Noosing the Bull: Scn.9, Toraq vs Timtom

[timtom]

The weather kept Port Moresby socked in, so none of the scheduled strikes flew. Tony took the opportunity to pull his fighters out of Lae, it seems. So maybe I'm wrong and overly nervous. Possibly he's wary of inadvertently triggering an attack on Lunga, who knows? Anyways I'm making the run-in next turn and everything will be up.

We've now got a positive handle on three IJN carriers: Zuikaku, Junyo, and Ryuho (or -jo, I always get them mixed up), all at Rabaul. However, G-2 can't quite seem to decide whether there's a third CV.

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,514/3,709 = 1.00:1.48

Week 1: 2,687/3,482 = 1.00:1.30
Week 2: 2,883/3,639 = 1.00:1.26
Week 3: 3,242/3,730 = 1.00:1.15
Week 4: 3,431/4,009 = 1.00:1.17
Week 5: 3,729/4,235 = 1.00:1.14

Army Losses:

11/17 = 1.00:1.55

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xDD, 1xDMS, 1xMSW, 1xPG, 3xSS, 2xAK
Damaged: 2xDD, 1xDM, 5xSS, 7xAP, 3xAK

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 1xCL, 1xDD, 2xML, 1xPG, 2xPC, 3xMSW, 3xAP
Damaged: 1xCA, 7xDD, 1xAPD, 1xAV, 1xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 330/292 = 1.13:1.00

Week 1: 31/32 = 1.00:1.03
Week 2: 62/63 = 1.00:1.02
Week 3: 43/66 = 1.00:1.53
Week 4: 135/68 = 1.98:1.00
Week 5: 59/63 = 1.00:1.07

Air-to-Air: 142/92 = 1.54:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 32/55 = 1.00:1.72
Destroyed by AAA: 33/13 = 2.54:1.00
Operational Losses: 123/132 = 1.00:1.07

Sorties Flown:

Total: 28,335/23,870 = 1.19:1.00

Week 1: 4,527/5,021 = 1.00:1.11
Week 2: 5,379/4,800 = 1.12:1.00
Week 3: 6,018/3,832 = 1.57:1.00
Week 4: 6,391/5,355 = 1.19:1.00
Week 5: 5,984/4,862 = 1.23:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0105/0.0099 = 1.0606:1.0000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0043/0.0055 = 1.0000:1.2791
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 21 Mar 1943 Weather: Overcast
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack NNE Buin:

Japanese Ships:
AG 117, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Tautog
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 81

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 25
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 8 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 107
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10095 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5943 troops, 79 guns, 32 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 81
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 21
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[timtom]

Unloading at Port Moresby has proceeded unmolested, and hopefully we should be out of there next turn. The defenders of Salamaua are on their last legs, it seems, and the place should fall soon.

Tony's making what appears to be a major sortie into the Solomon Sea. Slipknot was meant to kick off next turn, hence I've been marshalling shipping at Russell. These will be withdrawn to Lunga until I've a clearer picture of what's going on. Gili Gili got wacked again - and good - holding open the western gate to the Coral Sea. I guess we'll see what he's up to...

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 22 Mar 1943 Weather: Overcast
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 68

Allied ground losses: *airfield 88, service 33*
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 44
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Madang airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 27
B-17E Fortress x 15

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 61
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 43
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Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 26

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 29
Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 27
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Air attack on Finschhafen airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 28

Japanese ground losses:
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 27
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Air attack on Gasmata airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25D Mitchell x 29
B-24D Liberator x 7

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25D Mitchell x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 25
Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 36
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10074 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5842 troops, 77 guns, 32 vehicles

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 171

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 165
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[timtom]

Ha, ironic. It appears that Tony's lastest effort is designed to reinforce Vella Lavella. To what extend I don't know yet - in fact I don't know if the above is even holds true - but two 10-ship FT's moves the better part of a Rgt., although one of the SC TF's observed could be the covering force. But Tony's probably cottoned on to my basic SOPAC strategy. After roundly cursing myself for dragging my feet, I've come to the conclusion that maybe this isn't so bad after all. I've got three Rgt's immediatly available, and the 37th ID arrive within the week. Vella is fairly within the orbit of my air- and surface-power, so there's certainly worse places to fight a protracted battle, although it'll cost me time - which is presumably what Tony's hoping to achieve.

He won't get any prizes in the "Commander Most Disinclined to Consider Light Shipping Expendable" category, though.

