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too little, too late. A small ScTF put up some good fight at least. Air battle with no hard results on either side.




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/15/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 24,24

Japanese Ships
AP Hirokawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-37

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 38


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28


Too late, but at least some performance


Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 2
CA Nachi, Shell hits 19, on fire
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 5
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 4
CL Agano, Shell hits 12, on fire
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 2
DD Samidare, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CLAA San Diego, Shell hits 10, on fire
CL Mobile, Shell hits 8, on fire
CLAA Van Heemskerck, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
DD Guest, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Bennett, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hudson, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Braine, Shell hits 1
DD McCalla, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Barton, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Nachi, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CL Agano, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Makigumo
DD Samidare

Allied Ships
CLAA Atlanta
CLAA Juneau, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Luce, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Renshaw, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Conway, Shell hits 3
DD Philip, Shell hits 1
DD Buchanan
DD Lansdowne, Shell hits 2
DD Lardner


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
AV Sanyo Maru, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CLAA Atlanta
CLAA Juneau, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Luce, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Renshaw, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Conway, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Philip, Shell hits 1
DD Buchanan
DD Lansdowne
DD Lardner

wow, this AV should have been a battleship instead. It fired back and even survived!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 104


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Nachi, on fire
CA Ashigara
CA Mikuma
CL Agano, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Makigumo
DD Samidare

Allied Ships
DD Converse, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Anthony, Shell hits 28, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Shell hits 51, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Inazuma, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gwin, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
DMS Hopkins
SC 644
SC 646
AK Virgo
AK Ganymede
AP Callaway
AP Du Page
AP Wharton
AP Cambria, on fire
AK Mintaka
AK Rotanin, on fire
AK Sabik
AK Menkar
AK Megrez
AK Alnitah
AK Pavo
AK De Grasse
AK Saggittarius
AK Antrim
AK Cabell
AK Charlevoix
AK Chicot


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 25


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 20

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 4

no losses

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 70


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 83

Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
5 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-24J Liberator x 10


no losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
4 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Kure 6th AA Battalion, at 2,26


Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 36
A-20G Havoc x 16
A-20G Boston x 5


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 12

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
5 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
0 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet
3 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
0 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
0 x A-20G Boston at 15000 feet
0 x A-20G Boston at 15000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
0 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet
0 x A-20G Boston at 15000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
2 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet
5 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
9 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
6 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
6 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
3 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet
5 x A-20G Boston at 15000 feet
0 x Beaufort at 15000 feet
6 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Emirau Island at 16,22


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 13
B-17E Fortress x 9
PB4Y Liberator x 8
B-24D Liberator x 26
B-24J Liberator x 3


no losses

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 1
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
9 x Hudson at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
1 x Hudson at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 38,45


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 13


no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 5032
AG 5050, Shell hits 24, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AG 5068


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,27


Allied aircraft
P-47D Thunderbolt x 4
B-25J Mitchell x 3


no losses

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 78

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 25
P-38G Lightning x 24
P-38J Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 6 destroyed
D3A Val x 51 destroyed
D3A Val x 13 damaged


what a stupid attack with all those other juicy & unCAPped targets at hand!

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 3 damaged

CPT C. King of 67th FS is credited with kill number 12

CPO E.Ibusuki of EI-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
LST 446
LST 471

They not even scored a hit...! [:(][:@]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 20

Allied aircraft
P-47D Thunderbolt x 42
B-25J Mitchell x 74

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily x 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia x 1 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia x 2 damaged
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged

FO O.Farmer of 340th FS is credited with kill number 6

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 78

Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 52

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
5 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 26
B-17E Fortress x 15
PB4Y Liberator x 11
B-24D Liberator x 45
B-24J Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily x 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia x 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 destroyed
J1N1-C Irving x 1 destroyed
J1N1-C Irving x 2 damaged


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 191

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 74

Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson at 15000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
1 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
2 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
1 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
4 x Hudson at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
1 x Hudson at 15000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson at 15000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet

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

the 8" main guns of my heavy cruisers did some good damage to the lighter US units.

this fricken good AV resisted to be an easy pray. It fired back and refused to sink, even more so considering the "surprise"! Maybe it will make port...

what a slaughter! Unfortunately, my ships already were low on ammo... [:(]

at least one of the juicy BBs sunk today.

waning days of an epic struggle...

Air Battle today slightly better than in the past for the IJN / IJA, but surface engagements with mixed results only for my brave fleet.



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/16/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Woodlark Island at 22,39

Japanese Ships
SS I-31

Allied Ships
CLAA Atlanta


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 17

Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 2 destroyed
G3M Nell x 18 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-70A Havoc x 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Port fuel hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x G3M Nell at 100 feet
6 x G3M Nell at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 22,39

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty x 1 destroyed
G4M2 Betty x 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-70A Havoc x 1 damaged

Port fuel hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
10 x G4M2 Betty at 7000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 23,28

Japanese Ships
AV Sanyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Balao


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuzuki, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Niizuki, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fujinami, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Hayanami, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Isonami, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Hatsuyuki, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA Quincy, Shell hits 4
CA Baltimore, Shell hits 1
CL Leander
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
DD Thatcher
DD Calahan
DMS Zane


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 4
BB Yamato, Shell hits 5
BB Musashi, Shell hits 7
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 2
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 9, on fire
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 2
DD Asashimo, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsushimo
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 3
CA Quincy
CA Baltimore, Shell hits 2
CL Leander
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 1
DD Thatcher
DD Calahan, Shell hits 1
DMS Zane


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 5
BB Yamato
BB Musashi, Shell hits 1
BB Hyuga
CA Furutaka, on fire
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 2
DD Asashimo
DD Hatsushimo
DD Hibiki, on fire
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CLAA San Diego, Shell hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Van Heemskerck, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
DD Bennett, Shell hits 32, and is sunk
DD McCalla, Shell hits 46, and is sunk
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
BB Hyuga
CA Furutaka, on fire
CL Jintsu
DD Asashimo
DD Hatsushimo
DD Hibiki, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shirayuki, on fire

Allied Ships
CLAA Juneau, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
DD Luce, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DD Renshaw, Shell hits 14, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 2
BB Yamato, Shell hits 3
BB Musashi, Shell hits 10
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 3
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 2
DD Asashimo, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsushimo, Shell hits 1
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shirayuki, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 3
CA Quincy
CA Baltimore, Shell hits 1
CL Leander
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Thatcher, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Calahan, Shell hits 1
DMS Zane, Shell hits 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 23,28

Japanese Ships
TK Kyokuto Maru

Allied Ships
SS Balao


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 23,38

Japanese Ships
SS I-171, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Strong


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 20,23

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

Allied Ships
SS Sargo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 13

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 4

no losses

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 53


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 23

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
7 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
8 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet
5 x B-25J Mitchell at 100 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rennell Island , at 38,45


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24J Liberator x 6


no losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Meteiai at 17,24


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 4
A-20G Havoc x 10


no losses

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x A-20G Boston at 15000 feet
4 x Hudson at 8000 feet
0 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet
0 x A-20G Boston at 15000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
2 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet
3 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet
5 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 10
B-17E Fortress x 8
PB4Y Liberator x 3
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 6


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 4
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1
CL Jintsu

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
4 x Hudson at 8000 feet
3 x Hudson at 8000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
1 x Hudson at 8000 feet
2 x Hudson at 8000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 13

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 9
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 8

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 10 destroyed
B-17E Fortress x 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 2 damaged

COL H.Okajima of 78th Sentai is credited with kill number 3

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Mikuma
CA Ashigara

Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x Hudson at 8000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 5


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, on fire
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 2

Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 4


no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Fujinami, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Hudson at 8000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 21,25


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kiri Maru

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6
B5N Kate x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 4 destroyed
B5N Kate x 3 damaged


1LT K.Norton of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 6

Allied Ships
AK Sabik
CL St. Louis, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
B5N Kate x 8

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed

2LT H. McCartney of VMF-121 is credited with kill number 4

1LT G.Clark of VMF-212 bails out and is CAPTURED

Allied Ships
DD Drayton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
A6M3 Zero x 22
A6M5 Zeke x 5
D3A Val x 101
A6M5-B Zeke x 5
B5N Kate x 99

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 23 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 11 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 destroyed
D3A Val x 4 damaged
A6M5-B Zeke x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 13 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 damaged


1LT K.Norton of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 8

CPO Z. Miyano of F1/6th Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
AP Fayette, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Warren, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sheridan, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Deimos, Torpedo hits 1
AK Alcyone, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lesuth
AK Aludra, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Cetus, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Doyen
AK Chatham, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Autauga, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Alcona, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Amador
LST 453, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Beltrami, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Caledonia
AK Bullock, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 18

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 3

no losses

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 28,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M3 Zero x 32
A6M5 Zeke x 6
A6M5-B Zeke x 3

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 7
Boomerang x 9
P-38J Lightning x 39
P-47D Thunderbolt x 46
B-25J Mitchell x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 7 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 19 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 19 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke x 3 destroyed
A6M5-B Zeke x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver x 1 destroyed
SB2C Helldiver x 4 damaged
P-38J Lightning x 1 destroyed
P-38J Lightning x 1 damaged
P-47D Thunderbolt x 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 14 damaged

2LT T.Heath of 342nd FS is credited with kill number 7

LCDR S.Okura of F1/252nd Daitai is KILLED

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CVL Shoho
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1
CVL Zuiho

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
1 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 28,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M3 Zero x 4
A6M5 Zeke x 3
A6M5-B Zeke x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 6

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


1LT C.Wirth of 67th FS is credited with kill number 3

LCDR J.Kanzaki of F1/6th Daitai is KILLED


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Meteiai at 17,24


Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 11
B-24D Liberator x 4
A-20G Boston x 5


no losses

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 8, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x A-20G Boston at 15000 feet
5 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet
3 x A-20G Boston at 15000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
6 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet
0 x A-20G Havoc at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4
B-24J Liberator x 6


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

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
CA Furutaka, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
1 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 8


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 22
B-17E Fortress x 5
PB4Y Liberator x 5
B-24D Liberator x 26
B-24J Liberator x 1


no losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 5
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 4
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1
BB Mutsu

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 8000 feet
0 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
4 x Hudson at 8000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
0 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
4 x Hudson at 8000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
1 x Hudson at 8000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
0 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
4 x Hudson at 8000 feet
2 x PB4Y Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
1 x B-24J Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson at 8000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet
3 x Hudson at 8000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 12


no losses

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1
BB Mutsu

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 3


no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Akatsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 8000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 18,24


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3


no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Fujinami, on fire

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-24D Liberator at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 23,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N Kate x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 damaged


Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 87634 troops, 882 guns, 275 vehicles

Defending force 25204 troops, 143 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0



CPT C. King of 67th FS is credited with kill number 13

MAJ L. Davis of VMF-121 bails out and is CAPTURED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 912
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 146


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

at least I was able virtually to wipe out the US fleet carriers... SARATOGA had medium damage already I guess, so I hope she´s out of order now.

...and YORKTOWN has gone for ever. So by now "Operation Rabaul" came at the cost of 3 or 4 large allied CVs for none flattop of mine.

May be Frank can shed some light on his losses so far. I lost one BB and several small units plus well over 500 A/C.

the Imperial air forces still have some aces to spoil allied air attacks...

of course only drops in the ocean...

even my last few subs try to do their best...



BB MASSACHUSETTS took two fishes, as I hope enough to put her out of commission!

last but not least, now the surprise: here is the reason my opponent truly made a wise selection of the targets for his final move... He landed more than three times the troops I have at hand to defend!






this really doesn´t looks very good for me... It´s an issue of a few turns to expect my defeat at Rabaul.

