IN HARM'S WAY...AE VERSION: STONEAGE(IJ) VS SPRUANCE(A)

[racndoc]

8/3-8/4/43



SUBS


SS Growler sinks AO Sata Maru by Jesselton.

SS Silversides puts a fish in AS Rio de Janiero near Davao.

SS I-163 is sunk by DCs from USN ASW TF off Sorong.



CBI


As Eastern Command invests Prachuap Khiri Khan, a prolonged air battle breaks out overhead as both sides fight for air superiority:


Morning Air attack on Prachuap Khiri Khan , at 54,64

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7
P-38G Lightning x 14


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed




Aircraft Attacking:
6 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 35000 feet

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 25 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 32810 , scrambling fighters to 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes


Morning Air attack on 7th RTA Division, at 54,64 (Prachuap Khiri Khan)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17



Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 11
Hurricane IIc Trop x 27
B-25C Mitchell x 22
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 3 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 5 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

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



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Blenheim VD bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
17 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 32810
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 56th Division ...
Also attacking 25th Army ...
Also attacking 56th Division ...
Also attacking 92nd JAAF AF Bn ...
Also attacking Yokosuka 4th SNLF ...
Also attacking 7th RTA Division ...
Also attacking 56th Division ...


Morning Air attack on Prachuap Khiri Khan , at 54,64

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7
P-38G Lightning x 2


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 32810
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes


Morning Air attack on Prachuap Khiri Khan , at 54,64

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19



Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed




Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 35000 feet

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 13 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 32810 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 32810.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes


Morning Air attack on 56th Division, at 54,64 (Prachuap Khiri Khan)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5



Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 9
Hurricane IIc Trop x 49
Mohawk IV x 5
Kittyhawk III x 4
B-25C Mitchell x 21
B-25D1 Mitchell x 7


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 12 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 7 damaged

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



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Blenheim VD bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 35600 feet *
7 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 35600 feet *
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 10600 feet
10 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Kittyhawk III sweeping at 29000 feet
6 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 35600 feet *
4 x Mohawk IV sweeping at 32700 feet

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 32810
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 7th RTA Division ...
Also attacking 25th Army ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...
Also attacking 81st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 84th JAAF AF Bn ...
Also attacking Yokosuka 4th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Division ...
Also attacking 25th Army ...
Also attacking 1st RTA/B Division ...


We will continue to bombard the Japanese at Prachuap Khiri Khan until 2 more divisions currently en route from Bangkok arrive in a few days.





SWPAC: INVASION YAP


The invasion of Yap begins with a pre-dawn naval bombardment:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 03, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Yap at 96,97

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania
BB Oklahoma
CA Minneapolis
CA New Orleans
CA Houston
CA Northampton
CA Indianapolis
CA Portland
CL Boise
CL Nashville

Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 60
Port hits 15
Port fuel hits 9
Port supply hits 2

BB Pennsylvania firing at Yap
BB Oklahoma firing at Yap
CA Minneapolis firing at Yap
CA New Orleans firing at Yap
CA Houston firing at 18th Naval Guard Unit
CA Northampton firing at Yap
CA Indianapolis firing at Yap
CA Portland firing at Yap
CL Boise firing at 85th JAAF AF Bn
CL Nashville firing at Yap



Coastal defense guns engage Amphibious TF 86 as it approaches the beach:


Pre-Invasion action off Yap

31 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL Raleigh
CL Richmond
CL Adelaide
CL Sumatra
APA American Legion
AM Cootamundra


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


CL Trenton firing at 85th JAAF AF Bn
CL Raleigh firing at 85th JAAF AF Bn
CL Richmond firing at 18th Naval Guard Unit
CL Adelaide firing at 18th Naval Guard Unit
CL Sumatra firing at 85th JAAF AF Bn
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Yap

TF 86 troops unloading over beach at Yap, 96,97


Allied ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Motorized Support lost overboard during unload of 41st Infantry Div /314


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Yap
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
CL Raleigh
CL Richmond
CL Adelaide
CL Sumatra
APA American Legion



CL Trenton firing at 85th JAAF AF Bn
CL Raleigh firing at 85th JAAF AF Bn
CL Richmond firing at 85th JAAF AF Bn
CL Adelaide firing at 18th Naval Guard Unit
CL Sumatra firing at 85th JAAF AF Bn



TBFs and SBDs soften up the island's defenses:


Morning Air attack on Yap , at 96,97

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes


Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
FM-1 Wildcat x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 36
TBF-1 Avenger x 45


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 damaged



Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb


Afternoon Air attack on 89th Naval Guard Unit, at 96,97 (Yap)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes


Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
FM-1 Wildcat x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 44
SBD-3 Dauntless x 29
SBD-5 Dauntless x 56


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 18 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
7 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
19 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb


After 2 days of unloading 41st Division is ashore:


Ground combat at Yap (96,97)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2856 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 125

Defending force 10509 troops, 211 guns, 204 vehicles, Assault Value = 386



Assaulting units:
18th Naval Guard Unit
89th Naval Guard Unit
14th Naval Construction Battalion
85th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
41st Infantry Division


A deliberate attack is ordered for tomorrow.


Fifth Air Force and Tenth Air Force continue to work over the Japanese airfield at Babeldaob....it is now 72% damaged.


Japanese naval bombers based in the Marianas make ineffectual attacks on on the US Naval forces on and around Yap:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Yap at 96,97

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 6
G3M3 Nell x 3



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 43
FM-1 Wildcat x 9
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with FM-1 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 28300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 28300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 28300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters to 28300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers



Morning Air attack on TF, near Yap at 96,97

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 8
G3M3 Nell x 2



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 41
FM-1 Wildcat x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 28300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-4F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with FM-1 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 35500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 28300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 28300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers



Im not repeating my mistake at Ulithi and Im not going to split up my carriers. Amphibious TF 86 completes unloading at Yap and all the transports, CVs, CVEs, SAGs and ASW Tfs will withdraw en masse approximately 400 miles to the south.....here they will rendezvous with another amphibious TF carrying seabees and base forces and then return to Yap in 4 days.

[racndoc]

8/5-8/8/43



SUBS


SS I-18 takes 14 DCs from USN ASW TF off Sorong.

SS I-20 is hit by 3 DCs from USN ASW TF off Sorong.

SS Sturgeon spots an IJN SAG off Jolo with Bb Yamato and 3 more BBs....she puts a fish in CA Kumano and gets away unscathed.

SS Corvallis sinks AK Ume Maru off Tanegashima.

SS Steelhead sinks AK Neikai Maru off Tanegashima.



SWPAC


A small IJN SAG with mostly CAs and CLs hits Wolwai...they sink about 10 PTs and 20 barges there.

