I think your troops at Lea Lea have come to stay [;)]
It's incredible how many combat troops that can be landed in a combined air/sea effort.
It will take Quark more than a full regiment + engineers to kick you out asap.
If I had been him, I had loaded up a *HUGE* ft tf consisting of ca's and even bb's to
ferry in a full regiment in one swosh!
When you say 'another 250 men killed in bombing attacks on Lunga' - this usually is
a faar cry from the truth. I think no more than 1/10 of the number reported is the correct one.
Sounds like Irau has been turned into a fortress, guess you know that there will be a lot
of noise of you try to establish yourself in the area around Lunga. The Japanese can not
let the Allies have this area without giving up their dominant position in the area.
If you're sending your CVE's closer, they may very well receive a drubbing! It's easy to rotate
sqn's to/from the carriers, and he's still more than a match for your jeep carriers.
Guess you read how Mike's cvl's and cve's fared against the KB!? [8D]
But it do sound like you've got him by the tail, this could very well turn into one of those
battles of attrition that he can neither win nor afford!
Keep em comin'!
"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
I think your troops at Lea Lea have come to stay
It's incredible how many combat troops that can be landed in a combined air/sea effort.
It will take Quark more than a full regiment + engineers to kick you out asap.
If I had been him, I had loaded up a *HUGE* ft tf consisting of ca's and even bb's to
ferry in a full regiment in one swosh!
When you say 'another 250 men killed in bombing attacks on Lunga' - this usually is
a faar cry from the truth. I think no more than 1/10 of the number reported is the correct one.
Sounds like Irau has been turned into a fortress, guess you know that there will be a lot
of noise of you try to establish yourself in the area around Lunga. The Japanese can not
let the Allies have this area without giving up their dominant position in the area.
If you're sending your CVE's closer, they may very well receive a drubbing! It's easy to rotate sqn's to/from the carriers, and he's still more than a match for your jeep carriers.
Guess you read how Mike's cvl's and cve's fared against the KB!?
But it do sound like you've got him by the tail, this could very well turn into one of those
battles of attrition that he can neither win nor afford!
Keep em comin'!
I hope they stay. The airlift potential for the Allies is, indeed, nothing short of amazing. Once the runway is built, then a full brigade can be ferried in at a rate of almost one a turn. LRCAP is a concern, but Quark's fighters did get a black eye over Lunga. His carriers are out of position to support anything over New Guinea. I plan to bring in first a BDE of infantry, then a base force to allow a fighter squadron to be based there. I'm already forming up a small supply task force just to make sure the troops won't starve and the fighters have parts, but the plan is to assemble my forces there and march on PM.
As to Quark's response, I think he may have underestimated the importance of my putting engineers on the ground first. Usually what I have been doing is grabbing the escape route (like I did at Kirakira before taking Irau), so he may have thought that's what I intended. I'm not sure, however, if he could have done much more - he does have a problem with transports in terms of getting troops from Truk and Rabaul to a position where he could FT anywhere. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves - I'm sure Quark isn't finished with his response yet. He has proven to be very resourceful.
In respect to the inflated reports of destruction, well...combat pilots wouldn't make a mistake like that, would they?? [X(] Seriously, I understand they are inflated, but the fact they keep coming is a very good thing - inflated or not [:D].
This whole operation (re-named Showtime) was about getting back into New Guinea and innundating the enemy with choices. Bombing PM and Lunga...feints with empty APs, sailing a DMS towards a port only to have it run away when it got within 200 miles of a target, first mining targets in the Solomon Sea, then back to the Coral Sea, then back again, the submarine blockade of Woodlark; and now the appearance of Marine SBDs and Corsairs on his front door at Irau...
As to the CVE foray, I know, I know...patience. But like the 3 year old who knows the candle flame is hot, he can't resist just one more poke into it... Besides, if it draws Quark's carriers away from NG, so much the better. I need AKs to supply NG, but barges work well enough from Irau to Taivu. So I have to give Quark's carriers a reason to stick around.
As I said earlier, the intention of Showtime was to gain a foothold on NG while also neutralizing the threat at Lunga. The opportunity to get something established at Taivu is a side benefit. If the Marines can't hold there it won't be the end of the world. But if Quark can't dislodge my foothold on NG and I can take and base 4E bombers at PM, it may be the end of his.
edit I do plan to provide daily updates of this effort. If you keep reading, I guess I'll keep sending. I'm not quite the wordsmith in the caliber of a Wobbly with his first person perspective, but we'll keep banging the keys [;)].
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
Quark promises over 100 fighters will LRCAP the beach at Lea Lea trying to stop my PBYs. Those crews are amazing. Two straight days of transports (the second required fighting through CAP) and 4/5 of the squadrons have morale still in the 90’s. The US Army’s 158th Battalion is on the ground, (about half of them). No big guns, but I have a FT bringing them over. Supplies are going to be a concern…I have underestimated Quark’s response with his LBA. I had hoped he would hold them for a couple of days on Naval Attack. He may be doing so, but with a secondary Ground Attack mission.
Both sides lose another 40+ planes today. His fighters have to be getting depleted. The appearance of the Tonys will help him out.