Oh, and Salamaua fell - 30 days after 17th Bgd. made the initail probe of the IJA defenses, and 17 days after the first attack proper. Incidentally, it's the first piece of ground I've taken from Tony in any of our matches that was better than symbolically defended.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 23 Mar 1943 Weather: Clear
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at ESE Torokina:

Japanese Ships:
DD Yugumo

Allied Ships:
SS Grouper, Shell hits 1, on fire *sys 22, flt 36, f 0*
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Air attack on 102nd Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 43
B-25J Mitchell x 73

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 226
Guns lost 1
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Air attack on TF at Buka from Russell Islands:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 25

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 4 destroyed, B-25J Mitchell x 18 damaged

Japanese Ships:
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 1, on fire
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Air attack on TF at Treasury Islands from Lambeti:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft: *two strikes*
F4U-1 Corsair x 24
SBD Dauntless x 41

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships:
ML Ishizaki, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
ML Niizaki, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
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Air attack on TF at Gasmata from Port Moresby & Dobodura:

Allied aircraft: *two strikes*
P-39D Airacobra x 43
Beaufighter VIC x 19
Beaufort x 7

Japanese Ships:
AG 360, Shell hits 24, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
AG 361, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AG 362, Shell hits 8
AG 363, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 364, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 366, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AG 369, Shell hits 36, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 368, Shell hits 8
AG 370, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lambeti airfield from Rabaul (night attack):

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 13

Allied aircraft losses:
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed, F4U-1 Corsair x 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 23
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buka airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 9

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 90
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 18
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Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 53

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 1 destroyed, B-17E Fortress x 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed, B-24D Liberator x 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 9
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 10
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9906 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5542 troops, 76 guns, 32 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Salamaua base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 126

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 49
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[timtom]

Phew, it hasn't been this quiet for a while. For my part, I'm resting my bombers.

Recon of Vella indicated an infantry unit about 2,500 strong - probably A echelon of a Rgt. - along with an AAA unit. We're scrapping Operation Slipknot in favour of Operation Skipknot II, a proper invasion of Vella.

Task Force Slipknot II:

HQ 43rd ID
103rd Rgt.
172nd Rgt.
118th Eng. Bn.

754th Tank Bn.
3rd Raider Bn.

Reserve: 112th Cav Rgt., 4th Raider Bn.

43rd ID is tasked with clearing the island. Should the forces prove insufficiant for the task, 112th Cav Rgt. and 4th Raider Bn. will be available to reinforce. Air support will be provide primarily by USMC SBD's. Operation should commence no later that April 1.

The operation will commence once further LST's, LCI's and MSW's arrive from Noumea. Mainwhile Allied air- and surface-forces are tasked with isolating the battlefield. For this task, Battlegroup South Dakota/Indiana is transferring to join Battlegroup North Carolina/Washington.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 24 Mar 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lambeti airfield (night attack) from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft losses:
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed, F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 5
Runway hits 1
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[timtom]

Quiet - seems we're both okay about taking a breather. Tony's getting good returns on his little night attacks, only this time the P-70's actually managed to shoot down 3 Betty's, which is a first for me.

4th Bgd. is marching on Lae. It appear that the IJA 102nd Rgt. has withdraw to that locale.

What could be a FT is reported at Buka, so Battlegroup North Carolina/Washington is speeding to Vella tonight in the company of a DMS - in all probability the area's heavily mined. If no contact is made, they are to bombard the Japanese positions.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 25 Mar 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lambeti airfield from Rabaul (Night attack):

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 20

Allied aircraft:
P-70A Havoc x 9

Japanese aircraft losses:
G4M1 Betty x 3 destroyed, G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
P-70A Havoc x 1 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed, TBF Avenger x 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 32
Runway hits 7
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[timtom]

The USN ambushed an IJN FT at Vella this night. However alert Japanese lookouts spotted the American ships and the opposing sides opened fire simultaniously. Given the preponderence of the USN force, the IJN acquitted itself well by not being wiped out. The first casualty was DD Hatsukaze. Most of the execution was done by DD Gridley, which torpedoed the Japanese destroyer, then buried it under an avalance of 5" shells, leaving the Hatsukaze sinking. DD Shigure was hit by multiple 6" shells from CL St.Louis, although the fatal blow was delivered by BB Washington as a 16" shell tore through the flimsy destroyer. The Shigure lingered on till morning, then sank.