41st Division launches a 1:2 and two 1:1 deliberate attacks at Yap....the fortifications are reduced from level 6 to level 4. My bombing attacks on his ground units at Yap are strangely ineffective. With Babeldaob airfield now 100% damaged I will switch the heavy bombers at Biak to bombing ground units on Yap while the heavy bombers at Sorong will begin bombing the port at Babeldaob.

Amphibious transports carrying 2nd echelon troops....seabees and base forces.....stand by offshore while the battle for Yap rages on. We need to wait until the airfield and port are captured on Yap before these troops can unload.


Meanwhile. assault transports carrying the invasion force for Morotai have left Rabaul. They will refuel and rendezvous with escorting CVs and SAGs at Manokwari in a couple turns.


CBI


An IJN SAG bombards Allied troops at Prachuap Khiri Khan:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 07, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Prachuap Khiri Khan at 54,64

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Nachi
CL Tama
CL Yura
CL Isuzu
DD Sawakaze
DD Oite
DD Yuzuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Minazuki
DD Sazanami
DD Oboro
DD Sagiri
DD Isonami
DD Usugumo
DD Shinonome
DD Fubuki
DD Ikazuchi


Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


BB Yamashiro firing at 46th Indian Brigade
CA Mikuma firing at 111th Chindit Brigade
CA Mogami firing at 46th Indian Brigade
CA Nachi firing at 44th Indian Brigade
CL Tama firing at 77th Chindit Brigade
CL Yura firing at 44th Indian Brigade
CL Isuzu firing at 8th Indian Brigade
DD Sawakaze firing at 8th Indian Brigade
DD Oite firing at 77th Chindit Brigade
DD Yuzuki firing at 46th Indian Brigade
DD Kikuzuki firing at 77th Chindit Brigade
DD Fumizuki firing at 46th Indian Brigade
DD Minazuki firing at 46th Indian Brigade
DD Sazanami firing at 8th Indian Brigade
DD Oboro firing at 77th Chindit Brigade
DD Sagiri firing at 44th Indian Brigade
DD Isonami firing at 44th Indian Brigade
DD Usugumo firing at 77th Chindit Brigade
DD Shinonome firing at 77th Chindit Brigade
DD Fubuki firing at 46th Indian Brigade
DD Ikazuchi firing at 8th Indian Brigade



As usual, the IJN SAG arrives, bombards and disappears fronm the Gulf of Siam without ever being spotted by our naval search...the PBY search arc is shown on the screenshot below.





The sighting of the BB Yamato SAG at Jolo by SS Sturgeon indicates that StoneAge is transferring his most powerful SG with 4 BBs from the central Pacific to either the DEI or more probably Singapore. I have a feeling he will attempt a massive naval bombardment with these ships either against the Allied troops at Prachuap Khiri Khan or the airbase at Bangkok.

The air war continues to rage over Prachuap khiri Khan as both sides reinforce their airgroups. I staged in about 10 more squadrons of fighters and bombers in from Calcutta. Bangkok is too exposed to a naval bombardment so Im flying most of the air from Ayuthia just inland.

Recon shows that StoneAge now has over 75,000 troops at Prachuap Khiri Khan.....originally there was but a single garrison unit here when Eastern Command troops started marching overland thru the jungle from Mergui. Eastern Command only has about 6 brigades there now but 2 more divisions should arrive next turn. So far recon has ID'ed 5th, 18th and 56th IJA Divisions at Prachuap Khiri Khan....so it looks as if StoneAge is making his major line for protecting Malaya here in a forward position.

[racndoc]

8/9-8/10/43



SUBS


SS I-154 is sunk by an USN ASW TF off Sorong.

SS I-11 is hit by 5 DCs from an USN ASW TF off Sorong.



CBI


Major reinforcements including the 5th Indian Division arrive at Prachuap Khiri Khan...Eastern Command now has over 1800 AV there. In 2x jungle terrain I think that there will be a stalemate at Prachuap Khiri Khan for some time. Quite a few artillery units are on the way and we will begin ground bombardments in addition to the aerial bombardments.

The East African Division was unloaded at Karachi about a week ago and its currently in transit to the front in Thailand. The 2nd UK Division had been posted in Saigon for over a year but it also is on the way to the front.



SWPAC


Somehow the 41st Division didnt attack last turn so 2 more days go by without securing the all important airbase at Yap.

The BB Yamato SAG appears just off Morotai and is hit by SBDs and TBFs based at Sorong:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 81,102

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 19
TBF-1 Avenger x 20


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CL Nagara
BB Kirishima, Torpedo hits 1
CA Ashigara
DD Teruzuki
BB Yamato
BB Nagato
CA Tone



Aircraft Attacking:
20 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb


Allied level bombers launch their usual ineffective attacks against the IJN SAG:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 81,102

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Naganami
BB Yamato
BB Nagato
DD Niizuki
BB Hiei



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 81,102

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Nagato



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb




So the BB Yamato SAG isnt headed towards the CBI after all. Either StoneAge is concerned about a SWPAC invasion of Morotai or he is preparing to bombard Sorong with all the heavy bombers there parked wing tip to wing tip. All non damaged AC are staged out of Sorong and 36 Beaufort VIIIs and a squadron of TBFs are staged into Ambon....hoepfully the 8 hex torpedo range of the Beauforts comes as a surprise to StoneAge.

SWPAC Amphibious TFs scheduled to invade Morotai and Talaud-eilanden rendezvous at Manokawai with ASW, SAG escort and replenishment TF...air cover is provided by newly arrived CV Bunker Hill and CVL Princeton and 2 CVEs.

With the BB Yamato SAG poised to strike right off the coast of Morotai all 6 CVs and the CVL covering Yap are withdrawn and sent SW to join up with CV Bunker Hill and CVL Princeton in an effort to trap and destroy the IJN BBs if they bombard Sorong. The amphibious transports carrying the seabees and base forces off Yap are withdrawn 400 miles to the south along with the CVEs and SAGs covering them until SWPAC captures Morotai and the threat from the BB Yamato SAG is dealt with.

Tenth Air Force heavy bomers attacking the port at Yap find damaged SS I-1 there and finish her off:


Morning Air attack on Babeldaob , at 90,97

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 15
P-38H Lightning x 10
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 22


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
SS I-1, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

[racndoc]

8/11-8/12/43



SUBS


SS I-135 puts a fish in DD Radford off Sorong.

SS I-124 sinks DD Radford with 2 more torpedoes off Sorong.



