Matrix Games Forums

No!
you know what is funny, I noticed it only when I was copy pasting the report for the AAR... the turn was already sent back and it was totally gone afterwards

Nicely done committing the Heavies in mass!

You're having quite a good run here! Keep pressing!

82 4E-bombers obtaining over 100 hits on 39 different ships - must have used guided bombs...

or maybe they were parked like sardines in a can [:D]

May 23.42
British eastern fleet raided oilers at Medan. Total surprise, and likely 3 tankers will go down

I am also interested in measuring the reaction; I want to see what kind of forces are available at Singapore,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Medan at 46,76

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 1,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 9
Swordfish I x 26

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
DD Karukaya
DD Kamikaze
TK Nihon Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
TK Rikko Maru
AO Shiriya, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AO Hayamoto, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Swordfish I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
12 x Swordfish I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
2 x Swordfish I bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Massive explosion on AO Hayamoto

The Japanese should have had air search capable of detecting the raid, besides a CAP over said tankers and oilers.

June 3.42
Japanese carriers destroyed a small xAK convoy at Ndeni, nothing too much to worry about, I lost 7 xAKs and 1 PC, Japan lost a lot of Zero fighters as Ndeni had one P-40 squadron on CAP. and it is good to know the location and the composition of the Japanese carriers TF (more on that later)

We are still fighting on Rossel island, and it is definitively an attrition heavy fight (for both). In the meantime, B-17s are bombing Buin and Lae, the idea is to have all Japanese airbases (except Rabaul) at 100% damage. Rabaul will be dealt later on. I am also bombing the troops that disembarked at Rossel; eventually they will run out of supply


Rossel had become some sort of airplane repair bottleneck, with more than 150 planes, mostly fighters, damaged. I hope next turn things will start to get better; it will reach level 4 and I have some aviation support on its way. I had both APDs and slow transports moving to Rossel, but due to enemy carriers, I will only send the APDs. APDs are really awesome and they are critical for the Allies

Other news: Japan captured Batavia



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rossel Island , at 105,137

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 4
P-400 Airacobra x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
No.76 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
No.77 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
51st FG/16th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
51st FG/26th FS with P-400 Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
15th FG/45th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
15th FG/46th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
15th FG/72nd FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
18th FG/HqS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment, at 105,137 (Rossel Island)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 9
Hudson III (LR) x 30
P-39D Airacobra x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 13000.
Raid is overhead
84th I.F.Chutai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes

Also attacking 67th Inf Group Brigade ...
Also attacking 87th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 67th Inf Group Brigade ...
Also attacking 3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 87th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 87th Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 67th Inf Group Brigade ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 87th Naval Guard Unit, at 105,137 (Rossel Island)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 67th Inf Group Brigade, at 105,137 (Rossel Island)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 2

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 5000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buin , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 7
B-17E Fortress x 19

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 18
P-400 Airacobra x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Wirraway bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb
6 x Wirraway bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buin , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 23

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buin , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buin , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 5

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buin , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 3

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 87 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
B5N2 Kate x 21
D3A1 Val x 6

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
PC Tiger, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Aeon, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Utahan, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Admiral Senn, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Vermont, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Susan Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK William Luckenbach, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 12000 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 5000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 5000 feet
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
18th FG/73rd FS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Aeon

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 95 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
B5N2 Kate x 27
D3A1 Val x 11

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Vermont, heavy fires
xAK Admiral Cole, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Susan Luckenbach, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK William Luckenbach, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Utahan, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Aeon, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
18th FG/73rd FS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Susan Luckenbach
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK William Luckenbach
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Utahan
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Aeon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38517 troops, 381 guns, 217 vehicles, Assault Value = 1112

Defending force 13989 troops, 87 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 666

Allied adjusted defense: 185

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Batavia !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
222 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
7863 casualties reported
Squads: 46 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 461 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 71 (69 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 14
Units destroyed 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
148th Infantry Regiment
5th Division
Imperial Guards Division
12th Engineer Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Cav Regiment
I Landstorm Cdo
I Marechausse Cdo
IV Landstorm Cdo
KNI Zeemacht
3e-VLG-III Sup Afd
A-I-Ld AA Battalion
NI-MLD
2e-VLG-III Sup Afd
Batavia KM Base Force
HQ I KNIL Division
KNI Leger
ABDA
VLG-IV Sup Groep
ML-KNIL
Batavia Defenses
1e-VLG-III Sup Afd
2e-VLG-V Sup Afd

June 7.42:

some turns ago, May 23.42 to be precise, I had this carrier foray hitting Medan, raid was successful as I believe I sank 3 tankers. I had another task force, a surface TF, trying to sneak up in the Rangoon/ Pt Blair area.

