Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

Good comments. Some things are not clear just from the AAR. Previous turn when his carriers were across New Caledonia from mine and made a val attack, he scouted the entire invasion fleet. Everything at or near max detection level. This turn, the attack on Northern Cover came from what I labeled as sKB, although I can't really be sure it isn't more substantial. So as far as I can tell, the large KB only used sorties for a dozen Vals. It's possible that sorties were deducted for more attack planes that launched and never found opposing forces, but I have no data.

I figured New Caledonia was mostly bait but it's also far enough out to start up with. Clearly he is bringing in the additional carrier group so as to have advantage. I must be very careful there.

I'm using the B-17Ds simply to use them up and because of their range. I'm trying to save as many B-17E/F models as I can for Burma. There they are facing tougher land based fighters. I know that the devious one will husband good pilots and build loads of first rate aircraft. I figure the B-17D is reasonably fit for battle. I'm staying at 10,000 feet with them for now because the flak down lower on those hard-target warships will be murder. Against soft(er) targets I have no problem going lower.

On New Caledonia itself Intel only indicates two Bde/Rgt sized units, one at Noumea and one at Koumac. That could be wrong of course, especially as he had ships at Koumac recently. My judgement is that he will not pile on too many forces at Noumea. BTW, I'm fairly sure that I can land all troops at both bases in one day. That's a full day, so if day one is a partial then it would roll into day two.

At sea I also have lots of follow on forces to go onto New Caledonia, but I have to seize it first. The early follow on forces are with the second wave, which is a Bde and two armored units that will run up to Koumac.

As far as - you wrote 'n', did you mean 'nuke'? - the KB & sKB nuking Fiji, they could succeed but there are enough fighters there to make it costly. And dive bombers with trained crews that could get lucky. I think the odds would be with me from a risk/reward standpoint. My dream scenario would be a Japanese invasion of Fiji at this time. No way that Wa will do that but if he did it would hurt much.

A battleship TF is past the Line Islands and making for the general area. They are slow but will be available if their use is appropriate. There are 2 x CVE (including Long Island) with the second wave and follow on forces. Long Island has fighters on CAP while the other has an army squadron that can fly right into Noumea. There are 3 more CVE nearing Hawaii, all with replenishment groups. Those will unload and USMC groups will embark.

[witpqs]

1942 October 28

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Carnage on the sea! But not in the Pacific. Numerous sub attacks on both sides. The only ones decisive were these.

Submarine attack near Karachi at 39,7

Japanese Ships
SS I-11

Allied Ships
TK British Colonel, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

TK British Colonel is sighted by SS I-11
SS I-11 attacking TK British Colonel on the surface


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Karachi at 39,7

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
TK Saidja, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

TK Saidja is sighted by SS I-166
SS I-166 launches 4 torpedoes at TK Saidja


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Suva at 131,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-168, hits 7, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Sims
DD Hughes

SS I-168 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Sims
DD Hughes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hughes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hughes attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hughes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hughes attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Karachi at 39,7

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
TK Clydefield, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

TK Clydefield is sighted by SS I-166
SS I-166 launches 4 torpedoes at TK Clydefield


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Karachi at 39,7

Japanese Ships
SS I-11

Allied Ships
xAK Orna, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

xAK Orna is sighted by SS I-11
SS I-11 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Orna

We lost 2 x TK and 1 x xAK. I-168 is reported sunk near Suva.

It was a wild day in the air over Burma, as the Allied air forces made a large appearance to aid a ground assault. That came off just so-so. The 23rd Indian Bde is hors de combat and moving back for rest.

