Matrix Games Forums

June 11 - Jun 17, 1942

KB: The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is supporting operations in West Australia.

US CVs: Laying low.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR:

On 6/16 the IJN AMC Hokoku Maru kills another picket in the North Pacific.

On 6/17 a small CS TF runs down the AVP Reiger near Noumea.

SUB WAR: Allied subs are prowling all over Coral Sea. There are lot of attacks but the lack of reliable torpedoes makes it a hit or miss proposition.

On 6/11 IJN SS I-19 sinks PC Jackson and PC Travis near Lahaina. In partial payback SS Halibut puts two fish into a AG near Auki and SS Growler hits a xAK near Rennell Is.

On 6/12 SS S-27 puts two Mk10s into a PB.

On 6/15 AMC Kongo Maru was out picking on helpless minesweepers near Albany and SS S-39 put a torpedo into her. Serves her right. SS KXVIII runs into a mine at Merak, look like the IJN has closed the Java Sea to easy access. IJN SS I-29 gets another YP off Lahaina. SS Triton hits an xAK near Auki.

On 6/17 SS O16 puts two fish into a xAK near Singapore. She'll go home soon since the straits at Merak are closed. IJN SS I-1 bets beaten up a little near Lahaina. In addition the IJN commander get a bit of a scare:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near La Foa at 112,159

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo
CA Kinugasa
CL Kiso
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hayashio
DD Hatsuharu
DD Samidare

Allied Ships
SS Seawolf

SS Seawolf launches 4 torpedoes at CVE Unyo

MALAYA:

BURMA:

DEI: Buitenzorg fall 6/17 with 18k casualties, 21 units destroyed. Java is pretty well cleared of alliance troops.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: Wallis Is falls to a US invasion. More importantly Koumac falls to a 2 brigade + 2 regiment assault.

Japanese BBs make Noumea untenable for airpower.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Noumea at 115,160

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 46 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 4 destroyed on ground
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 42 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 8 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk I: 28 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 5 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IA: 1 damaged
Kittyhawk IA: 2 destroyed on ground
P-400 Airacobra: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso

Allied ground losses:
768 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 44 destroyed, 80 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (6 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (3 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 38

Oh yeah - the KB.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 109
B5N2 Kate x 99

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 13 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk I: 1 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed on ground
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-400 Airacobra: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 7

In addition the IJN starts destroying the PT boats protecting Efate (around 6/14). On 6/16 a small SB TF comes in and does significant damage, followed by a large SB TF that does even more damage. We're gonna have to pull bacl from Efate and Noumea - can't withstand these loss rates.


AUSTRALIA: Perth falls to a 2 division assault. The defenders had already run away... literally the leaving from south Perth as the Japanese entered from the north.

PH and points east: Cold Bay falls 6/11.

June 18 - Jun 24, 1942

Japanese forces are marching from north-west New Cal to Noumea to face the entrenched defenders. They are also chasing AUS forces back toward Kalgoorlie in the West.

KB: The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is supporting operations in West Australia.

US CVs: Laying low.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 6/17 SS Saury gets a workover near Kangaen.

On 6/18 SS Pompano shells a xAK near Tarawa. Then IJN SS I-19 puts three fish into an AO and two into a TK near Lahaina.

On 6/20 SS Finback tries for a shot on a BB near Noumea and take a bit of a beating.

On 6/21 SS S-45 puts a fish into a xAK near Belep Is.

BURMA: Allied and Japanese air forces continue to trade strokes.

DEI: All over but the crying.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: La Foa falls on 6/18. (Defended by a BF and EAB.) Efate and Noumea are closed for air operations by air and naval strikes.

AUSTRALIA: Forces in West Australia run for Kalgoorlie before the last train leaves. Heavy bombers operating out Alice Springs drive the IJA out of Daly Waters - no need to occupy it now, the supply issues make operations in the face of air superiority challenging.

PH and points east: Attu Is falls 6/23.

June 25 - Jul 1, 1942

Japanese forces are marching from north-west New Cal to Noumea to face the entrenched defenders. Japanese forces reach Kalgoorlie in the West - the defenders are ready for anything!

KB: The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is supporting operations in West Australia.

On 7/1 IJN CV aviators find a AVP that laying low at Mare' and put two torps into her.

US CVs: Laying low.

AIR WAR: AUS Catalinas operating out of Townsville put a bomb into a xAKL near Tagula Is.

SURFACE WAR:

On 6/27 two IJN BB come to visit Cairns, we saw them coming and pulled most of the planes out. At the end of the day the decision was made to keep them back and build up a little muscle mass.

On 6/30 a large (2 BB) SB TF visits Norfolk Is, which is in Japanese hands.

SUB WAR:

On 6/26 IJN SS I-11 pops a xAK off Bombay. SS Triton kills a PB near Woodlark Is.

Ob 6/27 IJN SS I-10 gets YP Oak off Lahaina.

On 6/30 SS S-43 shells a xAKL in the Belep Is.

On 7/1 SS O19 puts a fine Dutch fish into a AO near Denpasar.

BURMA:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

AUSTRALIA: The bombers arrive a bit early on 6/27.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th RAN Base Force, at 54,148 , near Kalgoorlie

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 24

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Don't know what happened here... random stuff?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cairns , at 92,140

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 28
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 30

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 13 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1

On 6/28 the Japanese invasion arrives and takes swing... OMG it's three divisions! Can we hold? Crystal ball says buy stock in Sony.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kalgoorlie (56,147)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26435 troops, 303 guns, 144 vehicles, Assault Value = 1311

Defending force 15317 troops, 258 guns, 469 vehicles, Assault Value = 595

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 353

Allied adjusted defense: 382

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2724 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 194 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
649 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 86 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 51 (1 destroyed, 50 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (3 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st Division
5th Division
8th Tank Regiment
33rd Division
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
4th Australian Division
3rd Motor Brigade
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2/9th Armoured Regiment
10th Light Horse Battalion
108th Tank Attack Regiment
NW Australia Base Force
III Australian
85th British AT Gun Regiment

On 6/30 they take another swing, results initially look good for us but we lost another fort level and more AV than the attackers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Kalgoorlie (56,147)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35941 troops, 405 guns, 319 vehicles, Assault Value = 1216

Defending force 13732 troops, 255 guns, 475 vehicles, Assault Value = 389

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 644

Allied adjusted defense: 520

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2155 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 177 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 24 (1 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
301 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 69 (9 destroyed, 60 disabled)

Assaulting units:
5th Division
21st Division
8th Tank Regiment
48th Engineer Regiment
33rd Division
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
4th Australian Division
2/9th Armoured Regiment
3rd Motor Brigade
10th Light Horse Battalion
III Australian
108th Tank Attack Regiment
NW Australia Base Force
85th British AT Gun Regiment

PH and points east:

Jul 2 - Jul 8, 1942

Operation Taunt the Tiger. Stalemate in New Cal (for now).

KB: The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is supporting operations in West Australia.

US CVs: This needs to stop! I risk cardiac arrest each this this happens.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kona at 181,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-26, hits 1

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
CA Canberra
CA Australia
CA Chicago
DD Lardner
DD Henley
DD Mugford
DD Caldwell
DD McCalla

SS I-26 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Lexington

On 7/7 we taunt the tiger by trailing two CV TF well south of Noumea. I hope to pull Betty and Nells into an attack without escort. Only Nicks with bombs come to play. 4 US CVs are one hex further out than the RN CV TF. At the same time we try to run a xAKL into Noumea with spare parts for the icecream machines. The xAKL Palawan is spotted by the Bettys...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Mare' at 119,164

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 63 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious
CA Northampton


AIR WAR: One of the few success on patrol planes that the allies have seen occurs on 7/3.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed
H6K2-L Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

SURFACE WAR: The IJN finally turns their sights to the 3rd of the mutually supporting airfields near New Cal. Gonna have to pull most of a/c back to Suva.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 07, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5A Catalina: 14 damaged
PBY-5A Catalina: 3 destroyed on ground
C-47 Skytrain: 9 damaged
P-400 Airacobra: 11 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 8 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CA Maya
DD Oite
DD Hatakaze
DD Harukaze
DD Kikuzuki
DD Hamakaze

Allied ground losses:
157 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 33
Port hits 21
Port supply hits 2

SUB WAR:

On 7/4 SS Grayback nails a big TK near New Hanover Is, the TK doesn't sink and the Grayback makes a successful 2nd attack. SS Herring claims a torpedo in BB Yamashiro near Koumac.

On 7/5 IJN SS I-15 shells a xAKL near Waipapakauri. SS I-5 get a good workover near Sidney. Naval forces in AUS are being pulled back to Melbourne and then shifted to Auckland.

On 7/8 IJN SS I-15 takes 2 hits off Wellington.

MALAYA:

BURMA: On 7/8 the Japanese send a probe force toward Lashio, brushing a blocking Burmese battalion off the road.

DEI: Sawahloento falls on 7/2. The AV of the various defending units in the swamps and mountains of Java and Sumatra are less than 10.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: Air and naval bombardment of Noumea continues, damaged planes turn into destroyed. On 7/6 the OpFor shows up a Noumea and makes an immediate assault. The defenders have over 50k supply and the Japanese haven't sent any divisions into this attack. On 7/6 they try a 2nd attack and achieve another 2:1 (673:1261 raw 1356:521). Each time they attack a division equivalent are disabled. Stalemate?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea (115,160)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35962 troops, 359 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 1148

Defending force 23845 troops, 419 guns, 492 vehicles, Assault Value = 568

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 802

Allied adjusted defense: 1915

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1929 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 309 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 66 disabled
Guns lost 29 (2 destroyed, 27 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
474 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 30 (1 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Assaulting units:
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
77th Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
23rd Nav Gd Unit
47th Infantry Regiment
82nd Naval Guard Unit
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
Guards Mixed Brigade
53rd Naval Guard Unit
16th Recon Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
14th Naval Guard Unit
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
161st Infantry Regiment
27th Infantry Regiment
182nd Infantry Regiment
132nd Infantry Regiment
New Caledonia Det
I US Amphib Corps
110th USA Base Force
111th USN Base Force
32nd Aviation Base Force
95th Coast AA Regiment
808th Engineer Aviation Battalion
B Det USN Port Svc
113th USAAF Base Force
147th Field Artillery Regiment
216th Coast AA Regiment
C Det USN Port Svc

AUSTRALIA: On 7/2 the Japanese do another assault at Kalgoorlie and get a 1:1 (876:469 raw 1116:334), missing the 2:1 by 10%.

PH and points east:

Jul 9 - Jul 15, 1942

Operation Run Like a Scalded Dog. Stalemate in New Cal (for now). Japanese take Kalgoorlie.

KB: The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is supporting operations in West Australia.

US CVs: Headed back to Auckland.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR: The Coral Sea is paved in allied subs, lots of attacks but not many hits.

On 7/13 SS Grenadier takes two hits from an ASW TF near Rennell Is.

On 7/14 SS KXV torpedoes a xAKL near Albany. SS Grayling takes 4 hits from a TF near Noumea - nice ships - might be part of the KB.

MALAYA:

BURMA: Allied airforces have broken contact to rebuild. Japanese are bombing troops in the jungle that they don't intend to attack any time soon. Is this free XP?

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: The Japanese have built up their supply and try another attack at Noumea, getting a 1:2 (adjusted 1093:2077 raw 1503:533). Casualties are heavy 5934:1061.

AUSTRALIA: On 7/9 the Japanese Army attack Kalgoorlie again and take the town. For some weird reason the defenders retreat north into nowhere as opposed to east along the RR tracks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kalgoorlie (56,147)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40907 troops, 443 guns, 201 vehicles, Assault Value = 1224

Defending force 13785 troops, 244 guns, 498 vehicles, Assault Value = 371

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 1188

Allied adjusted defense: 272

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kalgoorlie !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2719 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 236 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2813 casualties reported
Squads: 112 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 483 destroyed, 78 disabled
Engineers: 28 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 159 (138 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 436 (425 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Units retreated 9

Assaulting units:
33rd Division
5th Division
21st Division
48th Engineer Regiment
146th Infantry Regiment
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Army
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
3rd Motor Brigade
4th Australian Division
2/9th Armoured Regiment
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
10th Light Horse Battalion
NW Australia Base Force
108th Tank Attack Regiment
III Australian
85th British AT Gun Regiment

PH and points east:

Jul 16 - Jul 22, 1942

Stalemate in New Cal (for now).

KB: The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is supporting operations in West Australia.

US CVs: At Auckland waiting for fuel - these guys can really use a lot of fuel!

AIR WAR: I don't know what triggered this as the Oglala has been at Townsville for months.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 18
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 9

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 16
P-40B Warhawk x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 5 destroyed
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CM Oglala, Bomb hits 1

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 7/17 SS KXV puts two fish into a TK near Busselton.

On 7/18 IJN SS I-123 sinks AMC Kanimbla near Melbourne. The AMC was escorting a convoy from CT to Melbourne.

On 7/19 SS KX gets beat up by a xAK near Great Nicobar.

On 7/21 IJN SS I-32 takes a couple of hits from an ASW TF near Karachi.

MALAYA:

BURMA: B-17s are the only offensive tool left in the box and there aren't enough to make a difference. Still I keep sending them out and wasting them.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: The IJA 4th ID has shown up at Noumea to reinforce the attacker... this might not last as long as I hoped. The newly reinforced troops make an assault and achieve a 2:1 (adjusted 1058:2392 raw 1568:457) with high casualties again (5138:1006). The problem being that the Japanese casualties are being replaced.

AUSTRALIA: Operation Explore the Outback is under with the major problem being the large vultures dropping 250kg bombs. It's a long walk back to Port Augusta. Operation Run Like A Scalded Dog is even more desperate.

PH and points east:

Jul 23 - Jul 29, 1942

1st Battle of the North Pacific - Death of USS Pennsylvania

KB: The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is supporting operations in West Australia.

Mini-KB is beating up on the last convoy from CT to Melbourne. About two dozen xAKs eventually sink - in retrospect I'm not sure that these dollops if supply (40k-60k) even make a difference . The US CVs head that direction at mission speed but get there too late.

US CVs: Thinking about revenge for the destruction of the CT convoy.

AIR WAR: An example of the not-quite-parity in the air in Burma (7/24).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 9
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 29

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 3
Hurricane IIc Trop x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

On 7/28 we sneak some fighter and bombers back into Noumea and attack some ships at Koumac.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Koumac at 112,156

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
TB Kamo
TB Otori, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CM Wakataka, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Most of these aircraft will wind up being destroyed on the ground by repeated air and sea strikes.

SURFACE WAR: On 7/27 the APD Lawrence gets caught making a midnight supply run to Tanna at the same time as a large SB TF. APD Lawrence, Shell hits 4, and is sunk. Then the SB TF comes to town...

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 10 damaged
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground
PBY-5A Catalina: 14 damaged
PBY-5A Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
C-47 Skytrain: 4 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 3 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 26 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 13 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground

1st Battle of the North Pacific

In an effort to cut down on the raiders in the North Pacific that are destroying the pickets and closing the convoy line to Alaska two powerful SCTF based on BBs are prowling the cold northern seas. On 7/28 AV Kimikawa Maru runs into the BB Pennsylvania and beats the BB and her escorts and gets away.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 28, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sanak Island at 184,73, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AV Kimikawa Maru

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 2
DD Parrott
DD Stewart, Shell hits 1, on fire

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight

That morning it turns out that there is a CVE or CVL in the raiding force.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sanak Island at 184,73

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N2 Kate x 8
D3A1 Val x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 8, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sanak Island at 184,73

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sanak Island at 184,73

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N2 Kate x 8
D3A1 Val x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 6, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sanak Island at 184,73

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

The Pennsylyania is a little over 50 systems damage and minor flotation. Rhen two big Japanese CA show up and sink her. No significant damage to the raiders and both the escort would be run down and sank.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sanak Island at 184,73, Range 9,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CL Yura, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 23, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

SUB WAR:

On 7/24 SS Grouper torps a xAK near the Belep Is. Doesn't sink and there is a successful reattack.

On 7/25 SS Salmon is worked over by a APD TF near Esperance.

On 7/27 SS Sailfish nails a TK near Gasmata. IJN SS I-23 gets a mild beating near Pago Pago. SS S-41 shells xAKL near Langsa.

MALAYA:

BURMA: Not much going on, allied forces are still posed for an invasion of India.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: The Japanese are waiting for additional force to arrive at Noumea.

AUSTRALIA: The fleeing allied troops in the outback are pounded by bombs every day. They eat lizards and drink piss.

PH and points east:

Jul 30 - Aug 5, 1942

Probe of Normanton

KB: The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is supporting operations in West Australia.

US CVs: Headed back to Auckland - revenge mission scrubbed for lack of oilers in case the KB chases us. Don't want to caught in the Southern Ocean without fuel.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: I would have thought that a DD would give a AMC a good fight. In this case I was wrong. The Parrott is the last survivor of the 1st Battle of the North Pacific. It appear that at least four Japanese TF are operating in this raid. At least two 'scout' TF with single AV or AMC (both with planes), a SCTF with two powerful CA and an air combat TF with at least one CVL/CVE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Eureka at 196,70, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Hokoku Maru

Allied Ships
DD Parrott, Shell hits 22, and is sunk

SUB WAR:

On 7/30 IJN SS RO-68 encounters a minefield at Tanna, on fire with heavy damage. SS I-21 puts a torpedo into the well escorted AP President Adams near Gisborne. The AP is part of the last TF bringing reinforcements to Auckland.

On 7/31 SS Salmon takes a mild beating near Esperance.

On 8/2 SS KVIII puts two fish into a SC near Phuket.

On 8/4 SS Thresher scores a xAK near Vanikoro.

MALAYA:

BURMA: Air war in full flower. No ships or LCU involved.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: Efate gets another visit from the Tokyo Express on 8/4. We're not shooting down enough bombers or sinking ships to pay for this pain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Efate at 120,154

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 damaged
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 9 damaged
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 2 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground
P-400 Airacobra: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Fuso
CL Kuma
DD Harukaze
DD Kikuzuki
DD Ayanami
DD Inazuma

AUSTRALIA: The allied air forces have started a concerted effort to close down the airfield at Normanton. We have 30-40 4E available and can escort and sweep. On this raid on 8/1 our bomber arrive together with escort and do a whopping 6 points of runway damage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Normanton , at 86,138

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 33
P-40E Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-57-I Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 10 damaged

Runway hits 6

On 8/3 the results are not quite as good. This will keep up until Normanton is well and truly closed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Normanton , at 86,138

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 40

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 26
P-40E Warhawk x 4

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

On 8/5 the focus shifts to Cooktown where recon has detected a docked ship.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cooktown , at 92,137

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 7
B-17E Fortress x 37
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
ACM Zuiko Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

In addition we have sent a recon unit to Normanton to see how tough the defenders are. On 8/5 we find out. Looks like a 2-3 division effort to liberate Normanton. The 2nd Recce Battalion goes into the shop for a bit of body work
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Normanton (86,138)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 8136 troops, 57 guns, 183 vehicles, Assault Value = 403

Defending force 485 troops, 0 guns, 87 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Japanese adjusted assault: 465

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 465 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), preparation(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 66 (47 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
7th Indpt SNLF Coy
7th Tank Regiment
84th Naval Guard Unit
Kure 2nd SNLF
8th JNAF Coy
4th JNAF AF Unit
37th Const Co
8th Field AF Construction Battalion
42nd JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
2nd Recce Battalion

PH and points east:

I just wanted to chime in and let you know I'm following this. Looks like it's been an exciting 8 months of war so far, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the battles for Australia and New Caledonia turn out. Also, this AAR appears headed to the mid-game, which is always nice to see.

Aug 6 - Aug 12, 1942

Siege of Lashio

KB: The KB is supporting operations in the New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is supporting operations in West Australia.

US CVs: Headed back to Auckland and waiting for fuel.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: On 8/10 raiders in the North Pacific find xAKLs that are making the supply run from PH to Anchorage. I'm pretending these ships are not pickets. Not having analyzed the previous action correctly I'm not sure if this is a little raid or a big (CVE/CVL) raid. As a result all convoys between the West Coast and PH are rerouting. It appears that it is possible to shutdown communication to PH if the Japanese are willing to commit the assets.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 10, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Chirikof Island at 184,61, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Hokoku Maru

Allied Ships
xAKL Mortlake Bank, Shell hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sanak Island at 183,69, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Akagi Maru

Allied Ships
xAKL Kentuckian, Shell hits 2

SUB WAR: Not much at all. The number of hits per attack is dropping and I decide its because I'm allowing detection to accumulate. From now on I'll change the patrol zone for subs that get a significant detection.

On 8/8 SS S-18 gets a PB near Vanikoro.

On 8/10 SS Dolphin hits a xAK near Belep Is.

MALAYA:

BURMA: Two divisions have marched out of Mandalay and arrived at Lashio. They attempt to push the Chinese division out of the town. Air power on either side is not making much difference that I can see. The 2nd attack on 8/11 will be another 1:2 (683:1003 adjusted 926:653 raw). Supply in Lashio is around 25k and it's within range of many air transport units.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30558 troops, 323 guns, 187 vehicles, Assault Value = 1059

Defending force 17739 troops, 175 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 707

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 786

Allied adjusted defense: 967

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1783 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 216 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled

Allied ground losses:
593 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (6 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
38th Division
56th Recon Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
56th Engineer Regiment
III./143rd Infantry Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
16th Army
15th Army
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
Mandalay BMP Battalion
5th Burma Battalion
Rangoon BAF Battalion
4th Burma Battalion
2nd Burma Battalion
BFF Brigade
5th Chinese Corps
102nd RAF Base Force
107th RAF Base Force


DEI: 54th British Brigade is destroyed near Bandoeng, ending the official resistance to the Japanese occupation of DEI.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: The Japanese have reinforced with just about everything in the area and take another attack on 8/12. I see 1 division, 5 brigades, 11 regiments and 15 artillery units in this attack.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea (115,160)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 73886 troops, 892 guns, 284 vehicles, Assault Value = 2272

Defending force 24629 troops, 441 guns, 532 vehicles, Assault Value = 524

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 2402

Allied adjusted defense: 1465

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2664 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 151 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 27 destroyed, 105 disabled
Guns lost 26 (2 destroyed, 24 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1788 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 163 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 91 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 77 (3 destroyed, 74 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)


Assaulting units:
2nd Engineer Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
53rd Naval Guard Unit
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
74th Infantry Regiment
79th Infantry Regiment
144th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
12th Engineer Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
77th Infantry Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
82nd Naval Guard Unit
20th Infantry Regiment
Guards Mixed Brigade
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
16th Engineer Regiment
4th Division
23rd Nav Gd Unit
16th Recon Regiment
14th Naval Guard Unit
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
17th Army
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
48th Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
161st Infantry Regiment
27th Infantry Regiment
132nd Infantry Regiment
182nd Infantry Regiment
New Caledonia Det
111th USN Base Force
808th Engineer Aviation Battalion
147th Field Artillery Regiment
32nd Aviation Base Force
110th USA Base Force
216th Coast AA Regiment
113th USAAF Base Force
B Det USN Port Svc
I US Amphib Corps
95th Coast AA Regiment
C Det USN Port Svc

AUSTRALIA: On 8/9 we send a rested allied air force against Cooktown to see if it can be shutdown. Looking at the losses on the intel screen shows that the 4Es will run out before the mission is accomplished. These attacks will continue for a week until the it's obvious to even the ham fisted air commanders that Cooktown can not be shutdown (at this point in time).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Cooktown , at 92,137

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 35

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 5
B-17E Fortress x 40
P-39D Airacobra x 17
P-40E Warhawk x 24
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 16

PH and points east:

Aug 13 - Aug 19, 1942

Fall of Noumea

KB: The KB is supporting operations in New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is supporting operations in West Australia.

US CVs: Moving to Pago Pago.

AIR WAR: B-17s over Cooktown and Sallys over Imphal.

SURFACE WAR: An AVP that was hiding near Efate is abused by a stinking DMS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Anatom at 120,159, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DMS W-6

Allied Ships
AVP Pollux, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 32% moonlight: 6,000 yards

SUB WAR:

On 8/14 SS S-47 puts a torp into a tanker near Belep Is. SS S-45 puts another into the same TK.

On 8/18 IJN SS I-24 finishes the AVP that was flushed out by the DMS at Anatom.

On 8/19 SS Truant takes 3 hits from a ASW TF near Langkawi. Then SS KXI puts two fish into a AO near Busselton. A message passed through the Swiss consulate threatened the sub commander with a war crimes trial.

MALAYA:

BURMA: To stop allied fighter from intercepting the bombers going to Lashio the IJA tries to shut down Katha. Shutting that down means shutting down Imphal and Kohima. Here is a sample attack on 8/13.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40

Weather in hex: Light rain

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 1
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
Hurricane IIc Trop x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 108 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 52
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 68

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 46

Looks pretty good for the Japanese, then the next day the raid comes before the sweep. (Plus a couple of Hurri units that were resting are on alert.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 94 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 53
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 68

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 1
Hurricane IIb Trop x 32
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 10 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14

On 8/15 the Japanese decide that there has been enough softening up at Lashio and assault again: 1:2 (610:1018 adjusted, 916:641 raw, 2798:385 casualties). There's a division of disabled squads.

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: On 8/13 the Japanese super-stack at Noumea make another attack and just miss taking the base: 1:1, reduce the fort to 1 (1986:1798 adjusted, 1934:364 raw, 2578:1314 casualties). On 8/14 the Japanese make a final push without recovering their disables/disorganized units: 1:18, reduce the fort to 0 (96:1744 adjusted, 1745:243 raw, 1367:575 casualties). I think they'll wait a bit for the next push.

However, The Japanese command says "take that place now!" and they do (8/15).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Noumea (115,160)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 61591 troops, 834 guns, 276 vehicles, Assault Value = 1718

Defending force 21686 troops, 430 guns, 529 vehicles, Assault Value = 217

Japanese adjusted assault: 1922

Allied adjusted defense: 601

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Noumea !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1329 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 150 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Guns lost 18 (5 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
17703 casualties reported
Squads: 545 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1708 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 99 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 430 (430 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 640 (640 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 16

Assaulting units:
53rd Naval Guard Unit
74th Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
16th Engineer Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
23rd Nav Gd Unit
4th Division
47th Infantry Regiment
2nd Engineer Regiment
Guards Mixed Brigade
16th Recon Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
79th Infantry Regiment
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
144th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
82nd Naval Guard Unit
14th Naval Guard Unit
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
77th Infantry Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
17th Army
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
27th Infantry Regiment
182nd Infantry Regiment
132nd Infantry Regiment
161st Infantry Regiment
New Caledonia Det
32nd Aviation Base Force
95th Coast AA Regiment
147th Field Artillery Regiment
216th Coast AA Regiment
808th Engineer Aviation Battalion
111th USN Base Force
110th USA Base Force
I US Amphib Corps
B Det USN Port Svc
113th USAAF Base Force
C Det USN Port Svc

AUSTRALIA: On 8/16 the IJN sends a 2BB SB TF to Cairns but we see them coming and pull all the fighters back to Townsville and Charter Towers.

The survivors of the Battle of Kalgoorlie are still walking back under an aluminum sky. Casualties are high but will not destroy any of the units. Any Japanese units that pursue are bombed by LB-30s and B-17s until they retire.

On 8/17 the B-17s return to Cooktown without escort, they achieve nothing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cooktown , at 92,137

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged

PH and points east:

Aug 19 - Aug 26, 1942

Invasion of Tanna

KB: The KB is supporting operations in New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. The m-KB is supporting operations in West Australia. Someone using Japanese a/c sinks one of the not-pickets traveling between PH and Alaska.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near French Frigate Shoal at 182,84

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
D3A1 Val x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Coloradan, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk

US CVs: Moving to Pago Pago.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: On 8/21 a Japanese raider sinks a non-picket in the North Pacific. There are lots of Japanese in the NorPac for some reason.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Dutch Harbor at 183,72, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Tama

Allied Ships
xAKL Pelton Bank, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

Naval search had spotted some raiders between Australia and New Zealand, since we think the KB and mKB are elsewhere a SCTF is sent out on 8/26 to check them out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Stewart Island at 92,186, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
E Shimushu, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
AMC Kinryu Maru, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Chester
CA Minneapolis
CLAA Atlanta, Shell hits 1
DD Laffey
DD Woodworth
DD Russell
DD Walke

The same night a Japanese CL showes up at Canton Is to sink the monthly beer and biscuit run.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Canton Island at 153,143, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yubari, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Tjerk Hiddes, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
AK Almaack, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk


SUB WAR:

On 8/20 SS Salmon gets beat up near Perth.

On 8/21 we return the favor and beat up the IJN SS I-5 near Tongatapu. SS I-25 sinks a xAKL in the North Pacific. How the heck did they find it? SS I-26 sinks a xAK near PH.

On 8/23 SS O20 scores a two-fer near Perth!
Japanese Ships
TK Ayazono Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
Japanese Ships
TK Nihon Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

On 8/24 SS S-46 gets worked over near Cairns.

MALAYA:

BURMA: On 8/21 the Japanese darken the skys over Imphal. Why allied bombers were at a forward airbase when I'm not running any offensive air operations I have no idea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 47
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 90

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 6
Hurricane IIb Trop x 37
Hurricane IIc Trop x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 5 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed on ground
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29

Here is the sweep that comes after the raid again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 4
Hurricane IIb Trop x 25
Hurricane IIc Trop x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Then on 8/23 there is another attack on Lashio resulting in a 1:2 (684:1603 adjusted, 970:618 raw, 1129:497 casualties). On 8/25 they attack again getting 1:2 (574:1663 adjusted, 891:587 raw, 3282:389 casualties).

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

The Japanese start clearing the minefield at Tanna, which looks to be next on the list after the fall of Noumea.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 25, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 86 encounters mine field at Tanna (120,157)

Japanese Ships
PB Syozui Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

The Japanese invade Tanna on 8/25. One of the few enjoyable parts:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 19 encounters mine field at Tanna (120,157) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DMS W-21, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DMS W-15, Shell hits 1, on fire
DMS W-13, Shell hits 1, heavy fires

AUSTRALIA: The attempt to shutdown Cooktown continues for this one last day, after this the focus will shift to Normanton which we manage to eventually shutdown
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Cooktown , at 92,137

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 57
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 14

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 36
P-40E Warhawk x 26
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

On 8/23 the IJN sends a 2BB SB TF to Cairns and trashes a bunch of aircraft. Another reason to change the focus to Normanton, don't have to endure the Tokyo Express. On 8/26 Erromango falls.

PH and points east:

Aug 27 - Sept 2, 1942

Death of the Copahee - Congressional Investigation - Tanna Falls

The IJN will break the convoy lines between the West Coast and PH. PH is in no danger of running out of supply (a million or so) but fuel is down to a 3 month supply. CINCPAC will need to deeply consider how to handle this threat. It will be argued (at the investigation) that the loss of the Pennsylvania and Copahee are due to faulty analysis of the available intelligence.

KB: The locations of the KB and mKB are unknown.

US CVs: Docked at Pago Pago.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: We catch another raider between Australia and New Zealand.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Hobart at 87,192, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Kiyosumi Maru, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Chester
CA Minneapolis
CLAA Atlanta
DD Laffey
DD Woodworth
DD Russell, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Walker

On 8/28 Japanese raiders in the NorPac kill another not-picket. At this rate - losing 5 in last 3 days - the allies will run out of xAKL before the end of '43. Another plan will be needed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nagai Island at 184,66, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yura

Allied Ships
xAKL Hamakua, Shell hits 11, and is sunk


SUB WAR:

On 8/27 SS Guardfish torpedoes a xAK near Port Moresby.

On 8/28 SS S-31 shells a xAK near Arorae.

On 8/29 SS Albacore hits an AO near Efate.

On 8/31 SS S-47 kills a PB in a ASW TF near Isle of Pines and SS Guardfish gets a SC off Port Moresby.

On 9/1 IJN SS I-168 puts a torpedo into CL Java off Wellington. There are several convoys of empty transports that would like to get back to PH that are afraid to jump that NZ-Tahiti gap.

MALAYA:

BURMA:

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: On 8/29 the Japanese figure that their forces at Tanna ready and assault and receive a 1:2 reduce the fort level to 2 (286:309 adjusted, 418:112 raw, 638:287 casualties).

On 9/2 additional forces have disembarked and the Tanna garrison is overwhelmed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tanna (120,157)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17934 troops, 169 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 534

Defending force 5703 troops, 69 guns, 140 vehicles, Assault Value = 86

Japanese adjusted assault: 382

Allied adjusted defense: 53

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tanna !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
373 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2811 casualties reported
Squads: 56 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 697 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 124 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 71 (71 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 205 (205 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 5

Assaulting units:
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
79th Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
Guards Mixed Brigade
21st Ind. Engineer Regiment
62nd Naval Guard Unit
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
43rd JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
2nd RNZAF Base Force
106th USN Base Force
33rd Medium Regiment
N Force Detachment

AUSTRALIA: The Japanese take Lord Howe Is on 9/2. Along with Norfork Is and Raoul Is it looks like they are trying to break the PH-Aus convoy lines.

PH and points east: To try and catch the pesky Japanese raiders sitting on the convoy lines between SF and PH the newly commissioned CVE Copahee, embarking 2 sections of fighter and one of dive bombers is sent on her maiden voyage. The 1st swing south from SF spots a submarine and the SBDs are put on ASW patrol. Then the CVE and her 4 DD escorts run into a heavy SCTF in broad daylight. Later that day Japanese aircraft appear over the already doomed TF (note the 20 Vals - is this more than 1 CVE/CVL?). The Copahee will never launch a single aircraft in anger. The level of incompetence of the West Coast USN commander leads to a Congressional Investigation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near San Francisco at 209,79, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
DD Murasame, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Farenholt, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Ward, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Banckert
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near San Francisco at 209,79

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A1 Val x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Banckert
DD Farenholt, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near San Francisco at 209,79

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
D3A1 Val x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near San Francisco at 209,79

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
D3A1 Val x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Ward, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kortenaer
DD Banckert, Bomb hits 1, on fire

On 8/31 a convoy running from the Copahee debacle finds another raider well south of the SF to PH convoy route.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near San Clemente Island at 220,90, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Awata Maru, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CL Perth
DD Evertsen
SC-705
TK x 7
PG Yarra
PG Clive

One convoy close to Copahee encounter starbursts with one of the tankers falling to a different raider.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near San Luis Obispo at 214,88, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Hokoku Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
TK Mobilstation, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage


The next day (8/31) the Japanese CV TF pursues the DD escorts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Eureka at 207,73

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N2 Kate x 5
D3A1 Val x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Banckert
DD Farenholt, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Eureka at 207,73

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Banckert, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk


On 9/1 one of the SS prowling around West Coast gets into the action.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near San Francisco at 206,96

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
TK California Standard, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Sept 3 - Sept 9, 1942

Operation Wounded Kangaroo and Operation Dunkirk Over Efate

KB: The locations of the KB and mKB are unknown.

US CVs: Docked at Pago Pago.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 9/5 SS S-33 puts a fish into an AV near Raoul Is. Don't think this will sink her.

On 9/6 SS Seal nails a SC in an ASW TF near Denpasar.

On 9/7 SS KXII torpedoes an ACM near Rangoon. I think that the Japanese are moving divisions from West Australia to Burma.

MALAYA:

BURMA: A not too uncommon example of the air war in Burma. It's pretty attritional and the allies have no particular advantage - on the average. The allied airforces have pulled all medium and light bombers away from the front lines and the heavies are operating out of Calcutta.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th Chinese Corps, at 62,46 (Lashio)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 51
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 31

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Lashio: On 9/5 the recovered Japanese forces attempt to take Lashio again achieving a 1:5 reducing the fort level to 2 (849:4405 adjusted, 1091:564 raw, 4296:737 casualties). Attacking forces include 2 HQ, 2 divisions, 3 regiments, 2 engineer regiments and 5 artillery units.

Magwe: The CBI commanders decided (a month ago) to send the AUS 7th ID and significant supporting forces to try to take Magwe. The intention is to take pressure off Lashio. This is Operation Wounded Kangaroo! The most important assumption is that the allied air forces will be able to keep the Japanese bombers off the advancing Aussies. 9/9 is the 1st day that the Japanese bombers take notice - it was an off day for the allied fighter inter-squadron soccer match.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Australian Division, at 58,44 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 50
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 57
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: The allied command decides that Efate doesn't have enough supply to withstand a siege and air transport from all over the Pacific will be sent to Fiji to evacuate as many troops as possible - Operation Dunkirk Over Efate is kicked off.

AUSTRALIA: The Japanese try to shutdown Charter Towers so that Normanton will not be shutdown. The Sallies are very fragile and whenever the allied fighters get through the escorts they die in droves. This sort of attack will reoccur all week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Charters Towers , at 91,145

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 58
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 31
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 7
P-40B Warhawk x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 18

PH and points east:

Sept 10 - Sept 16, 1942

A quiet week

KB: The locations of the KB and mKB are unknown.

US CVs: Docked at Pago Pago.

AIR WAR:

SURFACE WAR: A convoy stuck in New Zealand creeps across the edge of the ice sheet and encounters a Japanese raider.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 13, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Raoul Island at 138,200, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Asaka Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
AM Echuca
AM Horsham
AM Shepparton
xAK K.I. Luckenbach
xAK Jefferson Myers
xAK Sidney Hauptmann
xAK Wallingford
xAK Agwimonte
xAK Alcoa Prospector, Shell hits 1
xAK Meigs
PG Swan, Shell hits 2
AO Bishopdale
AM Madras

During the day they encounter her again, the next day more of the same. On the 15th they encounter a different raider with about the same outcome.

SUB WAR:

On 9/11 SS Grayling pops a DMS near Tanna.

On 9/12 SS S-40 hits a xAK near Phuket - more troops pouring into Burma.

On 9/14 IJN SS I-32 gets a mild beating from a ASW TF near Columbo.

On 9/15 SS Searaven puts a torpedo into an oiler near Lakatoro. According to the OpFor the tanker was empty and did not burn - there much exclaiming on the wicked coolness of the game engine.

MALAYA:

BURMA: Operation Wounded Kangaroo is waiting for the support troops to arrive. A typical air combat result on 9/11.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


DEI: Tanahdjampea falls.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

AUSTRALIA: Allied air forces concentrate on closing down the airfield at Normanton - not because there is any compelling need - but to get an idea of how tough it will be and how long it will take.

PH and points east:

Sept 17 - Sept 23, 1942

It appear we are entering a consolidation phase. The only ongoing battle is the siege of Lashio. There are no convoys at sea between PH and the West Coast. No more land forces will be pulled out of PH until the AV gets back above 1000.

KB: The locations of the KB and mKB are unknown.

US CVs: Docked at Pago Pago.

AIR WAR: Attrition over Burma. Closing down Normanton. Bombing helpless SNFLs.

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 9/20 IJN SS I-166 takes a few hits near Karachi. SS I-34 kills a YP Near Lahaina.

On 9/22 IJN SS I-35 pops a xAK near SF.

On 9/23 IJN SS I-25 kills a YP near San Clemente.

MALAYA:

BURMA: More divisions are coming up from West Australia to support the offensive.

DEI: Memboro falls 9/19.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: Kuria falls 9/17. Munda falls 9/20.

AUSTRALIA: The Japanese SNFL at Lord Howe Is. is being bombed out of existence. Groote Eylandt falls 9/18. Arorae falls 9/19. Duff Islands fall 9/22.

PH and points east:

Sept 24 - Sept 30, 1942

Boring!

KB: The locations of the KB and mKB are unknown.

US CVs: Docked at Pago Pago.

AIR WAR: The allies make an attack on Koumac from Brisbane, just to ensure the Japanese keep their fighters spread out and on CAP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 7 damaged

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

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 52

SURFACE WAR: One of the raiders in the Southern Ocean runs into slightly more powerful enemy.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 24, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rapa at 161,194, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Saigon Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Revenge
CLAA Juneau
CL Nashville
DD Witte de With

SUB WAR:

On 9/25 IJN SS I-19 gets a YP off Lahaina. Then SS I-20 kills a AMc that was transferring from Auckland to Wellington.

On 9/29 SS KVIII breaks the dry spell putting a torp into a xAK near Phuket.

On 9/30 IJN SS I-34 gets another xAK off Lahaina - this area is the graveyard of US shipping - we need to come up with a better plan. SS S-37 shells a xAKL near Esperance.

MALAYA:

BURMA: More of the attrition - here is an example from 9/24. I can't tell if the Japanese are airfield limited or if they are getting beat down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 3
Hurricane IIb Trop x 5
Hurricane IIc Trop x 32
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 3 destroyed

DEI:

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: Ontong Java falls 9/29.

AUSTRALIA: Troops from the Battle of Kalgoorlie are still trudging across the Outback.

PH and points east:

Oct 1 - Oct 7, 1942

Operation Wounded Kangaroo makes it into the clear hex next to Magwe! A strong land force based on the AUS 7th ID is attempting to take Magwe in a bid to take pressure off the troops in Lashio.

KB: The locations of the KB and mKB are unknown.

US CVs: Docked at Pago Pago.

AIR WAR: The Aussie wanna-be Black Cats get a hit!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PB Seikai Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

On 10/3 we try another raid on Koumac. Looks like we could close the place down any time we need to.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 55

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 45

In a rare Japanese port strike the mine-sweeper at Chitta is sunk.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 34
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 34
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 15
Buffalo I x 3
Mohawk IV x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 3 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AMc Lahore, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 10/1 IJN SS I-35 kills a SC in an ASW TF near SF.

On 10/2 IJN SS I-5 gets a good shellacking from a ASW TF near Tahiti. Then SS Greenling pops a PB near Kavieng.

On 10/3 one the Japanese subs gets run over by a big SCTF. Four of the escorts manage to get into the fight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Lahaina at 189,102

Japanese Ships
SS I-29, hits 26, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB Idaho
CA Devonshire
CL Mauritius
CL Hobart
DD Lamson
DD Norman
DD Dale
DD Reid
DD Perkins

MALAYA:

BURMA: In Operation Wounded Kangaroo our LRCAP over the forces in the clear don't seem to be as effective as hoped. Never mind - press on a full speed!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 58,45 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 42
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 41

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6
Hurricane IIc Trop x 21
P-40E Warhawk x 9
P-40K Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (3 destroyed, 13 disabled)

On the morning of 10/6 the LRCAP looks better:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Evening of 10/6 the LRCAP looking OK:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

On 10/7 we are attempting to suppress the Japanese fighters at Mandalay.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 29
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 12
P-66 Vanguard x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 13
P-40K Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 5 destroyed

DEI: Kai-eilanden falls 10/5.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC:

AUSTRALIA:

PH and points east:

Oct 8 - Oct 14, 1942

Operation Wounded Kangaroo enters Phase 2 AND Pearl Harbor at Pago Pago

KB: The KB is making a major raid on Pago Pago. We had not positively identified it before the attack (report was CA CA CA).

US CVs: The partial report (see above) was enough to spook the Naval commander at Pago Pago and the carriers are sortied to the east just hours before the attack. The BBs and other surface combatants are organized into a SCTF to protect against a SB strike. A very large supply convoy is unloading in at Pago Pago and the stevedores are put on overtime.

AIR WAR: Wake up call from the KB!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 11, 42 - First sweep goes well
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pago Pago , at 148,161

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 72
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 7 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pago Pago , at 148,161

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 53
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pago Pago , at 148,161

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 79
A6M3a Zero x 27
D3A1 Val x 146

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 31
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CM Salem, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tweedbank, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Steel Inventor, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AG Antares, Bomb hits 1
AGP Hilo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Jalakrishna, Bomb hits 2
xAK Si Kiang, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Nicholas van Vonn, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Delawarean, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Santa Maria, Bomb hits 1
xAK Changte, Bomb hits 1
xAP Santa Barbara, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AS Fulton, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Thomas Barry, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Clan Macgillivray, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AR Medusa, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AGP Jamestown, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Hai Lee, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Dalgoma, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Subadar, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Elmdale, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Slemmestad, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Turing Mary, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pago Pago , at 148,161

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
D3A1 Val x 26

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 5 destroyed, 13 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Empire Peregrine, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Steel Engineer, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Steaua Romania, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Steel Inventor, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Thomas Barry, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pago Pago at 148,161

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 24

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Valiant
DD Gridley
xAK Orfor
AO Kaskaskia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pago Pago at 148,161

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 25

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Forafric
DD Lardner, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Duncan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pago Pago at 148,161

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 110 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
A6M3a Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 7

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Valiant
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pago Pago at 148,161

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 83 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
A6M3a Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 11

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Steel Traveler, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AO Tappahanock
xAK Derrymore

SURFACE WAR:

SUB WAR:

On 10/12 IJN SS I-35 runs into a hot ASW TF near SF => Sub slips beneath the waves. We'll count this as a kill.

On 10/13 IJN SS I-17 gets a fleeing xAK near Niue.

On 10/14 IJN SS I-17 gets a fleeing xAK near Niue.

MALAYA:

BURMA: Operation Wounded Kangaroo moves to Phase 2. The losses of the fighters covering the advancing units are unsustainable and the AUS 7 ID is given new orders to head to Katha.

DEI: Gorong falls 10/14.

PHILIPPINES:

SOPAC and SWPAC: Operation Dunkirk from Efate is ramping up (10/8):

13 x C-33 transporting 2nd USMC Engineer Regiment from Efate
7 x C-47 Skytrain transporting 9th Marine Regiment from Efate
10 x C-47 Skytrain transporting 7th Marine Regiment from Efate

AUSTRALIA: Normanton is shutdown for aircraft operations but it's a constant drain to keep it that way. Attack Havocs make their 1st appearance in combat: xAK Natisan Maru, Shell hits 4; 4 x A-20A1 Havoc bombing and strafing from low level *

PH and points east:

P-39s rocking on defense!