AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/02/28
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Naval bombardment of Bonin, at 65,52
Allied Ships
DD Lichfield
DD Sumner
DD Farenholt
DD McCawley
DD Meade
DD John D. Edwards
DD Smith Thompson
DD Stansbury
DD Mackenzie
DD Thatcher
DD Greer
DD Schley
BC United States
BC Ranger
BC Saratoga
BC Constellation
BC Lexington
Japanese ground losses:
612 casualties reported
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Day Air attack on Toyohara , at 73,34
Allied aircraft
Curtiss P-1B Hawk x 22
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Iwo Jima , at 63,53
Allied aircraft
Curtiss A-3 Falcon x 9
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Curtiss A-3 Falcon x 9
Martin NBS-1 x 44
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
6 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
11 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
8 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bonin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 117963 troops, 687 guns, 198 vehicles, Assault Value = 2613
Defending force 48845 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 791
Japanese ground losses:
366 casualties reported
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/03/28
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Day Air attack on Iwo Jima , at 63,53
Allied aircraft
Curtiss A-3 Falcon x 9
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Curtiss A-3 Falcon x 3
Martin NBS-1 x 10
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Curtiss A-3 Falcon x 3
Martin NBS-1 x 13
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
6 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Curtiss A-3 Falcon x 3
Martin NBS-1 x 25
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
239 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
15 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
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Ground combat at Bonin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 118243 troops, 692 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 2634
Defending force 48573 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 783
Japanese ground losses:
271 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/04/28
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Day Air attack on Toyohara , at 73,34
Allied aircraft
Curtiss P-1B Hawk x 25
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Iwo Jima , at 63,53
Allied aircraft
Curtiss A-3 Falcon x 9
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Curtiss A-3 Falcon x 3
Martin NBS-1 x 14
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
8 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Curtiss A-3 Falcon x 3
Martin NBS-1 x 10
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Curtiss A-3 Falcon x 3
Martin NBS-1 x 25
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
188 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
15 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bonin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 118548 troops, 696 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 2661
Defending force 48123 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 765
Japanese ground losses:
160 casualties reported
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/05/28
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Sub attack near Hangchow at 51,39
Japanese Ships
SS No. 21
Allied Ships
PG Guam
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Naval bombardment of Hangchow, at 51,39
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Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Martin NBS-1 x 23
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
6 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
5 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,51
Allied aircraft
Vought O2U Corsair x 39
Allied aircraft losses
Vought O2U Corsair: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
BC Atago
BC Akagi
BC Takao, Bomb hits 1
BC Yamato
BC Musashi
CL Kitakami
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
2 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,51
Allied aircraft
Vought O2U Corsair x 30
Allied aircraft losses
Vought O2U Corsair: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Tsuta
BC Takao
BC Yamato, Bomb hits 1
BC Akagi
BC Musashi, Bomb hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
2 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bonin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 118724 troops, 703 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 2673
Defending force 47960 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 766
Japanese ground losses:
209 casualties reported
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/06/28
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ASW attack at 61,49
Japanese Ships
DD Kaba
DD Kusunoki
DD Katsura
DD Tsuta
DD Warabi
DD Kuri
DD Nara
DD Enoki
DD Numakaze
DD Nokaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Minekaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
Allied Ships
SS O-7
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Day Air attack on Jolo , at 38,59
Allied aircraft
Boeing FB-5 x 11
Allied aircraft losses
Boeing FB-5: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Boeing FB-5 bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Boeing FB-5 bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Martin NBS-1 x 31
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
15 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
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Day Air attack on 23rd Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Martin NBS-1 x 14
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
8 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 64,62
Allied aircraft
Martin T4M x 2
Vought O2U Corsair x 3
Curtiss P-1B Hawk x 2
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
BB Katori, Torpedo hits 1
BB Aki
BB Suwo
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
2 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 64,62
Allied aircraft
Martin T4M x 22
Vought O2U Corsair x 3
Curtiss P-1B Hawk x 20
Allied aircraft losses
Martin T4M: 5 damaged
Curtiss P-1B Hawk: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Katori, Bomb hits 1
BB Shikishima
BB Okinoshima
BB Settsu
BB Kashima, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
she sank after this – the first BB in history to be sunk in combat completely due to air power!
BB Hizen, Bomb hits 1
BB Suwo
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
1 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
2 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Pagan at 64,62
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
Kawasaki KDA-2: 2 destroyed
Japanese Ships
BB Settsu, Shell hits 44, and is sunk
BB Aki, Shell hits 80, and is sunk
CA Kurama, Shell hits 77, on fire, heavy damage
CA Ibuki, Shell hits 108, and is sunk
CA Ikoma, Shell hits 105, and is sunk
BB Katori, Shell hits 116, and is sunk
BB Mikasa, Shell hits 157, and is sunk
BB Hizen, Shell hits 44, on fire
BB Iwami, Shell hits 60, on fire
BB Shikishima, Shell hits 53, on fire
BB Okinoshima, Shell hits 45, and is sunk
BB Suwo, Shell hits 136, and is sunk
CA Kasuga, Shell hits 77, on fire, heavy damage she sank
CA Nisshin, Shell hits 56, on fire, heavy damage
CA Adzuma, Shell hits 128, and is sunk
CA Asama, Shell hits 81, on fire, heavy damage she sank
CA Tokiwa, Shell hits 60, on fire, heavy damage
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
DD No. 19, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
DD No. 25, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
DD No. 33, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD No.1, Shell hits 30, and is sunk
DD No.9, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 25, on fire
BB Indiana, Shell hits 32, on fire
BB Montana, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
BB North Carolina, Shell hits 7
BB Iowa, Shell hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 10, on fire
BB Colorado, Shell hits 19, on fire
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 27, on fire, heavy damage
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 28, on fire, heavy damage
BB New York, Shell hits 20, on fire
BB Texas, Shell hits 18, on fire
CL Omaha, Shell hits 11, on fire
CL Detroit, Shell hits 10
CL Richmond, Shell hits 9
CL Concord, Shell hits 11, on fire
CL Trenton, Shell hits 17
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 12
DD Robinson, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
DD Meredith, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Bancroft, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DD Farragut, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
DD Somers, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
CL Celebes, Shell hits 9, on fire
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Ground combat at Bonin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 118900 troops, 705 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 2689
Defending force 47639 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 761
Japanese ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/07/28
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Naval bombardment of Butuan, at 43,60
Allied Ships
CA Rochester
BB Vermont
BB Minnesota
Port hits 1
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Day Air attack on 1st Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Martin NBS-1 x 12
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
6 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
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Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Martin NBS-1 x 13
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
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Day Air attack on 23rd Division, at 65,52
Allied aircraft
Martin NBS-1 x 23
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
6 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
11 x Martin NBS-1 bombing at 1000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 65,61
Allied aircraft
Martin T4M x 33
Vought O2U Corsair x 7
Curtiss P-1B Hawk x 19
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
BB Hizen, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Iwami, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage sh
e sank after this
BB Shikishima, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Tokiwa, on fire, heavy damage
CA Nisshin, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
1 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
2 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
2 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 65,61
Allied aircraft
Martin T4M x 28
Vought O2U Corsair x 4
Curtiss P-1B Hawk x 16
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
BB Hizen, on fire, heavy damage
she sank 5 days later
CA Kurama, on fire, heavy damage
she sank 4 days later
BB Shikishima, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
she sank 4 days later
CA Nisshin, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Tokiwa, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
she sank 6 days later
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
1 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
2 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Curtiss P-1B Hawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Martin T4M launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Toyohara at 73,34
Allied aircraft
Vought O2U Corsair x 9
Vought O2U-1 Corsair x 6
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Aiyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Choko Maru, Bomb hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vought O2U-1 Corsair bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Vought O2U-1 Corsair bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
3 x Vought O2U Corsair bombing at 1000 feet
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Naval bombardment of Butuan, at 43,60
Allied Ships
CA Rochester
BB Vermont
BB Minnesota
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 4
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Ground combat at Bonin
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 119035 troops, 706 guns, 199 vehicles, Assault Value = 2704
Defending force 47619 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 773
Japanese ground losses:
461 casualties reported
Whew! OK, the USA definitely won that day, and delivered a big Election Day present for Republican Candidate Herbert Hoover. It was a very long gunnery duel, with the range not going below 15000 yards until the end. I’d have been a bit happier had I made at least one torpedo hit, but by the time the range closed, most of my bigger ships were flaming wrecks. It was when the range closed that all of the remaining DDs were sunk and major damage to the remaining ships was done – note that not a single DD on either side survived. Still, it was a tough thing for me to watch. Tactically, there is no denying he scored a major victory.
My BCs were positioned to react if the OBBs ran into trouble. Instead, they reacted to a TF, quite possibly his BCs bombarding Wake, and sprinted north only to get attacked by long-range fighters from Bonin. This caused them to retreat safely to Japan, leaving the OBBs to get slaughtered. That worked out for my BCs, but that was more of a mistake on my part rather than any tactical brilliance. All things considered the OBBs did as well as they could, leaving his Battle Fleet burning off Pagan. Had the BCs engaged off Pagan, I think a lot more ships on both sides would have sunk.
I had 3 TFs in a triangle around Pagan. The OBBs got slaughtered, the BCs sprinted north, and the main Battle Fleet was not in a position to react. However, I detected enough Allied TFs heading west by the end of this turn to figure he was making a move on the Phillipines, so my remaining TFs are now headed that way.
The only survivor of my 25-ship OBB TF was CA Nisshin, which eventually was fully repaired. I found out much later that some of the US BBs which participated in this battle were so badly damaged they were laid up at Pagan for the rest of the war - including BBs Iowa, Indiana, and West Virginia. Others did make it back to the West Coast, but had long repairs. BBs North Carolina and Colorado were spotted six months later.
November 6, 1928 - Opening stages of the Naval Battle of Pagan:
