Toraq´s AAR: Defending the Empire

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/26/43

Weather: Overcast

My FT mission to Vella Lavella was intercepted. I was sending a second AA unit when those bastards appeared. I´m very surprised, they didn´t hit any mine, despite the 180 mines at Vella and 150 in a hex which is necessary to cross to reach Vella Lavella.. If mines can´t stop him, I better surrender right now...My whole strategy is a sh1t.
Anyway, 2 DD lost, 1 SS lost while Timtom left the battlefield with one DD one fire, and CL Sant Louis damaged by a sub when retreating.

Night naval battle
My ships were mauled. My commander has committed suicide, thus avoiding the punishment I deserved for him. However, the other 2 DD managed to reach Buka with slight damage and now they have ordered to move to Rabaul for repairs.

The battle took place between 4000 yards and 6000 yards. Despite the close distance, my ships were unabla to score a hit with the Long Lance.

Japanese Ships
DD Hayanami, Shell hits 4
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 26, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Shigure, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BB Washington, Shell hits 1
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 1
DD LaValette, Shell hits 1
DD Gwin
DD Buchanan, Shell hits 1
DD Patterson, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Wilson
DD Gridley
DMS Southard

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 120
Guns lost 2

Submarine warfare
It seems that Timtom has retired his SS from Rabaul area to a point near Vella-Vila-Munda triangle. I think he´s trying to isolate that area, as I stated before. I think he will try a major assault to Shortland.

Sub attack at 33,36

Japanese Ships
SS I-9, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage ***he´s not going to make it***

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis, Torpedo hits 1***I wish you could eat more torpedoes***
DD Gwin

Nothing else happened. But yesterday I received my new reinforcements. Yamato & Musashi are heading to Rabaul. I´m thinking about how to stop the offensive in New Caledonia area.

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/27/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Something strange happened. I executed two time the combat report and it was different the second time. Bugs[:(]
Anyway, it was similar. Timtom attacked my ports, damaging a couple of ships in the process. I lost my first sub, due to a Catalina.

Rabaul´s express
Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 84

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 13
B-17E Fortress x 23
B-24D Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed
B-17E Fortress x 19 damaged ***2 lost***

1LT R.Schwanebeck of 9th FS is credited with kill number 2

Japanese Ships
AV Akitsushima, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 89

Port hits 9

Buka attacked
Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 10
B-17E Fortress x 15
B-24D Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 13

Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

Some other points
Timtom is starting to clean my minefields around Munda-Vila-Vella Lavella triangle. I got 3 BBs, a CA and 5 to 7 DD ready to attack any invasion attempt in that area.
I decided to concentrate my unsuccessful subs there to help combined fleet in case of a engagement. One enemy AP sank today (previously damaged by my naval bombers, some time ago).
Tomorow is thundestorms. At last, some movements ready to be executed

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/28/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

At last, thunderstorms again. My whole fleet is at sea. My CVs are threatening the Solomon sea while my MLs will try Stonewall 4 over a coast hexe. Again a very dangerous task. If weather doe´sn´t avoid it, my ML will be attacked from Lambeti. If he sends his SC TF there, MLs will be smashed....[:(]

Good luck for the empire!!

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/29/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

I made a mistake and some of ships reacted to a Bombardment? TF at Vella Lavella. Grrrr!. Enemy TF appeared at Vella Lavella again without hitting the 180 mines laying there.
A FT to Lae arrived safely with food, ammunition and medical instruments. But at the cost of 1 DD torpedoed.
On the other hand, my 3 MLs dropped more mines in the triangle the surface TF sent to protect them surprised a enemy DMS, escorted by a DD. Enemy DD serously damaged.
At the end, some B-25 damaged a DD. Final result: IJN 3 DD lost, 1 severely damaged, 1 medium damage. USN: 1 DD seriously damaged, 1 CL moderate damage, 1 DD damaged.
Meanwhile my CVs are in the middle of the Coral Sea, now in 1943!!
More information in the next post.

