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OK things are starting to move.
 
III Indian Corps is now unloaded at Perth and has taken command in the West and will push forward to Geraldton
 
Under command for this fight it has 27th US Div, 255th Indian Armoured Bde, 7th Armoured bde and 8th Aus Div.
 
III Aus Corps will hold at Perth with Amercal Div just in case
 
Ist US Amphib Corps is driving on Esperance with 8 Tank Bns/Regts
 
I don't think it will take to long to clean up the West

What's happening with respect to replacing the Aussie militia with '42 AIF squads?

All done bar 1 Div I wouldnt rely on them even for a static defensive role without AIF 42 squads.
 
PZB sent a naval TF into blow up Chittagong AF destroying 50+ aircradft on the ground a bit of a shock but not a disaster it means that TF isnt doing the same thing to Perth where III Corps is still unloading.
 
 

OK assembling my potentially very styrong armoured spearhead and force in Australia (not even close to full strength but I can dream !!!!)
 
I have 3 very strong Armoured Divs in Australia now which will be assembling almost as a small armoured Corps.
 
1st Australian Armoured Div (4 Inf Bns, 1 MG Bn, 410 Tanks and 78 Armoured Cars)
2nd Recce Bn (54 Armoured Cars)
4th Australian Cav Bde (Capacity 176 Tanks and a Bn of Infantry)
3rd Army Tank Bde (Capacity 176 Tanks and a Bn of Infantry)
1st Motor Bde (2 Bns of Infantry an MG Bn. 1 Armoured Car Regt and a Regt of 25 pounders)
2/8th Australian Armoured Regt (58 Tanks)
 
2nd Commonwealth Armoured Div (4 Inf Bns, 1 MG Bn, 318 Tanks and 76 Armoured Cars)
10th Light Horse Bn (52 Armoured Cars)
7th Armoured Bde (104 Tanks and an Inf Bn)
255th Armoured Bde (156 tanks and a Bn of Infantry)
3rd Motor Bde (2 Bns of Infantry an MG Bn. 1 Armoured Car Regt and a Regt of 25 pounders)
2/9th Australian Armoured Regt (58 Tanks)
 
3rd Armoured Div ( 3 Inf Bns, 52 Armoured Cars and 539 Tanks)
2/11th Armoured Car Bn (52 Armoured Cars)
159th US Motorised Regt (3 Bns of Infantry)
192nd US Tank Bn (59 Tanks)
194th US Tank Bn (59 Tanks)
754th Tank Bn (59 Tanks)
2nd USMC Tank Bn (72 Tanks)
2/4th Australian Armoured Regt (58 Tanks)
2/5th Australian Armoured Regt (58 tanks)
2/6th Australian Armoured Regt (58 Tanks)
2/7th Australian Armoured Regt (58 Tanks)
2/10th Australian Armoured Regt (58 Tanks)
 
If only I had enough tanks to fill out the TOE then the Japanese would regret attacking Australia !!!!

Esperence is now almost invested armour roams free and III Corps is driving on Geraldton with almost no resistence
 
I want to finish off the West so I can turn all my attention to the centre I need about another 2 weeks and the Japanese will be chased into the wilderness of the outback

Picture

Been thinking about my next series of operations
 
I now believe that Australia is best served as beign an Air/land battle and my fleet will have little to do.
 
My period of vulnerability is now passed.
 
I have nearly 4 full US Unf Divs in theatre plus those 3 Armoured 'forces' described above
 
I also have 5 Militia and one AIF Div all told thats over 13 Divs 3 of them fully mobile - If PZB can overcome that lot then its incometence on my part.
 
I am therefore moving to plan future operations.
 
As you all know I have an Operation in planning for Burma I am assembling the force now and just need the last few elements to be ready for it to proceed. I should be able to assmeble about 12 Divisions total for this operation
 
5 'rescued' or transferred from other theatres. (18th UK Div, 9th Indian Div, 6th Aus Div, 7th Aus Div and a composite US Div)
3 Not sacrificed in Burma - 17th Indian, 1st Burma and the three Indpt Indian Bdes
Add to that 14th Indian Div, 2nd British Div, 70th British Div and 26th Indian Div and thats my attack force
 
So instead of a force of 3 - 4 Divs the allies actually had for the 1st Arakan campaign I will have about 12 - 13 due to carefull husbanding of forces.
 
The infrastructure along the Imphal road will not support major operations in 42 the supply net just isnt strong enough maybe 1 Div plus a Chinese Corps can be supported but thats about it.
 
So I will need to commit to sea supply into Akyab if this attack is going to work which willbe tough given PZB's kendo masterlike use of SCTF's but its the only way to get the ball rolling.
 
This overall operation will be called Operation 'Privateer'
 
I will be allocating sufficient Surface and air assets to give it a fighting chance of success - the key is not to set unrealisable objectives.
 
A second operation in planning is the reconquest of the Line Islands starting with the very dangerous Christmas Island - forces are about 40% prepped for this objective but I need more shipping and the bulk of my fleet out of Australian waters to make it work.
 
So my next step is to re concentrate the fleet at Pearl which will take a few weeks.
 
Given the loss of so many US BB's on Dec 7th I will probably need to bring along some RN 'R' Class BB's to support the attack this operation is codenamed Operation 'Marque'
 
I will write up full ops orders and OOB's etc when it is finalised.
 
The initial attack on Christmas Island will be at LEAST a 1 Divisional Attack more likely 2 reinforced Divs with a marine Regt as spearhead if I can manage it

Operation Privateer OOB

OK launching in about 70 days from now the ofrces available will be

Eastern Army (Irwin)
1st Burma Div
14th Indian Div
17th Indian Div
70th British Div
23rd Indian Div (PP's needed)
6th Australian Div
7th Australian Div
9th Indian Div
26th Indian Div (PP's needed)
20th Indian Div (PP's needed)
2nd British Div
4th Indian Armoured Div (267th Ard Bde (Mostly Vickers tankettes), 268th Motorised Bde and maybe 73rd Motorised Bde)

Supported by 3 Corps HQ's, 4 Armoured or Armoured Car Regts to act as Corps Cavalry, 5 Mountain Arty Regts, 1 Field and 1 Medium Arty Regt organised as an Army Arty Group

I will also have about 6 Bdes of Indian Inf (not Bde Groups) for LOC protection and garrison low xp troops with almost no support weapons) and 5th Chinese Army operating against Mktina

I wil also have 2 RAF Air Groups and a USAAF force in support

The biggest difficulty is supply on the northern front will force my acitivities post Monsoon along the coastal axis.

when I have finished with my Corps OOB's and assignments I will put the whole plan out there

p.s. not all those forces are up to strength I think I can get the Inf there (with the obvious dilution to xp that entails) but Brens Guns, Vickers MG's, 25 Pounders and 3" Mortars are all coming up short partyl due to the drain of the Australian campaign
 
The allies are just not ready for a multi corps attack even with rescued forces in 42 - it may well prove to be beyond the Indian Army between the drain of the Australian campaign and a Burma attack I am far from convinced I will have the pool density required to keep this force fighting in fact it may be very fragile and if it goes wrong could prejudice a 43 attack leaving me cooling my heels until 45
 
e.g. 9th, 14th, 20th 23rd and 26th Indian Div are each short a full Regt of Arty or more and what it has is WW1 vintage 18 pounders so down 120+ tubes and the 80 odd it has are WW1 vintage. 18th British Div is short a Regt of 25 pounders, 1st Burma Div has nothing but mountain guns all 18 of them for a full Div !!!
 
17th Indian Div has just converted to its animal pack TOE so its lost all its heavy guns and now has 32 Mountain Guns only

Re Privateer OOB

Andy, what does your pool of burmese squads look like? Wondering how brittle the 1st Burma Div is at this point. If memory serves, you stop getting replacements in June 42. Did you cannibalize all the separate rifle bns?
What are the objectives of Privateer? With 14 divisions, I would assume that anything short of retaking Rangoon would be conservative for such an effort.

1st Burma Div is still  overstrength in Burma Squads and I have several Bns I can cannibalise but have chosen not to do so at present.
 
Rangoon is probably the objective BUT I am very worried about the supply net and also about whether I can muster the PP's to release 3 of the Divs I need for the ops plan.

Well didnt I screw up buy the numbers
 
KB slipped past my sub screen and PBY's and is loose South of Sydney half my fleet is in refit only a 10 day refit but refit none the less so the timing is awefull....
 
This was the result
 
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 06, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Kembla  at 90,169
 
Japanese Ships
      SS I-171
 
Allied Ships
      CV Saratoga
 
 
 
CV Saratoga is sighted by SS I-171
SS I-171 launches 4 torpedoes
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Perth at 49,147, Range 9,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      DD Shiratsuyu
      DD Shigure
      DD Murasame
      DD Harusame
      DD Hatsuharu
 
Allied Ships
      PT-46, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
 
 
 
Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 42% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
PT-46 sunk by DD Hatsuharu at 9,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Sydney at 90,167 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
 
Allied aircraft
      no flights
 
Allied aircraft losses
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed on ground
      P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed on ground
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed on ground
      TBF-1 Avenger: 5 destroyed on ground
      B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
      F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
      B-25B Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
      P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground
      TBD-1 Devastator: 2 destroyed on ground
      Hudson I: 2 destroyed on ground
 
16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Japanese Ships
      BB Hiei
      BB Kongo, Shell hits 4
      CA Mikuma
      CA Mogami
      CA Ashigara
      CA Nachi
      CA Maya
      CL Kiso
 
Allied Ships
      CV Yorktown, Shell hits 3
      CV Enterprise, Shell hits 7,  on fire
      CV Hornet, Shell hits 5,  heavy fires
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      262 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 40 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
      Guns lost 39 (2 destroyed, 37 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)
 
 
Airbase hits 33
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 431
Port hits 4
 
BB Hiei firing at Sydney
BB Kongo firing at Banks Fortress
CA Mikuma firing at Sydney
CA Mogami firing at Sydney
CA Ashigara firing at Sydney
CA Nachi firing at Sydney
CA Maya firing at Sydney
CL Kiso firing at Sydney
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Gasmata  at 105,128
 
Japanese Ships
      SC Ch 30
      E Tomozuru
      E Yomogi
 
Allied Ships
      SS Searaven, hits 2
 
 
 
SS Searaven is sighted by escort
Searaven diving deep ....
E Tomozuru attacking submerged sub ....
E Yomogi fails to find sub and abandons search
E Tomozuru fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tomozuru attacking submerged sub ....
E Tomozuru fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tomozuru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 49,141 (Geraldton)
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 26
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      16 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 49,141 (Geraldton)
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 12
      A6M2-N Rufe x 3
      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 7
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      6 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       7 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
 
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 28th Chinese Corps, at 84,53
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-27b Nate x 12
      Ki-36 Ida x 25
      Ki-51 Sonia x 3
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      25 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 14000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 30 kg GP Bomb
       3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 14000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 28th Chinese Corps, at 84,53
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-51 Sonia x 9
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 14000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Esperance , at 56,153
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
 
 
Allied aircraft
      P-38E Lightning x 7
 
 
No Allied losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       6 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 22000 feet
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at 84,53
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 9951 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 361
 
Defending force 5721 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 249
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 232
 
Allied adjusted defense: 235
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      754 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 42 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      72 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    51st Infantry Brigade
    13th/B Division
 
Defending units:
    28th Chinese Corps
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at 77,58
 
Japanese Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 12697 troops, 104 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 460
 
Defending force 14304 troops, 129 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 622
 
Japanese ground losses:
      6 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      6 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    104th Division
 
Defending units:
    63rd Chinese Corps
    62nd Chinese Corps
    2nd Prov Chinese Corps
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Esperance (56,153)
 
Allied Shock attack
 
Attacking force 4226 troops, 0 guns, 572 vehicles, Assault Value = 265
 
Defending force 1350 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
 
Allied adjusted assault: 218
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 4
 
Allied assault odds: 54 to 1 (fort level 1)
 
Allied forces CAPTURE Esperance !!!
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      679 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 69 disabled
         Engineers: 7 destroyed, 2 disabled
 
 
 
Assaulting units:
    2nd USMC Tank Battalion
    2/4th Armoured Regiment
    2/7th Armoured Regiment
    2/5th Armoured Regiment
    2/6th Armoured Regiment
    2/10th Armoured Regiment
 
Defending units:
    9th Base Force
 

Andy, Andy, Andy!

What a misfortune.

He got lucky... but has a habit of that!

Cheers

Rob

PWND lol i have been drinking

Enterprise and Yorktown were able to flee port yesterday just coming out of refit they can both still make 8/8 and have been ordered to flee at max speed.
 