E-mail intercepts from Phoenix describe the valiant efforts of his torpedo plane pilots destroying barge after barge, and transport after transport. I sent him the combat report in reply, which shows no such attacks (which there weren’t) and suggested he ask his valiant pilots where they ditched their torpedoes…
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/06/43
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Air attack on Lea Lea , at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 2
no losses
Another day, another snooper.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 35
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 24
Japanese aircraft losses
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 8 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 17 damaged
CPO R.Sugiyama of DIII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6
MAJ W.Dionne of 12th FS bails out and is CAPTURED
Japanese Ships
DD Hakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
After fighting through the CAP, another 250 pounds of explosive is delivered.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 35
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 6
F-5A Lightning x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 4 destroyed
Hudson x 2 damaged
F-5A Lightning x 2 damaged
LTJG F.Fujiwara of F1/253rd Daitai is credited with kill number 3
Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x Hudson at 6000 feet
Late arrivals never quite make it…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 15th Aus Engineer Battalion, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 24
J1N1-R Irving x 1
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 20
Quark is leaving nothing in the locker. The planes come from Buna, Woodlark, and Lae…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 15th Aus Engineer Battalion, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 71
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 30
Attacking Level Bombers:
13 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
10 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
The engineers can’t do much but hide. Disruption at 100.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 4th Naval Garrison Unit, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 12
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12
no losses
no losses
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 17
Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
Keeping the IJN heads down…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 35
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
SBD Dauntless x 19
P-39D Airacobra x 24
P-38G Lightning x 33
B-25J Mitchell x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 5 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 5 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 4 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 7 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 4 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged
CPO R.Sugiyama of DIII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 7
CPT J. Mitchell of 67th FS bails out and is CAPTURED
Japanese Ships
DD Tanikaze, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kashi Maru, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tenryu Maru, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shintoku Maru, Shell hits 8
AP Hokuhi Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Takunan Maru
DD Harukaze, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Koshu Maru #3, Shell hits 4
AP Takuei Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
I can almost sympathize with my opponent…trying to unload at a broken port, with high school kids flying CAP, in the face of waves of attacks… “almost” sympathize.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
D3A Val x 24
B5N Kate x 15
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
P-38G Lightning x 20
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 7 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
Allied Ships
AK Cassiopeia, Bomb hits 1
AK Arided
AK Albireo
AK Mercury, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Murzim
AK Lycaon
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 44
Guns lost 1
Both ships are hurt, but should survive. The unloading continues…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lea Lea , at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 2
no losses
Everyone smile for the camera…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M3 Zero x 29
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
P-39D Airacobra x 19
P-38G Lightning x 25
B-25J Mitchell x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 2 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 6 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 4 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 3 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell x 14 damaged
CPO R.Sugiyama of DIII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 8
LT K. Fujiwara of FI-1 Daitai is KILLED
Japanese Ships
AP Yamakuni Maru, Bomb hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 111
Guns lost 1
Runway hits 8
Attacking Level Bombers:
11 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
The pit at Lunga continues to devour men and machines. How much longer can he hold on?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
D3A Val x 20
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5
P-38G Lightning x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 12 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
ENS A.Kaneko of EIII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 10
CPO K.Oyama of EII-1 Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED
Allied Ships
TK Pecos, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nicholson, Bomb hits 2, on fire
This hurts a bit, but wasn’t totally unexpected. At this point, I can take damage to ships more than he can take losses to his aircraft and pilots.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 7,47
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14
B5N Kate x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 damaged
Allied Ships
DMS Southard
APD Sands
DD Barton
I get the distinct feeling I dodged the literal torpedo here…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lea Lea
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 1548 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 2750 troops, 1 guns, 8 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 1)
WO K.Mikami of F1/253rd Daitai is credited with kill number 7
LCDR H.Ikura of P1/Toko Chutai bails out and is RESCUED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 188
Guns lost 1
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 9
More attackers, more defenders…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarines are now forming the phalanx around PM. He may try to keep dropping troops off to counter my PBY flights. But I have released the transports from PM. They are moving to Townsville. I am also going to send the CVEs back to SWPAC to load up on Corsairs and provide CAP for them. By that time, Essex will be in theater. The bombardment groups hitting GG will retire to TV to also participate in the move north.
If Quark wants to put this much effort into defending at Lea Lea fine. We can still invade the old-fashioned way. Showtime, Act II will begin after a few commercial messages [;)]
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
Lots of battles, as the Allies lose a ship for the first time in about a month. The cargo ship Rotanin succumbed to her wounds and sank upon entering LV harbor. The IJN also lost a transport in the air attacks from Irau:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/07/43
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Sub attack at 17,43
Japanese Ships
DD Maikaze
Allied Ships
SS S-38
One of Quark’s FT destroyers escapes…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 16,43
Japanese Ships
AG 106, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS Swordfish
Barges now carry troops around GG to PM and Lea Lea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lea Lea , at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 2
no losses
More pictures.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 53
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 13
F-5A Lightning x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 7 destroyed
Hudson x 7 damaged
F-5A Lightning x 1 destroyed
F-5A Lightning x 4 damaged
LTJG T.Kaneko of F2/2nd Daitai is credited with kill number 4
Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x Hudson at 20000 feet
The price of not following the posted schedule and attacking alone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 4th Naval Garrison Unit, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M3 Zero x 24
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 21
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 61
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 14 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 93
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
7 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
8 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
8 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
8 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
This may be the last attack I make on the ground forces at Lea Lea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 4th Naval Garrison Unit, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 11
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 3 damaged
Not good. Time for the Liberators to rest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 163rd Regimental Combat Team, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 5
G4M1 Betty x 65
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 33
Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
5 x G3M Nell at 3000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
This attack is on the 163rd RCT, giving the engineers a chance to get to work.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 36
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 25
SBD Dauntless x 28
P-38G Lightning x 28
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 13 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 2 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 9 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 2 damaged
PO2 G.Ikeda of AII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 10
LTJG F.Morita of AII-1 Daitai is KILLED
Japanese Ships
AP Taganoura Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Another IJN transport erased off the map.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 9,47
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 16
no losses
Allied Ships
DD Barton
APD Sands
APD Stringham, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Stringham has 35 SYS, and 15 FIRE damage as a result of the attack. She was on the return trip home when this happened.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lea Lea , at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 2
no losses
Quark must have a scrapbook on Lea Lea by now. He didn’t know it this good when he owned it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 32
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 7
P-38G Lightning x 2
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
WO U.Morita of AII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6
Early arrivals for the afternoon attacks are lucky to get out alive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 32
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 24
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 7
P-38G Lightning x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 8 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 5 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 2 damaged
WO U.Morita of AII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 7
LTJG T.Doigawa of F2/1st Daitai is KILLED
Japanese Ships
DD Urakaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
AP Sasago Maru
AP Shinko Maru
AP Hokko Maru
DD Yuzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
The afternoon attacks kill more fighters and add to the IJN transport problem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lunga at 38,40
WO U.Morita of AII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 8
Japanese Ships
PG Nikkai Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
Allied Ships
SS S-46
The gunboat ran from the planes straight into the arms of S-46.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow. Total aircraft losses for yesterday include 46 IJN fighters. Seven PBYs were lost probably due to the increased LRCAP over Lea Lea.
