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I didn´t realize Q-ball lost that much. Are you sure they are sunk? I´ve managed to save CVs/CVLs and even CVEs from what looked to be certain doom. "Heavy damage, Heavy fires". Even ammo explosions!

If you did managed to sink that much...Wow! [:)] That should put him a good 6 months behind at least.

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

I didn´t realize Q-ball lost that much. Are you sure they are sunk? I´ve managed to save CVs/CVLs and even CVEs from what looked to be certain doom. "Heavy damage, Heavy fires". Even ammo explosions!

If you did managed to sink that much...Wow! [:)] That should put him a good 6 months behind at least.

"SURE" you are never sure, but i'm certain to have sunk 4 CVs and 2 are damaged. That's for sure.
The CVEs should all be goner. Maybe one or two may have been saved but not more than that.
The CA/CLs should all sunk for real... while i've sunk very few DDs....[:-]...and lost 90 of mine!!



MARCH 13, 1944

Allied CVs are still South of Timor...possibly supporting some more landings at Roti (base forces and engineers maybe?). Good... more time for me.

More base forces are enroute for Luzon and Thailand, while the first phase of retreat from northern Burma has begun...unmolested for the moment.

At Ramree Is. the enemy shows a movement Arrow towards Burma. Two divisions are now waiting for them in the jungle hex east of ramree. Should be fun.

Fragments of heaby artillery units are saved from the Marshalls... they are now enroute for Luzon and the Mariannas. Good.

Supplies keep on being low. Especially in Burma. Need to shrink my perimeter also to save some supplies. long communication lines also mean more fuel to be spent to feed the men at the front...and i need to start saving now.

Tavoy, Mergui and Moulmein each will get a reinforced Division. forts are already up to 4 or 5. need to get to 6. Chang-Mai already has a division and Reaghen will get a mixed bde.
Will probably regroup my 4 Tank Division into a single Tank Army in Java. Have something in mind....[:'(]

Also thinking about abbandoning Biak area. If i do things right i can possibly save 3 divisions from that area... need to think about that

Just checked Tracker... the Whole Burma area has less than 40K supplies...jeezzzzzzz!!! I am pretty sure that two weeks ago they were 80K... what the hell are my boys eating!?!? 10 ratios at day!?!?!?[:@]

I haven't really read much of this AAR but I'm wondering why you think that the 250 kg bomb is such a limitation in naval strike missions? I know it won't do much to any ship with armor on top which means its pretty useless against battleships, cruisers, and British carriers but that still leaves destroyers, troop ships, and most importantly US CVs. Troop ships especially are vulnerable to those 250 kg bombs when you fly in low enough if you manage to get through CAP somehow. You'd probably have a lot of issues with the AA of US CVs if you fly in low but if you manage to get a few lucky hits on the deck of a carrier and get some SYS damage to prevent his planes from flying that could have a decisive impact on day 2+ of an engagement. And as Kamikaze's I would imagine they would have a similar effect. I agree it's not ideal, but when used properly the 250kg bomb (or 500 lb bomb for the Allies) can be a deadly weapon.

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

I haven't really read much of this AAR but I'm wondering why you think that the 250 kg bomb is such a limitation in naval strike missions? I know it won't do much to any ship with armor on top which means its pretty useless against battleships, cruisers, and British carriers but that still leaves destroyers, troop ships, and most importantly US CVs. Troop ships especially are vulnerable to those 250 kg bombs when you fly in low enough if you manage to get through CAP somehow. You'd probably have a lot of issues with the AA of US CVs if you fly in low but if you manage to get a few lucky hits on the deck of a carrier and get some SYS damage to prevent his planes from flying that could have a decisive impact on day 2+ of an engagement. And as Kamikaze's I would imagine they would have a similar effect. I agree it's not ideal, but when used properly the 250kg bomb (or 500 lb bomb for the Allies) can be a deadly weapon.

Agree. Probably we're all too focused in "sinking" allied major ships, thus forgetting that we are in mid 1944. A damaged ship, in mid 1944 in the middle of the DEI and with the closest shipyard at Sydney (a little one indeed) is Worth just as much as a sunk ship.
Also a Kamikaze, even with just 2x250kg bombs, can wreck havoc among the CVE fleet. And God knows the allies still needs all the CVEs they have in order to advance safely

Not to mention I think by 1944 that any surface ship which doesn't carry troops or planes for the Allies is of limited importance anyway. As Japan in 1944 your goal is to disrupt an delay amphibious landings as much as possible which requires vastly different tactics than trying to go out and sink the Allied navies. The decisive battle doctrine should not be your strategy unless you want to see the Japanese fleet getting to know the coral reefs on the bottom of the ocean better

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

I haven't really read much of this AAR but I'm wondering why you think that the 250 kg bomb is such a limitation in naval strike missions? I know it won't do much to any ship with armor on top which means its pretty useless against battleships, cruisers, and British carriers but that still leaves destroyers, troop ships, and most importantly US CVs. Troop ships especially are vulnerable to those 250 kg bombs when you fly in low enough if you manage to get through CAP somehow. You'd probably have a lot of issues with the AA of US CVs if you fly in low but if you manage to get a few lucky hits on the deck of a carrier and get some SYS damage to prevent his planes from flying that could have a decisive impact on day 2+ of an engagement. And as Kamikaze's I would imagine they would have a similar effect. I agree it's not ideal, but when used properly the 250kg bomb (or 500 lb bomb for the Allies) can be a deadly weapon.