Night battles
Night Time Surface Combat, near Posarae at 31,35

Japanese Ships
DD Tachikaze
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Pringle, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage ***previously damaged by a mine, hope to sink***
DMS Trevor***I could attack it***

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 31,36

Japanese Ships ***these TF was at Buka, but I forgot to change the Patrol/do not react command***
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 36, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 37, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Helena, Shell hits 1
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire***moderate damage, he had to be separated from the rest of the TF***
DD Nicholas
DD Strong, Shell hits 1
DD McCalla
DD Farenholt
DD Woodworth
DD Wilson, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Gridley

Submarine warfare
Sub attack at 11,34

Japanese Ships
DD Kasumi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
SS S-43

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/30/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

No much action today. Timtom has repositioned some of his bombers and fighters, I´m sure. He is trying to attack my CVs. At least in GG beauforts and P-38 have been detected. Be careful Toraq, they can harm you!

Carrier raid
The reason for this carrier raid is to get some time and relief to my troops. Supplies are being sent to Lae, a AP TF is being unloaded at Madang, Many transports at Rabaul, and tomorrow will surely see Stonewall 6.
Another reason is that I think I surprised Timtom with this raid. His Naval fighters were at PM (maybe increasing the air power after the last losses) so two possibilities:

a) His CVE are in Australia, thus separated from one? (maybe two...[&:]) CVs spotted near Lunga. This leaves Timtom with some disadvantage if a carrier battle occurs
b) Only his naval fighters were at PM. But then I still have 1 turn until those F4U arrive at their CVE.
Anyway, tomorrow we´ll see if there is a carrier battle or not. I´m very nervous. At least weather forecast is thunderstorms.

Submarine warfare
Sub attack at 27,30

Japanese Ships
AP Shintoku Maru
APD 31

Allied Ships
SS Tautog, Shell hits 3, on fire***one depth charge didn´t explode***

Also CA Kumano? was hit by a PBY24, although no important damage was done to the ship. Luck balanced today!
On the other hand, I lost 9 planes, including 6 op. losses. [:@]. 2 Topsy and 2 Vals. This is incredible. Japanese don´t need the enemy to lose the war!!

[toraq]

New Georgia area
It seems to me that Timtom is very interested in Vella Lavella. Everyday he recon. it and I´ve suffered two naval engagements in this place. He is very interested in isolate that beach.
But why Vella Lavella and not Shortland??. Short is still undefended, although two Emilys Chutais are airlifting the 45 Rgt to that area. Maybe Vella is just a step just to jump to Shortland. I´ll try to send another CD unit to Short. But still 2 more weeks (maybe 10 days) until the 45 Rgt is ready for the battle at Short.

Timtom is also concentrating BB and CAs in the area. But I haven´t seen them in action yet. Only CLs and DD. It´s almost impossible to attack them docked. So I decided to move all my SS to the area. My subs have been very unsucessful, so better to them to the main battlefield.

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/01/43

Weather: Rain

Two turns together

Yes, it´s hard being Japanese as late as 1943. That huge nation of yakees in 14 months has enough power to defeat the empire, at least under a moral point of view. [:(]
Moreover, Timtom has been lucky lately and this demoralize me a little bit. I´ll try to explain it:

1) His subs are sinking everything without being sunk: last one were 1 APD, 1 PC and one ML, around Bouganville. I try to sink them, but it´s impossible. I´ve hit them with 3 depth charges or 3 times with 250 Kg bombs and they don´t sink[:@]. On the other hand, my subs get no contact at all, or are hit by planes, subchasers or whatever. I´ve got 4 subs in Bouganville area hunting that DMS and no contact at all.