I am taking a hell of a risk there is no screen available for them but I prefer to get them moving now and run the sub gauntlet than hang around and get sunk in port.
 
I have 5 SCTF's congregating on Sydney 2 of MSW's and 3 of DD's not sure when they will get there.
 
Sydney AF is trashed and closed so I am LR CApping from nearbye AF's
 
Andy

Hornet will just need to take her lumps tomorrw

OK I got clean away with 2 carriers and PZB got lucky again I had over 200 fighters on CAP over Sydney and it was clouded off so most of his strikes went after my DD's rushing to save the port.
 
Yorktown is about 80 sys if he hits me again she will go down
 
All the rest got away irritating its was a 10 day refit he caught me in day 8 for two ships and day 5 for the rest - perfect timing
 
 
 
 
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 07, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Batan Island  at 88,76
 
Japanese Ships
      PB Shonan Maru #2
      AK Azumasan Maru
      xAK Tokusima Maru
      xAK Sakido Maru
      xAK Meiten Maru
      xAK Tenzan Maru
      xAK Takao Maru
      E Manazuru
 
Allied Ships
      SS Perch, hits 1
 
 
 
SS Perch is sighted by escort
Perch diving deep ....
E Manazuru fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Manazuru fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Manazuru fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Manazuru attacking submerged sub ....
E Manazuru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lahaina  at 187,104
 
Japanese Ships
      SS I-5
 
Allied Ships
      DD Talbot
      xAKL Mapele
 
 
 
SS I-5 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Talbot
I-5 diving deep ....
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sydney at 90,167, Range 12,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      CA Kumano
      CA Aoba
      CA Kinugasa
      CA Kako
      CL Yura
      CL Tenryu
      CL Yubari
      DD Suzukaze
      DD Akebono
      DD Ushio
 
Allied Ships
      AM Echuca
      AM Horsham
      AM Junee
      AM Katoomba
      AM Bombay
      AM Madras
      AM Punjab
 
 
 
 
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 32% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Allied Surface Combat TF evades combat
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Sydney at 90,167 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
 
46 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Japanese Ships
      CA Kako
      CA Kinugasa
      CA Aoba
      CA Kumano, Shell hits 10
      CL Yubari
      CL Tenryu
      CL Yura
 
Allied Ships
      CV Yorktown, Shell hits 18,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      SS Grampus, hits 2,  heavy fires
      CL Achilles, Shell hits 8,  heavy fires
      SS Narwhal, hits 2,  on fire
      CL Marblehead, Shell hits 7,  on fire
      SS Pickerel, hits 2
      SS Pollack, hits 2,  on fire
      SS S-18, hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
      xAP Raranga, Shell hits 2,  on fire
      CL Leander, Shell hits 7,  on fire
      SS Stingray, hits 1,  heavy damage
      xAKL James Cook, Shell hits 1
      SS Gato, hits 2,  on fire
      SS Snapper, hits 1,  on fire
      xAKL Vichy, Shell hits 1,  on fire
      xAKL Iowan, Shell hits 1
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      44 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
 
 
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 45
Port hits 13
Port fuel hits 2
 
CA Kako firing at Sydney
CA Kinugasa firing at Sydney
CA Aoba firing at Sydney
CA Kumano firing at Banks Fortress
CL Yubari firing at Sydney
CL Tenryu firing at Sydney
CL Yura firing at RAAF OTU Sydney
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Lord Howe Island at 105,170, Range 15,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      DD Satsuki, Shell hits 1,  on fire
 
Allied Ships
      TK Mobilfuel, Shell hits 9
 
 
 
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages TK Mobilfuel at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages TK Mobilfuel at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages TK Mobilfuel at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages TK Mobilfuel at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages TK Mobilfuel at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages TK Mobilfuel at 8,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages TK Mobilfuel at 8,000 yards
Sugihara, Yoshiro orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages TK Mobilfuel at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages TK Mobilfuel at 14,000 yards
Task forces break off...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Sydney at 90,167, Range 23,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      CA Kumano
      CA Aoba
      CA Kinugasa
      CA Kako
      CL Yura
      CL Tenryu
      CL Yubari
      DD Suzukaze
      DD Akebono
      DD Ushio
 
Allied Ships
      AM Echuca
      AM Horsham
      AM Junee
      AM Katoomba
      AM Bombay, Shell hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      AM Madras
      AM Punjab, Shell hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
 
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
CA Kako engages AM Madras at 23,000 yards
CA Aoba engages AM Madras at 23,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages AM Punjab at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages AM Bombay at 23,000 yards
CA Kumano engages AM Bombay at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
Range increases to 24,000 yards
CA Kako engages AM Madras at 24,000 yards
CA Kumano engages AM Bombay at 24,000 yards
CA Aoba engages AM Bombay at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CA Kako engages AM Punjab at 26,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages AM Bombay at 26,000 yards
CA Kumano engages AM Junee at 26,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages AM Junee at 26,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
CA Kako engages AM Bombay at 29,000 yards
CA Aoba engages AM Bombay at 29,000 yards
CA Kumano engages AM Junee at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sydney , at 90,167
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 22
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      Martlet II x 19
      Beaufighter Ic x 8
      Kittyhawk I x 9
      P-39D Airacobra x 21
      P-400 Airacobra x 7
      P-40E Warhawk x 39
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Martlet II: 1 destroyed
      P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
      P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
      P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
      F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
 
 
 
CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      2 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000
      Raid is overhead
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 19 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VMF-122  with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
No.30 Sqn RAAF with Beaufighter Ic (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 20000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
18th FG/19th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
8th FG/35th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
15th FG/46th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 12000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
58th FG/68th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 15 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
18th FG/78th FS with P-400 Airacobra (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      7 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
13rd PS (P) with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
33rd PS (P) with P-39D Airacobra (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      4 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Motor Brigade, at 49,141 (Geraldton)
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 32
      A6M2-N Rufe x 1
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      22 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 49,141 (Geraldton)
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 2
      A6M2-N Rufe x 8
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       6 x A6M2-N Rufe sweeping at 15000 feet
               Escort:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 49,141 (Geraldton)
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 10
      A6M2-N Rufe x 3
      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 9
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      6 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       9 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet *
               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
 
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 28th Chinese Corps, at 84,53
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-27b Nate x 12
      Ki-36 Ida x 24
      Ki-51 Sonia x 12
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      24 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 14000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 30 kg GP Bomb
      12 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 14000 feet
               Ground Attack:  4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 90,167
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G4M1 Betty x 9
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      Martlet II x 18
      Beaufighter Ic x 8
      Kittyhawk I x 9
      P-39D Airacobra x 18
      P-400 Airacobra x 5
      P-40E Warhawk x 31
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed
 
 
 
 
CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      1 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      6 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000
      Raid is overhead
VF-6 with F4F-3 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      4 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      9 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000
      Raid is overhead
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (18 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      18 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
VMF-122  with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      2 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 9 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
No.30 Sqn RAAF with Beaufighter Ic (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      8 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 20000
      Raid is overhead
49th FG/8th FS with P-40E Warhawk (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      9 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
18th FG/19th FS with P-39D Airacobra (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      1 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
8th FG/35th FS with P-39D Airacobra (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      14 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
15th FG/46th FS with P-40E Warhawk (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      6 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 12000
      Raid is overhead
58th FG/68th FS with P-40E Warhawk (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      14 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
18th FG/78th FS with P-400 Airacobra (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      5 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
13rd PS (P) with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
33rd PS (P) with P-39D Airacobra (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      3 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Canberra at 88,171
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 19
      B5N1 Kate x 21
      B5N2 Kate x 34
      D3A1 Val x 41
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
      B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
      D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      DD O'Brien, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DD Walke, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DD Morris, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DD Bagley, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DD Helm, Bomb hits 1
      DD Blue, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      16 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
       9 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
       8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
       6 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
       6 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
       7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 89,170
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 11
      B5N2 Kate x 24
      D3A1 Val x 32
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B5N2 Kate: 13 damaged
      D3A1 Val: 17 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      DD Shaw, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DD Preston, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DD Benham, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DD Fanning, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DD Ellet
      DD Lamson, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
      10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
       9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Benham
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Lamson
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 91,168
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 11
      B5N2 Kate x 13
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      DM Preble, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 91,167
 
Weather in hex: Clear sky
 
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 11
      B5N2 Kate x 10
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      AM Echuca, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      AM Madras
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      10 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 89,170
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      D3A1 Val x 11
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D3A1 Val: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      DD Ellet
      DD Lamson, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Lamson
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 89,170
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      D3A1 Val x 13
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      DD Ellet
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 89,170
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      D3A1 Val x 13
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D3A1 Val: 6 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      DD Ellet, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Ellet
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 90,167
 
