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YESSSSS, YESSSSSSSSSS, YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LUNGA FELLLLLLLLLLLLL

Submarine warfare
Finally my ASW patrol got a "mini" success
Japanese Ships
APD 34
DD Hayashio
Allied Ships
SS Grayback, Shell hits 1, on fire

A "mini" naval battle
I sent a DD to surprise some ships spotted at GG. I found PTs. I thought "I may sink some of them". But the naval battle took place at 1000 yards. The poor Oshio was by 20 mm guns and guess what...his almost scuttle with 62 sys damaged, 49 flood and 23 fires[X(]

Japanese Ships
DD Oshio, Shell hits 12, on fire

Allied Ships
PT 36, Shell hits 50, on fire, heavy damage (and sunk)
PT 40
PT 43
PT 44
PT 59

Heavy attacks to my transport ships at Lunga
Too late timtom. If you´ve done this before...

Morning strike
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
SBD Dauntless x 39
TBF Avenger x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 destroyed x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Meiten Maru
AP Canberra Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD 36, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Kaisho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kashiwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Toshi Maru #2
AP Batavia Maru
APD 38, on fire, heavy damage

Afternoon strike
Japanese aircraft ***At last a considerable CAP, everyone made a great effort***
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M3 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
SBD Dauntless x 32
TBF Avenger x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed x 1 damaged

A6M3 Zero Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3 destroyed x 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9 destroyed x 5 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 7 destroyed x 2 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #2
AP Batavia Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APD 36, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ceylon Maru
AP Kensho Maru
APD 38, on fire, heavy damage
Half of my ships are damaged and I´m sure some of them will sink. But all the troops have been unloaded.

The last air effort
My land based bombers made a last effort...together with some vals from the CVs
A6M2 Zero x 31
D3A Val x 27
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 21
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17

Marines finally overun
I said before, I was about to get that 2:1 odds. And finally I got it. Half of the enemy rgt. surrerendered. Now I´m leading the game with 1000 up!

Ground combat at Lunga

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 64938 troops, 843 guns, 95 vehicles
Defending force 26570 troops, 293 guns, 128 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lunga base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 283
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 17412
Guns lost 154
Vehicles lost 10
Some troops left. I ordered a shock attack to clean the island. Although, a Raiden Btll. still at Taivu.
Today he lost like 50 aircraft. 25 in air to air combats and 25 field losses (planes trapped at Lunga).[:'(]

Next movements
NOt much to say yet because I have no plan now. Now that I´ve conquered Lunga I don´t know what to do. Only to reinforce NG to avoid the loss of Buna or Lae.
I ordered everyone to rest. Some exceptions.
All my ships have been ordered to retire to Short and wait for fuel. I´m sooooo thirsty!!!.
Most of my aircraft stands down at my airfields.

Enemy movements
BB detected at Irau. I think he wants to attack my ships at Lunga or to Bomb Taivu to reduce my garrison to nothing. My CVs are not going to attack since they need some rest and FUEL!!!

The last day of Lunga...
Sorry for my English guys, I write the post very quickly and I´m not bilingual!

Timtom has asked me to show the situation of my Rgts in Guadalcanal.

Well, I´ve attached some screens with the assault values of my Rgts. Except the last reinforces, my Rgts have their assault points reduced to 40-60% of their strength. Since my Rgt. have 100 to 130 assault points and they´re now with 50 to 70...you may see my attrition rate. But I´ve put much attention to increase their ability to recover disabled squads by:
a) Sending supplies. I got 9000 at Lunga plus the ones belonging to the own units.
b) Sending support units

My fatigue levels are around 40 to 60, except from the Rgts of the 35th Brigade (they came from Tassafaroga) which are in their 70s.

My disruption levels are low (30) except from the Rgts attacked by heavies. This always reach the 100 level which last for a couple of days or so.

My total assault points are 881 now. About 80 or so come from engineers rgts.

I got 3 full divisions plus 2 Rgts from a fourth one. 35 Brigade present (2 Rgts), 2nd division, 38th division, 51th division, plus one Rgt of the 6th Division. Some recon units plus engineers, many ATs, the 4th AT brigade, HQ of 2 divisions, Army HQ...
The hell....everything I got, except 2 Rgt already present at Buna and Garrison Units. (2 of them present at Taivu)

Well Timtom told me this

"My LCU's were in OK supply, but very little supply at base (300 points). IF attacker captures the supply of collapsing defending units, that would net you several 1000's points of supply."