CBI


Eastern Command launches a ground bombardment to get an accurate OOB for the Japanese at Prachuap Khiri Khan:


Ground combat at Prachuap Khiri Khan (54,64)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 44194 troops, 708 guns, 852 vehicles, Assault Value = 1842

Defending force 52809 troops, 485 guns, 276 vehicles, Assault Value = 1887

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
111th Chindit Brigade
46th Indian Brigade
8th Indian Brigade
267th Armoured Brigade
48th Gurkha Brigade
16th British Brigade
44th Indian Brigade
77th Chindit Brigade
28th Gurkha Brigade
SSVF Brigade
5th Indian Division
27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
85th British AT Gun Regiment
XV Indian Corps
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
8th Medium Regiment
137/155th Field Regiment

Defending units:
56th Division
81st Naval Guard Unit
7th RTA Division
18th Division
5th Division
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
1st RTA/B Division
34th Field AA Battalion
84th JAAF AF Bn
25th Army
92nd JAAF AF Bn


Four artillery regiments and 4 division equivalents bombard and cause 5 casualties.....both our ground and aerial bombardments seem to be nerfed by the jungle terrain here. Ive got two more divisions and 2 more art regiments on the way but I sense a stalemate here.



SWPAC


The 41st Division conducts two 1:1 deliberate attacks on Yap and reduces the forts to level 3.

The BB Yamato SAG stays in place off Sorong and is hit first by land based SBDs, TBFs and Beaufort VIIIs:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 81,102

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 17
TBF-1 Avenger x 17


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 17 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 2
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1
BB Kirishima
CA Kumano



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
10 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 81,102

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



Morning Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 81,102

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 30
P-38H Lightning x 15


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 30 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CA Tone
BB Nagato, Torpedo hits 3
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
10 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
10 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo



B-25s hit IJN minelayers at SWPAC's future objective of Talaud-eiladen:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Talaud Island at 79,97

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Inazuma
CMc Enoshima
CMc Ninoshima
CMc Washizaki, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
CMc Ento



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



Then USN carrier bombers attack the BB Yamato SAG:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 81,102

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 35
SBD-5 Dauntless x 26
TBF-1 Avenger x 15


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CL Kinu
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 81,102

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 35
TBF-1 Avenger x 8


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
CA Myoko, Torpedo hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo



The next day Beuafort VIIIs put BB Nagato out of her misery:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 80,101

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 5


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo


The BB Yamato SAG withdraws to the NW towards Mindanao. Allied amphibious, carrier, SAG, ASW and replenishment TFs rendezvous north of New Guinea
for the invasion of Morotai.

[Bradley7735]

Congratulations on sinking an IJN BB without having to lose twice the tonnage in Allied ships.

In all seriousness, congrats. I'm just a little bitter that IJN BB's are super-weapons in the game, and Allied BB's are fumbling idiots for most of the war. You have only 3 left to contend with? Or 5?

[Sardaukar]

US torpedoes are somewhat bad until Sept 43 and I think that includes air delivered ones too. So in few weeks your Avengers should become really dangerous. Without good torpedoes it's difficult to sink BBs. 

[racndoc]

cap_and _gown.....sorry I didnt see your post from May 29th. I have NO pilots in TRACOM.....is that a mistake for the Allies? Also, I asked StoneAge why Im facing KI-43-IIc Oscars instead of Tojos over the CBI. StoneAge said that he would respond to that in his thread.


Bradley7735....I hear you on the IJN BBs and couldnt agree more. I think that StoneAge is now down to 5 BBs. Even though the Japanese Navy has neen denuded of carriers and carrier air cover, I still fear the BBs. I am waiting on the penultimate Battle for the Marianas until I get another 3-4 BBs out of the body shop. If the BB Yamato SAG defeated my escorting SAGs and got into close gunnery combat with my amphibious TF I could lose 50 or more AKA/APA
AK/AP/LS-L/LS-M in one day and have Allied amphibious capability completely crippled. Im also happy to report that the Bombardment TF "Romulan cloaking device" appears to work as well in AE as it did in stock WitP.

Sardaukar....thanx for the info on the new Avenger torpedoes....I will be looking for them.




8/13-8/14/43



SUBS


SS Perch sinks in the central Pacific from damage suffered from ASW AC off the coast of Japan.



SHIPS


CV Lexington II passes through the Panama Canal and leaves Balboa today for Rabaul.

Farther north, CVE Casablanca leaves Portland today for Pearl.

CV Yorktown II will arrive at Rabaul next turn. CV Yorktown II will replace CV Victorious in fast carrier TG 58 as Victorious must be withdrawn within 60 days.



SWPAC


With the BB Yamato SAG withdrawn to the NW, Amphibious TF 207 will land the 58th Regiment on Morotai next turn. 7 CVs, 2 CVLs and 2 CVEs and 2 SAGs with 6 BBs cover the operation.

Another Amphibious TF waits at Manokwari with the 14th Canadian Regiment aboard....destination Talaud-eiladen.

Additional amphibious TFs carry seabees and base forces for both islands.


The 41st Division launches 3:1 and 2:1 deliberate attacks on Yap reducing the forts to level one. A shock attack is ordered for next turn and amphibious TF 86 is sent back to Yap to unload construction engineers and base forces. 8 CVEs will cover this operation.

[Sardaukar]

I just checked with editor that Mk 13 aerial torpedo has dud rate of 50%. This would mean that it's dud rate will drop to 10% at start of Sept 1943 (same as the case of Mk 14 submarine torpedo). Mk 13 should have dud rate of 30% from Jan 43 and 10% from Sept 43. So, quite considerable improvement in both sub and aerial torpedoes.

From manual:

In January 1943, all torpedoes with a dud rate of greater than 49 have their dud rates reduced
by 20. In September 1943, all torpedoes with an adjusted dud rate greater than 20 have their
dud rates lowered to 10. Allied torpedoes were notoriously inefficient in the early stages of the
Pacific War, and this rule reflects their slow but steady improvement over the years.

[racndoc]

Sardaukar....thanx for the clarification on the torpedoes.




8/15-8/16/43


SUBS


SS Scorpion is hit by 2 Dcs from IJN ASW TF off hachijo-jima.

SS Scamp is hit by DCs from IJN ASW TF near Aogashima.



CBI


IJA bombers hit Allied troops at Tourane in Indochina.....not certain if this is just a diversion or a prelude to invasion.

Vengeance DBs based at Saigon hit IJN shipping off Cam Ranh Bay:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cam Ranh Bay at 64,74

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 7
P-40K Warhawk x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Toko Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tazima Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vengeance I releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Vengeance I releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Tazima Maru


Eastern Command continues to bombard IJA positions at Prachuap Khiri Khan to little effect due to the terrain.



SWPAC


Amphibious TF 207 drops off 58th Regiment at Morotai. There are no Japanese defenders and the island will be secured next turn. Then the base forces and seabees will be dropped off to commence base construction.

Escorting carriers find and destroy an IJN PB off talaud-eiladen:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Talaud Island at 80,96

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 49
SBD-5 Dauntless x 28


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Kensyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
26 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



The 41st Divison launches a 3:1 and then a 5:1 shock attack to capture the base on Yap. There are still over 6000 IJA troops back in the jungle and it will take awhile to root them out.

Amphibibious TF 86...... escorted by 8 CVEs and a SAG....heads back to Yap to drop off construction engineers and base forces. Just as they arrive they are met by an IJN SAG. Somehow the IJN SAG gets around the USN SAG and shoots up the CVEs:


Day Time Surface Combat, near Yap at 96,97, Range 25,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 8
CL Noshiro, Shell hits 9, heavy fires
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Hayanami, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 1
DD Hayashio
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Samidare
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Chenango, Shell hits 7
CVE Suwannee, Shell hits 7, on fire
CVE Copahee, Shell hits 3
CVE Breton, Shell hits 2
CVE Prince William, Shell hits 5, on fire
CVE Anzio, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Long Island, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Helena, Shell hits 1
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Sampson
DD Hughes, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Russell, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 1
DD Walke
DD Patterson, Shell hits 1



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
CA Maya engages CVE Copahee at 25,000 yards
CA Maya engages CVE Anzio at 25,000 yards
CA Maya engages CVE Suwannee at 25,000 yards
CL Helena engages DD Samidare at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CL Helena engages CA Maya at 20,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CVE Anzio at 20,000 yards
DD Samidare engages CVE Prince William at 20,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Patterson at 20,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages CVE Suwannee at 20,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Patterson at 20,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages DD Tokitsukaze at 20,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Helena at 20,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Patterson at 20,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Hughes at 20,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Hughes at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CVE Anzio at 18,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages CVE Prince William at 18,000 yards
DD Sampson engages DD Umikaze at 18,000 yards
DD Sampson engages DD Kawakaze at 18,000 yards
DD Sampson engages DD Yamakaze at 18,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CVE Sangamon at 18,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Helena at 18,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Patterson at 18,000 yards
DD O'Brien engages DD Samidare at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Phoenix at 17,000 yards
DD Samidare engages CVE Anzio at 17,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Phoenix at 17,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CVE Breton at 17,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages CVE Suwannee at 17,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CVE Chenango at 17,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages CVE Sangamon at 17,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Hughes at 17,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Helena at 17,000 yards
DD Sampson engages DD Hayashio at 17,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Walke at 17,000 yards
DD Hayanami engages DD O'Brien at 17,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Sampson at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Phoenix at 13,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages CVE Breton at 13,000 yards
DD Samidare engages CVE Copahee at 13,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages CVE Suwannee at 13,000 yards
DD Sampson engages DD Samidare at 13,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Sampson at 13,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CA Maya at 13,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Amatsukaze at 13,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Hughes at 13,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Walke at 13,000 yards
DD O'Brien engages DD Kiyonami at 13,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Russell at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages CVE Long Island at 10,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CL Helena at 10,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CVE Prince William at 10,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages CVE Breton at 10,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CVE Copahee at 10,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages CVE Suwannee at 10,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Walke at 10,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Walke at 10,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Tokitsukaze at 10,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Patterson at 10,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Hayashio at 10,000 yards
DD Umikaze engages DD Walke at 10,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Hayanami at 10,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Sampson at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Phoenix at 6,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages CVE Anzio at 6,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages CVE Prince William at 6,000 yards
DD Umikaze sunk by DD Patterson at 6,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Russell at 6,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD O'Brien at 6,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Patterson at 6,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages CVE Sangamon at 6,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Sampson at 6,000 yards
CL Helena engages DD Amatsukaze at 6,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Walke at 6,000 yards
DD Hayanami engages DD Walke at 6,000 yards
DD Hayanami engages DD Walke at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CVE Long Island sunk by CA Maya at 7,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages CVE Anzio at 7,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CVE Breton at 7,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Patterson at 7,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages CVE Suwannee at 7,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Walke at 7,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Tokitsukaze at 7,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Phoenix at 7,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Helena at 7,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD O'Brien at 7,000 yards
DD Hayanami engages DD Sampson at 7,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Russell at 7,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Hughes at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages CVE Anzio at 5,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CL Jintsu at 5,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Helena at 5,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Walke at 5,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Hughes at 5,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages CVE Chenango at 5,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Phoenix at 5,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Sampson at 5,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Amatsukaze at 5,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Kiyonami at 5,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD O'Brien at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages CVE Anzio at 7,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages CVE Prince William at 7,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CL Noshiro at 7,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages CVE Copahee at 7,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages CVE Suwannee at 7,000 yards
DD Samidare engages CVE Chenango at 7,000 yards
DD Hayanami engages CVE Sangamon at 7,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Tokitsukaze at 7,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Amatsukaze at 7,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Patterson at 7,000 yards
DD Hayanami engages DD Walke at 7,000 yards
DD Hayanami engages DD O'Brien at 7,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Hayashio at 7,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Hughes at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Helena at 10,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CL Helena at 10,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Helena at 10,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Kawakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages CVE Suwannee at 10,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CVE Chenango at 10,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Russell at 10,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Tokitsukaze at 10,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Helena at 10,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Amatsukaze at 10,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Russell at 10,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD O'Brien at 10,000 yards
CVE Anzio , CVE Prince William , CVE Breton ,
CVE Copahee , CVE Suwannee , CVE Chenango ,
CVE Sangamon screened from combat
- escorted by DD Patterson , DD Walke , DD O'Brien ,
DD Russell , DD Hughes , DD Sampson
CA Maya engages CL Phoenix at 10,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CL Jintsu at 10,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages DD Urakaze at 10,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages DD Hayanami at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CVE Anzio , CVE Prince William , CVE Breton ,
CVE Copahee screened from combat
- escorted by DD Patterson , DD Walke , DD O'Brien ,
DD Russell , DD Hughes , DD Sampson
CA Maya engages CL Phoenix at 9,000 yards
DD Samidare engages CVE Chenango at 9,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Phoenix at 9,000 yards
CL Helena engages DD Yamakaze at 9,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages DD Samidare at 9,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages CVE Chenango at 9,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages CVE Chenango at 9,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages CVE Chenango at 9,000 yards
DD Hayanami engages CVE Sangamon at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages CVE Anzio at 12,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CL Jintsu at 12,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages CVE Breton at 12,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CVE Copahee at 12,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Walke at 12,000 yards
DD Samidare engages CVE Chenango at 12,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Russell at 12,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Phoenix at 12,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Amatsukaze at 12,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Urakaze at 12,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Walke at 12,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD O'Brien at 12,000 yards
DD Tokitsukaze engages DD Russell at 12,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Hughes at 12,000 yards
DD Sampson engages DD Urakaze at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CA Maya at 13,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CL Jintsu at 13,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages CL Helena at 13,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Kawakaze at 13,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Yamakaze at 13,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Samidare at 13,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD O'Brien at 13,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CA Maya at 13,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Patterson at 13,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD O'Brien at 13,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Sampson at 13,000 yards
DD Hayanami engages DD O'Brien at 13,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Amatsukaze at 13,000 yards
DD Hayanami engages DD Hughes at 13,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Sampson at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages CA Maya at 20,000 yards
CL Helena engages CL Jintsu at 20,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Hughes at 20,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages CVE Chenango at 20,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages DD Tokitsukaze at 20,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CL Helena at 20,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD O'Brien at 20,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Russell at 20,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages DD Hughes at 20,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Sampson at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CVE Anzio , CVE Prince William , CVE Breton ,
CVE Copahee , CVE Suwannee screened from combat
- escorted by DD Patterson , DD Walke , DD O'Brien ,
DD Russell , DD Hughes , DD Sampson
CA Maya engages CVE Sangamon at 26,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Phoenix at 26,000 yards
CL Helena engages CA Maya at 26,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages DD Yamakaze at 26,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages DD Samidare at 26,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages DD Tokitsukaze at 26,000 yards
CL Phoenix engages DD Hayanami at 26,000 yards
Task forces break off...


Finally after shooting up the USN CVEs the escorting USN SAG gets into action:


Day Time Surface Combat, near Yap at 96,97, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Jintsu, on fire
DD Kiyonami
DD Hayashio
DD Urakaze, heavy fires
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
CA Chester
CA Louisville
CA Chicago
CA Salt Lake City
CA Astoria
CA San Francisco
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 1
CA Australia
CL Marblehead
DD DeHaven
DD Meredith
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 1
DD Bulmer



Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages CA Maya at 30,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Maya at 30,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages DD Urakaze at 30,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CA Maya at 30,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Australia at 26,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CA Maya at 26,000 yards
CA Maya engages DD Aaron Ward at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages CA Maya at 24,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CA Maya at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages BB North Carolina at 21,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Vincennes at 21,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages CA Maya at 21,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Astoria at 21,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages CA Maya at 21,000 yards
CA Chicago engages CA Maya at 21,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Maya at 21,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CA Maya at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Maya at 18,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages DD Yamakaze at 18,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA San Francisco at 18,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Aaron Ward at 18,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages CA Maya at 18,000 yards
CA Chicago engages CA Maya at 18,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Louisville at 18,000 yards
CL Marblehead engages CA Maya at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages CA Maya at 15,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages CA Australia at 15,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages DD Yamakaze at 15,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Meredith at 15,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CA Maya at 15,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Salt Lake City at 15,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Chester at 15,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Marblehead at 15,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Bulmer at 15,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Aaron Ward at 15,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD DeHaven at 15,000 yards
Kasuga, Atsushi orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 13,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Meredith at 13,000 yards
DD Aaron Ward engages DD Urakaze at 13,000 yards
DD Hayashio engages DD Aaron Ward at 13,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Chicago at 13,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Louisville at 13,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages DD Aaron Ward at 13,000 yards
DD Meredith engages DD Hayashio at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages BB North Carolina at 20,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Aaron Ward at 20,000 yards
CA Astoria engages CA Maya at 20,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD DeHaven at 20,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Louisville at 20,000 yards
DD Urakaze engages DD Aaron Ward at 20,000 yards
DD Meredith engages DD Urakaze at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CA Maya engages CA Vincennes at 26,000 yards
CA Salt Lake City engages CA Maya at 26,000 yards
CA Chester engages CA Maya at 26,000 yards
Task forces break off...


CL Phoenix put up a heroic fight in an effort to save the CVEs but she is sunk with heavy loss of life. CVE Prince William is the most heavily damaged CVE....
88 SYS, 89 FLT, 27 ENG and 93 Fire.....she is disbanded in port at Yap. Heavily damaged CVE Long Island and CVE Copahee are detached and sent to the level 4 port at Ulithi. The other 5 CVEs are shown in the screenshot below. The flight decks are closed on 2 of them but the other 3 CVEs continue to put up CAP over Amphibious TF 86. All TFs at Yap will be withdrawn to Woleai where LRCAP can be flown to augment the CAP of the 3 CVEs. Three CVs and a SAG are pulled off the line at Morotai and sent to Woleai to cover the landing of support troops at Yap.

Newly arrived CV Yorktown II refuels at Rabaul and is immediately sent north to Woleai to help provide air cover.

The USN CVEs have been ravaged and they were to be an important component of the air umbrella that was going to be placed over Allied invasion forces for the Marianas offensive. As bad as it was, Im glad that the IJN SAG didnt evade the USN SAG to go after the amphibious transports.

Later that day, the 3 USN CVEs that were able to continue flight ops get some revenge on the IJn SAG:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Yap at 96,97

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4
TBF-1 Avenger x 9


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kawakaze
DD Samidare, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Noshiro, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Yap at 96,96

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
TBF-1 Avenger x 9


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yap at 96,97

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4
TBF-1 Avenger x 2


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kawakaze



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yap at 96,96

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
TBF-1 Avenger x 5


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, on fire
DD Hayashio



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

[Grit]

I'm surprised there were no air attacks by land based aircraft at Babeldaob.

[Bradley7735]

ORIGINAL: Grit

I'm surprised there were no air attacks by land based aircraft at Babeldaob.

I'm pretty sure he's got that AF shut down from land based bombers in NG.

[racndoc]

Grit......Bradley7735 is correct......Fifth and Tenth Air Force bombers based at Sorong, Manokwari and Biak shut down Babeldaob AF a couple of weeks ago before Yap operations were started. Currently Babeldaob has 100% airfield and 75% port damage and is being hit on a daily basis.




8/17-8/18/43



SUBS


SS Muskellange sinks AK Chinkai Maru off Aomari.

SS Silversides sinks DD Amatsukaze near Siargao.



SWPAC


Wasnt is Von Moltke the elder that said something to the effect that no plan survives contact with the enemy?

The BB Yamato SAG reappears off Manado and SWPAC is forced to cease offensive ops for 2-4 days.

Im not going to chance another surface engagement with IJN BBs unless I have a 2:1 advantage in BBs. The BB Yamato SAG has at least 3 BBs and I have 3 RN "R" Class BBs under the command of VADM Somerville covering invasion forces at Morotai. I had shifted the BB PoW/BC Repulse/BB Indiana SAG to Woleai to help cover the Yap reinforcement but now with the reappearance of BB Yamato it will be shifted back to Morotai. All Allied TFs at Morotai will withdraw 300 miles to the E to join up with the BB PoW SAG.

StoneAge just re-mined Yap last turn so Im waiting 2 more days here to reinforce to allow for the arrival of some MSW ships, CV YorktownII and Admiral Halsey's SAG with BB Oklahoma and BB Pennsylvania.

The Allies are critically short of BBs at this point in the war....BB Resolution should probably already have been sent back to India for withdrawal but Im going to keep in it theatre until the Morotai/Talaud-eiladen ops are complete.


Fortunately, the BB situation will improve in a couple of days as BB North Dakota completes repairs at Rabaul and BB Alabama and BB Tennesee arrive at Rabaul. BB North Carolina will also arrive at Rabaul in 3-4 days to re-arm.

The base at Morotai is secured by 58th Regiment this turn.


CVE Prince William sank at Yap this turn and CVE Long Island sank at Ulithi.

The remaining 6 CVEs are on the way back to Rabaul for repairs.

[Grit]

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

Grit......Bradley7735 is correct......Fifth and Tenth Air Force bombers based at Sorong, Manokwari and Biak shut down Babeldaob AF a couple of weeks ago before Yap operations were started. Currently Babeldaob has 100% airfield and 75% port damage and is being hit on a daily basis.

I should have realized you had it taken care of. It was the first thing that struck me though. Good Deal!

[racndoc]

8/19/43


The BB Yamato SAG did indeed come calling at Morotai early on the morning of 8/19/43.

I had given orders to the Allied TFs at Morotai to withdraw to the east duriong the night....all the TFs except one. With the Dow Jones Industial Average down 300 points Friday morning I was distracted and forgot to order my replenishment TF to withdraw.......it wasnt pretty:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Morotai at 80,101, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato, Shell hits 2
CA Tone
CA Ashigara
CL Nagara
CL Natori
CL Kinu
DD Shimakaze
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Susuzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Yugumo
DD Akigumo
DD Takanami
DD Onami
DD Hatsuyuki

Allied Ships
SC-744, Shell hits 1
AO Neosho
AO Sabine, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AO Kaskaskia, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Cimarron, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AO Platte, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Guadalupe, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AO Millicoma, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
SC PC-580
SC PC-581, Shell hits 1



Improved night sighting under 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 85% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo crosses the 'T'
DD Akizuki collides with DD Hatsuyuki at 80 , 101
BB Yamato engages SC PC-581 at 12,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages AO Guadalupe at 12,000 yards
BB Yamato engages SC-744 at 12,000 yards
BB Yamato engages AO Millicoma at 12,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages AO Guadalupe at 12,000 yards
CL Kinu engages AO Guadalupe at 12,000 yards
BB Yamato engages AO Cimarron at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages AO Guadalupe at 12,000 yards
DD Onami engages AO Millicoma at 12,000 yards
DD Takanami engages AO Cimarron at 12,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages AO Cimarron at 12,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages AO Millicoma at 12,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AO Cimarron at 12,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages AO Millicoma at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
BB Yamato engages AO Guadalupe at 11,000 yards
BB Yamato engages SC PC-580 at 11,000 yards
BB Yamato engages SC-744 at 11,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages AO Guadalupe at 11,000 yards
BB Yamato engages AO Guadalupe at 11,000 yards
BB Yamato engages AO Platte at 11,000 yards
CL Natori engages AO Guadalupe at 11,000 yards
DD Onami engages AO Kaskaskia at 11,000 yards
DD Onami engages AO Cimarron at 11,000 yards
DD Takanami engages AO Kaskaskia at 11,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages AO Guadalupe at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AO Guadalupe at 11,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AO Cimarron at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB Yamato engages SC PC-581 at 10,000 yards
AO Guadalupe sunk by BB Kirishima at 10,000 yards
BB Yamato engages SC-744 at 10,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages AO Millicoma at 10,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages AO Sabine at 10,000 yards
DD Takanami engages AO Neosho at 10,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages AO Cimarron at 10,000 yards
DD Hatsuzuki engages AO Millicoma at 10,000 yards
AO Sabine sunk by DD Shimakaze at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
BB Yamato engages SC PC-581 at 9,000 yards
BB Yamato engages SC PC-580 at 9,000 yards
BB Yamato engages SC-744 at 9,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages AO Platte at 9,000 yards
CA Tone engages AO Platte at 9,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages AO Kaskaskia at 9,000 yards
CL Nagara engages AO Platte at 9,000 yards
DD Onami engages AO Kaskaskia at 9,000 yards
AO Cimarron sunk by DD Takanami at 9,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages AO Platte at 9,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages AO Neosho at 9,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages AO Kaskaskia at 9,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AO Platte at 9,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages AO Millicoma at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Yamato engages AO Platte at 10,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages AO Kaskaskia at 10,000 yards
BB Hiei engages AO Platte at 10,000 yards
DD Onami engages AO Millicoma at 10,000 yards
CL Kinu engages AO Kaskaskia at 10,000 yards
DD Akizuki engages AO Neosho at 10,000 yards
DD Onami engages AO Platte at 10,000 yards
DD Takanami engages AO Platte at 10,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages SC PC-581 at 10,000 yards
DD Susuzuki engages AO Kaskaskia at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB Yamato engages SC PC-581 at 8,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

Six of seven AOs are sunk.... storage of 78,000 fuel points gone in a few moments. I had been operating with a 7 AO replenishment TF off Morotai and a 9 AO replenishment TF off Yap. Now the replenishment TF at Yap must transfer over to the Morotai TFs to support the next assault at Talaud-eiladen.

Meanwhile, another smaller replenishment TF is being assembled from backwater ports.

The BB Yamato SAG finishes off its day by bombarding Morotai before heading off to the west:

Naval bombardment of Morotai at 80,101

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Ashigara
CA Tone
CL Kinu
CL Natori
CL Nagara
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Onami
DD Takanami
DD Akigumo
DD Yugumo
DD Wakazuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Susuzuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Akizuki
DD Shimakaze


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Port hits 15
Port supply hits 5

BB Yamato firing at Morotai
BB Kirishima firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
BB Hiei firing at Morotai
CA Ashigara firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
CA Tone firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
CL Kinu firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
CL Natori firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
CL Nagara firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Hatsuyuki firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Onami firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Takanami firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Akigumo firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Yugumo firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Wakazuki firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Hatsuzuki firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Susuzuki firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Teruzuki firing at Morotai
DD Akizuki firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
DD Shimakaze firing at 58th (Sep) Infantry Regiment





8/20-8/22/43



SUBS


SS I-38 is hit by 14 DCs from the BB PoW SAG near Peleliu.

SS Hoe is hit by 5 DCs from IJN ASW off sapporo.

SS Nautilus sinks AMcWa15 by Miyake-jima.

SS Nautilus sinks AMcWa by Nagoya.



CBI


An IJN SAG bombards Allied troops at Prachuap Khiri Khan:


Naval bombardment of Prachuap Khiri Khan at 54,64

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Nachi
CL Yura
CL Isuzu
DD Sawakaze
DD Oite
DD Yuzuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Minazuki
DD Sazanami
DD Oboro
DD Sagiri
DD Shikinami
DD Isonami
DD Usugumo
DD Shinonome
DD Fubuki
DD Ikazuchi


Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


BB Yamashiro firing at 5th Indian Division
BB Mutsu firing at 27th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
CA Mikuma firing at 5th Indian Division
CA Mogami firing at 5th Indian Division
CA Nachi firing at 5th Indian Division
CL Yura firing at 5th Indian Division
CL Isuzu firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Sawakaze firing at 137/155th Field Regiment
DD Oite firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Yuzuki firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Kikuzuki firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Fumizuki firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Minazuki firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Sazanami firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Oboro firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Sagiri firing at 137/155th Field Regiment
DD Shikinami firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Isonami firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Usugumo firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Shinonome firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Fubuki firing at 5th Indian Division
DD Ikazuchi firing at 8th Medium Regiment


This bombardment was a very good thing for Allied intel. BB Yamashiro had been operating solo in the CBI for months. I was only able to account for 4 of the 5 remaining IJN BBs for some time but now with the arrival of BB Mutsu ALL IJN BBs are accounted for. I think that BB Mutsu had been damaged during the Naval Battle of the Marshalls and probably just left the yard after completing repairs. With these 2 BBs in BFE CBI we only need to account for BB Yamato, BB Hiei and BB Kirishima to menace Allied operations in the central Pacific.



SWPAC


Amphibious TF 86 returns to Yap to drop off seabees and base forces. The airfield at Yap is quickly repaired and a squadron each of P-38Gs and P-38Hs are staged in to provide CAP. As soon as unloading is completed here(end of next turn) the CVs and SAGs will be sent over to Morotai to help cover the Talaud-eiladen assault. The replenishment TF is immediately sent to Morotai.

At Morotai, the amphibious TFs return to drop off EABs and base forces covered by 2 SAGs with 6 BBs. The BB Yamato SAG is of course long gone. As soon as the replenishment TF arrives next turn everyone will refuel and then head for the invasion of Talaud-eiladen.

The airstrip at Morotai is 61% completed in one turn and should reach level 1 by next turn....then Corsairs and Spitfires will be staged in to provide CAP.

IJA aircraft attack Allied naval forces off Morotai but are easily handled by the carrier CAP:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 80,101

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 200 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 59 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 24
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 4
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 31



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 128


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 15 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 21 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
29 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
22 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 58 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 15 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers
No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Morotai at 80,101

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 13
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 14



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 82


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 4 destroyed




CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
17 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (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 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes



At Rabaul, 5 of the 6 CVEs damaged at Yap reach port and commence repairs...the 6th CVE will arrive next turn.

[racndoc]

8/23-8/26/43



SUBS


SS Amberjack sinks AK okuyo Maru off Amami Oshima.

SS Capelin sinks SC Ch23 near Iwo Jima.



SWPAC


Unloading ops have been completed at both Yap and Morotai and now the entire 5th Fleet can concentrate at Talaud-eilanden....9 CVs, 2 CVLs and 2 CVEs
covered by 3 SAGs. The 14th Canadian Brigade is unloading at Talaud-eilanden and should secure the island next turn. Talaud-eilanden is a huge strategic asset for the Allies....level 8 airfields can be constructed here and it will provide land based air cover for the SWPAC invasion of Mindanao in January 1944.

Seabees have already constructed a level 2 airfield and port at Morotai and a level 3 airfield at Yap and land based CAP now flies over both islands. The level one airstrip at Ulithi is now 97% completed and the port there will become operational as soon as we can fly land based CAP over the atoll.

Assault troops for the great Japanese base at Babeldaob begin loading at Rabaul and Aitape.

A small IJN SAG formed around CA Atago bombards our base at Woleai...the 2 PT boats left there managed to put a torpedo in CA Atago.....thats the first damage they inflicted on IJN forces since December 1941 in the Philippines.



SHIPS

Intel reports that IJN CA Haguro sunk off Iwo Jima on 8/26/43 from a 22in Mk 13 torpedo....evidently it was part of the SAG that hit our CVEs at Yap and one of the Avengers landed the fatal torpedo on it the next day.

Speaking of the CVEs, all 6 damaged CVEs are now repairing in port at Rabaul. We are able to accelerate pierside repairs on the most heavily damaged CVEs and all 6 should be back on the line by mid September....in time for the Marianas offensive.

Two additional CVEs that were damaged by Japanese naval bombers off Ulithi are repairing at the Sydney shipyard and should be back with the fleet by the end of September also.

[racndoc]

8/27-8/28/43



SWPAC


14th Canadian Brigade secures Talaud-eilanden. Construction engineers will begin landing tomorrow to start work on the future level 8 airbase.

Repeated Japanese air attacks by land based aircraft against the Allied TFs off Talaud result in 63 Japanese AC lost in A2A combat vs 7 Allied. Over the last 3 turns Japan has lost over 200 aircraft in air attacks against the Allied TFs. Now that the carriers have been concentrated against a single objective it will be much more difficult for Japan to achieve any meaningful damage with their land based air.

StoneAge made a comment to me this turn that he thought that the CAP would leak more in AE. I replied that CAP does indeed leak much more in AE than it did in stock WitP....and that I currently had 2 CVEs repairing in the Sydney shipyard due to leaky CAP off Ulithi. And now that the Allies are putting up some 200-250 Hellcats on CAP over their carriers Japan will need to bring a lot more fighters to the party if they want some naval bombers to leak through.

BB Resolution, CV Victorious and CL Durban were detached from Allied TFs off Talaud and sent first to Koepang to refuel and thence to Karachi for withdrawal.

SWPAC's next(and final) objective for their summer 1943 is the great Japanese base at Babeldaob. Its pretty heavily defended.....over 25,000 troops on 2x jungle terrain. I cant afford to leave a powerful base like this in the Allied rear when SWPAC goes "all in" to the Philippines in early 1944. So far Ive seen that the combination of 2x jungle terrain and fortifications renders naval and aerial bombardments virtually useless. I had so much difficulty defeating 7000 IJA troops in 2x jungle/forts at Yap that Ive decided to reinforce the invasion at Babeldaob. Now in addition to the Americal and 40th Divisions we will be sending in the 8th Australian Division in what will be the largest Allied amphibious assault to date.

[racndoc]

8/29-9/1/43



SUBS


SS Hoe is hit by 9 DCs from IJN ASw TF and is sunk off sapporo.

SS RO-38 lands a fish on BB Indiana at Talaud-eilanden.

SS Mingo sinks SC Cha-54 by Toyohara.

SS I-33 is hit by 12 DCs from USN ASW at Talaud-eilanden.

SS I-31 is hit by 8 DCs from USN ASW TF and sunk at Talaud-eilanden.




SWPAC


StoneAge moves another wolfpack of at least 8 subs off Morotai. Two ASW TFs at Rabaul are sent to Morotai to search and destroy.

Unloading at Talaud-eilanden should be completed this turn. Talaud-eilanden has aleady built up to level 2 ports and airfields. BB Indiana has 15 SYS and 36 FLT from the IJN torpedo hit and will head back to rabaul for repairs.

The Babeldaob invasion forces should rendezvous north off Aitape this turn and then will head north to join up with the escorting CVs and SAGs.

StoneAge evidently spotted Allied transport TFs unloading at Sorong and sent a couple of DD SAGs from Kendari to investigate. Nearly 80 Beauforts VIIIs, TBFs and SBDs based at Ambon attack the IJN DDs but only DD Shirakiro is hit. One IJN DD SAG makes it to SAG and gets into surface combat with a USN ASW TF:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sorong at 82,107, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1
DD Hibiki
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Bennett
DD Dyson
DD McCook, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Sims, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



Low visibility due to Rain with 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 3% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
Kaneko E. crosses the 'T'
DD Murakumo engages DD Sims at 1,000 yards
DD McCook sunk by DD Murakumo at 1,000 yards
DD Murakumo sunk by DD Dyson at 1,000 yards
Smoot, Roland orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 2,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Akatsuki at 2,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Dyson at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Sims sunk by DD Akatsuki at 4,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Dyson at 4,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Dyson at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Dyson engages DD Akatsuki at 7,000 yards
DD Bennett engages DD Akatsuki at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...


Two USN DDs are lost vs one IJN DD but the transports are saved and the IJN SAG returns to Kendari.

[Walker84]

Congrats on a very interesting and insightful AAR. I have to confess that I'm reading this with particular interest as a JFB who is still expanding in early 42. Having seen the level of planning and logistics that goes into retaking bases like Yap and Morotai has given me food for thought about what I will be facing by 1943. Must get those fort levels up!
 
It is clear that by this stage in the war the Allies can project overwhelming strength at key points - there is just too much of a perimeter for Japan to defend in strength everywhere. It's also an eye opener to see the heavy LBA attrition rate your opponent is suffering attacking your TFs. The Empire is making notes

[racndoc]

Walker 84....thanks for your comments. The only reason the Allies are able to advance like this in mid 1943 is that Japan has lost virtually all their carriers. Keep your KB intact and the Allies probably cant do this until 1944. Logistics are a huge part of the game and become more time intensive as we move forward....I probably spend as much time moving men and materiel around the map as I do planning actual combat.



9/2-9/3/43



SUBS


SS RO-38 is hit by 17 DCs from USN ASW TF and sunk at Talaud.

SS Kingfish sinks AMcWa16 by Izu Oshima.

SS I-166 is hit by 2 DCs from USN ASW TF at talaud.

SS Bluefish is hit by 2 DCs from IJN ASW TF near Hakodate.



CBI


An IJN SAG with BB Yamashiro and BB Mutsu bombards the Allied base at Soc Trang....not much relevant damage but it just gives me good intel that that SAG will be out of the battle for Babedaob.



SWPAC: INVASION BABELDAOB.....D-DAY MINUS 3


Amphibious TF 86 will rendezvous with more amphibious TFs, surface TFs and Air Combat TFs about 200 miles SE of Babeldaob.

A USN SAG with 3 slow BBs will naval bombard Babeldaob on D-Day minus one. A 2nd SAG will bombard Babeldaob on D-Day followed by an amphibious assault with approximately 3 1/2 divisions. I know that there were 8" CD guns at Paulau in stock WitP and im a bit worried about them. Medium and heavy bombers based at Sorong, Biak and Manokwari have been airfield/port/ground bombing Babeldaob around the clock for over a month so hopefully the CD guns are suppressed.
Im sending in the slow BBs to bombard the day before the invasion just to make sure that the CD guns arent going to be a serious threat.

Unloading has been completed at Talaud and the transports will return to Rabaul. Talaud now sports a level 3 airfield. Air combat TFs covering the unloading at Talaud strike an IJN minelaying TF and SBDs sink a PC.

[racndoc]

9/4-9/7/43



SUBS


SS Thresher sinks AMC Noshiro Maru off Sapporo.

SS Hailibut puts a torpedo in AP Haruna Maru near Naga.

SSX Ha-21 takes 13 DCs from USN ASW TF at Babeldaob and is sunk.

SS I-162 is hit by 26 DCs from USN ASW TF at Morotai and is sunk.

SS I-159 is hit by 26 DCs from USN ASW TF at Morotai and is sunk.



SWPAC: INVASION BABELDAOB....D-DAY MINUS ONE


Fifth Fleet.....the largest concentration of Allied warships to date.....forms up off the coast of Babeldaob. Air cover for the invasion is provided by 8 CVs( 4 Essex Class), 3 CVLs and 3 CVEs.

A Bombardment TF with BB Pennsylvania, BB Tennesee and BB Idaho works over the defenses on Babeldaob:


Naval bombardment of Babeldaob at 90,97 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB Tennessee
BB Pennsylvania
CA Vincennes
CA San Francisco
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
CA Chicago
CA Louisville
CA Chester

Japanese ground losses:
909 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 15 (6 destroyed, 9 disabled)



Airbase hits 48
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 574
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 2

BB Idaho firing at Babeldaob
BB Tennessee firing at Babeldaob
BB Pennsylvania firing at Babeldaob
CA Vincennes firing at Babeldaob
CA San Francisco firing at Babeldaob
CA Astoria firing at 10th Special Base Force
CA Chicago firing at Babeldaob
CA Louisville firing at Babeldaob
CA Chester firing at Babeldaob


The island's CD guns appear to be completely suppressed. Admiral Hill's Amphibious TF 86 will start landing 6th Army on the beaches at Babeldaob tomorrow after an early morning bombardment by a RN SAG with BB Royal Sovereign and BB Ramilies.


Japanese search planes in the area report back to IJN HQ that they are seeing double...they report the sighting of Yorktown and Yorktown II and Lexington and Lexington II.