Status report on my invasion areas follows. First, at Taivu:
Elements of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, the 17th Marine Engineer Battalion, and 12 howitzers from the 1st marine Parachute Battalion are on the ground. Assault strength is 26. The beach is 30% fortified.
Next, at Lea Lea:
The 15th Australian Engineer Battalion went from 100% disruption to 50% disruption with the respite in combat. No progress on the airfield (still at 0 + 1%). Combat troops on the ground now have an assault strength of 93, and include the 1st and 2nd Australian Pioneer Battalions (the 1st is an orphan), and orphans of the 163rd RCT from Cairns, and – in an amazing job – the PBYs delivered almost half of the US Army’s 158th Regiment (assault strength of 54). The transport Sabik is on what is a suicide run into the beach carrying the entire 20th SeaBees. She was spotted last turn, but not attacked. Can she get her cargo delivered? Also en route is the APD Stringham with 12 squads from HQ I Corps at TV.
Speaking of the PBYs, the strain is beginning to show. One squadron with morale in the high 60’s, the rest in the 80’s. They will finish delivery of the 158th Regiment tomorrow and take a well-deserved rest. The C-47s are ready to go, if I can ever get a runway at Lea Lea…
Both of my BB TFs that targeted GG are recalled to TV, but the DM Sicard will drop her mines 30 miles SE of GG, then run for TV. Maybe I can pick off a few FT ships with them.
All B-17s at Cairns are ordered to hit GG, where Quark’s fighters are coming from. There was a lot of AA there, so the raid will be from 20,000 feet.
From Noumea, 3 x AP and 1 x AK transport the remainder of the US Army 25th Division to Luganville, to join with the orphans there.
At Irau, the Navy pilots rotate out to Noumea, and the US Army bombers rotate in. Recon shows the airfield at Lunga went from 100 damage to 73 damage. Time to hit it again. Two A-20G squadrons will bomb it from 20,000. The altitude is an attempt to lessen fatigue. Also from Irau, thirty B-25J models will hit the fighter base at Munda for the first time in the game from 6000 feet.
Quark’s carriers are still WNW of Lunga and WSW of Munda. He seems to be inching west towards NG and may try a speed attack with his carriers into the Coral Sea…just getting into position where one night’s sail puts him in range of the traffic between Cairns/TV and Lea Lea.
Also from Irau, the battleship Indianapolis with 6 destroyers and a DMS escort will bombard Munda. This is the deepest sortie into enemy waters, and may draw every LBA from miles, but I’m keeping the pressure on Quark. Frankly, his anti-ship attacks on a small lightly armed FT TF for two turns now yielded one bomb hit. If that’s the best he’s got, flying into Indy’s AA machine will be virtually suicidal. The Kingfisher planes are set to 100% ASW to reduce the chance of any surprises from under the waves – but with six Fletcher class destroyers along for the ride, his subs had better be real good if they want to survive the encounter.
Freed from the battleship, the four CVEs head south, picking up fighters as they go. They will move into SWPAC and support the move onto PM.
Six MSWs from Irau go to Taivu to sweep the mines there.
From PH, the battleship Massachusetts, the heavy cruiser Shropshire, 3 x CL and 4 x DD (including venerable Swanson) are now en route to Noumea. They will be here in 19 days.
The aircraft for Enterprise and Hornet should be replaced within 21 days. They will then probably be released. That means about another 2 months without them. Already in PH is the CVE Long Island, the CVL Independence, and the British CV Victorious.
Essex is 3 days out.
More to come…
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
Night Time Surface Combat, near Gili Gili at 17,42
Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
DD Arashi, Shell hits 58, and is sunk
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 3
DD Hokaze, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
MSW W20, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Idaho, Shell hits 2
DD Stockton
DD Wilson (hit by mine)
DD MacDonough
DMS Hovey
DMS Hopkins
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 550
Guns lost 7
Oops. This IJN FT TF will be hard pressed to bother my subs again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lea Lea at 9,39
Allied Ships
SS Guardfish
Spotted again before she could attack.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 12,42
Allied Ships
SS Albacore
Chased under again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42
Japanese aircraft
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 61
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 damaged
Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
No AA fire? Interesting…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lea Lea , at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
J1N1-R Irving x 2
no losses
More pictures…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda , at 31,37
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 7
B-25J Mitchell x 27
no losses
Runway hits 3
Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 16000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 16000 feet
7 x B-25J Mitchell at 16000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 16000 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 16000 feet
More psychological than anything, Quark knows Munda is not immune from my attention should I desire to close that one as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 34
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 24
P-38G Lightning x 9
A-20G Havoc x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 9 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
A-20G Havoc x 1 destroyed
A-20G Havoc x 3 damaged
1LT N.Ellett of 36th FS is credited with kill number 4
LCDR J.Matsumoto of EIII-1 Daitai is KILLED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10
Runway hits 4
Attacking Level Bombers:
13 x A-20G Havoc at 20000 feet
More fighters fall for the Empire …
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 8
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 2 damaged
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 20000 feet
The Oscars had retired from the battle with the Corsairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 158th Regiment, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 31
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
13 x B5N Kate at 5000 feet
18 x B5N Kate at 5000 feet
31 bombers and they all missed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 17
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 14 damaged
WO M.Nagahama of F1/3rd Daitai is credited with kill number 3
Japanese Ships
AP Hokko Maru
AP Koshu Maru #3
For no fighter escort, I was surprised the SBDs flew, let alone actually conducted an attack.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three IJN destroyers at GG loading troops for a run to Lea Lea were seen sliding under the waves before daybreak. Absolutely no LBA response against any of my ships. In a quirky sub-text to the early morning battle, the DMS Hovey put the shells into her IJN counterpart W20, sinking her. Colorado hit a mine going in to GG. Both GG and Basilaki were heavily mined, but only the glancing blow to Colorado going in. The destroyer Wilson hit a mine at Basilaki on their way out.