Level 5 fort to level 0 in one attack.  Wow.  Japs look good on that Transport fleet attack.

ORIGINAL: bigred

Level 5 fort to level 0 in one attack.  Wow.  Japs look good on that Transport fleet attack.

ORIGINAL: RGIJN
Ground combat at Rabaul

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 87634 troops, 882 guns, 275 vehicles

Defending force 25204 troops, 143 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Actually, fort level was brought from nine to zero in one turn! (Rabaul was fortified lvl 9 before the attack)

As I already anticipated after the last turns, the game is over now.

The Allies took Rabaul with another attack, and 2700 points changed the sides with that...




Will post some screenshots and statistics later on, first I have to assimilate the defeat...[;)]



But in any case, Congratulations to my opponent - your last operation was really magnificent. Well done: brilliant planning and superb execution make you deserving the victory.
After all, it was an outstanding game over almost the entire term of one and a half year war.[:)]






AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/17/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy


(...)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rabaul

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 88122 troops, 894 guns, 289 vehicles

Defending force 25363 troops, 142 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Rabaul base!!!



FO P. Shuman of VMF-121 is credited with kill number 8

1LT V.O'Neill of VMF-212 is KILLED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 4467
Guns lost 34

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 490
Guns lost 1


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

the score turned from a decent lead of about 1000 in japanese favor (mostly due to heavy ships losses to the USN) to a uncatchable 5000p allied victory in just one day... [X(]

ORIGINAL: RGIJN

As I already anticipated after the last turns, the game is over now.

The Allies took Rabaul with another attack, and 2700 points changed the sides with that...




Will post some screenshots and statistics later on, first I have to assimilate the defeat...[;)]



But in any case, Congratulations to my opponent - your last operation was really magnificent. Well done: brilliant planning and superb execution make you deserving the victory.
After all, it was an outstanding game over almost the entire term of one and a half year war.[:)]

I have to say thank for this enjoyable game. I can not see much brilliance in my last move, it was just a big punch with mostly everything I had. The usual allied overkill. More brilliance was shown by my enemy be preserving his nearly full strenght of KB, surface units and betty bombers to the very last battle. [&o]They really messed up things and it was just the numbers that counted in the end to my favor. Will add some statistics as well if necessary. Now I have to calm down...[>:]

ORIGINAL: fuelli


I have to say thank for this enjoyable game. I can not see much brilliance in my last move, it was just a big punch with mostly everything I had. The usual allied overkill. More brilliance was shown by my enemy be preserving his nearly full strenght of KB, surface units and betty bombers to the very last battle. [&o]They really messed up things and it was just the numbers that counted in the end to my favor. Will add some statistics as well if necessary. Now I have to calm down...[>:]

Well, I know if just a tiny f***ing detail is overlooked or some silly setup "click" is made bad this can ruin the whole campaign virtually overnight...[;)] So there is no need for any disregard so far.

Gut gemacht Herr Admiral! [:)]

At first, I want to post some stats about my Naval units and losses.



Losses if the IJN: [certain goners after the last battle in square brackets]

2 CV (large size: SORYU / medium size: JUNYO)
1 CVL (HOSHO)
3 BB (KONGO, KIRISHIMA and YAMASHIRO) [+ one probable - FUSO with over 50 flooding]
6 CA
6 CL
5 AV
75 DD [+2]
5 APD
12 MSW
12 escorts (PC/PG type)
7 ML
9 TK [+1]
26 SS
126 AP

in all, 313 [+3] vessels worth 3438 VPs.

Usually, I operated my fleet quite reluctant and tried to save as much as possible for the upcoming defense of my perimeter I was sure about this day would come. When the situation arose and offered some good opportunity (Irau/Rennell and Rabaul) I threw everything in - to attack as bold as possible. Kido Butai was still at good strength in 1943, missing only HIYO and the 1942 losses JUNYO and SORYU (the latter I lost in the very early Oz move) with about 450 A/C. Three carriers had still pro squadrons embarked (well over 80 exp).
In the early days I lost some light units (CLs and DDs) in futile FT operations. At least two of them were really stupid even to consider at all.

The very capacity of the Japanese surface fleet is based on their superior torpedoes and a grand choice of truly able commanders. Not only Admirals like Komatsu, Tanaka or Nishimura, also a lot of individual ship skippers are really cracks. And the experience of almost all IJN vessels exceeds everything the USN can put up against.

But later on, the US radar starts to outclass all these parameters and finally the IJN advantage usually turns into an allied one.

Considering that Tokyo gets pretty shy in 1943 with sending any capital units I really kept an eye on them. You just can´t replace any heavy (or even medium) losses anymore. Then you will have nothing to play against the overkill...[:-]


Maybe my opponent may post his real & probable losses too.

ORIGINAL: fuelli

All in all there is no doubt that the whole solomons campaign so far is a defeat for me even If I take Irau which is most unlikely right now. It really seems that I found one of the hardest spot in the enemy's defence.

But on the other hand: If I count the enemy troops involved plus the troops he already lost and then take a look at my intel (OOB) I think there is maybe a weak spot somewhere else....

This is were I started to plan Operation "Rabauke"[:D] Knowing that the Japanese has lost three divisions in PNG and now has 3 Divisions to defend Rennel and Irau the math was simple: 2 Divisions and 2 Brigades left to cover the Solomons and Rabaul. Looking at my ground forces I counted 5 Divisions and some independent regiments that I could use in a big blow Invasion. Transport capacity was tight but sufficient. So far so good. Now for the target: attacking in the solomons will give me points for nothing more then a draw. Only if I sink the whole KB a decisive victory is possible. Or taking Rabaul which will change the VP for 5400 points into my direction. But what if my Opponent anticipates my move, what if his whole fleet is at anchorage in Rabaul when my transports enter their operation area? This was my biggest concern. But this can happen anywhere. With Woodlark I had a decent base to provide LRCAP for the Invasion fleet. If I take Gasmata i can also provide close airsupport with corsairs. But taking Gasmata would reveal my future plans. So everything had to be done in a thight schedule. But it became clear that Rabaul will be my final target before I have to retire. One other reason was counting for Rabaul: Mines. I noticed heavy mining activities in the Solomons. It was obvious that my opponent was expecting me there.
Again the math was simple: Lots of mines in the Solomons could mean not so much at Rabaul.
After the Irau campaign was over and Woodlark was a secure base I started my preparations. First of all I needed masses of resources at Woodlark and at Lea. Woodlark of course for my fighter and B25s and Lae for my 4e bombers. While my transports were busy with that job I started to reckon the whole map. Special forces were deployed at several main bases to find out were his remaining Inf regiments are located and lots of Catalinas, SBDs, TBFs and 4es were doing their part as well. I was eager to find out where is main Fleet units may be and even tried to attack them once when I sighted them north of the Solomons. The outcome was meager: A Transport TF was attacked and the newly arrived CV Essex was hit by one 250Kg bomb. 45% Sys damage! I had to send her back after just one week. Nevertheless when November came nearer (Start of Operation was scheduled for 05.11.1943)I knew that I will have 5 Fleet carriers (1 essex 3 Yorktowns and Saratoga) + 1 CVL and 6 BBs mostly older types. I knew that he has 10 BBs left and Yamato and Musashi are among them....
After my Transport fleets had finished loading troops and supplies and were approaching the coral sea I had a first contact with the Japanese main fleet. North east of Shortland. Obviously he was expecting an attack in the Solomons and not at Rabaul. Perfect. Looking at the map I realised that if he wants to reach Rabaul by the direct route from there, I can pick his surface units with my carriers before they arrive. Or he has to take a different route which will make him come to late. But everything came a littlebit different...as usual. More tomorrow.