Japanese Ships
APD 31, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Amberjack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 29,32

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 29, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 27,34

Japanese Ships
ML Saishu, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage ***sinks***

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon

2) My Naval bombers do not attack while Timtom´s always get hits: I´ve got some Nells on naval attack at Buka and they didn´t lauch an attack to the shipping around Lunga. Maybe he´s LCAP them, but I doubt it in some cases. Timtom´s bombers attack always and always get results.
Yesterday, they attacked a poor ASW patrol which (don´t know why) stayed close to Lambeti (weather was thunderstorms), destroying 3 ships (2 APDs, one AP). Today, BBs were attacked and 1 500 lb (which can´t penetrate BB armor) destroyed a 5.50 inches mount.[:@]. This is the second time that this happens

Air attack on TF at 22,34

Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 8
A-20G Boston x 9

BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1 ***by a beaufort***

Also DD Yugiri? was struck by a bomb and it´s on fire, although sys damage was light.

3) My mines do not hit anything while Timtom´s mines are very effective: Last turn a DMS escorted by two DD cleaned mines in the Vila-Munda-Vella triangle. Non of the DD hit any mine. I maybe there are 1000 in that area. Not to mention his SC TF, which two times have reached Vella Lavella without a single hit. [:@]
On the other hand, his mines have damaged 1 CA (which latter on was scuttled), 1 DD (latter on sunk) 4 DD damaged. Discouraging...[:(]. Half of them were sub mines (only two per ship)...but it seems that they´re enough to hit my ships always.

4) Operational losses are very high: normally 4 to 6 planes are lost everyday due to engine failures, crash landings, etc, despite that most of the times my planes do not attack nothing. They only fly ASW missions or Naval Search mission or CAP over their own bases.
One day I put 50% of my betties on ASW and I lost three. Today 2 Vals were lost. Val´s case is remarkable: I´ve lost 40, and about 25 to 30 were op. losses. Incredible. And pilots are Ok, Betties have 70 to 78 XP and Vals´pilots about 60. No way, they go down always, even in partly cloudy missions.

5) I´m losing the scenario and Timtom has not occupied any major base: discouraging also. He has only built bases and used his subs to reduce the 1200 points gap to a 200-300 gap. In ships, he has 100 points more. The rest of his points come from base contruction. He has only occupied three minor bases (125 points or so) and in air losses I have a light advantage (40 point or so). Allied base contruction is HUGE

Anyway, I have to say this, just to warn any of you who wants to play a 43 scenario. Every loss eats your morale...

The only thing that I can do is to risk my navy, just to gain some time or to threaten Timtom. Tomorrow, again a dangerous day. CVs coming back home and have to avoid enemy subs.

[TAIL GUNNER]

ORIGINAL: toraq



1) His subs are sinking everything without being sunk: last one were 1 APD, 1 PC and one ML, around Bouganville. I try to sink them, but it´s impossible. I´ve hit them with 3 depth charges or 3 times with 250 Kg bombs and they don´t sink[:@]. On the other hand, my subs get no contact at all, or are hit by planes, subchasers or whatever. I´ve got 4 subs in Bouganville area hunting that DMS and no contact at all.

I read once that it can sometimes take up to 30 days for a sunken enemy ship to show up on the list.

2) My Naval bombers do not attack while Timtom´s always get hits: I´ve got some Nells on naval attack at Buka and they didn´t lauch an attack to the shipping around Lunga. Maybe he´s LCAP them, but I doubt it in some cases. Timtom´s bombers attack always and always get results.
Yesterday, they attacked a poor ASW patrol which (don´t know why) stayed close to Lambeti (weather was thunderstorms), destroying 3 ships (2 APDs, one AP). Today, BBs were attacked and 1 500 lb (which can´t penetrate BB armor) destroyed a 5.50 inches mount.[:@]. This is the second time that this happens

The only thing I can think of is enemy CAP present.....
Can Zeroes escort all the way to Lunga from Rabaul?

3) My mines do not hit anything while Timtom´s mines are very effective: Last turn a DMS escorted by two DD cleaned mines in the Vila-Munda-Vella triangle. Non of the DD hit any mine. I maybe there are 1000 in that area. Not to mention his SC TF, which two times have reached Vella Lavella without a single hit. [:@]
On the other hand, his mines have damaged 1 CA (which latter on was scuttled), 1 DD (latter on sunk) 4 DD damaged. Discouraging...[:(]. Half of them were sub mines (only two per ship)...but it seems that they´re enough to hit my ships always.

I can't explain this one.....but I remember that Naval Bombardment missions never hit mines.......BUG.

4) Operational losses are very high: normally 4 to 6 planes are lost everyday due to engine failures, crash landings, etc, despite that most of the times my planes do not attack nothing. They only fly ASW missions or Naval Search mission or CAP over their own bases.
One day I put 50% of my betties on ASW and I lost three. Today 2 Vals were lost. Val´s case is remarkable: I´ve lost 40, and about 25 to 30 were op. losses. Incredible. And pilots are Ok, Betties have 70 to 78 XP and Vals´pilots about 60. No way, they go down always, even in partly cloudy missions.

Check the pilot stats on your Daitais......the average experience might be decent, but in '43 I can't imagine your replacement pilots having anything much over 30 XP. I'll bet that's where most of your op. losses come from........rookies!

5) I´m losing the scenario and Timtom has not occupied any major base: discouraging also. He has only built bases and used his subs to reduce the 1200 points gap to a 200-300 gap. In ships, he has 100 points more. The rest of his points come from base contruction. He has only occupied three minor bases (125 points or so) and in air losses I have a light advantage (40 point or so). Allied base contruction is HUGE

Sorry man, but I think you're gonna need a miracle to pull this one off!

The only thing that I can do is to risk my navy, just to gain some time or to threaten Timtom. Tomorrow, again a dangerous day. CVs coming back home and have to avoid enemy subs.

CVs are your only advantage....
You're gonna have to pull off some crazy raids to even the score!
Take a shot at Noumea port!
He'd never expect that...

Chad

[toraq]

Thanks Juggalo. Yes, I agree with you, the combined fleet is the most powerful asset that I have. But I can´t ride Noumea or any major base if he detects me before. His YPB-24 are always on naval search and spots everything at once. If I raid Noumea or any allied base, then I´ll be within range of marines SDBs and F4U...the end of my CVs.

Now, I´m trying to close to the supply lines of PM & Lunga, which force Timtom to retire his ships...so I get time. And this is my objective. Even attacking enemy warships is useless. I´ve practise it and this was the result: 20 planes lost (only due to flak) for 6 torpedoes in various ships, none of them in danger of going down to the sea. Also XP among my naval bombers is not very high...I think I´ll lost a carrier battle.

Anyway, things are difficult but I´ll try to do my best.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/02/43

Weather: Rain

Today I made 2 mistakes and I paid for them. I lost one AP, and 2 DD due to a tremendous mistake in Madang. Also, I left my Zeros to escort Nells to attack enemy shipping and the result was demoralizing: 7 Zeroes lost, including my 2 of my top aces. At the same time I was unlucky, and weather prevented the raid against GG. [:@]
Just to worse the situation, two of my subs were hit by PBY-24 Liberator. I´m thinking of asking Timtom to change/limit the naval search missions of this plane. For me it´s unrealistic that these Liberator have hit, while flying naval search missions, 1 CA, 1 CL, 4 Subs, various AGs...[:-]

This has been a major disaster for my morale. Fortunately. Timtom is not coming back until Sunday, so I have some time to recover myself.

Submarine warfare
No luck against his ships. DMS Southard keeps cleaning mines, escorted by 5 DDs, one of them struk a mine. As I said before 2 of my subs were hit by Liberators, 1 of them, maybe will sink.

Sub attack at 33,36

Japanese Ships
SS I-16

Allied Ships
DMS Southard

Madang disaster
My first mistake, I left my Oscar flying LCAP over a AP which left the port. So Madang was unprotected, together with the ships that were unloading supplies. Look how accurate are his planes...

Allied aircraft
A-20G Boston x 2

Japanese Ships
AP Hokkai Maru, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 9

Japanese Ships
AP Hokkai Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage***100% of hits***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Madang at 7,30

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
B-25J Mitchell x 34
A-20G Boston x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Akikaze, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage ***sunk***
DD Minazuki, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage***scuttled***
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Nokaze, Shell hits 4

Crack datai destroyed over Lambeti
This is the reason why I don´t want to attack the bases protected by F4U. Even agaiunst my best pilots, this is the result:

Air attack on TF, near Lambeti at 33,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 11
G3M Nell x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 8 destroyed ***7 lost***
G3M Nell x 1 destroyedl x 3 damaged

1LT K. Ford of VMF-121 is credited with kill number 3***no F4U has been lost in ATA combat***
PO1 C.Chiyoshima of F2/204th Daitai is KILLED***this was my best pilot***

AGs mauled
Again my mistake. I left them withouth air cover

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 24
Beaufighter VIC x 22
A-20G Boston x 3

Japanese Ships
AG 375, Shell hits 4
AG 358, Shell hits 8
AG 5051, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AG 373, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AG 5032, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AG 374, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AG 5070, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AG 5031, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AG 5029, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AG 5067, Shell hits 20, on fire

The only good news of the day
DD Pringle, previously damaged a couple of days ago, sunk in Tulagi´s port.[:)]

[toraq]

Plans for tomorrow
Tomorrow I´m sending my last FT (carrying supplies) to Lae. Again submarines will be the major threat.[:o]

I decided to retire the transport TF that was unloading supplies at Madang. I´ll wait until Madang airport is repaired and weather is thunderstorms.

My CVs are moving back to a base. They need fuel.Also, I´ll try to increase the power of my naval zero datais which are understrenght (only 22 per datai, while I want 27).

My SS are being redeployed, away from coastal hexes and away from Liberators based on Lunga.

My naval losses so far:
Most of them have been caused in the last few days. Allied power is becoming overwhelming.[X(]:

1 CA Atago
1 CL
7 DD
1 SS
5 ML
7 APs (one 3000 cargo ship, the others 1000 cargo ships)
2 or 3 PCs, PGs

Damaged ships: 1 BB (now being repaired at Tokkio) 1 CL, 1 CA, and various DDs. As many as 15 or so[X(]. I´m running out of DDs but I still have 25 or so, and 5 more being repaired at Truk, with some possibilities to be repaired before the scenario ends (6 weeks). [8|]

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/03/43

Weather: Overcast

My FT to Lae arrived and unloaded more supplies without being detected. Good![:)]. Enmy planes bombed Madang again but this time my ships were far away. Although I lost 3 Oscars in the air battle over there.
At the high cost of 2 Betties and 4 A6M2, I launched a big raid to GG. [:)]. Today I lost 9 aircraft due to op. losses.[:@]

Air attack over Madang

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 26

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 5
P-38G Lightning x 58
B-25D Mitchell x 24
B-17E Fortress x 27
B-24D Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3 destroyed x 1 damaged***ATA losses***

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged ***AA quite poor***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 250
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 60

GG damaged
I want to reduce supply levels at GG to a minimun. Just to decrease its base value
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
G4M1 Betty x 96

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 5

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 2***Good***[:)]
Runway hits 52

Forces at Lae tested

Ground combat at Lae

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4199 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 31390 troops, 294 guns, 8 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/04/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Today I lost 11 aircraft due to op. losses. This is unacceptable. 5 were betties and 3 were A6M2. Terrible. Everytime that I bomb GG it cost me 6 to 8 planes, despite there is no CAP or Flak there.[:@]

Mine warfare
DMS Southard and DMS trevor are cleaning minefields at Vella Lavella and Vila. Soon they will be clean. I got to fo something...

GG attacked
At a high cost, so tomorrow I´ll rest my pilots

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 94

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 66

Finschafen attacked
Mmmm, I´m suspicious about Finschafen, maybe Timtom wants to invade it with a FT mission, although I mined GG access. Or even a airborne assault. To avoid such quick loss, I´m air transporting one SNLF unit to increase the garrison there.

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 12
A-20G Havoc x 7

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 9

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/05/43

Weather: Overcast

Inconclusive days. No much air activity. Timtom seems to be preparing something big. Maybe an all assault against Lae (which I don´t think so, because he doesn´t have enough troops over there yet) or an assault to Short, Vella Lavella or Vila. This is more probable, as the concentration of forces over there is worrying me.
Tomorrow I send supplies to the area. Subs expected.

Submarine warfare
A strategic success for the japanese as I´ve torpedoed a DMS in the GG area. Only 2 left, both located in Lambeti area. I´m sure that Timtom is willing to send supplies to GG. I don´t want that![:-]

Sub attack at 18,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-21, heavy damage ***yes, even damaged Subs (two times damaged) are operating in the area***

Allied Ships
DMS Zane, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Shortland attacked
I have nothing of interest here. Only supplies and fuel, the things Timtom was looking for...

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 46 ***never thought there were so many B25 in SOPAC area***
PB4Y Liberator x 4

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 8

Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3

Some good news today. Despite Tokyo HQ is not pleased with the last results, I´m still the Emperor´s favourite. He has decided to send me another 2 BBs (Yamashiro and Yuso??) and a handful of DDs. Good, good news![:)]. I hope they´ll arrive in time for the next battle.

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/06/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

I did it again [:(] [:(] [:(] [:(] [:(] [:(] [:(]

I left a TF at 12 hexes from Vella Lavella in patrol/react mode. And suddenly they reacted to a SC TF...I´m not going to say anymore. Just see it and cry!
It was absolutly my fault. I´m just commiting too many mistakes and I´m going to lose the scenario. And also my bad luck was present also...see the torpedoes in my ships against no Long Lance hits.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 31,36

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Chokai, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Haguro, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Sendai, Shell hits 12

Allied Ships [X(]
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 2
BB Indiana, Shell hits 1
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 2
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 1
CL Cleveland, Shell hits 2
DD Radford, Shell hits 1
DD Bagley
DD Mugford
DD Henley
DD MacDonough
DMS Southard
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 31,36

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 23, on fire, heavy damage ***sunk***
CA Chokai, Shell hits 75, and is sunk
CA Haguro, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
CL Sendai, Shell hits 61, on fire, heavy damage***sunk***

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 5
BB Indiana
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage***sunk***
CL Phoenix
CL Cleveland
DD Radford
DD Bagley
DD Mugford
DD Henley
DD MacDonough
DMS Southard

Dobadura attacked

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 92

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed x 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 180
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 48

The situation in points is critical I have 4510 while Timtom is 4232. Last 200 were last night present. [X(]

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/07/43

Weather: Overcast

I´m still recovering from yesterday wounds. The loss of 3 beautiful CAs and one CL is terrible. IJN losses are heavy for only 7 weeks of war:
[X(]
4 CAs
2 CL
8 DDs
1 PG
4 PCs
9 APs
1 SS
5 MLs
2 APDs
3 MSW

I think I could have avoided the loss of 3 CAs, 1 CL, 5 DDs and maybe 2 APDs. But patrol rules acted against me.[:@]

I´m thinking about next movements and next dispositions. These are my conclusions (see map for more details)

1) New Guinea area: I´ve detected 4 Rgts moving to Lae. Lae garrison is 4 Rgts also, with level 9 forts. If I do my job, I think I can keep Lae in Japanese hands for a month. It would be difficult for Timtom to overrun my garrison there. Thus, I decided to increase my forces at Finschafen, to avoid an easy victory there. Finschafen should remain in Jap. side until the end of the scenario or I will lose.
Now is when Madang, Gasmata and Wewak will increase its importance.

2) New Georgia area: things are becoming complicated here. If I want to not lose the scenario I have to keep Vila, Munda and Short in my hands or lose one and defeat his fleet entirely. So two options to consider:

a) Engage his fleet before a invasion occurs: using my 5 BBs, I should win the surface battle. But if I want to win I have to sink ships (= VP) because he has enough DDs and CLs to replace losses. Or damage his BBs (while my BB remains intact) so a major invasion can be avoided. Without his BBs it would be very difficult for Timtom to invade Short, Vella or Vila.
The real danger here: enemy subs and naval bombers at Lambeti. Also engage his BBs in good conditions for the IJN is difficult also.

b) Stay at Buka and wait: maybe Timtom makes a mistake and I can attack in favourable conditions. Meanwhile my CVs could disturb his supply lines
Danger: "wait and see" usually is the wrong strategy.

Anyway, I don´t see the things clear in this area. So for now I will wait and see. I need some time to recover myself from my last defeats. In 9 days I receive two new BBs. Meanwhile I´m going to concentrate my BBs at Buka and increase the engineers and supplies there.

TODAY´S report

Naval bombardment of Dobadura, at 13,38

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed x 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 218
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 145

Buka out of service
Air attack on Buka , at 26,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15
B-17E Fortress x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 4 destroyed x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

FO R. Mooney of 6th FS is credited with kill number 3

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 49

Airbase hits 9
Runway hits 18

Lae express
I guess this is going to become normal from now until the end of the scenario.

Air attack on 115th Regiment, at 9,33

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 25
B-25J Mitchell x 71

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 108

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/08/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Another turn. The good thing is that I only suffered as many air losses as my opponent. Ufff. Only 3 op. losses [:'(]. Ki-46 Dinah suffered when recon. Lambeti. I think three of them were shot down by F4Us.
My BBs arrived safely to Rabaul, together with another 35000 supplies. Good![;)]. Tomorrow I´m sending more supplies and engineers to Buka which was again attacked. But I´ll wait another day until I move my fleet there. Anyway, tomorrow I hope I can give Timtom a little surprise [;)]

Submarine warfare
Endless. At least a betty hit SS Sculpin and one of my subs avoided a rain of depth charges without being sunk. A miracle![:'(]

Sub attack at 25,30 ***near Rabaul***

Japanese Ships ***95% of the times, this is the result when I attack a enemy sub***
PC Ch 30

Allied Ships
SS Gato
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 36,38***Near Lambeti***

Japanese Ships
SS I-29, Shell hits 2 ***at least 12 depth charges, minor damage***

Allied Ships
DD Buchanan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Woodworth
SC 701
Again there is a lot of pressure around Rabaul. At least 6 subs in the area. I rather move carefully, if I don´t want to lose a BB or a CV. I lived better when his subs where chasing my CVs

Lae attacked
While Havocs keep the airport closed, B-25 attack ground forces. I can´t avoid this. My Zeroes can´t harm B25.[:(] But I´ll try to distract some air raids to other airports if I can.

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 30***No P-38, a major raid over Rabaul is inminent***
A-20G Havoc x 28
A-20G Boston x 13
B-25J Mitchell x 66

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc x 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 78

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2 ***supplies disappearing***
Runway hits 43 ***out of service, 87 runaway damage***

Buka attacked and left in flames
Long time ago powerful A6M3 datais perform quite poor agains heavies. It´s a shame

Air attack on Buka , at 26,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 46

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 75

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 3

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/09/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

New ships sunk. Two APDs that were unloading at Gasmata were spotted and subsequently attacked by beauforts, beaufighters and P39. Again, it was my mistake[:@] to send them there.
On the other hand, my little surprise for Timtom went reasonable well. My betties venged the last ace losses, destroying 7 F4U on the ground with an aggresive night attack against Lambeti.