Ground combat at 55,44 (near Cox's Bazar)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39657 troops, 624 guns, 1044 vehicles, Assault Value = 1379

Defending force 32974 troops, 260 guns, 117 vehicles, Assault Value = 1021

Allied adjusted assault: 591

Japanese adjusted defense: 1759

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2792 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 196 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 28 (3 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2001 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 194 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 28 disabled
Guns lost 37 (5 destroyed, 32 disabled)
Vehicles lost 72 (8 destroyed, 64 disabled)

Assaulting units:
23rd Indian Brigade
75th IAC Regiment
7th Armoured Brigade
Americal Infantry Division
3rd Cavalry Regiment
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
754th Tank Battalion
2/10th Armoured Regiment
27th Infantry Division
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
88th Indian Brigade
2/11th Field Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
XV Indian Corps
2/1st Med Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
78th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
14th Division
146th Infantry Regiment

The air losses were a different story.

Code: Select all

 Plane			Type		Day	Air	Flak	Gnd	Ops
 Ki-45 KAIa Nick		Fighter-Bomber	16	15	0	0	1
 Ki-44-IIa Tojo		Fighter		14	14	0	0	0
 Blenheim IV		Level Bomber	8	8	0	0	0
 Hurricane IIb Trop	Fighter		5	3	0	0	2
 Vengeance I		Dive Bomber	5	5	0	0	0
 Wellington Ic		Level Bomber	5	5	0	0	0
 P-40K Warhawk		Fighter		4	2	0	0	2
 B-25C Mitchell		Level Bomber	3	1	0	0	2
 C-47 Skytrain		Transport	2	0	0	0	2
 E13A1 Jake		Float Plane	2	0	0	0	2
 G3M2 Nell		Level Bomber	2	0	1	0	1
 Hudson III (LR)		Level Bomber	1	0	0	0	1
 C-33   	   		Transport     	1	0	0	0	1
 SBD-3 Dauntless		Dive Bomber	1	0	0	0	1
 A6M2 Zero		Fighter		1	0	0	0	1
 B5N2 Kate		Torpedo Bomber	1	0	0	0	1
 D3A1 Val		Dive Bomber	1	0	0	0	1
 G4M1 Betty		Level Bomber	1	0	0	0	1
 

Here is the situation. That empty convoy at Savii is misbehaving by hanging around. I manually ordered it to 'Refuel at Sea' to see if that gets it moving (there was one small escort with 0 fuel).

[witpqs]

1942 October 29

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


At least one IJN sub is still active near Karachi as an xAK was sunk. That sKB stayed just close enough to Chicago to get a strike in, which sank her by the end of the day.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Wallis Island at 142,158

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Chicago, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

B-17s attacked that sKB in the afternoon, the morning attempt being turned back by weather.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Funafuti at 138,151

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 8 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 8 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes

A total of 5 of the B-17Ds were lost. They are now standing down. Those squadrons will also reorganize, with one of them taking the remaining D models while the others advance to B-24s. B-24s from Australia hit Milne Bay hard. The IJN forces are choosing to stay north of Fiji, perhaps to tempt an Allied strike without fighter escort.

Weather in the area is forecast as clear but then again today was too. Here is a look at the situation. The KB and sKB have linked up. Together with the battleships I expect them to form a tripod and start walking across the landscape firing heat-rays.

Adm Pye (at Suva) will take his DDs to a point where he can make a high-speed bombardment run on Efate. I'm not so much thinking that many search planes will be destroyed (presuming they are based there), but I hope to catch a support ship.

News reports indicate that the KB was off New Caledonia to escort that convoy seen (or partially seen) at Koumac. They were surprised as hell to see a massive Allied fleet materialize across from them. I guess I did achieve surprise! [:D]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

News reports indicate that the KB was off New Caledonia to escort that convoy seen (or partially seen) at Koumac. They were surprised as hell to see a massive Allied fleet materialize across from them. I guess I did achieve surprise! [:D]

Amazing what you can do with a little red paint!

[witpqs]

Lost my reply due to Internet trouble.

It's funny that you should say that. Those CLs that I sent to raid the TF spotted at Koumac showed up red in my subsequent orders phase. I could still talk to them and they looked normal the next turn. During the combat resolution/replay Wa said they did not attack at all. I saw them tangle with the convoy escorts. Report and save game was sent to Michael.

