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last turn the Americans attacked with their CV force. They launched 2 waves from ESE off Rennell and hit a convoy of mine in the Savo Island area twice with their SBDs, TBFs and the new Helldiver. Unfortunately these ships were one hex short of fighter cover. Further, B17s came out and attacked there too, as in Simpson harbour (Rabaul). Despite heavy bombing, only one TK and one patrol craft sunk (plus three barges today). Two ships are crippled to a degree that I must assume that they won´t make it...
Anyway - five more Flying Fortresses were shot down today. Given, a small relief only... [:(]

never expected THIS: the US moved their CV force even farther up - four hexes north of Lunga! Wow. And of course some meat they found. Their A/C attacked several transports in the area and pulverized a small CL/DD fleet of mine. If this would not be enough, their heavy LBA had one more field day and smacked even more transports...

Hmmm, I am pretty puzzled and have real clue what´s up now[&:]


At least my nightly intruders achieved one hit too...





AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/30/43

Weather: Clear

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 18

no losses

Port hits 9
Port fuel hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 17

Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally x 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally x 5 damaged


Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x Ki-21 Sally at 7000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Siodjuru at 42,41


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 38


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 19 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Umikaze, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Akigumo
DD Okikaze


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Siodjuru at 42,41


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 22


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 12, on fire
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 8


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Siodjuru at 42,41


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 30


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ariake
DD Umikaze, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1
DD Asagumo, on fire
DD Hamanami


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 38,39


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
F6F Hellcat x 19
F4U-1 Corsair x 28
SBD Dauntless x 11


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kirishima Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
A6M3 Zero x 20
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 15
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 29
PB4Y Liberator x 11
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged
PB4Y Liberator x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
TK Toa Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
PC Takunan Maru #2, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
TK Toei Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Teia Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Teizui Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tatsuta Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Siodjuru at 42,41


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 15
SB2C Helldiver x 16
TBF Avenger x 30


Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Ariake, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wakaba, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hamanami, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Shiratsuyu, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Okikaze, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Siodjuru at 42,41


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 17


no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hamanami, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Siodjuru at 42,41


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 47


no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Hamanami, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ariake, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Siodjuru at 42,41


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9


no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Hamanami, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 1
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 17
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 23

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
F6F Hellcat x 15
F4U-1 Corsair x 35
SBD Dauntless x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 7 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 7 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 3 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
F6F Hellcat x 2 destroyed
F6F Hellcat x 2 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair x 5 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair x 4 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed

LT N.Rice of VF-42 is credited with kill number 5

LTJG R.Hagiri of AII-1 Daitai is KILLED

Japanese Ships
AP Kumagawa Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 38,28


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 15


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Murasame, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3 Zero x 28
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 18
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
PB4Y Liberator x 6
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged
PB4Y Liberator x 1 destroyed
PB4Y Liberator x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Teizui Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tatsuta Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
TK Toa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Siodjuru at 42,41


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 4


no losses

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 38,39


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 8


no losses

Japanese Ships
TK Kokuyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


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

I dont think it hurt very much...

but this hurts indeed. Wondering why these heavy ordnance isn´t falling thru the paper-thin hull of these freighters... [&:][;)]

at least bad weather set in. Still four months to go by now... Will have to dig out a very special plan to counter such cheeky operations of the opponent in the future. Mines alone won´t help against CVs and F4Us... [:(]

ORIGINAL: RGIJN

never expected THIS: the US moved their CV force even farther up - four hexes north of Lunga! Wow.

And thats exactly the reason i did it. And to get a shot at the battleship fleet that was 8 hexes away.
Mr. Mitcher decided to attack the lighter targets. I cannot blame him as the 500lb won´t hurt the battleships too much and the AA will make it a too expansive adventure.
Somehow I was hoping to see some air action above my CVs (and somehow I´m not too sad that it didn´t happen) But I´m eager to see how the AA of the Essex class carriers is doing.

ORIGINAL: fuelli

And to get a shot at the battleship fleet that was 8 hexes away.

actually there was more underway... I wished there would be some game mechanism to be able to intercept an enemy CV (or whatever kind) taskforce with IJN surface units. Or at least to try that. But there is no such option in UV, aside from defending own bases with the weird "react" setting.
Considered historically, IMHO this is "semi-true". Certain elements of the Nihon Kaigun often tried to obtain (night) surface clashes (during Midway, Santa Cruz and other battles) but mostly failed to succeed. Though this would have been very interesting if happened and due to the superior abilities of the IJN at least early on on this techniques it could have come quite bloody for the U.S., it never occured that way...[:(]

There were lots of cruiser/destroyer night actions around Guadacanal during the 2nd half of 1942, despite the US advantages with radar and numbers, they usually got the worst of it as the better Japanese training/ship design/long lances gave them the distinct edge.
The waters around Savo Island didn't gain the grim epiteth 'Iron Bottom Sound' for nothing...

ORIGINAL: xj900uk

There were lots of cruiser/destroyer night actions around Guadacanal during the 2nd half of 1942, despite the US advantages with radar and numbers, they usually got the worst of it as the better Japanese training/ship design/long lances gave them the distinct edge.
The waters around Savo Island didn't gain the grim epiteth 'Iron Bottom Sound' for nothing...

you´re right in this, of course.

But what I was after actually, is an option to "track" or "pursuit" enemy fleets on the open sea. OK, I am aware it´s a dream. Even more so keeping in mind the US radar would have given them plenty of early warning to elude... [:-]

ORIGINAL: RGIJN

actually there was more underway... I wished there would be some game mechanism to be able to intercept an enemy CV (or whatever kind) taskforce with IJN surface units. Or at least to try that. But there is no such option in UV, aside from defending own bases with the weird "react" setting.
Considered historically, IMHO this is "semi-true". Certain elements of the Nihon Kaigun often tried to obtain (night) surface clashes (during Midway, Santa Cruz and other battles) but mostly failed to succeed. Though this would have been very interesting if happened and due to the superior abilities of the IJN at least early on on this techniques it could have come quite bloody for the U.S., it never occured that way...[:(]

I agree that it is a pitty that surface action in UV is more or less limited to base hexes. The game is simply too much limited in its concept of how task forces react during their turn. There should be more options for sctf then only react or do not react.

I´m not an expert in any kind regarding sea battles in WW2 especially in the pacific. But my first approach would be that the probabilty of an surface battle depends on the following factors: sighting, reconning, decision confrontation yes or no, speed.
I´m sure an CV TF will always decide to run away upon sighting (Radar or outlook) and using its planes to attack the enemy instead of its tubes.

However it is worth noting that only once in the whole of WWII did the IJN finally close in on a US carrier TFG and force it to fight a surface-type slugging match. That was at Leyte in October '44 where Kurita's massive surface force completely surprised Taffy-3 and that was at dawn in a coastal area. He then botched the attack and allowed most of the Americans to get away but that's besides the point - it didn't happen very often and it took a very complex plan and for the US carriers to react in just the right way (in this case go chasing off to the north after Ozawa's decoy force)

Still raining, but Franks carriers closed in once more. Only three of his divebombers attacked shipping at Lunga roads. Finally my airforce fought back and emplyoing a good amount of A/C (losses then) they even achieved something... Due to a divided and thus not really balanced or coordinated strike and -above all- a very strong US CAP only few bombers made it thru.
What survived the slaughterous AA fire then landed ... THREE hits. Low XP amongst my pilots will have contributed much to this misery too. At least 150 A/C were not lost in vain comletely... [:@] But to be honest, I don´t think the damage on the US ships is too precarious...

besides this action, bombers from Woodlark attacked a FT at the Shortlands, sinking a few vessels there.
One ludicrous success for me was that another allied SC ate a mine and sunk right on. [X(]



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/01/43

Weather: Rain

Air attack on 170th Regiment, at 50,43


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 50
P-39D Airacobra x 14


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Shortland Island at 29,34


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 36
Hudson x 25
Beaufort x 28
P-47C Thunderbolt x 25
A-20G Havoc x 10
A-20G Boston x 6


no losses

Japanese Ships
APD 35, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AV Sanuki Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
APD 39, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 6

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 66


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 15


no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 366, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AG 352, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,47

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 36
B5N Kate x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
F6F Hellcat x 29
F4U-1 Corsair x 60

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 38 destroyed
D3A Val x 8 damaged
B5N Kate x 7 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 4 destroyed


LTJG N. Langdon of VF-18 is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
CV Essex


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 44
B5N Kate x 10
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 56

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 29
F4U-1 Corsair x 60

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 13 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 15 destroyed
D3A Val x 26 damaged
B5N Kate x 12 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 29 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat x 3 destroyed
F6F Hellcat x 6 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged

LTJG T. Harris of VF-18 is credited with kill number 7

Allied Ships
CVL Independence, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Essex, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Bunker Hill
DD Drayton, Bomb hits 1, on fire


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

my ecorts failed to protect the bombers well since they were even not able to protect themself... [:(]

I hope they will at least noticed something has fallen on the deck...! (oh yes, explosions were reported from the few pilots that lived to tell the tale...)
Unfortunately all the Kates with their fishes were either shot down (CAP + AA) or failed to pull off. Just shredded metal...

a very strong US CAP

I guess the fighter mix (F4Us, F6Fs and the good ol´ Wildcats) was set up to at least 60...90% combat air patrol to protect his valuable carriers in hostile waters.

Oh it seems so long ago that the once mighty KB chased its counterpart down south into Brisbane harbour to bomb it there...

last few days turned rather quiet again. Just the "normal" Allied pounding here & there...
My faboulous IJA bombers of the Ki-48 Lily type missed another chance of some score. Of course they failed. These obsolete A/C are almost useless. But they come in numbers and they are well supplied at least! [;)][:@]

Yesterday US para troops were dropped into certain death. But they had to accomplish a special mission since they were ordered to "recon" Shortlands base by attacking there...

So I ask the Allied Supreme Commander: is it worth to invade? At least it seems that you have still enough lift to play around with...[:)]

enemy fleets sighted off Rossel Island. It looks as if the next invasion is underway.

Two sub attacks today, one succeeded in damaging one of my busy MLs... [:(]
In this game, japanese sub chasing perfomance is even more lousy than usual already... Though it also seems that the US subs aren´t that massive as in other games that late in the campaign. (as against BigRed for example).


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/06/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 38,37

Japanese Ships
DD Akigumo, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Sargo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Nevea , at 50,43


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 48
P-39D Airacobra x 17
P-40E Kittyhawk x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 19


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 7

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 14


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 85


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 6

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 38,36

Japanese Ships
ML Yurijima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin


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

No more ships in the Rossel Isl. area, but still a lot of activity in the whole western Solomon Sea. False alarm?
All these TF are reportedly either Transports or barge convoys, along with a minesweeping fleet at GG port. I guess of these egg-cleaners not many left by now. [:D]

meanwhile the all too known but with the fast transports is hampering my operations in an increasing manner. Instead an IJN ENG unit (Naval Construction), US Paras of the 1st Marines were announced loading...

Should read thru the old threads regarding this matter, since I cannot remember anything helpful.