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At this point in the war, I add an older, slower CL to my fast AOs as Allies. They may not help much, but it does make me feel better. I wonder why John didn't do the same.

Excerpts from the Combat Report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 07, 43
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 38,56, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku, Shell hits 1
CA Myoko
CL Yahagi
DD Hanazuki
DD Haruzuki
DD Takanami
DD Naganami
DD Hayanami
DD Kiyonami
DD Amagiri
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
CL Sumatra, Shell hits 1

Reduced visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% moonlight: 5,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages CV Zuikaku at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages CV Zuikaku at 6,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages DD Kiyonami at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages DD Kiyonami at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CL Sumatra engages DD Kiyonami at 12,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 38,56, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku, Shell hits 3
CA Myoko
CL Yahagi
DD Hanazuki
DD Haruzuki
DD Takanami
DD Naganami
DD Hayanami
DD Kiyonami
DD Amagiri
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
CL Columbia
DD Foxhound, Shell hits 1

Poor visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
CL Columbia engages CV Zuikaku at 2,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages CV Zuikaku at 2,000 yards
CL Columbia engages CV Zuikaku at 2,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages CV Zuikaku at 2,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DD Foxhound at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CL Columbia engages CV Zuikaku at 4,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DD Foxhound at 4,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 38,56, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Kaga
CV Hiyo
CVL Ryuho
CA Hikari
CL Noshiro
CL Sakawa
DD Niizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Shimozuki
DD Fuyuzuki
DD Shigure
DD Yudachi
DD Shikinami

Allied Ships
DMS Hovey, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
DMS Hovey engages CV Hiyo at 1,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DMS Hovey at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
DD Shigure engages DMS Hovey at 2,000 yards
DMS Hovey sunk by DD Shimozuki at 2,000 yards
DMS Hovey sunk by DD Shimozuki at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 38,56, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku, Shell hits 1
CV Zuikaku
CA Myoko
CL Yahagi
DD Hanazuki
DD Haruzuki
DD Takanami
DD Naganami
DD Hayanami
DD Kiyonami
DD Amagiri
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
CL Columbia, Shell hits 3
DD Foxhound, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
CL Columbia engages CV Zuikaku at 1,000 yards
DD Foxhound engages CV Shokaku at 1,000 yards
DD Foxhound sunk by DD Naganami at 1,000 yards
Lee, Willis "Ching orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 2,000 yards
CL Columbia engages DD Naganami at 2,000 yards
CL Columbia engages CV Hiryu at 2,000 yards
CL Columbia engages CV Hiryu at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 38,56, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CA Myoko
CL Yahagi
DD Hanazuki
DD Haruzuki
DD Takanami
DD Naganami
DD Hayanami
DD Kiyonami
DD Amagiri
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
CL Columbia

Poor visibility due to Rain with 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Nias at 33,80, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
APD Take
PC Ashi, Shell hits 2, on fire
PC Susuki, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Shimushu, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
TB Kamo, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
DMS W-1, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Erimo, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AO Hayamoto
AO Sata, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Shiretoko, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
AO Shiriya
AO Tsurumi
AO Ken'yo Maru
AO Kokuyo Maru
AO Nippon Maru
AO Shinkoku Maru
AO Toei Maru
AO Ubokuto Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
TB Omodoka, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CLAA San Juan, Shell hits 2
DD Lansdowne
DD Patterson
DD Gridley

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 0% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 2,000 yards
AO Erimo sunk by CLAA San Juan at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan launches Torpedoes at TB Kamo at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan launches Torpedoes at E Shimushu at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages TB Omodoka at 2,000 yards
E Shimushu sunk by CLAA San Juan at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages PC Susuki at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages PC Ashi at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages AO Shinkoku Maru at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages DMS W-1 at 2,000 yards
DD Gridley engages DMS W-1 at 2,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DMS W-1 at 2,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages DMS W-1 at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages AO Ubokuto Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Sata at 2,000 yards
DD Gridley engages AO Hayamoto at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages AO Sata at 2,000 yards
DD Gridley engages DMS W-1 at 2,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DMS W-1 at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages DMS W-1 at 2,000 yards
DD Gridley engages AO Ubokuto Maru at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages AO Shiretoko at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages AO Sata at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages APD Take at 2,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages TB Omodoka at 2,000 yards
DMS W-1 sunk by DD Gridley at 2,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Nias at 33,81, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
APD Take, Shell hits 32, and is sunk
PC Ashi, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
PC Susuki, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CLAA San Juan
DD Lansdowne
DD Patterson
DD Gridley

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 19,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CLAA San Juan engages PC Ashi at 17,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages APD Take at 17,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages PC Ashi at 17,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages APD Take at 17,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages APD Take at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages PC Susuki at 15,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages APD Take at 15,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages APD Take at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages APD Take at 13,000 yards
DD Gridley engages APD Take at 13,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages APD Take at 13,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages APD Take at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Gridley engages APD Take at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages APD Take at 9,000 yards
DD Patterson engages APD Take at 9,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages PC Ashi at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages PC Susuki at 8,000 yards
DD Gridley engages APD Take at 8,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages APD Take at 8,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages APD Take at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages APD Take at 9,000 yards
DD Gridley engages APD Take at 9,000 yards
DD Patterson engages APD Take at 9,000 yards
APD Take sunk by DD Lansdowne at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
Massive explosion on PC Susuki
PC Susuki sunk by CLAA San Juan at 8,000 yards
DD Gridley engages PC Ashi at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages PC Ashi at 10,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages PC Ashi at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
PC Ashi sunk by CLAA San Juan at 9,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Mataram at 58,112, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kofuku Maru, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
xAK Sangetsu Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Tainichi Maru, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAKL Bichu Maru, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
xAKL Nanka Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAKL Rozan Maru, Shell hits 29, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Gansevoort
DD Bagley
DD Case
DD Downes

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Mataram at 57,113, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 23, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Haguro Maru, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
xAKL Kashi Maru, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAKL Kaishi Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Gansevoort
DD Bagley
DD Case
DD Downes


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 38,56, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Kaga, Shell hits 2
CV Hiyo, Shell hits 1
CVL Ryuho
CA Hikari
CL Noshiro, Shell hits 1
CL Sakawa
DD Niizuki
DD Wakazuki, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Shimozuki
DD Fuyuzuki
DD Shigure
DD Yudachi
DD Shikinami

Allied Ships
DD Evertsen, Shell hits 1
DD Inconstant, Shell hits 1
DD Nepal, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Poor visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
DD Inconstant engages CV Hiyo at 10,000 yards
DD Nepal engages CV Kaga at 10,000 yards
DD Nepal engages CV Akagi at 10,000 yards
DD Nepal sunk by CL Sakawa at 10,000 yards
DD Wakazuki engages DD Inconstant at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Wakazuki engages DD Inconstant at 6,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages DD Inconstant at 6,000 yards
DD Inconstant engages DD Wakazuki at 6,000 yards
DD Wakazuki engages DD Inconstant at 6,000 yards
DD Wakazuki engages DD Evertsen at 6,000 yards
CA Hikari engages DD Inconstant at 6,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages DD Evertsen at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Inconstant engages CV Hiyo at 9,000 yards
DD Inconstant engages CV Kaga at 9,000 yards
CA Hikari engages DD Evertsen at 9,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages DD Inconstant at 9,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages DD Evertsen at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CV Hiyo , CV Kaga , CV Akagi screened from combat
- escorted by DD Shikinami , DD Shimozuki
DD Inconstant engages CVL Ryuho at 13,000 yards
CL Sakawa engages DD Inconstant at 13,000 yards
DD Wakazuki engages DD Evertsen at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
CV Hiyo , CV Kaga , CV Akagi screened from combat
- escorted by DD Fuyuzuki , DD Wakazuki
DD Inconstant engages CVL Ryuho at 17,000 yards
CA Hikari engages DD Inconstant at 17,000 yards
CL Sakawa engages DD Inconstant at 17,000 yards
CL Noshiro engages DD Inconstant at 17,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages DD Inconstant at 17,000 yards
DD Niizuki engages DD Evertsen at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CV Hiyo screened from combat
- escorted by DD Shikinami
CL Noshiro engages DD Inconstant at 26,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards
CL Sakawa engages DD Evertsen at 30,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 32,51

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 49
B5N2 Kate x 34
B6N1 Jill x 6
D4Y1 Judy x 35

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 9
F2A-3 Buffalo x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 254

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 16 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
B6N1 Jill: 4 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 13 destroyed, 10 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp
CV Yorktown
BB Washington
BB West Virginia
BB Maryland
CV Hornet

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 10000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 10000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 10 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27500 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 27500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 58 minutes
25 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
17 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 18 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
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 49 minutes
28 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 11 on standby, 15 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
23 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 7 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-Training Squadro with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 23 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
39 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-16F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 10 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-122 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-213 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-214 with F2A-3 Buffalo (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 2 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 37,53

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 19
D3A1 Val x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Sumatra

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 37,55

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 33
D3A1 Val x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Evertsen
DD Inconstant, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Massive explosion on DD Inconstant

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 32,51

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 34
B6N1 Jill x 7

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 9
F2A-3 Buffalo x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 237

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 3 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B6N1 Jill bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 14 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27500 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 27500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
20 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 17 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
23 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 15 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 7 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
No.881 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-Training Squadro with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 23 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
43 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-16F with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 10 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
20 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-122 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-213 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-214 with F2A-3 Buffalo (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 37,53

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 29
D3A1 Val x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Sumatra

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 37,55

Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 23
D3A1 Val x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Evertsen
DD Inconstant, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Inconstant

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ASW attack near Selaroe at 77,119

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuharu, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
SS Sargo

SS Sargo launches 4 torpedoes at DD Hatsuharu
DD Yugure fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yugure fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yugure fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yugure fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yugure fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

What is the typical speed (at mission and at full) for an IJN fleet AO?

That was a bit of anticlimax! Well done! [&o]

I see why the Columbia TF is so tenacious and effective now. She's commanded by Ching Lee.

What is the typical speed (at mission and at full) for an IJN fleet AO?

I think it is the same as Allies, 18 knots.

I wonder if it would have been better to designate a few CV bases fighter groups to higher CAP levels with 0 range rather than have those 230 plus be too far out to get back to the A2A battle?? The raid got there on Wasp before most of your fighters could. In late 43, I assign the CV based Corsairs as strictly CAP and let the Hellcats do dual duty.

It seems to me that John wasn't really offering battle with the KB. It looks like he posted the KB in a blocking position, where it would offer protection to Mini KB on its mission to Port Blair. John was happy that the blocking position happened to coincide with the Allied bugout from Sabang, thus offering lots of victims.

If I'm right, John wasn't seeking a carrier battle and didn't excpect me to offer one (if he had, he wouldn't have detached Mini KB).

This suggests that John rate's Mini KBs mission - whatever it is - highly.

It should tell me more, so I'll give it more thought.

Is / has the mission always been to cut off Sabang from reinforcements and supply? And is he covering the eastern most approaches with MKB?

KB could be interdicting supplies/support, but Mini KB is on some other mission.

P.S. This is my 10,000th post in 13 years as a Forumite. I'm now officially a Spambot on the order of PoultryLad, Terminus and John III.

Congrats on Spambot status.

Loss of the AOs is one thing, but the 100 or so pilots may be an issue for his as well.
Maybe the replacement pool isn't as deep as he would like ?

My guess: John is worried that KB is vulnerable because it's down those 100 to 150 aircraft, separated from Mini-KB by a day's sailing, and far from home with a fuel situation that is lurking in the background but probably not critical.

I project that he'll reunite KB and Mini KB somewhere south of KBs current position and then retire west into the IO.

My carriers are running low on fuel. They'll move west to a point SW of Colombo. AOs are sortying from Colombo. The main plan is to retire to safety and get Wasp to a shipyard - probably Capetown. But the AOs are sortying just in case an opportunity arises. For instance, if Allied subs put a fish or two into a fleet carrier, or if John really bleeds off more sorties, or if an Allied combat vessel gets in some lucky shots on KB, of if John's ships truly are low on fuel in some detectable way.

But my gut feeling is that the odds of any near term carrier clash are very low now and that the (Air) Battle of Sumatra will again take precedence. The equation there hasn't changed very much. The Allies have their backs to the ropes.

I better understand John's email comment: "You - Sir - could've won the war this turn."

I originally took that as: "Decisive Allied victory so that you've probably sewed up the game."

How John actually meant it: "You had a crack at all my fleet AOs. Had you gotten them it would have been a decisive victory for you."

That misinterpretation is pretty important. Instead of being panicky and wishing to retire, as I had originally thought, he might be feeling great about the damage to Wasp. He might still be on the offensive!

Death Start with hurting Wasp to steam west to point SW of Ceylon. 80% probability John doesn't seek battle. Mini-KB is too far to join. KB mouseover shows 196 fighters, 230 strike aircraft, 13 auxilliary, for a total of 439 aircraft. Death Star, even without Wasp, has a total of 535. I just can't imagine John would chance it.

Good news on the Day. BB Resolution was stuck at North Male for weeks or months. There seemed to be a bug holding her there - I had disbanded her after she took heavy damage near Akyab awhile back. Perhaps upgrading to the newest Beta fixed the glitch. Resolution leaves tonight for Capetown.

All Allied fighters at Sabang will stand down again. Let's see what happens.

Allied combat ships west of Sumatra will try to find those hurting AOs.

Thats not a great escort for almost all his fleet oilers.

Is he short of combat vessels?

I don't get why you are moving away from Colombo rather than right next to it to 1) get all LBA support that you can, and 2) be able to put any damaged ships in there for repairing minor damage before heading off to Cape Town. Are you still posturing to offer battle on some terms?

I feel the Geico Peter Pan commercial......"Dan? ......is that you? I have not read this AAR report in over 2 years!"......wow, this is back on. Welcome back. Hope all is well with you and yours. Waht an unexpected Christmas pleasure. Thanks for getting the band back together

ORIGINAL: witpqs

I don't get why you are moving away from Colombo rather than right next to it to 1) get all LBA support that you can, and 2) be able to put any damaged ships in there for repairing minor damage before heading off to Cape Town. Are you still posturing to offer battle on some terms?

I don't know what Dan's thinking is, but I would be wary of staying one hex from a major base because John likes to put subs in the approaches.

JIII may be thinking that he was lucky in that you only intercepted with 6" cruisers and not the 16" of Washington which he knows is in the area. had you got into KB with some heavies you may have created carnage.

As it is, Zuikaku may be in for a long yard visit, 2-3 other CV have some damage plus his Air Groups have been badly hit. Plu you got most of your shipping out of Sabang, maybe you scored an 8/10 for the operation.

While it would be nice to charge after KB, it might be a better long term plan to consolidate your forces and replace your losses.

Yeah, the repeated days of shells on carriers is not good for their on-station performance!

ORIGINAL: witpqs

I don't get why you are moving away from Colombo rather than right next to it to 1) get all LBA support that you can, and 2) be able to put any damaged ships in there for repairing minor damage before heading off to Cape Town. Are you still posturing to offer battle on some terms?

Re: my carriers, this is from a post yesterday:

"My carriers are running low on fuel. They'll move west to a point SW of Colombo. AOs are sortying from Colombo. The main plan is to retire to safety and get Wasp to a shipyard - probably Capetown. But the AOs are sortying just in case an opportunity arises. For instance, if Allied subs put a fish or two into a fleet carrier, or if John really bleeds off more sorties, or if an Allied combat vessel gets in some lucky shots on KB, of if John's ships truly are low on fuel in some detectable way."

The Death Star made it safely to the designated point. John did load up the waters around Ceylon with subs, which is why I jinked a bit to the soth, using waypoints.