Agree. Probably we're all too focused in "sinking" allied major ships, thus forgetting that we are in mid 1944. A damaged ship, in mid 1944 in the middle of the DEI and with the closest shipyard at Sydney (a little one indeed) is Worth just as much as a sunk ship.
Also a Kamikaze, even with just 2x250kg bombs, can wreck havoc among the CVE fleet. And God knows the allies still needs all the CVEs they have in order to advance safely

Agreed, I can attest that the Allied plans "must" include taking an advance shipyard as soon as possible. Kamikazes are the reason for this..Singapore, Manila, or Hong Kong-one of them must be in the bag or the kamikaze problem can overwhelm you.

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

Not to mention I think by 1944 that any surface ship which doesn't carry troops or planes for the Allies is of limited importance anyway. As Japan in 1944 your goal is to disrupt an delay amphibious landings as much as possible which requires vastly different tactics than trying to go out and sink the Allied navies. The decisive battle doctrine should not be your strategy unless you want to see the Japanese fleet getting to know the coral reefs on the bottom of the ocean better

True, but you have to blunt the Allied CV and CVE force or you won't see much of an opportunity to go after Allied transports.

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

I haven't really read much of this AAR but I'm wondering why you think that the 250 kg bomb is such a limitation in naval strike missions? I know it won't do much to any ship with armor on top which means its pretty useless against battleships, cruisers, and British carriers but that still leaves destroyers, troop ships, and most importantly US CVs. Troop ships especially are vulnerable to those 250 kg bombs when you fly in low enough if you manage to get through CAP somehow. You'd probably have a lot of issues with the AA of US CVs if you fly in low but if you manage to get a few lucky hits on the deck of a carrier and get some SYS damage to prevent his planes from flying that could have a decisive impact on day 2+ of an engagement. And as Kamikaze's I would imagine they would have a similar effect. I agree it's not ideal, but when used properly the 250kg bomb (or 500 lb bomb for the Allies) can be a deadly weapon.

Agree. Probably we're all too focused in "sinking" allied major ships, thus forgetting that we are in mid 1944. A damaged ship, in mid 1944 in the middle of the DEI and with the closest shipyard at Sydney (a little one indeed) is Worth just as much as a sunk ship.
Also a Kamikaze, even with just 2x250kg bombs, can wreck havoc among the CVE fleet. And God knows the allies still needs all the CVEs they have in order to advance safely

Agreed, I can attest that the Allied plans "must" include taking an advance shipyard as soon as possible. Kamikazes are the reason for this..Singapore, Manila, or Hong Kong-one of them must be in the bag or the kamikaze problem can overwhelm you.

Or even Saigon, though you can't get BBs up the river. Manila starts out as a rather small SY (smaller than Saigon), but it's still better than nothing.

ORIGINAL: crsutton
True, but you have to blunt the Allied CV and CVE force or you won't see much of an opportunity to go after Allied transports.

Well in my current game as the Allies I just had a CVE fleet obliterated by 250 kg bombs exclusively with more than a few sunk so I'm pretty confident 250 kg bombs can do the job here.

Even USN CV flight decks are vulnerable to 250kg bombs. Enough hits and you'll start enough fires that the ship may not be saved.

can you post another map Greyjoy? good luck against in next CV battle

March 16-22, 1944

Sorry guys but these have been very busy pre-Christmas days...

So... we're clearly losing the grip...and with the grip the war.

The allies naval bombed Kendari, closing the base for good and destroying more than 100 fighters on the ground. P-47D25s arrived sweeping, followed by hundreds of 4Es.
The same fate happened to Kolaka...a base a was using to transit all the units saved from Timor... bombed to death by his cruisers...

I noticed another massive landing operation was taking shape south of Timor... I decided to make another attempt...his CVs were anywhere to be seen...just some CVEs... I moved my KB in the shades...stealth mode....
...arrived at 6 and 7 hexes from all his APA/AKAs full of troops... even managed to place 150 D4Ys at Koepang and 100 Oscars...