Three IJN BB's are sighted at Buka, including BB Mutso. We'll soon know how much of a commitment Tony's willing to make at Vella. I don't mind swapping BB's. A cruiser force is being detached from CV Saratoga's escorts and send to Lunga, while a group of CL's and DD's are enroute from Noumea. Current naval operations around Lunga are being retarded by a dearth of fuel oil, but a convoy bearing 40,000 fuel as 24 hours short of Lunga Roads.

Buka appears to be used as a FT staging area. Heavy bombers are tasked with attacking fuel depots at both Rabaul and Buka.

In spite of having reinforcement priority LOW, CINCPAC has assigned me an additional 8 DD's and 4 CA's, plus Royal Navy fleet carrier Victorious along with its impressive 24 plane CAG. Better than nothing I guess, but I'd rather have the Essex...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 26 Mar 1943 Weather: Overcast
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at E Lambeti:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-9, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
CL St. Louis, Torpedo hits 1 *sys 14, flt 22, f 0*
DD Gwin
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Night Time Surface Combat at Vella Lavella:

Japanese Ships:
DD Hayanami, Shell hits 4
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 26, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Shigure, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
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 *sys 23, flt 0, f 0*
DD Buchanan, Shell hits 1 *TT mount destroyed*
DD Patterson, Shell hits 1, on fire *sys 14, flt 0, f 3*
DD Gwin
DD Wilson
DD Gridley
DMS Southard

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 120
Guns lost 2
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[timtom]

The attack against Rabual and Buka weren't terribly succesful, though putting bombs into some of Tony's ship at Rabaul is always nice - but that wasn't why the bombers were there.

The IJN battlewagons remain at Buka. I wonder whether they're there in readiness should I invade Vella or some such. When I do, I should have enough firepower to see him off. A ship is sighted far out to sea north of Guadalcanal. A picket, maybe? Gotta keep an eye on it...

IJN sub I-9 reported sunk. Also, AP President Monroe, a victim of Tony carrier raid, finally succumed to it's wounds. I've gotten most of the ships of that ill-fated TF back to Noumea, but there's still a few badly damaged AP's at Wunpuko. I daren't move them to the larger port of Luganville in fear that they'll sink, yet they're only just hanging on at Wunpuko.

Oh, yes, and the 115th Rgt. is identified at Lae - no coup de main there then.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 27 Mar 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Buin from Lambeti:

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 46 *two strikes*

Japanese Ships:
AG 103, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 110, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AG 118, Shell hits 4
AG 120, Shell hits 12, on fire
AG 122, Shell hits 4
AG 351, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AG 352, Shell hits 8
AG 355, Shell hits 4
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 115th Regiment (Lae) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 30
B-25J Mitchell x 42

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 52
Guns lost 2
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Air attack on Buka port from Lunga & Lambeti:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 10
B-17E Fortress x 13
B-24D Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10
Port hits 3
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Air attack on Rabaul port from Port Moresby & Dobadura:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 95

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 13
B-17E Fortress x 21
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 10 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged *4 lost*

Allied aircraft losses:
P-38G Lightning x 3 destroyed, P-38G Lightning x 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 19 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed, B-24D Liberator x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships:
APD 31, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AV Akitsushima, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
AP Shinsei Maru, Bomb hits 1
TK Teiyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 54
Port hits 4
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[timtom]

Something's afoot. KB's shifted from its lair at Rabaul to a position east of Woodlark, while a powerful (BBx4) SC TF is sighted southwest of Buka. Tony's playing a very prudent game in the knowledge that him maintaining a force-in-being is what keeps me from running all over the place. So lets for now presume it's a run on Vella. KB could be there to support, distract (he could hit all three of my bases from his current position), and/or pick off cripples after a surface battle at Vella. I'm sending two SC TF's to Vella to interdict, retiring them to Lambeti to keep them as far away from KB as possible. If KB debouches into the Coral Sea I'll have at least a turns warning. Sara is moving to a position west of Espirito Santo.

In the other news, DD Makinami hits a M10 mine northwest of Rabaul, while it appears a FT is inbound for Lae, carrying troops no doubt.

