Then the air action.
The enemy air strikes were of little consequences, but they hinted on what is coming in the next few days.
First, a Nell scored a hit on CA Dorsetshire, but it was with a 60 kg GP bomb, so no damage. Likely because of lack of supply or air support. Maybe he just rush the planes into some undeveloped or unsupported airfield.
Second, he launched Oscars on naval attack! I wonder why he did it, I mean the 50cal gun won't sink anything. My best guess is that he wanted to force CAP to engage the fighters so his bombers had a better chance
predictably, the Oscars didn't do a lot, they only scored one hit, but with a 15 kg bomb [8|]
Third, A new threat from the south, likely carriers appeared:
morning strike was 17 B5N1s attacking from low level, no damage
afternoon strike was 23 Zeros and 13 B5N1s, once again low level, this time DD Tjerk Hiddes was severely damaged by 2 250KG bombs
My best guess at this moment: this is Ryujo rushing to battle, or maybe Ryujo + Taiyo and likely still outside torpedo range
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 43,60
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 3 damaged
Allied Ships
CA Dorsetshire, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
CL Glasgow
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 44,58
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 19
Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 9
Martlet II x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
DD Isis
CV Formidable
DD Vendetta
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar bombing from 100 feet
CAP engaged:
No.880 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 30300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
No.135 Sqn RAF with Martlet II (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 42,61
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Napier
DD Nizam
Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 48,55
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
BB Revenge
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar bombing from 100 feet
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 43,60
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied Ships
DD Nestor
DD Hotspur
DD Norman
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 15 kg GP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 42,61
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
B5N1 Kate x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied Ships
DD Tjerk Hiddes, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Nizam
DD Napier
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 47,57
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
BB Royal Sovereign, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 15 kg GP Bomb