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
 
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      G4M1 Betty x 18
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      Martlet II x 17
      Beaufighter Ic x 8
      Kittyhawk I x 9
      P-39D Airacobra x 18
      P-400 Airacobra x 5
      P-40E Warhawk x 33
      F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
      F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      G4M1 Betty: 9 destroyed
 
 
 
 
CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-3 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      4 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 15000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 17 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
VMF-122  with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
No.111 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 9 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
No.30 Sqn RAAF with Beaufighter Ic (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 20000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
18th FG/19th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
8th FG/35th FS with P-39D Airacobra (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      13 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
15th FG/46th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 12000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
58th FG/68th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
18th FG/78th FS with P-400 Airacobra (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      5 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
13rd PS (P) with P-40E Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      3 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
33rd PS (P) with P-39D Airacobra (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      3 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Canberra at 88,171
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 62
      D3A1 Val x 40
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 25 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      DD Mugford, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
      DD Gridley, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DD McCall
      DD Gwin
      DD Mahan, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      DD Russell
      DD Craven
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
      20 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Gridley
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Mugford
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 89,170
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2-N Rufe x 5
      B5N2 Kate x 20
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      P-39D Airacobra x 1
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
 
 
Allied Ships
      DD Ellet, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      20 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
 
CAP engaged:
18th FG/19th FS with P-39D Airacobra (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
      1 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 11000
      Raid is overhead
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 91,167
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 12
      B5N2 Kate x 21
 
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied Ships
      AM Madras, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
      AM Horsham, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      21 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Newcastle at 94,166
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 11
      B5N2 Kate x 19
 
 
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      AM Bunbury, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
      AM Launceton, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      AM Kalgoorlie
      AM Cootamundra, and is sunk
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
      10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet *
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet *
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
       5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 4000 feet *
               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
 
Bunbury dead in the water ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Launceton
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at 77,58
 
Japanese Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 12706 troops, 104 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 461
 
Defending force 14302 troops, 129 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 621
 
Japanese ground losses:
      22 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      29 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
 
 
Assaulting units:
    104th Division
 
Defending units:
    63rd Chinese Corps
    62nd Chinese Corps
    2nd Prov Chinese Corps
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Geraldton (49,141)
 
Allied Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 11832 troops, 127 guns, 794 vehicles, Assault Value = 768
 
Defending force 27015 troops, 278 guns, 189 vehicles, Assault Value = 918
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      20 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)
 
 
Assaulting units:
    192nd Tank Battalion
    1st Motor Brigade
    255th Armoured Brigade
    2/9th Armoured Regiment
    159th Mot Infantry Regiment
    194th Tank Battalion
    10th Light Horse Battalion
    2/11th Armoured Car Battalion
    7th Armoured Brigade
 
Defending units:
    1st Engineer Co
    20th Infantry Regiment
    65th Brigade
    2nd Tank Regiment
    2nd Recon Regiment
    16th Recon Regiment
    II./124th Infantry Battalion
    6th Guards Division
    2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
    26th Air Flotilla
    18th Mountain Gun Regiment
    40th Field AA Battalion
    21st Army
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Esperance (56,153)
 
Allied Shock attack
 
Attacking force 4281 troops, 0 guns, 573 vehicles, Assault Value = 265
 
Defending force 902 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
 
Allied adjusted assault: 150
 
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
 
Allied assault odds: 150 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1656 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 109 destroyed, 71 disabled
         Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
      Units destroyed 1
 
 
 
Assaulting units:
    2/7th Armoured Regiment
    2/6th Armoured Regiment
    2/5th Armoured Regiment
    2nd USMC Tank Battalion
    2/4th Armoured Regiment
    2/10th Armoured Regiment
 
Defending units:
    9th Base Force
 

So, it's time to scratch "II" from "Yorktown II", a new Essex class CV?

Enterprise and Yorktown were able to flee port yesterday just coming out of refit they can both still make 8/8 and have been ordered to flee at max speed.

Hornet will just need to take her lumps tomorrw

Since Yorktown got bombarded, I guessing it was Enterprise and Hornet who fled?

Congrats on getting two away!

Cheers

Rob