugumo at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages BB Hyuga at 21,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Dorsetshire at 21,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Evertsen at 21,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Hatsukaze at 21,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Kiyonami at 21,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Evertsen at 21,000 yards
DD Susuzuki engages DD Encounter at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
BC Repulse engages BB Hyuga at 20,000 yards
CA Cornwall engages CA Furutaka at 20,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Maikaze at 20,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Wichita at 20,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Minneapolis at 20,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Evertsen at 20,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Encounter at 20,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Thracian at 20,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Grayson at 20,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Tamanami at 20,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Naganami at 20,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Blue at 20,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Grayson at 20,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Evertsen at 20,000 yards
DD Susuzuki engages DD Evertsen at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages BC Repulse at 18,000 yards
CA Kako engages CA Cornwall at 18,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Dorsetshire at 18,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Grayson at 18,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Natsushio at 18,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Wilson at 18,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DD Nestor at 18,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Evertsen at 18,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Wilson at 18,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Thanet at 18,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Kiyonami at 18,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Naganami at 18,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Wilson at 18,000 yards
DD Makigumo engages DD Banckert at 18,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Grayson at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Prince of Wales at 15,000 yards
CA Kako engages CA Minneapolis at 15,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Furutaka at 15,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Maikaze at 15,000 yards
CA Kako engages CA Wichita at 15,000 yards
DD Grayson engages DD Natsushio at 15,000 yards
CL Hobart engages CA Furutaka at 15,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages DD Grayson at 15,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Maikaze at 15,000 yards
DD Thracian engages DD Kiyonami at 15,000 yards
DD Thanet engages DD Onami at 15,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Evertsen at 15,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Naganami at 15,000 yards
DD Naganami engages DD Wilson at 15,000 yards
DD Thracian engages DD Makigumo at 15,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages DD Grayson at 15,000 yards
DD Susuzuki engages DD Encounter at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BC Repulse at 11,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Grayson at 11,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages DD Evertsen at 11,000 yards
CA Kako engages CA Minneapolis at 11,000 yards
DD Thanet engages DD Hatsukaze at 11,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages DD Banckert at 11,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Encounter at 11,000 yards
DD Thracian engages DD Akigumo at 11,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Thanet at 11,000 yards
DD Susuzuki engages DD Evertsen at 11,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Banckert at 11,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Wilson at 11,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Makigumo at 11,000 yards
DD Thanet engages DD Akigumo at 11,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Yugumo at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BB Prince of Wales at 8,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BC Repulse at 8,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Hobart at 8,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Maikaze at 8,000 yards
DD Blue engages DD Yukikaze at 8,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages CA Kako at 8,000 yards
DD Thanet engages DD Oyashio at 8,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Encounter at 8,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DD Thanet at 8,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Thracian at 8,000 yards
DD Susuzuki engages DD Wilson at 8,000 yards
DD Makigumo engages DD Blue at 8,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Akigumo at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages BB Hyuga at 11,000 yards
BB Hyuga engages BC Repulse at 11,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CA Cornwall at 11,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Maikaze at 11,000 yards
CA Wichita engages CA Kako at 11,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages DD Natsushio at 11,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages DD Nestor at 11,000 yards
DD Thanet engages DD Kuroshio at 11,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Encounter at 11,000 yards
DD Thracian engages DD Onami at 11,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Tamanami at 11,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DD Evertsen at 11,000 yards
DD Evertsen engages DD Makigumo at 11,000 yards
DD Susuzuki engages DD Grayson at 11,000 yards
DD Banckert engages DD Yugumo at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...


The Allied SAG seems to have gotten the worst of this battle even though they massively outgunned the Japanese and were facing a foe that had been heavily damaged by USN carrier bombers over the preceeding days.


As the morning wears on the USN carriers are able to launch several waves of bombers against the IJN SAGs:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 83,105

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 32
TBF-1 Avenger x 27


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 20 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, heavy fires
DD Onami
DD Takanami
DD Hatsukaze
DD Tamanami
DD Kuroshio
DD Kiyonami
DD Oyashio
DD Susuzuki
DD Makigumo



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
1 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Kako


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 84,103

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11
TBF-1 Avenger x 12


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1
CA Kumano



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 83,106

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 20
TBF-1 Avenger x 2


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 14 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Maikaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Yukikaze
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 83,101

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8
TBF-1 Avenger x 8


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



BB Yamato's incredible good luck holds out....she has been sailing to and fro under USN carrier air and land based bombers for 4 days with only a few scratches to show for it.



Up by Yap, CV Essex launches her first carrier strike of the war:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Yap at 96,97

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 22


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Meisan Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Meisan Maru



After being recovered from the morning airstrikes, the USN carriers re-arm their bombers and send out attack waves throughout the afternoon:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 83,105

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 28
SBD-3 Dauntless x 19
SBD-5 Dauntless x 12
TBF-1 Avenger x 28


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 6 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 16 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kiyonami
CA Kako, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Makigumo
DD Susuzuki
DD Natsushio
DD Oyashio
DD Akigumo
DD Tamanami
DD Hatsukaze
DD Naganami



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
3 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Kako


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 84,103

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11
TBF-1 Avenger x 9


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 83,106

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yukikaze



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hyuga


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 83,101

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9
TBF-1 Avenger x 10


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 5, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb


BB Hyuga is left as a burning hulk. Amazingly BB Yamato again escapes serious damage.


As the naval battle rages off the north coast of New Guinea all day SWPAC troops capture both Sorong and Manokwari.

6/25/43



NAVAL BATTLE OF HOLLANDIA.....DAY FIVE


What had been a confusing affair on day 4 of the battle becomes chaotic on the 5th day.


The BB Yamato SAG manages to get into a night gunnery action with USN carriers:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 25, 43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 83,105, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 3
CA Ashigara
CA Kumano
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 2
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 1
DD Shiratsuyu

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Shell hits 1
CV Enterprise
CV Hornet, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Juneau
CLAA Oakland
CLAA Reno
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 1
DD Abbot
DD Aulick
DD Bache
DD Chevalier
DD Jenkins
DD O'Bannon
DD Philip
DD Frazier




Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 46% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Hornet at 9,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CV Enterprise at 9,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Yorktown at 9,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages CV Hornet at 9,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages CV Yorktown at 9,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages CV Yorktown at 9,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD O'Bannon at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Hornet at 3,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Enterprise at 3,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Yorktown at 3,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Santa Fe at 3,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Abbot at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Hornet at 6,000 yards
CL Santa Fe engages CA Kumano at 6,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 6,000 yards
DD O'Bannon engages DD Shiratsuyu at 6,000 yards
DD O'Bannon engages DD Yamagumo at 6,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD O'Bannon at 6,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CLAA Juneau at 6,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Yamagumo at 6,000 yards
DD Jenkins engages BB Yamato at 6,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Bache at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Hornet at 8,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 8,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Abbot at 8,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CLAA Reno at 8,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Jenkins at 8,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Frazier at 8,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD O'Bannon at 8,000 yards
DD Bache engages DD Yamagumo at 8,000 yards
DD Aulick engages DD Isokaze at 8,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Abbot at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Enterprise at 11,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CV Yorktown at 11,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CL Santa Fe at 11,000 yards
DD O'Bannon engages DD Yamagumo at 11,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Frazier at 11,000 yards
BB Yamato engages CLAA Juneau at 11,000 yards
DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Aulick at 11,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


StoneAge had been trying to get his BBs into a gunnery battle with Allied carriers for several months and now he finally achieved it.

Fortunately the IJN SAG never had a chance to re-arm following its total destruction of the two USN transport TFs a few days ago so BB Yamato was a little short of 18" ammo.

Still, CV Hornet now has 66 SYS, 22 FLT, 13 ENG and 26 Fire.....she will make it back to port but will be out of the war for some time.

At 1st daylight the USN carriers wreak their usual retribution:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 84,104

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 37
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
DD Natsushio, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Furutaka class CA



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 84,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 37
SBD-5 Dauntless x 23


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Natsushio, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Natsushio


As usual BB Yamato...the "Gray Ghost".....escapes unscathed. At least CA Kako and DD Natsushio were sunk.


Farther north, IJN land based bombers attack CV Essex and CV Victorious:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Babeldaob at 92,99

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 4
G4M1 Betty x 13



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Babeldaob at 92,99

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 1
G4M1 Betty x 10



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed




CAP engaged:
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers



CV Essex and CV Victorious respond by attacking IJN shipping:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Babeldaob at 87,95

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 22


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PB Hakata Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kakyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PB Kure Maru #5



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Hakata Maru #2


The USN Amphibious transports that had withdrawn from Sorong rendezvous at Ambon with a RN SAG with 3 "R" Class BBs......with a heavy surface escort they will head back to now Allied owned Sorong to drop off the seabees and begin airfield construction.


Meanwhile, the USN CVEs, Admiral Halsey's SAG and Amphibious TF 86 all converge on Woleai.

6/26-6/27/43



SUBS


SS Gar sinks fully loaded TK San Pedro Maru off Balikpappan.



CENTPAC


USAAF heavy bombers attacking the port installations at Kwajalein find a Jap sub tied up there and finish her off:


Morning Air attack on Kwajalein Island , at 132,115

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 7
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
SS I-8, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk



Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb




StoneAge partially repaired the airfield at Truk during a lull in the bombing and staged in some Rufes for CAP. P-38s made short work of them:


Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 25



Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 19


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 6 destroyed




Aircraft Attacking:
13 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet

CAP engaged:
801 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 6 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
802 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 6 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
934 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes


Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5



Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed




Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet

CAP engaged:
801 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000
Raid is overhead
802 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
934 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes



CENTPAC SBDs, medium and heavy bombers continue to work over the airfields and port installations on Wotje and Kwajalein.



SWPAC


CV Hornet sinks off the New Guinea coast from gunnery damage she suffered 2 days ago. Hornet only had 22 FLT last turn but evidently the combination of 26 Fire and 62 SYS made her unable to control the fires or the flooding and the damage must have escalated tremendously. CV Hornet had seen action in all three major carrier engagements during the war.

USN transports return to Sorong and Manokwari and drop off seabees and aviation engineers.

Biak has now been enlarged to a level 2 airfield.

TF 86 forms up with CVEs, bombardment TFs, surface TF and amphibious transports carrying 40th Division A Regiment. The US Army troops will storm ashore at Woleai tomorrow after a naval bombardment.

6/28-7/1/43



SUBS


SS Scorpion is hit by 2 DCs from IJN ASW TF off Aogashima.

S S-36 sinks AMc Takasago Maru by Sepandjang.

SS Seawolf sinks PB Awa Maru near Balabac.

SS R)-106 takes 4 DCs from USN escorts at Woleai and is sunk.



SWPAC


After a preliminary naval bombardment at Woleai, 40th Division storms ashore and overruns the Jap garrison:


Naval bombardment of Woleai at 101,103

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
BB Washington
CA Quincy
CA New Orleans
CA Houston
CA Indianapolis
CA Portland
CL Boise
CL Phoenix



Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 211
Port hits 39
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 8

BB Indiana firing at Woleai
BB Washington firing at Woleai
CA Quincy firing at Woleai
CA New Orleans firing at Woleai
CA Houston firing at Woleai
CA Indianapolis firing at Woleai
CA Portland firing at Woleai
CL Boise firing at Woleai
CL Phoenix firing at Woleai


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Woleai
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Concord
CL Raleigh
CL Richmond
CL Adelaide
APA Sheridan

Japanese ground losses:
211 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



CL Concord firing at 8th Indpt SNLF Coy
CL Raleigh firing at 8th Indpt SNLF Coy
CL Richmond firing at 8th Indpt SNLF Coy
CL Adelaide firing at 8th Indpt SNLF Coy