I don´t know what to think...since I was paying much attention to the supply level I feel a little bit disappointed. But I gues my last Tokyo express were not very successful and his transport planes were feeding those guys at Lunga.[&:]

I appreciate this information so I sent him the last screen shot with the situation of my Rgts at Lunga

Not much action but the Marines in Guadalcanal were finally wiped out. [:D]. A bad end for brave men.
All my figthers and bombers are being organized. Many disbanded/withdrawn as I want to have my squadrons with good liders and with many aircraft ready.
My ships are just paralized due to lack of fuel. I decided to move some of them to Truk when some fuel arrives. I don´t need the whole fleet at Rabaul or Short´s port.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/03/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Air attack on 18th Naval Garrison Unit, at 39,40 ***Last US attempt to overun my grn units at Taivu****

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 31
TBF Avenger x 9

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 105 [X(]

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x TBF Avenger at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 8th Marine Regiment, at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 10

no losses

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, at 39,40

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 14

no losses

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 32

Attacking Level Bombers:
14 x G4M1 Betty at 3000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lunga

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 64772 troops, 842 guns, 95 vehicles

Defending force 11544 troops, 121 guns, 38 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 208

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 15584
Guns lost 153
Vehicles lost 52 ***I specially wanted to destroy this ones as my AT were unable to disable US tanks****


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Taivu

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 556 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 879 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 8

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not much action after the US debacle at Guadalcanal. In 5 days or so I will have fuel at Short, were my fleet rest. I´m still thinking what to do but I´m not sure.
Some options:
1) Invade Irau and Tulagi
2) Invade Irau, wait until Timtom goes for Buna and then try the invasion of GG (empty after the Buna attempt)
3) Wait until Timtom reacts and just pound any attempt to reduce the VP gap (I´m 1000`points ahead)
Number 2 would be the perfect one but why do I have to risk my fleet when unnecesary?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/04/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 36,38 ***My previously damaged ships caught my marauder subs. No way to avoid ships. Moreover one CL lost due to sys damage collapse****

Allied Ships
SS S-41
SS S-41
SS S-40

AP Kaisho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunK)
AP Kaisho Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Canberra Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buna , at 12,38 ****Need to send supplies here****

Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 16
B-26B Marauder x 23
A-20B Havoc x 32

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 81

Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 53
B-24D Liberator x 8

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 737
Guns lost 3

Port hits 16 ***Poor results and 2 B24 and 4 B17 didn´t return****
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I´m sure my opponent is planning something. Only 2 months left so he has to hurry up. The only way to win this game is to invade Buna and Lae.
Buna is well defended with two Rgts and forts level 8.
On the contrary, Lae is not prepared for a big invasion. But since he doesn´t have CVs it is difficult to carry on this operation.
And there is another big problem Timtom has to face with: 1st Marine Div, 2 Rgt of the 2nd Marine Division and 2 other regiments have been lost, so he has no crack div. in New Caledonia.

Oh god, my ships drink fuel as I drink whisky...
A little surprise over Buna as his everyday bombing finds Zero CAP

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/05/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Submarine warfare
A lot of sub activity today. My often hiden but deadly subs showed his power once again
Japanese Ships
SS I-174
DD Fanning, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage **Irau FT***
SS I-26
AK Demodocus, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage ***Townsville***

His sus tried to hit some of my ships but only AGs sunk by gunfire.

Buna
Buna got 1000 supplies or so. About 2000 coming in two FT (with very little fuel).

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 12 ***Only 60% managed to fly CAP***

Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 15
B-26B Marauder x 30
A-20B Havoc x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged ***many air defensive fire from bombers***

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 5 damaged***2 lost***
A-20B Havoc x 6 destroyed ***one due to AA fire***
A-20B Havoc x 3 damaged

Lunga
Many troops there. Some day I´ll have to get some of them out. He is bombing the port to reduce my supply level and to avoid such evacuation movement.
I´ve put some Zeroes (recently arrived to Lunga) in a sweep mission to Irau just to demoralize my enemy.
I need at least a week to get everything ready for the next step. Fuel is needed but I´m also moving Base Forces, Support units and AA units together with supply convoys to Vella lavella, Buin and Buka. Now I noticed how extremely scarce of supply are these bases.

I lost my last combat report. Nothing important but:
1) Heavy bombers attacked Lunga closing it for a long time. (lack of Engineers). In a couple of days or so I´ll send 1 BF and engineers to solve this. Fortunately this raid cost him 5 heavies.
2) I attacked Tulagi´s port, causing the destruction of the previously damaged SS Grayling. [;)]

Today saw no action due to poor weather. But his bombers from Irau visited Lunga, damaging more the crated runaway.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/07/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 29,32

Japanese Ships
PC Takunan Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Trout
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 33,40

Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 309

Runway hits 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Still I´m busy with replenishment task so little to mention. An overall NG view in the attached screenshot

See, when I say B25 and B26 are useless for attacking warships is true...and the attacking level is also important

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/08/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on TF, near Sag Sag at 12,31

Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 26
B-26B Marauder x 21
A-20B Havoc x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Yukikaze
DD Mochizuki
DD Oyashio
DD Takanami
DD Yugumo

Attacking Level Bombers:
All attacking at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Sag Sag at 12,31


Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 3


no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Mochizuki

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Beaufort at 15000 feet

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

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD Dauntless x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
no losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 247
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 18


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Sag Sag at 12,31


Allied aircraft
A-20B Boston x 15
B-25D Mitchell x 12
B-26B Marauder x 21
A-20B Havoc x 19


no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Mochizuki
DD Yugumo
DD Takanami
DD Oyashio
DD Yukikaze

Attacking Level Bombers:
All attacking at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not a good day for the IJN.
Air to air battles ended with high losses.

Air to air battles
Fighet sweep over PM and bomber attack over Irau.

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 44

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 6 destroyed x 4 damaged

Afternoon strike
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 35

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 19

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged

Irau attack. Last turns no CAP was present. But today...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
G4M1 Betty x 34

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 6 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 4 destroyed ***5 lost***
G4M1 Betty x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed x 8 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed SBD Dauntless x 6 damaged***on the ground***
No less than 15 fighters lost today. However I want to reduce his fighter strenght in order to avoid escort raid over Buna, Irau or Lae.

Naval floatplanes
Disappointing. My AV is between GG and Townsville just to threaten his supply convoys.

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake x 1 destroyed - 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AV Ballard
AP Katoomba, Bomb hits 1

Submarine warfare
A very good day...two US subs severly damaged near Truk
Japanese Ships
AP Atlantic Maru, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Wahoo, Shell hits 11, on fire

Japanese Ships
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
SS Albacore, Shell hits 1

Replenishment
Since my TKs, AP and AOs are the first ones when taking the fuel from ports (or at least that´s what it seems to me) I have to retire more warships to Truk so they can refuel properly. Almost no fleet at Short. But better now than in a week!

No big action yet. My massive attack against PM has been poor. Lae is closed trapping 100 Zeroes there. Same as Lunga which needs various days to repair the damage. But timtom won´t let me do it. I´m sure.
SS Swordfish hit by a patrol plane. It seems that my anti-subs tactics are having some success...too late I guess.
To show you how many sub. contacts are in one turn, I detail it in this combat report.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/11/42

Weather: Clear

Sub attack near Vella Lavella at 31,36

Japanese Ships
AG 370, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pollack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Vella Lavella at 31,36

Japanese Ships
AP Arimasan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Pollack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 21,5

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma

Allied Ships
SS Albacore
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Vella Lavella at 31,36

Japanese Ships
PG Nikkai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Pollack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft ***sweep mission over PM, no enemy CAP***
A6M3 Zero x 57
J1N1-R Irving x 1
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-R Irving x 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53
G3M Nell x 51
G4M1 Betty x 36

Allied aircraft

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 2 destroyed
B-25D Mitchell x 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 168
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 20
Runway hits 68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 19
P-40E Warhawk x 12
P-38G Lightning x 16
B-25D Mitchell x 22
B-26B Marauder x 42
A-20B Havoc x 17

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 3 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 63

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 54

Attacking Level Bombers:
All attacking at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buna , at 12,38

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 21
P-40E Warhawk x 14
A-20B Boston x 10

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston x 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 33

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43 ***this time no CAP present...my enemy has the ability to see the future****

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

no losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not a good day...many planes destroyed on the ground. Bad numbers but under a strategic point of view this is good for my reinforcement effort at Buna. Now, the base is full of supplies and a new regiment is being FT without being disturbed.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/12/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 12,37

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish ***First sub around Buna...***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40 ***I could say that I planned this new attack (Toraq is a genius and bla, bla) but simply I forgot to stand down the bombers. Fortunately no CAP present***

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 56
G4M1 Betty x 34

Allied aircraft

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 4 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 destroyed
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 58

Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 5 ***good***
Runway hits 77

Attacking Level Bombers:
All attacking at 10000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft ***Huge air strike***
P-40E Kittyhawk x 46
P-40E Warhawk x 15
P-38G Lightning x 22
A-20B Boston x 8
B-25D Mitchell x 22
B-26B Marauder x 44
A-20B Havoc x 15

Japanese aircraft losses ***Base absolutle closed...didn´t CAP hoping that the weather could help me but no way***
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9 destroyed [:@]
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 damaged
Ki-57-I Topsy x 2 destroyed
Ki-57-I Topsy x 3 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 126

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 84

Attacking Level Bombers:
All attacking at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40 ***Gonna finish this***

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
SBD Dauntless x 52
TBF Avenger x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed ***on the ground***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 384

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13

Attacking Level Bombers:
14 x TBF Avenger at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not much to say. He keeps pounding Lae, where several figthers are written off. I managed to shoot down some sneaky F4F (at last!) with no losses. Buna supplied and reinforced day by day.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/13/42

Weather: Rain

Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed ***this is what I call luck***
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 3 damaged ***1 lost***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 13

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6

Some Liberators at PM but it doesn´t seem to me that all the heavy squadrons there. The number of bombers are still the same. (and they hit Lae again). Why this?.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 28
P-38G Lightning x 14
A-20B Boston x 9
B-25D Mitchell x 21
B-26B Marauder x 41
A-20B Havoc x 22

Japanese aircraft losses ***Lae closed til the end of times[:'(]. But he is not going to win destroying planes on the ground***
A6M3 Zero x 6 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 38

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 77

Attacking Level Bombers:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed [8D]
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

PO1 V.Murakami of F1/253rd Daitai is credited with kill number 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enemy intentions

It seems that Timtom wants to close Lunga in order to avoid a further development of the forces there...And at the same time, invade Buna? or Lae using his air supremacy. 5 enemy Rgts have been spotted on its way to Buna. Maybe he wants to invade Buna first then, building a strong base to jump to Lae. It seems logical cos this could give him enough point to equalize the game.
But Lae and Buna are now big strongholds. Forts level 8, Buna almost a division there (500 assault points) and Lae will soon have one Cav. Rgt. and still got enough supplies. timtom is running out of time (I guess)

A painful turn . Some PC, which were supposed to conduct mine sweeping operations in Tulagi or Irau was caught by naval bombers. 3 Already sunk but 2 or three more will add the sunk list. And many losses due to subs this turn [:@]

Submarine warfare

Japanese Ships
MSW W15, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS S-44

Japanese Ships
AP Kenryu Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Albacore, Shell hits 8 ***this sub was on fire some turns ago, but I guess it has seven lifes as cats***

Japanese Ships
AP Meiten Maru, Shell hits 12, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Albacore, Shell hits 16

Japanese Ships
ML Niizaki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS S-43

Naval attacks
We start with little to end with the big naval attack near Lunga

Port attack
Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 16
Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage ***they add another 30 sys damage. I hope he will survive***

Attack on Jap. CS
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8 ***no contact***

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 18

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC x 1 destroyed
Beaufighter VIC x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships ***[X(]***
DD Arashio
CS Chitose
DD Michishio

The big surprise attack
Allied aircraft ***two strikes***
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 47
SBD Dauntless x 84
TBF Avenger x 26

PG Nikkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Seikai Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 22, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PC Toshi Maru #3
PG Keijo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Choko Maru #2, Bomb hits 2, on fire
And later on...
Japanese Ships
PG Choko Maru #2, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Shonon Maru #15, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 10, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PG Keijo Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PC Toshi Maru #3

This only cost him 1 TBF and 1 SBD. I will venge this!!!. I have to look after my troops a little more[8|]

Daily attack on Lae
I guess he likes it but I keep saying that Buna is more important and now has supplies, support troops, etc, etc. When he turns his aiur power to Buna, maybe I can permit to fight for the air supremacy.