When the day finally arrived, my KB was 1 hex north of Ruteng... in a perfect position... what happened? Only 9 DB launched in the morning...and 27 in the afternoon.... we sunk an AP, a couple of xAPs and some DEs...nothing more...
all those fat APAs were untouched...[:o]
[:o]
[:o][:o]...and weather wasn't even that horrible...I really don't know what happened...

Anyway these are the signs that the tide has really changed... 100 planes lost... 80 skilled pilots... for a pitfull prize...[8|]

But war goes on...
Now the allied dominion is extended north of Timor...he has already conquered all those bases from Alor to Ruteng... Kendari is in ruin...Makassar directly threatened... My LBA is in a terrible shape...all my major fighter groups are recovering...with low morale and with high fatigue...and the allies just keep on advancing...now they reached Ternate...

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

March 14-15, 1944

So I'm back from London!

It's been, once again, a great week end there. London is really the centre of the world right now IMHO...even if, under Christmas, it's probably too crowded to live it well.
I've seen many great things I haven't seen before, and lunched with Obvert in a great Indian Restaurant... simply awesome! Obvert is really a lovely man!

Speaking of lovely, this fine Italian gentleman treated me to lunch and great conversation, plus the privilege of sharing it with his gorgeous girlfriend Valentina! She didn't even mind when after some general conversation we launched into a deep (and probably unintelligible) talk about the games. Quite a woman!

It was great to see you Nic, and next time I'll treat you two to dinner, hopefully in Italy! [:)]

London isn't so bad if you know where to go and can get a little perspective on the craziness. Helps if this is the evening view. [8D]

That's great you guys had dinner. I have been playing the same opponent for over 10 years now in various Matrix games. We met up with his family and mine in Caen, France on our respective vacations 5 years ago. Fortunately our wives got talking so we could discuss more important things like the Eastern Front Anyway, makes the games we play more fun.

Sorry for the lack of updates guys...

The game has advanced of only 3 turns....[X(] but something has happened in the meanwhile

After the failed ambush of the KB at Roti, the allies tried to do the same with their CVs.
On the 22nd of March 1944 the allied CVs unseen made a full speed run from Boela (still in our hands) to Morotai, covering a Landing operation against
that Island (which was empty BTW). Doing so they got 7 hexes far from Menado...where 2 japanese SAGs (one with 2 BBs and another one with 3 CAs) were stationed
We had only 50 fighters at hand...Ki-44c and A6M5s....
Weather was pretty good but the allies had a terrible DL... and the strike they launched was half of what could have been.... 100 SDBs and some TBs along with 60 Hellcats
Our guys did wonders, Downing 60 enemies...and the SDBs did target only the BBs...Landing some bounching bombs on them but not causing much troubles
Morotai was conquered easily and no counter strike was launched from my bases

At the same time the KB retired to Sosarbaja to replenish and refill its air groups...

On the 23rd the allied CVs moved only few hexes South...near Sorong... and attacked a convoy North of Biak which was delivering 30k supplies...sinking 13 xAKs and some SCs....
But something was still up near Roti...my Nells spotted again several CVEs and some more APAs arriving from Port Hedland...
With the allied CVs so far i decided to try my luck once again.

Kendari was in ruined, bombed every day...my only operative base left in the area is Makassar (AF level 7).
Ordered several sweeps to Roti and the nearby Islands...where a lot of enemy fighters were presents...
Ordered the KB to move again at full speed to Bima.

On the 24th we striked...and boy, this time everything went smooth:

.....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 24, 44

First of all, at night, we had another mini-sub success! This is the 5th time in the game my midget subs did hit a valuable target!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Roti at 66,117

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-64

Allied Ships
CVE Tulagi, Torpedo hits 1
CLAA Prince Robert
DE Reynolds
DE Martin
DE Burden R. Hastings
DE Cloues
DD Henley
DD Hunt
DD Hopewell
DD Halligan

SSX Ha-64 launches 2 torpedoes at CVE Tulagi


Then, when the morning arrives, the sweeps did their job, ruining the enemy's CAP system....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maumere , at 66,113

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 41

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 3
P-40N1 Warhawk x 2
P-40N5 Warhawk x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
FM-1 Wildcat x 15
FM-2 Wildcat x 17
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Roti , at 67,116

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 24

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 7
P-40N5 Warhawk x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
FM-1 Wildcat x 1
FM-2 Wildcat x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Roti , at 67,116

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 5
P-40N5 Warhawk x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
FM-2 Wildcat x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Roti , at 67,116

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 200 NM, estimated altitude 40,270 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84r Frank x 40

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 1
FM-1 Wildcat x 2
FM-2 Wildcat x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
40 x Ki-84r Frank sweeping at 38270 feet *


Then the KB launches its striking planes...not exactly coordinated (7 hexes of distance), but still... The CVEs were 1 hexes South of Roti