What I noticed with that TF was a total lack of naval search; it was able to reach waters very close to Pt Blair without detection... this left me thinking that maybe a simple raid was going to be a waste of effort, instead I prepared a quick invasion.

I decided to put some troops on Great Nicobar and Trinkat; I would had preferred to attack Pt Blair, but I know it is garrison, and I simply didn't have the time to prepare for it. Great Nicobar and Trinkat were never captured by Japan and therefore it can be taken without worrying about disruption or enemy defending them heroically

We will see how this ends, I know total surprise was achieved, at least up until now. He spotted one of the TFs but he might think it is a raider

Key objective is to have him commit more naval assets into the Indian ocean, so far he has all his carriers in the Pacific and that is a problem. So he will have to either commit troops and ships to recapture or he will have to deal with airbases near Singapore/ Medan

Next time,maybe fly in some engineers and supplies to build forts. Then bring in other troops. That would make it tougher on any Japanese reaction.

I don't think it is in range for air transport from Colombo, plus these 2 are dot bases, only para drop can do it and I don't think engineers can para drop


but good news is that there are engineers embarked, basically each island will get one engineer and one combat LCU

You probably have some PBYs around - they can likely range and establish an air bridge. Engineer vehicles you'll have to ship anyway, but you don't need specific air transports.

If your opponent hasn't secured other dot bases, you can really start moving forward on the cheap.

I never thought about that!
I will definitively use the PBYs for some specific troop movement; can they transport engineers?

for the time being, I am happy with Great Nicobar and Trinkat, but I can add Car Nicobar easily with air transports. Little Andaman might change sides as I believe it is unocupied. Port Blair is certainly occupied but it is not developed and it hasn't developed in some months, so most likely a naval guard garrison

I have a couple TFs with supply following the invasion, I think I will drop a ship or two to Car Nicobar so that I don't have to worry on air transporting supply

Catalinas can transport anything that dedicated transports can. I find them useful for rescuing parts of the units at Guam and Wake so they don't have to be bought from the dead pile. Same thing for some units in the Phillipines, then those ground units go to India to garrison. They can also do so for Singapore, then those fragments brought to Australia to rebuild and defend. Then they are a start of the forces to be used to retake the DEI.

I will do some testing, now that I have a few far away bases I will like to maintain

for me the key is engineers, at least those that belong to the para LCUs can't be parachuted into a dot base. But maybe the Catalinas can take care

and of course at the end of the day, it is preferably to used freighters; I believe I will have at least one and a half day to unload; then Japan will start to react, and I might need to withdraw the ships... we will see,

Or use APDs in fast transport task forces. They may get there and be gone before the enemy notices.

Most, almost all my APDs are in the Pacific, I am using them with wonderful results

this Indian ocean operation was a quickly reaction to exploit his lack of interest in the Andaman area, so I am not having the best of equipment available, I guess xAKLs will have to suffice

You go to war with what you have . . .

June7.42
Amphibious TFs hit the beaches at Trinkat and Great Nicobar. Landings were contested by LBAs, I made a mistake when setting CAP and they didn't provide any cover to the amphibious fleets. I was lucky the cruisers were able to dodge the bombs (no torpedoes).
I don't expect any surface TFs from Singapore next turn; they should start arriving on Jun9th, unless he goes full speed

In a separate note.. it seems he is moving a division to Rangoon.. it will be interesting if it gets near the British carriers


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 43,66

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 43,66

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Durban
CL Ceres
CL Capetown

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 43,66

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Ceres
CL Capetown
DD Thanet

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 7000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

and then Rossel

2 enemy TFs spotted on direction to Rossel island, one dive bomber squadron reacted and was wiped out by CAP (17 bombers shot down)

I won't be surprised to see a carrier TF next turns

I have cruisers, DDs and PTs guarding it. I am still debating if I should withdraw the cruisers and DDs, of if I should accept the fight with the hopes of avoiding another naval bombardment at Rossel and maybe keep the TFs in range for Allied LBAs


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 107,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(16 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 16000.
Raid is overhead
Tainan Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Raid is overhead

June 8th, Rossel:

Most fleets withdrew, exception were the PT boats and one cruiser TF; it went south then returned to Rossel, I set this to avoid night fighting, with the idea that they would return to face the enemy at daytime, after PT boats engaged. In the end the Japanese went to Rossel, fought the PTs then somehow kept going south

In any case, mission accomplished for PT boats; they didn't sink anything, they actually got heavy losses, but they were a significant annoyance for the Japanese fleet, which ended reacting to some ghost fleet? and more important, they didn't bombard Rossel

Dive bombers then scored a few hits, and DD Nowaki will likely sink or limp away heavily damaged, BB Fuso got many bomb hits, all bounced and not enough to seriously damage or burn it

Next turn it will be the cruisers' turn to shine against difficult odds, at least they will fight against an enemy that spent some ammo.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rossel Island at 105,138

Japanese Ships
SS I-20

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL Detroit
CL Perth
CL Achilles
CL Leander
DD Flusser
DD Worden
DD Farragut
DD Cassin

SS I-20 is sighted by escort
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Farragut fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Cassin fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 105,137, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
CA Myoko
CA Nachi
CL Tenryu
DD Oyashio
DD Natsushio
DD Nowaki
DD Usugumo
DD Karii
DD Yanagi

Allied Ships
MGB No. 187, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MGB No. 191, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MGB No. 194, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MGB No. 200, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 28% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 11,000 yards
MGB No. 200 sunk by BB Fuso at 11,000 yards
BB Fuso fires at MGB No. 191 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
MGB No. 194 sunk by BB Fuso at 8,000 yards
BB Fuso engages MGB No. 191 at 8,000 yards
MGB No. 191 sunk by DD Natsushio at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
BB Fuso engages MGB No. 187 at 6,000 yards
MGB No. 187 sunk by CA Myoko at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 105,137, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
CA Myoko
CA Nachi
CL Tenryu
DD Oyashio
DD Natsushio
DD Nowaki
DD Usugumo
DD Karii
DD Yanagi

Allied Ships
PT-20, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-21
PT-23
PT-24
PT-25
PT-26
PT-27
PT-28, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-29, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-30
PT-32, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-33

Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 28% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-33 at 8,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-24 at 8,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-20 at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-29 at 7,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-28 at 7,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-28 at 7,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-33 at 7,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages PT-29 at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-20 at 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-21 at 6,000 yards
PT-29 engages DD Yanagi at 6,000 yards
PT-28 engages DD Karii at 6,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-24 at 6,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages PT-24 at 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-23 at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-33 at 2,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages PT-28 at 2,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-28 at 2,000 yards
PT-32 engages CA Nachi at 2,000 yards
PT-28 sunk by CA Myoko at 2,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-21 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-26 at 5,000 yards
PT-25 engages CL Tenryu at 5,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-27 at 5,000 yards
PT-26 engages DD Karii at 5,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-24 at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-33 at 4,000 yards
PT-29 engages CA Nachi at 4,000 yards
DD Karii engages PT-25 at 4,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-25 at 4,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-32 at 4,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages PT-32 at 4,000 yards
PT-25 engages DD Oyashio at 4,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-20 at 4,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-32 at 4,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages PT-32 at 4,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-26 at 4,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-25 at 4,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-24 at 4,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages PT-25 at 4,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages PT-33 at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-33 at 3,000 yards
PT-29 sunk by CA Myoko at 3,000 yards
PT-25 engages DD Usugumo at 3,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-33 at 3,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-27 at 3,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages PT-26 at 3,000 yards
DD Karii engages PT-25 at 3,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-24 at 3,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-23 at 3,000 yards
PT-20 sunk by CA Nachi at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-33 at 5,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-33 at 5,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-25 at 5,000 yards
PT-25 engages DD Karii at 5,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-27 at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-23 at 7,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-27 at 7,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages PT-32 at 7,000 yards
DD Karii engages PT-33 at 7,000 yards
PT-32 sunk by DD Usugumo at 7,000 yards
DD Karii engages PT-33 at 7,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-27 at 7,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages PT-25 at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 105,137, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
CA Myoko
CA Nachi
CL Tenryu
DD Oyashio
DD Natsushio
DD Nowaki
DD Usugumo
DD Karii
DD Yanagi

Allied Ships
PT-46
PT-47
PT-48
PT-59, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-60
PT-61
MTB 8, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 11
MTB 12, Shell hits 1