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,514/3,709 = 1.00:1.48

Week 1: 2,687/3,482 = 1.00:1.30
Week 2: 2,883/3,639 = 1.00:1.26
Week 3: 3,242/3,730 = 1.00:1.15
Week 4: 3,431/4,009 = 1.00:1.17
Week 5: 3,729/4,235 = 1.00:1.14
Week 6: 3,802/4,059 = 1.00:1.07

Army Losses:

14/30 = 1.00:2.14

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xDD, 1xDMS, 1xMSW, 1xPG, 3xSS, 1xAP, 2xAK
Damaged: 3xDD, 1xDM, 6xSS, 7xAP, 3xAK

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 1xCL, 3xDD, 4xML, 1xPG, 2xPC, 3xMSW, 1xSS, 5xAP
Damaged: 1xCA, 8xDD, 1xAPD, 1xAV, 1xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 370/328 = 1.13:1.00

Week 1: 31/32 = 1.00:1.03
Week 2: 62/63 = 1.00:1.02
Week 3: 43/66 = 1.00:1.53
Week 4: 135/68 = 1.98:1.00
Week 5: 59/63 = 1.00:1.07
Week 6: 40/36 = 1.11:1.00

Air-to-Air: 149/100 = 1.49:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 35/55 = 1.00:1.57
Destroyed by AAA: 42/13 = 3.23:1.00
Operational Losses: 144/160 = 1.00:1.11

Sorties Flown:

Total: 35,035/28,435 = 1.23:1.00

Week 1: 4,527/5,021 = 1.00:1.11
Week 2: 5,379/4,800 = 1.12:1.00
Week 3: 6,018/3,832 = 1.57:1.00
Week 4: 6,391/5,355 = 1.19:1.00
Week 5: 5,984/4,862 = 1.23:1.00
Week 6: 6,700/4,565 = 1.47:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0096/0.0096 = 1.0000:1.0000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0041/0.0056 = 1.0000:1.3659

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 28 Mar 1943 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Gasmata from Dobadura:

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 44 *two strikes*
Beaufort x 7

Japanese Ships:
AG 365,Shell hits 24, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AG 369, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
AG 370, Shell hits 4
AG 373, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AG 5068, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
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[timtom]

No big-gun naval battle, unfortunately. Northeast of Vella DMS Trevor was busy clearing a minefield when it's ASW escort DD Pringle - one of the few undamaged survivors of the IJN carrier raid early this month - struck a mine, upon which IJN DD's Tachikaze and Namikaze appeared out of the night and beset the Pringle. Crippled, the Pringle was hit by several 5" shells and a Long Lance, after which the enemy disappeared. The following afternoon, the offending destroyers were sighted at Torokina and subjected to a low-level attack by B-25's, one bomb striking the Tachikaze.

At Vella three IJN DD's were intercepted by much superior USN forces. All three were sunk, but not before putting a torpedo in CL Honolulu and landing telling blows against DD's Strong and Wilson.

KB is sighted at a position just southeast of Rossel Island. There no shipping within immediate reach, although a position to strike at the congregated shipping at Townsville can be reached by next turn. Beauforts and P-38's are being concentrated at Gili Gili, while the Saratoga is being held back. With a further CV on the way, I won't initiate a CV battle yet unless it's imperative. Some day I might actually get to play a game with Tony when I don't have to put up with this kind of thing...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 29 Mar 1943 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Night Time Surface Combat at Posarae:

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 *sys 77, flt 71, f 24*
DMS Trevor
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SE Lae:

Japanese Ships
DD Kasumi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS S-43
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Night Time Surface Combat at Vella Lavella:

Japanese Ships:
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 36, and is 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 *sys 36, flt 29, f 16*
DD Wilson, Shell hits 1, on fire *sys 28, flt 4, f 5*
DD Strong, Shell hits 1 *sys 33, flt 0, f 4*
DD Nicholas
DD McCalla
DD Farenholt
DD Woodworth
DD Gridley
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Air attack on TF at Torokina from Russell Islands:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 18

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 2 destroyed, B-25J Mitchell x 14 damaged

Japanese Ships:
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 4
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[timtom]

KB has shifted 150 miles or so further south. I've got 7-8 subs closing in, but there's a lot of sea to cover. Urgh, I hate this cat&mouse game, and Tony's a master at it. We did this for close onto a month when we player scn.8., with pretty much the same balance of CV's. Wish I had another fleet carrier, and I'd charge right in there. I would now if the Shok wasn't there too.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 30 Mar 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack E Buka:

Japanese Ships:
APD 31

Allied Ships:
SS Tautog, Shell hits 3, on fire *sys 43, flt 58*
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Air attack on TF at Buka from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 45

Allied aircraft: *Oops - somebody's screwed up the orders again*
PB4Y Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
PB4Y Liberator x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships:
PC Ch 17, Bomb hits 1, on fire *pretty neat from 10,000 feet*
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Air attack on TF WSW Torokina from Gili Gili: *on ASW TF*

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 3
Beaufort x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort x 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Tony continues to taunt me. KB to a position 240 miles southwest of Lunga. I've got to large, slow TF's out near Nevea, trying to sneak up to Lunga. I've moved F4U's and SBD's to Wunpuko to block off that avenue. The Saratoga is between Efate and Noumea. Once he buggers off (eventually, one presumes), I'll build up Koumac as an outpost to Noumea for additional security in the future. Presumably Tony's wary of moving within SBD range of any of my bases, so that's one way of trying to limit his freedom of movement.

It looks like at good part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's battlefleet has garthered at Buka, including BB Yamato. Happy days. Might be a huge gunbattle in the offering - would be fun!

4th Bgd. is about to make Lae, so we'll soon know what he's got. Tony pushed an FT into Munda and the AF lvl. rose to 3, so it seem that he's confident he can hang on to it.

AP Takuei Maru, torpedoed by SS Greenling on the 9th of March, appears to have been scuttled. Likewise, KB victims AP Leonard Wood and Leedstown gave up the ghost. They'd been hanging in there for two weeks and progress was being made on keeping them afloat when the both took a turn to the worse about a week ago and started to gain water, irrevocably as it turned out. That puts the cost of Tony little sortie to 1 DMS, 3 AP's (41 VP), plus 1 DD, 1 PG (9VP) from the Nevea surface engagement.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 31 Mar 1943 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF NE Buin from Lambeti:

Allied aircraft: *two strikes*
F4U-1 Corsair x 39
P-39D Airacobra x 14
SBD Dauntless x 29
TBF Avenger x 28

Allied aircraft losses:
TBF Avenger x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships:
APD 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD 31, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Takunan Maru #2, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
AP Shintoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

KB appears to be on the retreat, off Rossell Island. He could, of course, just as easily double back.

A good day for the subs - three kills - although the VP total only runs to 10 points or so, and half of that is made up by crippled APD 31, which was probably a goner anyway.

LBA triggered against a SC TF about halfway between Munda and Gasmata. I take this to be the retiring surface cover for a FT for, eh, Munda - not Vella, or we've had a surface battle - with an alternative return point to avoid the subs around Bougainville.

Tony's handling supply at Madang, covered by a couple of sqd's of Oscars. I'm mounting an operation against the airfield, the (few) transports and the fighters themselves. The weather for next turn, however, isn't too promising.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01 Apr 1943 Weather: Rain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack E Buka:

Japanese Ships:
APD 31, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Amberjack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack NE Buin:

Japanese Ships:
PC Ch 29, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Guardfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack NW Munda:

Japanese Ships:
ML Saishu, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Seadragon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF SE Gasmata from Port Moresby and Gili Gili:

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 8
A-20G Havoc x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 5

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 8 damaged
A-20G Havoc x 2 destroyed, A-20G Boston x 8 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships:
DD Yugiri, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ushio, Shell hits 4
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 4
CL Agano, Shell hits 4
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 115th Regiment (Lae) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 42

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Soggy weather meant that most of the morning strikes failed to locate their targets. However, they returned in the afternoon with a vengeance. Tony's being uncustomerily cavalier with his TF's to the point where I'm wondering whether he's playing some kind of deeper game.

KB is off Woodlark. Presuming that he's returning to Rabaul to bunker, and I'm taling the opportunity to scurry my slow-moving transports about. Two large ones ar edue at Lunga. As previously mentioned, I'm moving a BF and engineers to Koumac to shield Noumea.

DD Pringle sank and DD Selfridge struck a T93 mine. It's in pretty bad nick, but'll live. In return, I-24 was hit by a PB4Y. Recon indicated that Tony's slipped in another 1,000 IJA at Vella. Sloppy on my part.