An IJN battleship was seen 30 miles SW of GG – the same hex Sicard was to have mined. No contact or combat in that hex.
Quark now has a second infantry unit at Lea Lea, but the PBYs countered that with their last load of the 158th Regiment. No ground attack.
At Lunga, confirmation of an IJN AP, the Jusan Maru, sinking in the harbor.
Short report today – I’m in-between shifts at work. The next turn will take some thinking on my part.
More to come…
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
I have stood down all offensive flights for twenty-four hours. I am having the PBYs stand down as well, except for one squadron who will recon GG. If Quark has moved his AA (and I think he has) then the B-17s from Cairns will drop down to 6000 and hit GG for all they're worth.
The operation at Lea Lea has bogged down considerably. All the troops on defense have put a drain on the existing supplies. I have halted construction on the airfield. I had only got 2% of it completed. The troops there will simply defend, hopefully drawing IJN resources away from PM and Lunga.
The CVEs are almost at Noumea. They will pick up another VMF squadron there, and fill out the remaining two CVEs in Oz. Essex and her escorts arrive at Noumea in two days. Transports are one day out of TV. Over 1500 assault points are available at TV. Elements of the 32nd and 43rd divisions march along the coast from RH to TV, totaling 5 BDEs and 2 HQs. Two small BFs also march from RH to TV.
Tennessee and her TG arrive at TV tomorrow for fuel and reloads. Idaho is two days behind them. Colorado is probably out of action for a while until her flooding is under control. Showtime, Act II will probably be ready to launch in 8 - 10 days.
In the Solomons, more barges unload the dribble of troops at Taivu. Except for about half of their tanks, both the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions are either at Taivu or Irau. The 41st US Army division is also at Irau. The 25th US Army division is not at LV. As I mentioned earlier, except for CAP, all flights from Irau are suspended for 24 hours.
But Lunga will not get a reprive. The battleship Indianapolis with her escorts (6 x DD and 1 x DMS) is ordered to bombard Lunga tonight. There are at least 7 APs in Lunga, along with destroyers and what is reported to be a heavy cruiser. Evern if I lose a DD to the mines, I anticipate taking a few more of Quark's transports out of the picture. I'm not worried about Indy, but the IJN must be made to pay for trying to reinforce Lunga.
More to come...
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
Due to some transport loading problems (Quark said his transports were unloading into the sea??) I have agreed to stand down my offensive missions until he reports the problem is cleared. He said it shouldn’t take more than a couple of turns. Apparently, he saw my BB approach Lunga and he sailed his transports away from them, only to find they started to unload. Anyway, Indiana made it through the mines both in and out of Lunga, sunk a derelict left by the IJN, and hit the airbase with a dose of 16-inch shells, before exiting. More notes follow the report…
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/09/43
Weather: Overcast
Night Time Surface Combat at 0,0
Japanese Ships
PG Nikkai Maru, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
Three 16in. shells against the gunboat and it was all over. The other hits were by Saufley.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese Ships
AG 119, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG 365, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Killing ants with a steamroller.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 10,41
Allied Ships
SS Albacore
My newer subs aren’t getting into position very well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40
Japanese Ships
DD Harukaze, Shell hits 1, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 39
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 63
The hit on the destroyer (if true) is a nice bonus prize.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Moresby at 10,40
Allied Ships
SS Silversides
Still being spotted too soon to set up an attack.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 163rd Regimental Combat Team, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 13
G4M1 Betty x 31
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 62
Guns lost 1
Attacking Level Bombers:
11 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
10 x G3M Nell at 2000 feet
3 x G3M Nell at 2000 feet
The shock troops take their lumps while the engineers keep hid.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lea Lea
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 1300 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 5926 troops, 47 guns, 10 vehicles
Only 11 guns…? Maybe I should be the one bombarding.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 Mar 43
Wx: Thunderstorms
No combat worth mentioning. Quark’s forces bombard again at Lea Lea, this time with only 10 guns. Lunga damage at 58 for airfield, and 45 for his port. He is down to 46 fighters and 57 auxiliary aircraft on the ground there.
At Lea Lea, Sabik by herself is brazenly unloading the 20th SeaBees onto the beach. She appears to be a major benefactor of the agreed to Stand Down of air operations. With them on the ground, I may have a chance of getting the runway after all. Supplies are now a problem however. The beach requires 560+ supplies, and there are only 800+ there. To rectify that, I’m flying emergency supplies via PBYs today. I’m also grouping my DMS, DD and DM assets for a FT TF supply run. They should deliver about 2000+ supplies in two days. Finally, 2 x APD and 1 x DMS will deliver the last of the 158th Regiment’s support troops and howitzers to the beach. That will take about three days.