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 28% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-48 at 7,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages PT-61 at 7,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-61 at 7,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages MTB 11 at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
PT-48 engages CA Nachi at 4,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages PT-47 at 4,000 yards
DD Karii engages MTB 11 at 4,000 yards
PT-61 engages DD Usugumo at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-48 at 5,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-60 at 5,000 yards
CA Myoko engages MTB 11 at 5,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-48 at 5,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-47 at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-61 at 4,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages MTB 11 at 4,000 yards
PT-59 engages DD Nowaki at 4,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages MTB 11 at 4,000 yards
PT-60 engages DD Oyashio at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-59 at 3,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages MTB 11 at 3,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-47 at 3,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-46 at 3,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages PT-59 at 3,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages PT-47 at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-48 at 4,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-59 at 4,000 yards
DD Karii engages MTB 8 at 4,000 yards
CA Nachi engages MTB 8 at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-46 at 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-60 at 6,000 yards
PT-59 sunk by CA Nachi at 6,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages MTB 8 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-46 at 7,000 yards
MTB 8 sunk by DD Yanagi at 7,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-60 at 7,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages MTB 11 at 7,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages MTB 11 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-60 at 10,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-47 at 10,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages MTB 11 at 10,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages PT-61 at 10,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages MTB 12 at 10,000 yards
DD Karii engages PT-61 at 10,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-47 at 10,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-46 at 10,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages MTB 12 at 10,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-60 at 10,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages MTB 11 at 10,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages MTB 11 at 10,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-60 at 10,000 yards
CA Nachi engages MTB 11 at 10,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-47 at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-46 at 8,000 yards
DD Karii engages MTB 12 at 8,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages MTB 11 at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Myoko engages MTB 11 at 11,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages MTB 11 at 11,000 yards
DD Karii engages PT-48 at 11,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages MTB 11 at 11,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-60 at 11,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages MTB 12 at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 105,137, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
CA Myoko
CA Nachi
CL Tenryu
DD Oyashio
DD Natsushio
DD Nowaki
DD Usugumo
DD Karii
DD Yanagi

Allied Ships
PT-34
PT-35, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-36
PT-37
PT-38
PT-39
PT-40
PT-41
PT-42
PT-43, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-44, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-45, Shell hits 1

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 17% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 6,000 yards
BB Fuso fires at PT-45 at 6,000 yards
DD Karii fires at PT-45 at 6,000 yards
DD Karii fires at PT-39 at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-45 at 3,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages PT-39 at 3,000 yards
DD Karii engages PT-39 at 3,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-34 at 3,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-36 at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
PT-34 engages CA Nachi at 4,000 yards
PT-43 engages DD Oyashio at 4,000 yards
DD Karii engages PT-45 at 4,000 yards
PT-39 engages CA Nachi at 4,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages PT-45 at 4,000 yards
Greene, J. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-38 at 3,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-41 at 3,000 yards
DD Karii engages PT-37 at 3,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-43 at 3,000 yards
PT-38 engages CL Tenryu at 3,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages PT-37 at 3,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-34 at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Karii engages PT-45 at 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-44 at 6,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages PT-43 at 6,000 yards
PT-36 engages DD Oyashio at 6,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-35 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages PT-45 at 7,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-39 at 7,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-38 at 7,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-37 at 7,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-36 at 7,000 yards
PT-35 sunk by CL Tenryu at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-44 at 6,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-43 at 6,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-42 at 6,000 yards
PT-45 engages DD Usugumo at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-43 at 7,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-45 at 7,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-38 at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Myoko engages PT-45 at 6,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-43 at 6,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages PT-43 at 6,000 yards
PT-44 engages DD Karii at 6,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-38 at 6,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages PT-43 at 6,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-36 at 6,000 yards
Kinoshita, Mitsuo orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Nachi engages PT-45 at 7,000 yards
DD Usugumo engages PT-39 at 7,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages PT-45 at 7,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages PT-43 at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-45 at 4,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-43 at 4,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages PT-43 at 4,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages PT-40 at 4,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages PT-37 at 4,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages PT-43 at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
BB Fuso engages PT-44 at 5,000 yards
PT-43 sunk by CA Myoko at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
PT-44 sunk by CL Tenryu at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 106,142

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 4

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 106,142

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 19
P-40E Warhawk x 13
SBD-2 Dauntless x 13

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 2
DD Yanagi

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 106,142

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Tenryu
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 2

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

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Nowaki

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 106,142

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 19
P-40E Warhawk x 5
SBD-2 Dauntless x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 2
CL Tenryu
CA Myoko
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb