Could be so Witpqs! I put the Tony's on naval attack training now...perhaps that triggered the bomb orndance.
Got a nice snack for you [8D]
When I first spotted activity in the Coral Sea around a week ago the Combined Fleet was just SSW of the Marianas enroute to Manila to replenish.
Parts of the fleet had already split of to undergo upgrades in Manila, this included 5 heavy cruisers and the carrier Junyu.
The rest of the fleet was running low on fuel and I had to make a difficult decision; RTB or move towards the Coral Sea.
Sine the Fleet was restless for combat after the abortive mission to the Line Islands it was decided to act.
So we moved west of Truk, replenished from our supply train that raced down from the Marianas, continued east of Rabaul and yesterday a last leg
of 8-9 hexes was lined up to bring the fleet within range. I was afraid we just would miss the train; I had to split off 40% of the fleet that was running low on fuel, so this half
travelled 1 hex shorted than the main fleet.
I was also correct in my estimate; Andy just "lept in" - dumped another division and lept out again.
A surface combat TF just missed the last ships leaving after an MTP had succeeded in sinling an LST.
At extreme range, 7-8 hexes the enemy fleets were spotted and the airborne Samurais' immediately went to work! [:D]
The enemy main fleets was spotted at 8 hexes so the Judy nerf immediately cost us and only our Jills could attack them, we still got in 2 nice strikes with over 200 bombers.
A smaller fleet was spotted 1 hex closer so our Judy's also got something to work on.
Results could have been even greater with Judy's but we could also have missed the train completely - another close call, take a look for yourself!
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 06, 44
Surface Combat
Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 1,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
MTB G-221
MTB G-232
MTB G-234, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-10, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CL Dauntless
DD Sims
DE Hotspur
DE Crouter, Shell hits 1
AM Arnidale
AK Ascella
AK Livingston
AK Indus
AK Amador
AK Antrim
LST-39
LST-40
LST-41
LST-122
LST-335, Shell hits 1
LST-350
LST-446
LST-479, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-484
LCI-435
PC Jackson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,134, Range 28,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CL Isuzu
CL Kitakami
DD Shikinami
DD Oboro
DD Mutsuki
DD Asakaze
DD Hayate
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide
DE Austin
AK Cheleb
AK Pavo
AK Alamosa
AK Beaverhead
Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 8,000 yards...
Range increases to 9,000 yards...
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 13,000 yards...
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 30,000 yards...
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Allied Escort TF evades combat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Combat
Morning Air attack on Merauke , at 89,124
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 39
N1K1-J George x 24
Allied aircraft
P-39N1 Airacobra x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-39N1 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
Aircraft Attacking:
24 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 30000 feet
17 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 66
Japanese aircraft losses
H8K2 Emily: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd JNAF AF Unit , at 101,133 (Milne Bay)
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 8
Kittyhawk IV x 6
Mitchell II x 11
Spitfire VIII x 18
PV-1 Ventura x 14
B-25D1 Mitchell x 32
B-25G Mitchell x 9
B-25H Mitchell x 6
P-38H Lightning x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 13
P-40N5 Warhawk x 7
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 11
P-51B Mustang x 10
Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 10 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25H Mitchell: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.VI x 7
B-24D1 Liberator x 35
B-24J Liberator x 26
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.VI: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 13
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 39
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 26
A6M5b Zero x 1
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 89,124
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 36
P1Y1 Frances x 9
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Coquina, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AM Shepparton
xAK Sagadahoc, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
27 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
Coquina dead in the water ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,136
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 127
A6M5b Zero x 17
B6N1 Jill x 11
B6N2 Jill x 65
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 1
P-38J Lightning x 2
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 2 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 11 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
Allied Ships
AK Antrim, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
APA Harry Lee, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CA Frobisher, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Devonshire
DD Renshaw
DD Philip
AK Indus
xAK Mahukona, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Bullock
APA Joseph T. Dickman, Torpedo hits 1
LST-39, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Cape May, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAP Le Maire
DD Schroeder
CL Dauntless, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
509 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 31 (31 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
13 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
10 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
17 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
11 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
14 x A6M5b Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
13 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
8 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
9 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
11 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,136
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 93 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 9
Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 1
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
xAK Mariso, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
CA Devonshire
Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,136
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 126
A6M5b Zero x 17
B6N2 Jill x 127
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 1
P-38J Lightning x 2
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 15 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
Allied Ships
CVE Corregidor, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
LST-41, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Rochussen, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CA Frobisher, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Mauritius
CA Devonshire, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CA Sussex
AK Amador
AK Beltrami, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Blount
DD Stanly
DD Humphreys
CL Sumatra, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Birmingham, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Philip
xAP Republic, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Glasgow
LSI(L) Empire Pride, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Brevard
DD Monssen
CL Mobile
xAP Van Rees, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Bullock
AK Cabell, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
Allied ground losses:
1127 casualties reported
Squads: 68 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 32 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,136
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,100 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-67-Ia Peggy x 4
Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67-Ia Peggy: 1 damaged
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
xAK Corinda, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-67-Ia Peggy bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,134
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 27
D4Y3 Judy x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 4 damaged
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
AK Pavo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Cheleb, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alamosa, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
27 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 15000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D4Y3 Judy bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Adelaide
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Alamosa
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Pavo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,136
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B6N1 Jill x 10
B6N2 Jill x 18
Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
APA Doyen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Renshaw
DD Nicholas
APD Herbert, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LSI(L) Empire Pride, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Philip
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 100,134
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 25
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DE Austin, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Cheleb, on fire, heavy damage
AK Pavo, heavy fires, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
25 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 15000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Adelaide
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DE Austin
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AK Pavo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground Combat
Enemy shock attack just fails to capture Milne Bay. Parts of one Australian division has not been completely unloaded.
Much of these troops now rest on the bottom of the Coral Sea.
Ground combat at Milne Bay (101,133)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 10531 troops, 295 guns, 57 vehicles, Assault Value = 652
Defending force 3732 troops, 31 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 102
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4
Allied adjusted assault: 453
Japanese adjusted defense: 139
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
Japanese ground losses:
587 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 7 (3 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
252 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 94 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Assaulting units:
7th Australian Division
8th Australian Div /10
Defending units:
148th Infantry Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
2nd JNAF AF Unit
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kido Butai strikes
It was a brutal strike that met little opposition!
Here is a compilation of the ships that were hit: 32 ships including 1 CVE, 3 CA, 3 CL, 2 destroyer types, 3 LSTs, 4 assault ships and 16 troops and cargo ships.
Some of these were hit by LBA in nearby waters.
CVE Corregidor, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CA Frobisher, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CA Devonshire, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CL Adelaide, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CL Sumatra, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Birmingham, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DE Austin, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Herbert, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-479, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-41, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-39, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Coquina, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Sagadahoc, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Antrim, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Mahukona, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Cape May, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Mariso, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Rochussen, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Beltrami, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Republic, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Van Rees, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Cabell, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Corinda, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Pavo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Cheleb, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alamosa, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA Harry Lee, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
APA Joseph T. Dickman, Torpedo hits 1
APA Doyen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
LSI(L) Empire Pride, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