Quark now has three infantry units on the ground at Lea Lea. I am surprised, but then again, not surprised. He is moving his infantry from GG to Lea Lea by barge. Recon of GG shows no AA (we hope) and five infantry units, but they are all under 1000 troops. If he opens the door at GG… He is also committing a large amount of troops to Lunga. This has to leave other bases dangerously thin, but he may not have a choice. Battleships have also been reported by the coastwatchers at GG, and I believe them on the heels of positive identification of the IJN BB Hiei south of GG.
My four CVEs are 780 miles from Brisbane. They will then head to TV. They currently carry 48 F4F-4s and 12 SBDs. They’ll pick up more fighters in Oz. I would love to have had the Corsairs on board, but I now have other plans for them…
The Essex battle group is in Noumea. They will wait there, disbanded, for a while. CAP from Noumea is 24hours a day, with 12 P-70A night fighters protecting against night raids, and 108 F4F-4s protecting this valuable asset during the day.
Meanwhile, in the Solomons, her is the current status of our forces and base at Irau:
1st Marine Division (understrength: 4 x Inf, 1 x Arm (en route) 1 x ENG, 1 x HQ), the 2nd Marine Division (3 x INF, 1 x ARM, 1 x ENG, 1 x HQ), 43rd US Army Division (3 x INF, 1 x ENG, 1 x HQ). Independent combat forces include the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion and the US Army’s 147th Regiment.
Two coastal defense units are in place and operational. Four AA units are also operational on Irau. Four SeaBee engineer units are operational and building fortifications, with a fifth on the way.
Air Support is provided by 3 base force units with a capacity to service 256 aircraft. 188 planes are based at Irau, with 182 operational as we speak. Two P-38G Lightning squadrons have 33 aircraft total (morale levels at 89 and 74), two F4U-1 Corsair squadrons have 45 aircraft total (morale levels at 92 and 86), two Beaufort torpedo bomber squadrons have 32 aircraft (morale at 96 and 99), three B-25J squadrons have 47 aircraft total (morale at 96, 89, 94, and two A-20G bomber squadrons have 31 aircraft total (morale at 62 and 99).
There are currently 49 ships docked at Irau, 47 of them operational. Two LSTs, 22 LCVPs, and 3 LCIs provide a transport capacity of almost almost 3000. We have also designated Irau as the SOPAC barge hub. 1 x DMS, 6 x DD, 1 x BB, and 4 x APDs also are docked there. En route is another LST, 2 x AK and 2 x AP. They will also make Irau their home port. Total transport capacity will reach nearly 14000. Seven MSWs also are at Irau, along with 15 SCs and 20 PT boats.
I have the 25th US Army Infantry Division in reserve at LV, and the 37th is forming at Noumea. How long will I hold the hammer over the head of Lunga…? Not much longer now.
Meanwhile, in SWPAC, TV has docked 6 APs and 9 AKs. Three full combat task groups are also there, with CVE support en route. APDs and a couple of LSTs are also there. DMS support also at the base.
Troops available for a move north include the New Guinea Division (understrength), the 6th Australian division, the 7th Australian Division, and the 3rd Australian Division. Elements from the US Army 41st and 32nd divisions are also arriving. Total combat strength that can deploy is 954.
More details on Showtime, Act II will follow, to include operational maps and deployment schedules…
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
No combat to report, although two important developments aid the Allies cause. First, the IJN AP Kemoi Maru has sunk at Lunga. She was damaged earlier and was confirmed as sunk today. Second, the submarine Grouper laid two Mk 10 mines at Munda, and the IJN AP Tenryu Maru obligingly hit one. Quark said the ship was already flooding and probably wouldn't make it. We'll keep our eyes on the sunk ship roll.
More to come...
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
The truce talks are over. Combat recurs, and with both sides well-rested, it should have been a ferocious battle, but it was pointedly one-sided, especially in the air over Lunga...
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/15/43
Weather: Clear
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10
Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 14
I had a report that 2 IJN APs were in the harbor, and was licking my chops. The reports, however, did not yield an encounter. So, we kill a couple of planes and go get more ammo.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lea Lea at 9,39
Allied Ships
SS Guardfish
IJN FTs play havoc with my subs...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buna , at 12,38
Japanese aircraft
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 damaged
Runway hits 2
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-24D Liberator at 20000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 20000 feet
Hello from Cooktown...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 58
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 28
P-38G Lightning x 15
B-25J Mitchell x 38
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 16 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell x 18 damaged
1LT L. Witt of 36th FS is credited with kill number 7
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 25
Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
The Oscars prove no match for the Allies, and one of the Sentais was observed running away from the battle. The bombers are mauled by AA, however - which accounted for the only bomber loss of the mission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 158th Regiment, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 18
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
18 x B5N Kate at 5000 feet
Just a taste of what is to come.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 158th Regiment, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 5
G4M1 Betty x 26
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 15
Attacking Level Bombers:
15 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
5 x G3M Nell at 2000 feet
The 158th continues to absorb punishment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 158th Regiment, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 24
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10
Quark's carrier bombers are land based now... interesting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 158th Regiment, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 72
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 67
Guns lost 1
Attacking Level Bombers:
13 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
3 x G3M Nell at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
The coup de grace from Woodlark. This effectively removes the 158th from any combat for the day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lea Lea at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 14
no losses
Allied Ships
AK Sabik, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 52
A shame, but I'll take the trade of an entire SeaBee unit on the ground for the price of a small AK.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 39
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
1LT E.Edwards of 36th FS is credited with kill number 3
More IJN pilots who won't fly a second mission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lea Lea at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 14
no losses
All the enemy pilots find is flotsam
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lea Lea
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5405 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 5308 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
WO S.Mitsumoto of 11th Sentai is credited with kill number 3
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 85
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 173
This would have been better with the 158th helping.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Status update: We now have units on the ground at Tulagi, Taivu and Lunga. Next turn, the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion will land via APDs at Munda. Quark must be psychic, because this turn, APs were loading the 4 ENG units off the base (he also has 4 MSWs sweeping the last mine laid by my sub there). Maybe I can catch him while he is loading.
Indiana sails again tonight into Lunga. I have to keep Quark's APs away from there.
At Lea Lea, the airbase is at 17%, but the cost is about 200 supplies a turn. Another FT TF sails with 2300 supplies from TV.
I am also forming my transport fleet at TV for an invasion of PM. I have a feeling that the Lea Lea operation won't have an airstrip done in time. If so, I will be ready to sail north. I have to count on Quark not being able to hold off two invasions at the same time. The 6th and 7th Australian Infantry Divisions are scheduled for the first wave, along with the depleted New Guinea Division.
Back in the Solomons, the both the 1st and 2nd Marine divisions are loading for Lunga. I have a small force already at Lunga (about 25 squads) and they will probe so I can get a read on what's there.
And Essex is not forgotten. She lies just east off of Irau with her TF. If Quark shows his APs headed south, the carrier will move in. I know Quark's carriers are still out there, but I've seen a lot of his planes land based. I'm sure that will change, but I'm making the move now.
More to come...
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
Looks like Showtime II is getting VERY complicated very quickly, are any of this landings fients? Or are all these serious landings? sorry to see Lea Lea is building the airfield so slow, it was a novel idea, too bad you can't get a level one field there. If you can pull this off he is going to be a in world of hurt. Can's wait to see how it plays out.
Rendova (et. al.), the landings on Tulagi and Munda were in fact reinforced probes. Quark knows the danger of letting me build up Irau and now with my forces on the ground at Taivu, it's only a matter of time that Lunga is hit. I was contemplating whether to hit the Russell Is. base as opposed to Munda, but I decided a strike at Munda would cause more concern for my worthy foe, causing him to possibly draw off reinforcements from Lunga.. It didn't turn out that way (see below) but the probe into Tulagi revealed a very weak defender, which the Marines quickly eliminated, taking possession of the anchorage.
I believe the beauty of the successive landings at Lea Lea, Taivu, Lunga, Tulagi, and Munda is that the IJN doesn't know which one is a feint - the best part is that they all could be, or none of them could be. It allows me the option to concentrate where his response is weakest. This time, it was Tulagi. The Allies now have a level two port only 30 miles from Lunga. If I can get fuel and supplies in there life for the defenders at Lunga is going to get very uncomfortable.
As to yesterday's combat, it was somewhat one-sided in the Allies favor. 22 IJN aircraft were lost to only 6 Allied planes. At Munda, my FT TF surprised and sunk an IJN DD (probably on a FT run of its own). One APD did hit a mine, but it will make it back to Irau and repair within a few weeks (enough to make short distance runs). Meanwhile, the DMS and MSW ships continue to sweep away at the "Type 93 triangle" of Lunga, Tulagi, and Taivu. This allows the ALlied forces to once again sail into Lunga. This time, however, two TFs sail in. The first TF is 13 PT boats which surprise the IJN DD Minekaze and two PC escorting three small APs. At 1000 yards, PT111 announced their presence in the night when two of her torpedoes blew the IJN PC Ch 30 in apart. The IJN destroyer responded quickly, bracketing PT163 with shells. The destroyer was mobbed immediately, and the second ship to fire at it, PT66 scored with both her torpedoes. The destroyer was silenced, and PT66 began to rake the ship with .50 cal. machinegun fire. Each of the hits either poked a hole in the belt armor of caused internal explosions and fires. Four of the destroyers AA gun platforms were put out of commmission. In the end, the destroyer was sunk, and the remaining PC hurriedly escorted the APs to what was believed to be safe waters, only to stumble into the arms of Indianapolis and her TF. The battleship easily picked off each AP in turn, but the IJN AP Takunan Maru bravely returned fire while the PC just sat there. while the battleship was concentrating on the other two transports, ablaze in the morning sky, the Takunan Maru may have been able to sneak away, but instead opened up on the task force and actually scored an internal explosion hit on the DMS Dorsey. Once the third transport showed herself, however, it didn't fare any better than her sisters. In the end, the only IJN survivor of the encounter, PC Ch 12, was herself torpedoed and sunk by a flight of Beauforts later that day.
So all in all, a very good night for the Allies. Ground combat at Lunga revealed the exact strength of the defenders (ALT-Print Screen pasted to Paint works very nice, thank you). I'll share the screen with you at the end of this post.
Meanwhile, the combat report awaits:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/16/43
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Night Time Surface Combat, near Munda at 31,37
Japanese Ships
DD Harukaze, Shell hits 27, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
APD Talbot, Shell hits 1, on fire
APD Waters
APD Brooks, Shell hits 1, on fire
APD Humphreys
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10
Clash of the FT TFs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese Ships
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 69, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
PC Ch 12
PC Ch 30, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP Kashi Maru
AP Takunan Maru
AP Kembu Maru
Don't you just love those PT boats?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 12
AP Kashi Maru, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Takunan Maru, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
AP Kembu Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
With the destroyer out of the way, the transports are doomed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese Ships
AG 115, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG 117, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
AG 118, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG 121, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AG 123
AG 351, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
AG 361
AG 364
More wreckage on the water.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 4th Naval Garrison Unit, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 8
no losses
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x B-24D Liberator at 20000 feet
Again from Cooktown.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 21st Naval Garrison Unit, at 38,39
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 14
A-20G Havoc x 12
B-25J Mitchell x 30
A-20G Boston x 9
no losses
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 91
Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x A-20G Boston at 6000 feet
7 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
7 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
12 x A-20G Havoc at 100 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
10 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
Softening up the defenders at Tulagi before launching the ground assault.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 158th Regiment, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
B5N Kate x 18
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13
Attacking Level Bombers:
18 x B5N Kate at 5000 feet
Once again, the 158th bears the brunt of Quark's training runs. I ought to FT in an AA unit just to P**s him off.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 158th Regiment, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 21
J1N1-R Irving x 2
no losses
sigh.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 158th Regiment, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 5
G4M1 Betty x 67
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 37
Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
5 x G3M Nell at 2000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
Sigh x 2.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43
Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 24
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3 destroyed
1LT F.Pierce of VMF-223 is credited with kill number 6
Allied Ships
AK Cetus, Bomb hits 1
AK Celeno, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Serpens, Bomb hits 1
AK Murzim, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Mercury
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 23
Guns lost 1
Celeno has been removed from the TF and will not sail. She'll survive, but will be docked for repairs. More AKs on the way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 38
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 21
Beaufort x 16
P-38G Lightning x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged
Beaufort x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
1LT F.Pierce of VMF-223 is credited with kill number 8
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 12, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Beaufort at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort at 200 feet
Now the captain of the PC won't have to report his failure at escorting the IJN troops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lunga
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 42712 troops, 559 guns, 77 vehicles
Defending force 602 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 479 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 32
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 184
An impressive force arrayed there. I bet they get hungry after a while though...
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Ground combat at Lea Lea
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5230 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 5254 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 81
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 75
Guns lost 1
Keeping the attack going while I try to get the base built.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 922 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 173 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Tulagi base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 231
The first success of Act II.
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Almost forgot to mention, Lea Lea is up to 20% complete on the airfield. Supplies should be dropped off tomorrow.
Quark's CV TF was spotted about 150 miles SW of GG. What they're doing there I have no idea. Maybe he wants to interdict my FT runs to Lea Lea. Whatever they're doing there, they won't be doing it long. I've set every 4E bomber to 6000 feet and Naval Attack, with 50% search. I also have six submarines closing on the CV TF from the NE, N, and NW. I e-mailed my opponent that if I was supposed to wet my pants upon finding the CV TF in the Coral Sea it didn't happen (protective undergarments, you see - but that's another story). I told him my FT runs were about complete (truth), and invited him to sail closer to Oz. My own CVE TF has run back to RH.
Complicated? Probably. But taking things one step at a time, I do hope to hit Quark from so many places he doesn't have the capability to respond to all of them. His transports are a mess, as are his destroyers. Both Marine divisions are earmarked for Noumea. I'll probably also send in the 43rd from Irau as well, and maybe even the 25th from LV. I have more troops at Noumea but I believe Quark is totally defensive now. Still, it never hurts to make sure my bottom isn't hanging out somewhere...
More to come...but first, take a look at the defenders at Lunga...
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"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
(he who crows doesn’t worry about what’s for dinner…)
The combat report is in, but not the turn. Once again, the impertinence of youth (figuratively speaking) rises up and bites me in the posterior. I just had to get one more FT TF into Lea Lea.
I’ll let the AAR speak for itself, but the damage is almost catastrophic…to make it easy, follow this formula: if the ship is Allied, and it is in a class that starts with a “D”, then its sunk.
Of course, I did sink another AP.
Ah well, kudos to Quark for a great turn!
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/17/43
Weather: Partly Cloudy
Sub attack at 14,44
Japanese Ships
AP Argentina Maru
DD Hatsuyuki
Allied Ships
SS Swordfish, Shell hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 15,45
Japanese Ships
AP Kinugasa Maru, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
Allied Ships
SS Amberjack, Shell hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 36
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 124th Regiment, at 38,40
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 21
PB4Y Liberator x 20
Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator x 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 16
Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x Hudson at 20000 feet
6 x PB4Y Liberator at 20000 feet
4 x PB4Y Liberator at 20000 feet
6 x Hudson at 20000 feet
3 x Hudson at 20000 feet
3 x Hudson at 20000 feet
4 x PB4Y Liberator at 20000 feet
6 x PB4Y Liberator at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 78th Regiment, at 38,40
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 17
P-38G Lightning x 12
A-20G Havoc x 14
B-25J Mitchell x 42
A-20G Boston x 13
Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc x 1 damaged
A-20G Boston x 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31
Attacking Level Bombers:
10 x B-25J Mitchell at 20000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 20000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 20000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 20000 feet
14 x A-20G Havoc at 20000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 20000 feet
4 x A-20G Boston at 20000 feet
9 x A-20G Boston at 20000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 20000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 20000 feet
7 x B-25J Mitchell at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, at 31,37
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 21
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x G3M Nell at 1000 feet
6 x G3M Nell at 1000 feet
9 x G3M Nell at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 1st Aus Pioneer Battalion, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
B5N Kate x 18
no losses
Attacking Level Bombers:
18 x B5N Kate at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 1st Aus Pioneer Battalion, at 9,39
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 5
G4M1 Betty x 71
no losses
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 116
Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
5 x G3M Nell at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 7
B-17E Fortress x 3
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Harusame
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,50
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A Val x 74
B5N Kate x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 3 damaged
Allied Ships
DMS Hopkins, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Zane, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD O'Brien, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Barton, Bomb hits 1
DD Stack, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DM Sicard, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Balch, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD MacDonough, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,50
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 30
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 4 destroyed
B5N Kate x 15 damaged
Allied Ships
DD O'Brien, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DM Sicard, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD MacDonough
DMS Zane, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hovey
DD Balch, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,50
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N Kate x 20
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 9 damaged
Allied Ships
DD Barton, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Laffey, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,50
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 13
B5N Kate x 29
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 4 damaged
Allied Ships
DD MacDonough, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Balch, on fire, heavy damage
DD Barton, on fire
DD Stack, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hovey, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,46
Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 48
B5N Kate x 31
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 4 destroyed
D3A Val x 8 damaged
B5N Kate x 9 destroyed
B5N Kate x 16 damaged
Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
APD Sands, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD Kilty
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
no losses
Japanese Ships
TK Shinkoku Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress x 6 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Hiyo
Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Shirogane Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,43
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Maya
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,50
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 damaged
Allied Ships
DMS Hovey, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,50
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
D3A Val x 82
B5N Kate x 29
no losses
Allied Ships
DMS Zane, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Stack, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,46
Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 8 damaged
Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,46
Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 25
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 21 damaged
Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 15,45
PO1 C.Nomura of CII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 5
FLT E.Hanamoto of DIII-2 Daitai bails out and is RESCUED
Japanese Ships
AP Kinugasa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Amberjack
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 15,45
Nothing like investing a lot of time and effort into a game and then letting impatience get the best of you.