Night attack at Lambeti
Last time I can do this kind of attack. Timtom has included a new house rule to limit my little night power

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 7 destroyed x 16 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 85

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 23

Attacking Level Bombers:
10 x G4M1 Betty at 100 feet
17 x G4M1 Betty at 100 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty at 100 feet
8 x G4M1 Betty at 100 feet

APDs attacked and sunk in Gasmata Harbour
At least I) caused many AA casualities. 7 Beauforts were shot down during the raids.

Allied aircraft ***various strikes***
Beaufort x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 27
Beaufort x 29
Beaufighter VIC x 13
B-25D Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort x 6 destroyed x 18 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 2 destroyed x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD 35, Shell hits 32, Torpedo hits 2, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage ***sunk***
PC Ch 16, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage***sunk***
APD 36, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 1, Bomb hits 3,on fire, heavy damage***sunk***
PG Choko Maru #2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 8

Timtom´s mediums attack my bases
Yes, as always, Havocs attack Lae´s airport, while B25 attack the 115 rgt. Today Buka was not visited but Munda´s port was bombed by B25 from Lunga. Light damage, including 3 supply hits [:@]

Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 28
A-20G Boston x 14

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc x 1 damaged
A-20G Boston x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 50

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 37

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/10/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Buka was attacked, but fortunately my A6M3 shot down three P38. Ufff!. My CVs have been spotted north of Rabaul. Tomorrow (thunderstorms) they will enter to the Coral Sea (again). Very dangerous.
Also tomorrow I´m sending supplies to Vila, escorted by my strong SC TF (BBs and CAs). Very dangerous.

Night attack over Lambeti
I forgot to change one of my datais...this king of night attacks are not longer allowed [8|]
Air attack on Lambeti , at 33,37

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed x 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-70A Havoc x 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed x 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 20
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 8

Buka attacked
Timtom is attacking my port facilities...¿? To reduce my fuel and my supplies?. This time I have plenty of fuel. [:'(]
Air attack on Buka , at 26,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 7
B-17E Fortress x 23

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed x 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged

PO2 G.Ichimura of F1/253rd Daitai is credited with kill number 7

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 30

Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/11/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Vella Lavela invaded by a FT mission!!!![X(]. One enemy APD and one DD hit mines. Enemy DMS did a good job, considering that I have more than 300 mines between Vila and Vella. [:@]. The curious things is that both forces (enemy FT TF) and my FT and SC TFs meet in the same hex but did not engage...(UV rules).
I´m thinking of sending my BBs down there from Buka to Vella Lavella. But if I meet the 4 BBs (or maybe 6) is easy that two of my BB got hit----damaged---attacked by subs or planes at Lambeti.

Submarine warfare

Japanese Ships
TK Kuremente Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Spearfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Vila at 32,36

Japanese Ships
SS I-29, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Taylor

Rabaul´s port attacked
AV is heavily damaged and has 99 sys damage. I don´t want to lose it! 20 poitns worth!!!

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 36

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Koshu Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shinsei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Tachikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AV Akitsushima, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 59

Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/12/43

Weather: Overcast

My CVs keep his (last?) raid inside the COral Sea. I´m afraid that Timtom is very aware of my intentions and has something waiting for me. A trap...But I have no option. I need time and distract as many resources as I can from the main battlefields.

Submarine warfare
Sub attack at 33,36

Japanese Ships
SS I-16, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
DD McCalla
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 30,34

Japanese Ships
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish, Shell hits 2, on fire ***not enough to sink one of these***

A hard day for the Liberators [:D]
Heavies visited Rabaul´s port, but this time my rested datais did an excellent job. No Mercy!!!. Ten were lost!. Most of them ATA losses.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 3 destroyed ***10 lost [8D]***
B-24D Liberator x 24 damaged

ENS S. Sakai of F1/251st Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 136

Port hits 7
Port supply hits 2

Japanese Ships
AV Akitsushima, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage ***still survives***