So, I guess I did achieve surprise after all! [:D]

[witpqs]

1942 October 30

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Japanese subs still active near Karachi. No additional victims, as the baby ASW ships assigned to this remote port rough up an intruder.

ASW attack near Karachi at 39,7

Japanese Ships
SS I-11, hits 5

Allied Ships
ML No. 202
ML No. 201

SS I-11 is sighted by escort
ML No. 202 attacking submerged sub ....
ML No. 201 fails to find sub and abandons search
ML No. 202 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 202 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 202 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 202 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

In a shocking development, a Mk14 torpedo exploded. The incident is being investigated.

Sub attack near Kirakira at 114,141

Japanese Ships
xAP Kongo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Makinami

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SS Seadragon launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Kongo Maru
Seadragon diving deep ....
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Makinami fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

It's unclear if that convoy was headed toward or away from New Caledonia. Either way, this expenditure of important main gun ammo could signal the withdrawal of IJN heavy forces.

Night Naval bombardment of Funafuti at 138,147

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Hiei
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CA Nachi
CA Myoko
CA Atago
CA Takao

Allied ground losses:
185 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 19
Port supply hits 5

BB Hyuga firing at Funafuti
BB Hiei firing at Funafuti
CA Kinugasa firing at Funafuti
CA Aoba firing at 1st/102nd Infantry Battalion
CA Nachi firing at Funafuti
CA Myoko firing at Funafuti
CA Atago firing at Funafuti
CA Takao firing at 1st/102nd Infantry Battalion

Formerly plentiful supplies (in the high hundreds, plentiful for the small unit) on the island were wiped out. The carriers and invasion convoys are moving back toward New Caledonia and a rendezvous of its west coast. Adm Pye's DDs will hit Efate tonight, but no ship was scouted at anchor today.

Only an sKB showed up in search results today, although certainly they are not alone so close to Fiji. The forecast 'clear' weather was once again largely stormy.

[princep01]

Hope November brings better tidings and the retaking of New Caledonia.  Nice island base from which to spring northward.
 
Any ASW A/C patrolling out of Karachi?  Any KV/DDs nearby?  Might be a good place to nail those pests.  Even significant damage nearly ensures the demise of the hapless sub.  It's a long haul to a repair yard for a damaged IJN sub and you can generally count on some IJN damage control "expert" dropping a wrench (spanner?) into the engine gears.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Hope November brings better tidings and the retaking of New Caledonia.  Nice island base from which to spring northward.

Any ASW A/C patrolling out of Karachi?  Any KV/DDs nearby?  Might be a good place to nail those pests.  Even significant damage nearly ensures the demise of the hapless sub.  It's a long haul to a repair yard for a damaged IJN sub and you can generally count on some IJN damage control "expert" dropping a wrench (spanner?) into the engine gears.

Yes, two groups of the little search type planes are there, forget which model. Maybe need to beef that up some. A Catalina group just arrived but they have to train up first. I have three surface ASW groups operating there, each made up of 4 x MLs upgraded to either 6 or 8 ASW weapons each. They're the ones that pounded I-11 last turn, so they're doing a decent job. In fact except for the odd sinking it's only recently when DAW sent in a batch of subs at once to saturate the defenses that the sharks have had much success there.

[witpqs]

1942 October 31

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


As usual, lots of uncontested air raids in China. One of the advanced northern defense units, making its way toward Yenan, disbanded under continued air attacks. It was barely a remnant anyway. No more action around Karachi, but they know where the food is so they will be back. A mine field has been cleared at Cox's Bazar. BTW, I've found that now, even after the monsoon is over (October 15th?) supply movement into Cox's Bazar is definitely better but still really awful. So, an xAKL just made a supply run and will do so continuously.