4th Bgd. just made Lae, and will probe the enemy next turn. I've just made a rather startling discovery in that the 9th ID is in fact attached to Northern Command, not SWPAC. How I managed to get that wrong I don't know, but I'm suddenly a division short. Committing the SWPAC 2 rgt. reserve, I'll have 3 Bgd's and 2 Rgt's to take Lae. That mightn't be enough if the last Rgt. of the 51st ID is present at Lae.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02 Apr 1943 Weather: Rain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Lambeti from Buka:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 37
G3M Nell x 7

Allied aircraft:
F4U-1 Corsair x 34

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 15 destroyed *7 lost*
G3M Nell x 4 destroyed, G3M Nell x 3 damaged *3 lost*

Allied aircraft losses:
F4U-1 Corsair x 2 destroyed, F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged *none lost*

Allied Ships:
CL Phoenix, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *dud*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Gasmata from Dobodura::

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 24
A-20G Havoc x 9

Japanese Ships:
AG 359, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AG 362, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AG 375, Shell hits 12
AG 5029, Shell hits 12, on fire
AG 5068, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Madang from Port Moresby & Buna:

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 3
A-20G Havoc x 5
B-25J Mitchell x 43

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 4 damaged
A-20G Boston x 3 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 22 damaged *2 lost*

Japanese Ships:
AP Hokkai Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nokaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF E Shortland Island from Lambeti & Russell Islands:

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 22
F4U-1 Corsair x 19
SBD Dauntless x 14
TBF Avenger x 13

Allied aircraft losses:
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships:
APD 34, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
PG Choan Maru #2, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
PC Shonon Maru #15, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 115th Regiment (Lae) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 30
A-20G Havoc x 13

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20G Havoc x 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 28

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 3 *only aircraft of 4 sqd's to find target*

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Madang airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 26
B-25D Mitchell x 29
B-24D Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed, Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25D Mitchell x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 76
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Probed Lae and found about 350 assault points worth of IJA infantry there. With the strength available to me, I seriously doubt I can deliver Lae by May 15th. I've already committed the bulk of such force as I have, though. An alternative option would be to make a play for Finschafen with the 503rd PIR, arriving at Brisbane in a fortnight, with a view to at least denying Tony Lae's 300 VP's worth.

After a muddle of epic proportions, I've finally managed to concentrate the best part of the 43rd ID at Lambeti for Slipknot II, needlessly as it turned out, as I've now removed the minefield at Tassaforonga that made my TF's detour round Tulagi. To add damage to insult, somehow all the supply of the assault formations have been mislaid enroute to Lambeti, so that's another 2-3 days of delay.

Feeling despondent...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03 Apr 1943 Weather: Overcast
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 31
G4M1 Betty x 96

Allied ground losses: *airfield 87, service 34*
Men lost 5
Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Madang from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 26

Allied aircraft:
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, Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 250
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lae:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4199 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles *4th Bgd.*

Defending force 31390 troops, 294 guns, 8 vehicles *66th, 102nd, 115th Rgt's (51st ID), 78th Rgt. (20th ID), + multiple support units *

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Quiet. Weather keeps most of Port Moresby’s aircraft on the ground. I’m moving more supplies to Lambeti to shore up the situation there, however without supply, the disruption and fatigue of 103rd and 172nd Rgt’s have skyrocketed. I’m moving up the 112nd Cav. Rgt., to carry the ball alongside the 169th Rgt., barring further SNAFU’s.

Tony wacked Gili Gili again, suggesting that there's another FT-with-alternative-return-destination (cutting across the Solomon Sea) coming up.

It seems that Finschafen is defended by a NG Bn. only...

AP Hokkai Maru has appeared on the sunk list, along with DD Akikaze, making it 32 Japanese confirmed sunk ships for 178 VP against 12 Allied for 103 VP. Anyone notice that we’re no longer getting points of ships damaged under 2.41?

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,514/3,709 = 1.00:1.48

Week 1: 2,687/3,482 = 1.00:1.30
Week 2: 2,883/3,639 = 1.00:1.26
Week 3: 3,242/3,730 = 1.00:1.15
Week 4: 3,431/4,009 = 1.00:1.17
Week 5: 3,729/4,235 = 1.00:1.14
Week 6: 3,802/4,059 = 1.00:1.07
Week 7: 4,065/4,450 = 1.00:1.09

Army Losses:

17/37 = 1.00:2.18

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 2xDD, 1xDMS, 1xMSW, 1xPG, 3xSS, 2xAP, 2xAK
Damaged: 1xCL, 6xDD, 1xDM, 7xSS, 5xAP, 3xAK