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Roti at 66,117

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 52
B7A2 Grace x 13

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 81
FM-2 Wildcat x 27
F6F-3 Hellcat x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
B7A2 Grace: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Kadashan Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B7A2 Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-20 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 20 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with FM-1 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 20 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VOC(F)-1 with FM-1 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 20 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-14 with FM-1 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 20 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 20 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 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 30 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Roti at 66,117

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 58
B6N2 Jill x 22
D4Y4 Judy x 34

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 71
FM-2 Wildcat x 21
F6F-3 Hellcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y4 Judy: 8 destroyed, 6 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Kadashan Bay, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVE Hoggatt Bay
CVE St. Lo
CLAA San Diego
CVE Manila Bay, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Ranee, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
2 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-20 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VC(F)-41 with FM-1 Wildcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VOC(F)-1 with FM-1 Wildcat (5 airborne, 2 on standby, 8 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
VC(F)-14 with FM-1 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes

Fuel storage explosion on CVE Kadashan Bay



...hate when the bombers did go for some stupid targets...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Maumere at 66,113

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 13
D4Y4 Judy x 12

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
FM-1 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Don Esteban, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Van Landsberge

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-7 with FM-1 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VMF-224 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
347th FG/68th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Roti at 66,117

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y4 Judy x 13

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 52
FM-2 Wildcat x 18
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y4 Judy: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-20 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 58 minutes
VC(F)-41 with FM-1 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 87 minutes
VOC(F)-1 with FM-1 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 55 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 69 minutes
VC(F)-14 with FM-1 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 107 minutes




....some more sweeps...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sawoe-eilanden , at 65,115

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40N1 Warhawk x 11
P-40N5 Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N1 Warhawk: 3 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x N1K2-J George sweeping at 31000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maumere , at 66,113

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 49

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
FM-1 Wildcat x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
49 x Ki-44-IIc Tojo sweeping at 31000 feet *




And that was all for the morning..... could have been better...but the allied CAP has taken a toll everywhere in the area...

...but the arrived the afternoon...and the KB was still there, under the sun...with a calm sea beneath...

and it launched again!

BANZAI!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Roti at 66,117

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 56
B6N2 Jill x 45
B7A2 Grace x 17

Allied aircraft
P-40N1 Warhawk x 4
P-40N5 Warhawk x 4
FM-1 Wildcat x 48
FM-2 Wildcat x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
B7A2 Grace: 6 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N1 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE St. Lo, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CVE Tulagi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Kadashan Bay, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CVE Hoggatt Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Reno, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CLAA Prince Robert, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Ranee, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DE Deede, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B7A2 Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
11 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
17 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-20 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
VOC(F)-1 with FM-1 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
318th FG/333rd FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
348th FG/341st FS with P-40N1 Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
VC(F)-41 with FM-1 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VC(F)-14 with FM-1 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes

Ammo storage explosion on CVE Hoggatt Bay


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Roti at 66,117

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 38
B6N2 Jill x 22
B7A2 Grace x 25

Allied aircraft
P-40N1 Warhawk x 1
P-40N5 Warhawk x 2
FM-1 Wildcat x 40
FM-2 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Tulagi, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Burden R. Hastings
CVE Hoggatt Bay, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Gilmore, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Reynolds, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DE Cloues
DE Lovering, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Halligan
CLAA Van Heemskerck, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
20 x B7A2 Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VOC(F)-1 with FM-1 Wildcat (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 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VC(F)-41 with FM-1 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 16 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-14 with FM-1 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
348th FG/341st FS with P-40N1 Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
VC(F)-20 with FM-2 Wildcat (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 to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
318th FG/333rd FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Roti at 66,117

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y4 Judy x 18

Allied aircraft
P-40N1 Warhawk x 1
P-40N5 Warhawk x 2
FM-1 Wildcat x 16
FM-2 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y4 Judy: 9 destroyed, 3 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Manila Bay, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D4Y4 Judy releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-14 with FM-1 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
348th FG/341st FS with P-40N1 Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-20 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VOC(F)-1 with FM-1 Wildcat (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 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VC(F)-41 with FM-1 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes
318th FG/333rd FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (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 9000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pantar at 69,114...Pantar!??!!? What the hell...Yamaguchi is not exatcly the smartest admiral on earth[:o]

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 84 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 15
B7A2 Grace x 17
D4Y4 Judy x 46

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
FM-1 Wildcat x 7
FM-2 Wildcat x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y4 Judy: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
D4Y4 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Patterson
DD Johnston
DD Monssen, Bomb hits 1
DD Aaron Ward
DD Morris
DD Jarvis
DD McCalla
DD Bache
DD Stembel
DD Spence




However i count 5 CVEs sunk, 3 more cruisers and some DEs... not a bad day. Lost 250 planes but it was well Worth.

And now the KB should be able to retire back in the shades... with the enemy CVs too far away to do anything....[8D]

WOW! Great success!