The KB is seen again, 19 hexes about NE of Noumea, and 5 hexes to that KB's ENE is the sKB. The battleships are not sighted by might be replenishing. A SigInt target is picked up west of New Britain. It might be unrelated or it could be a western carrier farce coming to join the party. For reference they are 33 hexes from Noumea.

Anatom is commencing operations as a search base. No. 11 RAAF Sqn, ex-Raoul Island, will search NW into the former gap that was out of range of assets on Fiji. This is a fairly likely vector for Imperial carriers to approach from should they raid the invasion. Naval search in that area will also give our subs a better chance.

The Allied battle fleet and invasion forces are partly scouted, both by submarine-based aircraft and by an ASW attack as they move to take up stations prior to moving in for the invasion. Efate was bombarded but nobody was home. Adm Pye's DDs will refuel near Norfolk Island and then turn to ASW duties for the invasion forces, which are facing numerous IJN subs. If a larger battle is in the offing then Northern Cover might reconstitute with the addition of some CA from the carrier TFs.

Coast watchers report 1 ship at Koumac, so Trenchard's Torpedoes will make another visit. Three New Mexico class battleships with destroyers have just refueled far SE of the Tonga Islands and will now move NW to be in position to speed into action as opportunity presents. Commanded by Adm Short they are designated Short's Long Guns. If there is a general melee they could provide added weight by surprise.

[witpqs]

1942 November 01

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


With but one exception all of today's combat consisted of Imperial air raids in China. That exception was an ASW attack on an IJN sub near Norfolk Island by an oiler's escort. The refueling point will be moved.

The Imperial carriers are no longer seen. They should be far enough away that attacking the beachheads at Noumea tomorrow would be difficult or impossible. Our subs in the relevant area are not overflown by aircraft and there is no other sign of carriers close by. The troops go in tomorrow!

Tanna will begin operating as a search base tomorrow, doubling up coverage in the critical corridor. Here is some Intel on the whereabouts and course of the Imperial battleships.

[princep01]

Hurray!!  His sneaky attempt to trap your fleet in a one sided battle appears to have failed.  Now, there remains the submarine menace, but it is, by comparison, minor and all that stands between you and a victory on New Caledonia.  Nicely done!

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Hurray!!  His sneaky attempt to trap your fleet in a one sided battle appears to have failed.  Now, there remains the submarine menace, but it is, by comparison, minor and all that stands between you and a victory on New Caledonia.  Nicely done!

Well... almost nicely done. I got sloppy the last two turns. First I left the mine sweepers too far away. Then I neglected to give orders to Southern Cover to move in with the troops. From what I can see the latter miscue won't have any effect. I do hope the Empire hasn't left a bunch of mines at Noumea, as that group only has one mine sweeper. The mine sweeping TF should be there in two days. Doh!

Didn't mention; another attack near Akyab tomorrow. Saw today that at least one Imperial unit is moving toward Akyab. Either that weakens the defenses some or the whole force is moving and even more ripe for attack. Let's see how that goes!

The real thing is, if New Caledonia comes off quickly without undue complications, I want to see if I can scoop up the division prepped for it and hit Efate before the IJN is back in town. Recon so far is showing only a couple of thousand troops there.

Another division is fully prepped for Luganville, too... [:)]

[princep01]

Well, of course, one doesn't know until one recons a place in earnest, but my guess is that Efate and Loganville will not have very strong garrisons.  It is likely they are just for delay.  If either has a significant garrison, my bet would naturally be at Loganville.  Maybe a CV raid and recon on Loganville after the New Caledonia invasion is over would be wise.
 
Does the Noumea hex show any mines?  If not, I'd carry on, but if it does I might await those ACMs or DMS before commiting substantial fleet elements to that hex.  Remember too that DDs can sweep mines.  You might lose a couple of DDs doing it, but they will destroy some or all the mines, open a swept channel and prevent havoc among the APs.
 
Does Noumea have a CD unit there that you have scouted out?  That could be even more troublesomes to the APs than mines.
 