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 1xCL, 7xDD, 2xAPD, 5xML, 1xPG, 5xPC, 3xMSW, 1xSS, 7xAP
Damaged: 1xCA, 11xDD, 1xAPD, 1xAV, 1xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 403/395 = 1.02:1.00

Week 1: 31/32 = 1.00:1.03
Week 2: 62/63 = 1.00:1.02
Week 3: 43/66 = 1.00:1.53
Week 4: 135/68 = 1.98:1.00
Week 5: 59/63 = 1.00:1.07
Week 6: 40/36 = 1.11:1.00
Week 7: 33/67 = 1.00:2.03

Air-to-Air: 152/125 = 1.22:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 35/57 = 1.00:1.63
Destroyed by AAA: 52/16 = 3.25:1.00
Operational Losses: 164/197 = 1.00:1.20

Sorties Flown:

Total: 40,850/34,040 = 1.20:1.00

Week 1: 4,527/5,021 = 1.00:1.11
Week 2: 5,379/4,800 = 1.12:1.00
Week 3: 6,018/3,832 = 1.57:1.00
Week 4: 6,391/5,355 = 1.19:1.00
Week 5: 5,984/4,862 = 1.23:1.00
Week 6: 6,700/4,565 = 1.47:1.00
Week 7: 5,815/5,605 = 1.04:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0090/0.0099 = 1.0000:1.1000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0040/0.0058 = 1.0000:1.4500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04 April 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 94

Allied ground losses: *airfield 88, service 43*
Men lost 10
Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 66
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 25th Naval Garrison Unit (Finschafen) from Port Moresby:

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Lae: *forgot to cancel the bombardment order from last turn*

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4183 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 31498 troops, 294 guns, 8 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Unfortunately, the 112th Cav. also lost all its supply enroute to Lambeti, and there's no reason to suppose it won't take a severe disruption and fatigue hit same as the 103rd and 172nd Rgt's. LST's and LCI's are unloading about 6,000 supply points at Lambeti, which will help, hopefully.

The way things are going, I'm thinking I might have to take some VP's from Tony. I'm thinking Shortland maybe, but would like to work over the CD defences some. So I tried to hit the port there, to little effect.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05 Apr 1943 Weather: Overcast
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SSE Gili Gili:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-21, heavy damage *DC'd off Lunga some 6 weeks ago*

Allied Ships:
DMS Zane, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sys 53, flt 84, f 45*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buka from Lambeti (fighter sweep):

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 49

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 14

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island port from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 46

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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

I'll spare you, gentle reader, the long series of expletives uttered by me after watching the combat execution. I then got up, threw my pen on the floor, smashing it, cursed some more, then stomped about fuming. I will, it seems, never, ever bloody, f*cking learn. What I'm referring to, of course, is passing up the opportunity to take a huge step towards winning this scn. by giving Tony's force of Betty's a bloody nose. As I'd already correctly deduced that Tony closing Gili Gili was the precurser to a FT operation, it follows logically that Dobadura was likely next. I did draw that fairly obvious conclusion, but failed to act on it by CAP'ing Dobadura.

That said, I'm hardly in a position to complain. 4 IJN cruisers turned up at Vella, maybe looking to ambush some of the minesweepers reported there. Instead they found was a torrent of 16"-, 6"-, and 5"-shells and torpedoes from battlegroup South Dakota/Indiana. At first contact, CA's Chokai and Haguro were struck by Mk15 torpedoes fired at range. The Japanese force then attempted to disengage, but was quickly beset by the US ships. At that point the battle became an executing until CA Haguro in its death-throes closed with CL St.Louis, hitting the light cruiser with multiple, penetrating 8" shots. The American BB's then turned their 16" rifles on the enemy, sinking the Haguro and the Chokai. CA Atago and CL's Sendai and St.Louis lingered on till dawn, then slipped beneath the waves.

Meanwhile, another IJN TF was landing troops or supply at Munda, while it would seem a rgt. has been landed at Shortland. Forget that then...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06 Apr 1943 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Night Time Surface Combat at Vella Lavella:

Japanese Ships:
CA Atago, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
CA Chokai, Shell hits 81, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CA Haguro, Shell hits 34, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Sendai, Shell hits 73, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 7
BB Indiana, Shell hits 1
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF SE Gasmata from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 8 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Dobadura airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 92

Japanese aircraft losses:
G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged

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

Allied ground losses: *airfield 40, service 57*
Men lost 180
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Port Moresby & Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 31

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 32

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 98
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Madang airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 19

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 27
B-17E Fortress x 16

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 93
Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 14
P-38G Lightning x 7
A-20G Havoc x 28

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20G Havoc x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

No progress in getting the rgt's at Lambeti to accept supply. I really don't know what to do other than throw more supply at them. Furthermore, I don't there's any reason to suppose the same thing won't happen if I move them to Vella.