Sweep missions
I send sweep missions to Irau and PM but nothing was found. [&:]

Action, action everywhere!
While I got the victory in the air, I lost one DD and one CA is severly damaged

My attempt to supress Irau by air

Japanese aircraft ***No CAP present
A6M2 Zero x 28
G3M Nell x 53
G4M1 Betty x 42

Allied aircraft

Allied aircraft losses ***poor results***
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 109

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2 ***As he has to supply the base with FT, this is also important***
Runway hits 76

Also his strikes against my last crippled PCs and PG help to increase my aerial victories cos he found my Zero CAP...
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 14

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged***poor results...planes turning away***

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft ***I don´t think Timtom would like this!***
SBD Dauntless x 12

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 14

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7 ***some of them turning back***
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42
SBD Dauntless x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
PG Seikai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Nikkai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 22, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


Lae attack
The daily express today found my CAP...although the base is devastated

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 28
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 22

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 4 destroyed ***some of them attacked a coastal gun, but were received by heavy AA fire***

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 28
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 48
P-40E Warhawk x 30
P-38G Lightning x 23
A-20B Boston x 11
B-26B Marauder x 36
A-20B Havoc x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 5 destroyed ***this time his pilots did a good job, but at least he also received some!***
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
A-20B Boston x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged
Wirraway x 11 damaged
Naval attack near Buna
Tanaka misunderstood the orders and sailed close to GG...beaufort did as well as always. In two attacks this was the result (45 air missions)

Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze
DD Uzuki
CA Furutaka, Torpedo hits 4, on fire (I thought I was going to lose it but he will survive with severe damaged)
DD Tokitsukaze, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Last enemy movements
Finally he arrived at Buna with 5 Rgts or so. Soon we will know his strength. As I said before I got a division there with 500 assault points

Indecisive turn...too many losses. air to air 15 each, me 10 op losses, including 8 betties.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/16/42

Weather: Clear

Sub attack at 12,37

Japanese Ships
DD Kawakaze
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft ***no interception***
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 10
B-24D Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 2 destroyed
B-25D Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 15

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 7000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 7000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 11
B-17E Fortress x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 9 damaged***defensive fire***

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk x 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 2 damaged

LCDR H. Okano of F2/1st Daitai is credited with kill number 5

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 474
Guns lost 1

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 37
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22***sweep mission***
J1N1-R Irving x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-R Irving x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 3 damaged

LTJG D.Matsunaga of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
G3M Nell x 48
G4M1 Betty x 60

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
P-40E Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 2 destroyed
G3M Nell x 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 15 damaged

FO W. Watkins of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 3

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 47

Airbase hits 4 ***more than 100 planes and only this!!!***
Runway hits 18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 41st Regiment, at 12,38

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 23
P-39D Airacobra x 46

Allied aircraft losses ***beautiful AA fire***
Wirraway x 2 destroyed
Wirraway x 14 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 19
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 26
P-40E Warhawk x 26
P-38G Lightning x 19
A-20B Boston x 14
B-26B Marauder x 21
A-20B Havoc x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 6 destroyed ***air to air losses***
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged***very poor***
P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

SLDR W. Arthur of No. 76 Sqn RAAF is credited with kill number 2

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 87

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
J1N1-R Irving x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
P-40E Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
J1N1-R Irving x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed

LTJG D.Matsunaga of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 20565 troops, 249 guns, 0 vehicles***3 RCT and two aussies bdes***

Defending force 38041 troops, 417 guns, 0 vehicles

LTJG A.Ikeda of F2/2nd Daitai is credited with kill number 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Again a bloodbath in the air. Me with 12 losses against his 23. He also lost 15 due to flak, op. losses and on the ground (Irau). I had 7 op. losses and 4 shot down by flak (Jakes).
4 Betties down and 2 Nells.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/17/42

Weather: Clear

Sub attack near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
SS I-174, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships ***Mining Irau***
DM Montgomery, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DM Tracy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 12,37

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish ***This sub has attacked several times but stil got torp. left!***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 10
A6M2 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15
F-5A Lightning x 4
B-24D Liberator x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed
B-24D Liberator x 12 damaged***5 lost***

PO2 S. Kudo of F1/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 2
LCDR S. Sakai of F1/Tainan Daitai is KILLED***What to say about this, at least he only got 1 victory***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 42

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 25 ***To my surprise Short. is closed with 67 runaway damage, quite unfair***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged ***Only one lost***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 644
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6***everything is on red numbers***
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 54
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
J1N1-R Irving x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses ***This are tough pilots, very few flee from combat***
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed x 1 damaged

PO1 E.Obayashi of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 41
G4M1 Betty x 41

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed ***air to air losses***
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 2 damaged

PO2 T.Sugiyama of CII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 86

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 5 ***Good but I don´t pursue this!***
Runway hits 39 ***This is a poor result***

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,40
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD Dauntless x 9

no losses

Japanese Ships
MSW W20, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
SBD Dauntless x 9
P-400 Airacobra x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed

PO1 C.Doikawa of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 8

Japanese Ships
PC Toshi Maru #3, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (almost sunk)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
SBD Dauntless x 6
P-400 Airacobra x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 3

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #2, Shell hits 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 6,53

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake x 1 destroyed
E13A1 Jake x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AV Ballard, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 15
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 26
P-40E Warhawk x 26
A-20B Boston x 13
B-26B Marauder x 66
A-20B Havoc x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk x 5 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 4 damaged

1LT W. Day of 8th FS is credited with kill number 4

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 68

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 79
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 6,53

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake x 3 destroyed
E13A1 Jake x 1 damaged

LT O.Kasai of Kimikawa-1 Chutai bails out and is CAPTURED

Allied Ships
AV Thornton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry guys but I don´t have time to put the combat report in good conditions. Next post I´ll put a map with a general overview.

Again a lot of air battles, this time clearly a IJ victory: US lost 20 compared to 3 lost by IJ.[:)].

Submarine warfare
IJ success and withouth a painful cost.

Japanese Ships
SS I-1
Allied Ships
AO Tallulah, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Also the DM previously torpedoed sunk today.

Irau offensive
Sweep missions only as my bombers refures/unable to take off.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
J1N1-R Irving x 1

Allied aircraft ***still strong CAP, despite the last F4F losses***
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
J1N1-R Irving x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed
This first strike resulted with some VMF squadrons turning back. At last!

2nd strike
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
J1N1-R Irving x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
P-40E Warhawk x 13

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9 destroyed x 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 3 destroyed
So I guess that Irau air defense is broken. 20 planes lost. But my enemy has some reserves yet. His naval F4F were not spotted yet.

Lae express
Timtom is playing aggresively. Bombers always dropping at 6000 feet, a good altitude for my AA units...

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 17
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 24
A-20B Havoc x 27

Japanese aircraft losses ***Morale is very low***
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed x 9 damaged ***Flak***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 41
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20***All are red numbers***

Shortland express
Last mission cost him 33% of the incoming planes. Timtom has no mercy with his squadrons. My CAP did nothing (as usual) but my AA fire was quite accurrate.

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 4
B-24D Liberator x 11

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator x 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 30

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Buna express
120 bombers carpet bombing my infantry positions. Not enough to try an attempt to overun my fortress at Buna[:D].

General overview SOPAC area
Here is where I can take the offensive again. But these are the problems

Capturing Irau
Irau is well protected:
a) Got 150 aircraft there or so. If I want to invade this little base I should gain air supremacy first. This is resulting a difficult task.
b) Port is only size 0 so if I send APs to disembark troops, this would last too much time. Moreover, Timtom could easily send fresh troops and his surface TFs
c) It could be invaded using FT TF. But I´m sure Irau is packed with mines (DMs discovered there several times). My MSW are unable to sweep mines so far without risking their own integrity (as seen in last post)
d) Mines also avoid Bombardment TF.
e) Troops available to invade Irau "rest" in Lunga. Since Lunga´s port is absolutly destroyed...
So, I still could invade Irau, but I´m sure it wiull cost me a lot of resources, for no more than 150 VPs (incl. infantry VP)

Capturing GG
I still can try it. No mines, two infantry Rgts, 250 VPs, weak to Bombardment TFs...But
a) Don´t know the fort level of this
b) He´s got 200 assault points there...need at least 4 Rgt to overun....Rgts "rest" at Lunga which is closed.
c) PM is near...I could unload the troops in two turns but as there is no safe base near GG, it would be difficult to protect. Moreover, imaging this 30 or 35 Zeroes vs 50 P40 100 B-26...75 B26 pass through my CAP and guess what???. half a dozen APs sunk
d) He could airlift troops from other bases easily

No way, I could try but I´m sure it will cost me a lot and maybe I have no time left to fulfill this objective.

Invasion of Tulagi
This is a more balanced operation. Tulagi´s VPs are 40, and we could add another 40 in infantry VPs.
a)Tulagi´s port is 4
b)Very difficult to resupply. Airflied size 0 and IJ mines around
c)I can attack Tulagi from my CVs...away from Irau bombers. Also I can LCAP the landings easily from my land bases or my CVs
d)Already cleaned of mines so my CAs can pound the defenders withouth being disturbed (only subs).
So I probably try to invade Tulagi which needs less resources. These will be used to defend NG.

General overvies SOPAC