Plant the flags of the Allies on New Caledonia!  Good luck!

[witpqs]

For Efate Intel/combat reports have:

4th/A Division

For Luganville:

4th/A Division - later than at Efate.
II/66th Naval Guard Unit - but this unit shows up at Shortlands later on.

So it looks like a regiment (4th/A Division) at Luganville (plus any late arrivals) and an unidentified smaller unit at Efate.

The tentative plan is to embark both divisions, each convoy to also have AKs loaded just with supply so a crap load gets ashore. The fleet covers the Efate invasion on the way by with the Luganville invasion. Short's Long Guns will provide gunfire support to the Luganville invasion. There will be a mine sweeper TF in attendance. [:D] The Luganville invasion will be strictly depending on circumstances. If there is no substantial sea-borne opposition it will go in. The Efate invasion convoy should already be unloaded and heading back to safer waters if opposition then shows up at Luganville.

It is hoped that hitting two targets at once so soon after the New Caledonia op will catch the IJN out of place. I know where one large group of battleships and cruisers is heading so I would like to get this in before they get back.

[BBfanboy]

You sound really confident of the accuracy of that sighting. I have often had recon report CAs and BBs which later turn out to be CVs and escorts.
No problem if they keep moving away but a different issue if they can sprint back and have carriers striking at 8 hex range!

[princep01]

That's always a possiblity, BBfanboy, but that is also a lot of "ifs".  At some point one has to say, damn the torpedos, full speed ahead,  Naturally, one does not issue such bravado without  having scouted/reconned as best as one can (AND brought the ACMs/DMS along!), but under the circumstances it appears a good plan to go for not only Noumea, but also Efate and MAYBE, Espiritu Santo/Loganville as well.
 
The garrisons looks prefunctory, the enemy CVs and major surface forces appear to be moving away or refueling (not in the immediate vicinity) and the troops are properly prepped.  I'd cast my lot on making the plan a go.  Of course, if the CVs threaten or if even large surface forces appear in the vicinty, a tactical "hold" or even withdrawal might be in order. 

[witpqs]

That BB/CA sighting was by a sub in action against the TF, so it's pretty solid as to ship types. It also is in position consistent with the surface group heading back to Truk. It might be a different one, and it might be heading in a different direction (FOW). Either way, the Tanna and Anatom search bases are helping with that. Assets will be ready so that Efate can begin searching the day after it is taken. I've got a whole bunch of subs covering the approaches, and with aerial search coverage they have better chances to draw blood.

I do plan to call it off if opposition is too stiff. It would be nice to have the situation changed so much before beginning to rotate the carriers and fast battleships back for their October '42 refits. That one adds a ton of anti-air power. Then again, I have troops fully prepped for the lower Solomons... [:'(]

[BBfanboy]

Not saying it shouldn't be tried, Princep01 - just trying to get a handle on whether witpqs considered the possibility of CVs within a day's sprint. Sounds like he has done his usual due diligence with search, patrol, and picket assets.
Looking forward to seeing the dominoes fall - and the IJN reaction.

[witpqs]

1942 November 02

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Noumea
La Foa

Carnage in the skies over Burma. We lost 21 x Blenheim IV, 5 x P-39D, 5 x Wellington Ic, and 1 x P-40K. Most of the 2EB went in without escort due to the vagaries of weather and coordination from multiple bases. The P-40K sweep did go in, some 2EB were escorted (mostly those unopposed!), and the 2EB without escort fought like hell. 17 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo were taken. P-38 sweeps over Milne Bay took from 2 to 4 x Zeros. More Zeros were taken over Burma in the maelstrom, bringing the total to 14 x A6M2 Zero.

The result was a contribution to a decent ground attack outside Akyab.