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Woleai

TF 86 troops unloading over beach at Woleai, 101,103


Allied ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)


13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 43 lost from landing craft during unload of 43rd Infantry/A Div /253


Ground combat at Woleai (101,103)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3502 troops, 73 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 126

Defending force 183 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Allied adjusted assault: 94

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 94 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Woleai !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Assaulting units:
43rd Infantry/A Div /264

Defending units:
8th Indpt SNLF Coy



Japanese land based aircraft from the Marianas make repeated attacks on the USN carriers and invasion forces but cant make a dent in the CAP:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Sansapor at 85,103

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 104


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes



Morning Air attack on TF, near Woleai at 101,103

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 56 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 31
G4M1 Betty x 34



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 120


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VF-26 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 10 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
24 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-122 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 6 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers



Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 19


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
19 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 37000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sansapor at 85,103

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 104


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes


Morning Air attack on TF, near Woleai at 101,103

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 25
G4M1 Betty x 24



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 95


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VF-26 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 11 on standby, 14 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
25 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-122 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers

7/2-7/5/43



SUBS


SS S-41 sinks SS I-166 off Raba....this is the 2nd IJN sub that has been sunk by USN subs.

SS Seawolf sinks TK Nichiel Maru by Brunei.

SS Scorpion sinks PB E W-26 near Hachijo-jima.

SS Seawolf sinks TK Nikkoku off Brunei.

SS Growler sinks AK Seattle Maru by Jesselton.

SS Pargo sinks AK Asahisan Maru near Wakkanai.



SWPAC


Things quiet down dramatically as the IJN SAGs withdraw to re-arm and effect repairs. The Allied carriers make port in Rabaul and will also re-arm and complete minor repairs....this should take about 6-8 days.

The frenzied pace of base building continues at Biak, Manokwari and Sorong and the base facilties at Woleai are now completely repaired. PBY's are staged into both Woleai and Sorong and now Allied naval search has been extended into the central Philippines and the Bonins.

There is still quite a log jam in the harbor at Rabaul as dozens of Allied transport TFs attempt to all unload at the same time....even with a level 7 port, 2 USN port service detachments AND the Cebu naval base unit. Im placing all the TKs on piers to unload fuel and the troops and supplies are unloaded at anchor. AKs with fuel are also unloaded pierside. Ive diverted quite a few AKs to unload supplies and fuel at Kavieng, Mussau, Manus, Aitape and Hollandia as the stevedores at Rabaul simply cant keep up. Any troops I need to move from Rabaul to new bases now....such as seabees and aviation engineers....
needs to be moved by amphibious TFs as the docks are too overloaded.

Nonetheless, Rabaul now has over 2,000,000 supplies and 1,000,000 fuel stored and SWPAC is now ready to push farther into the Carolines/Paulaus.

The Allies biggest shortage right now is in aviation engineers.....I need 250 aviation support at all the bases being built on New Guinea....Sorong, Manokwari, Biak, Hollandia and Aitape. In addition, SWPAC will eventually need 250 aviation support at the bases still to be captured at Yap and Babeldaob. Im finding that I need to cannabilize aviation support from rear area bases to keep up with demand. I still need to leave the aviation support in place in the Gilberts/Marshalls while CENTPAC continues to suppress Wotje, Kwajalein and Eniwetok. However, Im pulling most of the aviation support out of rear bases throughout the Solomons and New Caledonia/New Hebrides.

Ive attached a screen shot of Rabaul.....its teeming with troops, aircraft, ships and materiel as we prerpare for the next leap forward.

BB Arizona, damaged by IJN torpedo bombers on the first day of the Naval battle of Hollandia, has completed repairs of its minor damage and just left Rabaul for Pearl to repair its major flotation damage. BB Nevada, also damaged on the 1st day of the battle by IJN torpedo bombers, will complete its repair of minor damage at Rabaul in about a week and then it will follow.