While the plan may or may not have been sound, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The invasion of Lunga is happening in dribs and drabs, each of which Quark bats aside like an annoying mosquito. This is no way to conduct an invasion. I have ordered a recall to Irau.
The forces on Tulagi and Taivu are also being returned. I don't think there's much I can do for Lea Lea. Subs will pull out what they can, but that's about all I can do.
Chalk it up to another lesson learned. [:)]. It's mid March 43, and I'm about 6000 points down. I don't know if I can make up that ground in time, but we'll keep plugging along. At least I can get some more training.
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
The bb's doesn't really matter, you'll get heaps more. What does matter is reducing Quarks
6000 point lead. This can ONLY be done by capturing Lunga and Port Moresby AND killing of Jap
shipping en masse.
I prefer to keep my plans simple, if not I'd only goof if all up. Not being strong enough anywhere
really sux :p)
When you get your carriers, they have to defeat the KB and open up the doors for your future invasions.
That's a simpe plan [;)]
"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
The inevitible has happened. All remaining forces Allied at Munda and Lea Lea have been obliterated. I saved what I could with subs and the odd FT TF. Four units remain at Taivu. They're coming back to Irau if I can get them. I'm still seething at myself for such carelessness....
In 6 days, the aircraft replacements for the carrier air wings are due to arive. Enterprise, Hornet, Victorious, Long Island, and Independence are (and have been for over a month) simply sitting at PH. Another CVL is due at PH within days, but it is of no consequence if it doesn't get sent west.The likelihood of release has been High for that entire time, and plenty of destroyers and cruisers are also at PH to serve as escorts. The only reason I can think of for them not sailing is they lack aircraft - especially frustrating since I have three full strength air wings at Noumea, simply waiting for a carrier.
Perhaps off-loading the planes is the wrong thing to do before sending the carriers back to PH for repair, upgrades, etc.
Irau remains my northernmost extension. I really hope Quark tries something there, but he literally doesn't have to do anything with this lead.
I've pulled way back with my shipping. Transports and combat vessels alike to Noumea and Brisbane. Quark is simply too strong, and I have to hope I can gather enough force to beat down his 6 CV armada before I try anything else.
(I know that's what everyone here has been telling me, but having never gotten this far in a game I -of course - know better than anyone. [8|] What a waste... )
More (eventually) to come...
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
Another day of withdrawing from aborted invasion #2, and something new to ponder. My opponent didn't send a combat report because he saw no combat. I load the turn and a FT TF I sent to Taivu to rescue what they could ends up in Lunga harbor after having dropped off 20 incapicated squads from the 1st Marine Raider Battalion (I do exagerate a little. There are 3 combat ready support squads along with them). The home port for the TF was Lunga, their destination was Taivu, and they did have pick up orders.
So now Chevalier is sitting in Lunga, flotation damage of 50+, system damage of 40+ (presumably from playing pinball with Type 20 mines).
Agressive commanders? Or (more likely) the program trying to make sense of the plethora of scattered unit remnants.
We'll see. In three days, the reinforcements for the destroyed air wings are supposed to be delivered to "unknown". If that doesn't release the carriers sitting at PH, I'm not sure what to do next.
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
Resting and refitting for one last push north. Two more BBs (Mississippi and New Mexico)are on the way, but still no carriers released. Hornet has a remnant TBF squadron on board, but Enterprise is still empty. Victorious and two CVLs are also at PH...waiting. Over 100 SBDs, 200 F4F-4s and 130 TBFs are in the replacement pool...waiting. I don't know why they won't get assigned to the carriers, but will hope they do in a few days.
Without the carriers, there isn't much I can do against Quark's CV TF. I learned that the hard way [:(]. So we wait as the days flip by on the calendar...
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
Still no word from PH about the release of the 3 CVs, 2 CVLs, and CVE sitting at PH. Loads of CA, CLAA, and DD also at PH. Commitment level still HIGH. I've tried a couple of more things to shake them loose - first I am ordering every ship with SYS >10 back to PH. Second, I have withdrawn every carrier squadron I have (with the exception of a single VF and VC (TBF squadron at Brisbane), transferring the fighters to the single VF squadron, and SBDs/TBFs to Marine squadrons. The planes should go back into the pool, and hopefully the squadrons will be reformed on the carriers. The move with the planes was prompted after seeing Hornet with 1/VT-8 (no planes) and 2/VT-8 (10 TBFs) on board, yet the full strength VT-8 was sitting at Noumea, waiting for Hornet to return.
I don't know if I'll ever move squadrons from carriers to land bases again prior to sending damaged ships back to PH. Something else to put in the Lessons Learned file...
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark back to shore, instead of him leading us out to sea?"