Ground combat at 55,44 (near Cox's Bazar)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35799 troops, 590 guns, 1040 vehicles, Assault Value = 1234

Defending force 19349 troops, 155 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 497

Allied adjusted assault: 804

Japanese adjusted defense: 1087

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1726 casualties reported
Squads: 68 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 25 (9 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
478 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 40 disabled
Vehicles lost 34 (6 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Assaulting units:
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
75th IAC Regiment
Americal Infantry Division
2/10th Armoured Regiment
754th Tank Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade
27th Infantry Division
23rd Indian Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
88th Indian Brigade
XV Indian Corps
2/9th Field Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
78th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
146th Infantry Regiment

Some 4EBs will bomb to keep them moving slower. The troops and the bulk of the bombers will rest one day then attack again.

Adm Pye with ad-hoc assignment for temporary ASW duties did not arrive on scene in time. Saratoga took two torpedoes and stands at 37-21(8)-13(9). Flight operations are shut down but might be restored. So she will be first to rotate out for October refit. Ironically, Lead, with Saratoga and Lexington, has the most ASW protection. I should have chosen a TF name like "Sub Smiter". There were several sub encounters in the invasion zone, most being without result.

ASW attack near Noumea at 114,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola
CA Chester
CA Northampton
CL Honolulu
DD Helm
DD Gridley
DD Craven
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Mugford

SS I-30 is sighted by escort
DD Gridley fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ralph Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mugford fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Gridley fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Craven fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Ralph Talbot fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mugford fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ralph Talbot fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Mugford fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Noumea at 114,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans
CA Salt Lake City
CLAA Juneau
DD Aaron Ward
PC Swan
AM Chevreuil
AP President Monroe
AP President Hayes
AP American Legion
AP Leonard Wood
AP J. Franklin Bell
AP Zeilin
AP Wharton
AK Almaack
AK Algorab
xAP Merkur
DD Lardner
DD Lansdowne
DD Duncan
DD Buchanan

SS I-30 is sighted by escort
DD Lardner fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Lansdowne fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Duncan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Buchanan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lansdowne attacking submerged sub ....
DD Duncan fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Buchanan fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Lansdowne fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lansdowne fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lansdowne fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lansdowne fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Noumea at 114,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Torpedo hits 2
CA Pensacola
CA Northampton
CL Honolulu
DD Helm
DD Gridley
DD Craven
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Mugford

SS I-30 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Saratoga
I-30 diving deep ....
DD Gridley fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Craven fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Ralph Talbot attacking submerged sub ....
DD Mugford attacking submerged sub ....
DD Gridley attacking submerged sub ....
DD Ralph Talbot fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Mugford fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Gridley fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Gridley fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Gridley fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Noumea at 114,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota
BB North Carolina
DD Caldwell
DD Bancroft
DD McCalla
DD Russell
DD Mustin
DD Hammann

SS I-30 is sighted by escort
I-30 diving deep ....
DD Russell fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Mustin attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hammann attacking submerged sub ....
DD Mustin fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hammann fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hammann fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hammann fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hammann attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hammann cannot establish contact with SS I-30
DD Hammann cannot establish contact with SS I-30
DD Hammann fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hammann fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Grampus had an encounter near Nauru, but the TF was not well enough observed to give a present position and heading.

ASW attack near Nauru Island at 121,126

Japanese Ships
DD Yugure
BB Hyuga
BB Hiei
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CA Atago
CA Takao
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Fubuki
DD Uzuki
DD Sazanami
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
SS Grampus

SS Grampus launches 2 torpedoes at DD Yugure
Grampus diving deep ....
DD Uzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sazanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Ayanami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Uzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ayanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Uzuki attacking submerged sub ....
DD Uzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

At La Foa there are more troops to unload as I think only one phase was available for unloading. At Noumea all the troops were unloaded, with plenty of supply, and only additional supply remains to unload. The 8th NZ Bde will take La Foa tomorrow. The Guards Mixed Brigade defended the beaches of Noumea with 20 guns, but all Allied units are ashore in good order and ready for combat. Tomorrow the 3rd Marine Division and the 1st USMC Tank Battalion will attack. The 3rd Pioneer Bn and the 2nd Amphibious Tractor Engr Bn are also present but their job is on the beaches. 3rd NZ HQ is in command, backed up by South Pacific HQ at Nadi.

The troop convoy at Noumea will head for Fiji as soon as all supplies are offloaded. Second wave convoys are heading for Noumea now but will not offload until the base is taken.

SigInt has picked up CL Katori just north of the mid-Solomons. CA Quincy is entering the ship yard at Auckland. APDs will pick up the paras at Anatom and bring to the Belep Islands, just north of Koumac, to seize the next forward search base. here is a look at the extent of search in the critical area so far.

[witpqs]

1942 November 03

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
La Foa

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Another sub regrets the Karachi run.

ASW attack near Karachi at 39,7

Japanese Ships
SS I-166, hits 9, heavy damage

Allied Ships
ML No. 200
ML No. 202
ML No. 201

SS I-166 is located by ML No. 200
ML No. 202 fails to find sub and abandons search
ML No. 201 attacking submerged sub ....
ML No. 201 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 201 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 201 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 201 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 201 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

This day BB South Dakota took a torpedo.

Sub attack near Noumea at 114,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Torpedo hits 1
BB North Carolina
DD Caldwell
DD Bancroft
DD McCalla
DD Russell
DD Mustin
DD Hammann

SS I-30 launches 6 torpedoes at BB South Dakota
DD Russell fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Mustin fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hammann fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

She split off with a DD and has made 200nm to clear the area already. There were several other sub encounters there.

Sub attack near Noumea at 114,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
CA San Francisco
CL Nashville
DD Farragut
DD Hull
DD Dewey
DD MacDonough
DD Worden

SS I-30 launches 2 torpedoes at CV Yorktown
I-30 diving deep ....
DD Hull fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Dewey fails to find sub and abandons search
DD MacDonough fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Noumea at 115,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-176, hits 7

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
CA Salt Lake City
CLAA Juneau
DD Aaron Ward
DD Grayson
PC Swan
AM Chevreuil
AP President Monroe
AP President Hayes
AP Leonard Wood
AP J. Franklin Bell
AP Wharton
AK Almaack
AK Algorab
xAP Merkur
DD Lardner
DD Lansdowne
DD Duncan
DD Buchanan

SS I-176 is sighted by escort
DD Lardner fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lansdowne attacking submerged sub ....
DD Duncan fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Buchanan fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Noumea at 114,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-30

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
DD Caldwell
DD McCalla
DD Mustin
DD Hammann
DD Anderson

SS I-30 is sighted by escort
DD Mustin fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hammann fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Anderson attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

KB is 4 hexes WNW of Luganville, right in a spot where the search planes out of Anatom and Tanna overfly them. The convoy at La Foa is still unloading Support and Motorized Support squads, but will pull up stakes and head SW. One ship, little xAP Dilga of 3,700 tons is badly damaged and can only make 2 knots. It seems that the day before "xAP Dilga hits underwater rocks while attempting to unload at La Foa". She has detached and will attempt to unload that last squad and hide in place. All the rest of the TFs are also moving SW. The large assault convoy at Noumea will simply call it quits on unloading supplies (by far most were unloaded) and take a very circuitous route to Fiji.

On land the 8th NZ Bde took possession of La Foa. The 3rd Marine Div and 1st USMC Tank Bn outclassed the defense at Noumea, and might capture that base on the next attack.

Ground combat at Noumea (115,160)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14526 troops, 196 guns, 235 vehicles, Assault Value = 557

Defending force 4564 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 148

Allied adjusted assault: 630

Japanese adjusted defense: 274

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
517 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 70 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
2nd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
3rd Pioneer Battalion
3rd NZ Division

Defending units:
Guards Mixed Brigade

Here is a look at KB's position. Maybe our subs can get in a shot or two?