200 bombers at Rabaul - the highest number yet. I-2 hit at Vella by a patrolling PB4Y.

DMS Zane sank...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07 Apr 1943 Weather: Overcast
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Dobadura:

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

Allied ground losses: *airfield 47, service 63*
Men lost 218
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 145
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at E Buka:

Japanese Ships:
AG 104, Shell hits 17, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Nautilus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack SE Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
AG 353, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Seadragon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20G Havoc x 13

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20G Havoc x 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 115th Regiment (Lae) from Port Moresby:

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

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 54
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buka airfield airfield from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 22

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

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed, A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 65
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

After a period of hiatus, the Japanese bombers are back on ASW, getting many attacks and hitting SS Sculpin (sys 24, flt 18). Due to a recent increase in IJN sub activity in the Slot, I've mounted my own little ASW effort. Only the hunter became the hunted as I-29 torpedoed DD Buchanan. SC 701 subsequently detected and DC'd the offending sub, damage unknown.

No progess at Lambeti. A further 4,000 supply arrives next turn. If that doesn't work I've got little choice but to go ahead with the invasion and pray that feeding supply directly across the bridgehead will make things happen.

TF bearing 30,000 supply due at PM...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08 Apr 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack N Russell Islands:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-29, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships:
DD Buchanan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sys 56, flt 69, f 16*
SC 701
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 6
A-20G Havoc x 41

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 63
Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 115th Regiment (Lae) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 24
B-25J Mitchell x 66

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buka port from Lunga:

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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Hurrah! The boys at Lambeti finally drew supply and as a reward they're immediatly being shipped off for Vella to fight for their miserable, mud-caked, malaria-ridden lives. I won't be too surprised if they heave their newly-gotten supply over the side to avoid having to do just that. 'Wish we had a "court-marshal" and "firing squad" (Harakiri for the Nips) button - just to let off steam.

Got off a nice, solid strike against a TF - would've been better if 40% of the aircraft hadn't failed to locate the target. I've noticed that my strike often have trouble locating enemy TF's in anything but clear weather, which is fine by me.

Tony's Betty's, however, had no trouble finding Lambeti airfield in the dead of night after covering the 510 miles down from Rabaul. In a daring low-level attack, 7 F4U's were destroyed and, worse, 20-odd damaged.

KB and the IJN BB's have left Rabaul for, well, I don't know. No sign of them anywhere. I presume Tony's up to his usual tricks. The closest thing to a hole in my air search is northeast of Rabaul. Witht the cyclical nature of the weather, we should have a few turns of bad weather coming up (next: Thunderstorms). Maybe the strike on Lambeti is a precurser for an big effort against my SC TF's there? Or even Lunga? He could pick off Nevea without too much trouble if surprise is achieved, too...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09 Apr 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at NNW Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-2

Allied Ships:
DD Woodworth, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sys 42, flt 63, f 18*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Gasmata from Port Moresby, Buna, Dobodura & Gili Gili:

Allied aircraft: *multiple strikes*
P-39D Airacobra x 26
Beaufighter VIC x 33
Beaufort x 40
B-25D Mitchell x 20

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufighter VIC x 1 damaged
Beaufort x 1 destroyed, Beaufort x 13 damaged *8 lost*
B-25D Mitchell x 1 destroyed, B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships:
PG Heijo Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Choko Maru #2, Shell hits 8
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
APD 35, Shell hits 56, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk
APD 36, Shell hits 56, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lambeti airfield from Rabaul (night attack):

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 43

Japanese aircraft losses:
G4M1 Betty x 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed, P-38G Lightning x 2 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair x 3 destroyed, F4U-1 Corsair x 18 damaged *7 lost*

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 146
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Munda port from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
P-38G Lightning x 17
B-25J Mitchell x 59

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11
Port hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20G Havoc x 40

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20G Havoc x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 91
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 115th Regiment (Lae) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 61

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------