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AdmSpruance: Just caught up with about 9 months of your AAR and I've got lower work productivity to show for it. This is an excellent chronicle and congrats on a fine performance. I'm not sure what you've done, but you are certainly subject to a lower magnitude of aerial attack near the home islands than I've experienced in Scen 2 and Downfall against the AI (set to Hard). Perhaps you've dealt a stunning blow to his production by interdicting resources and oil (I'm at least year behind behind on Stone Age's AAR). The AI allows you to build up some pretty good aces with its constant attacks.

I'm curious about your Olympic plans. Historically the Japanese had Kyushu very lightly defended in 1944, so it may not be as tough as you think. Of course, while the AI usually remains pretty static, your opponent could easily rail in a ton of reinforcements.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers,
CC

vaned74....good point on the plane fatigue causing higher op losses. I have to weigh that against the bomb damage Im inflicting....Im seeing more strategic damage done to cities on the 3rd and 4th consecutive days of bombing than the 1st and 2nd, and then even more on the 5th and 6th days than the 3rd and 4th. And then even more damage from the 4 days of remaining fires after thew bombing stops. Id bomb for 8 days consecutively if my operational tempo didnt degrade so fast.

Commander Cody....I was able to cut Japan's last SLOC from the SRA to the Home Islands in late 1943 so I have to assume that they are nearly devoid of stored fuel or resources. In addition, my subs have stopped virtually all convoys around Japan and the strategic bombing is devastating home grown resources. StoneAge has most of the Japanese Home Island army on railines so he can respond to attacks almost anywhere in a couple of days. I do have over 30 divisions prepping for Kanoya on Kyushu and Kochi on Shikoku but I discontinued serious planning for Operation Olympic as I thought the game would end from strategic bombing before I could manage the ground assault. At any rate, Im massing all my APA/AKA/AP/AK/LCI/LSTs at Babelbaob so I can see how much amphibious lift capacity the Allies have at the end of 1944.



8/31-9/1/44



SUBS


SS Pogy puts a torpedo in AO Ondo off Ningpo.

I havent seen one of these babies in awhile. Its burning like a torch so it must be full and probably will sink.



CENTPAC


IJN transports are spotted in off Yokohama so a small USN surface TF is sent to investigate:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 31, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Yokohama/Yokosuka at 113,61, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
DD Makinami, Shell hits 13, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Portland
CA Indianapolis
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 2
DD Harding
DD Doyle
DD Maury
DD Lawrence



Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 96% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 4,000 yards
Japanese ships attempt to get underway
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Shimakaze at 2,000 yards
DD Shimakaze sunk by CA Indianapolis at 2,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Makinami at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Makinami engages CA San Francisco at 4,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages DD Makinami at 4,000 yards
DD Lawrence engages DD Makinami at 4,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Makinami at 4,000 yards
DD Makinami engages CA Indianapolis at 4,000 yards
DD Makinami sunk by DD Doyle at 4,000 yards
DD Makinami sunk by DD Doyle at 4,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...




StoneAge overwhelms our night fighters at Tanegashima:


Night Air attack on Tanegashima , at 102,62

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 27
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 7


Allied aircraft
P-70A-1 Havoc x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed on ground
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground


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


Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
26 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
427th NFS with P-70A-1 Havoc (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes


Ive got B-24s parkeed wingtip to wingtip on Tanegashima so 11 bombers are destroyed on the ground. I staged in another havoc nightfighter squadron to Tanegashima as well as a squadron of Black Widows.



Tanegashima is certainly the most forward, exposed Allied base so StoneAge hits it repeatedly with naval bombers and a kamikax\ze attack:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tanegashima at 102,62

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 7



Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 12
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 4 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed




CAP engaged:
51st FG/16th FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
35th FG/41st FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 35000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tanegashima at 102,62

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 72 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B4Y1 Jean x 18
E8N2 Dave x 18
J2M3 Jack x 24
Ki-32 Mary x 12



Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 11
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
B4Y1 Jean: 11 destroyed
E8N2 Dave: 12 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 6 destroyed
Ki-32 Mary: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Richelieu
SC PC-791, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 1
BB Valiant, Kamikaze hits 1
CA London
DD Mustin
CA Cornwall
CL Newfoundland
CA Shropshire
DD Nestor
AO Tomahawk, Kamikaze hits 1
AO Taluga
AO Cossatot
AO Chepachet
SC PC-578



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x E8N2 Dave flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 30 kg GP Bomb
11 x Ki-32 Mary flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
11 x B4Y1 Jean flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
51st FG/16th FS with P-38L Lightning (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 36440.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 63 minutes
35th FG/41st FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 35000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Tomahawk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tanegashima at 102,62

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B4Y1 Jean x 16
Ki-36 Ida x 5



Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 6
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
B4Y1 Jean: 10 destroyed
Ki-36 Ida: 3 destroyed


Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
AO Cache
CA Portland
CA San Francisco
DD Harding



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B4Y1 Jean flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x Ki-36 Ida flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
51st FG/16th FS with P-38L Lightning (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
35th FG/41st FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 35000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tanegashima at 102,62

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-III Dinah x 3



Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 3
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 destroyed




CAP engaged:
51st FG/16th FS with P-38L Lightning (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
35th FG/41st FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 35000
Raid is overhead


I have some 125 P-38Ls and P-47D2s at Tanegashima so I will need to leave a few more at home flying CAP.

Overall, Japan loses 105AC this turn vs 36 Allied AC. In A2A, its 43 destroyed Japanese AC vs 4 Allied.



Some 900 carrier bombers and 800 4Es city bomb Osaka for a 3rd and 4th consecutive day with minimal losses.



BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT


Weather was worse than expected over Osaka so the damage inflicted was somewhat muted. A mere 500 strategic damage points were inflicted over the 2 days of firebombing so Japanese strategic point losses stand at 14,254. MP was hit hard and now stands at 51(88). HI damage increased slightly to1005(946) and LI damage to 1143(758). Im very disappointed by the damage inflicted from the last 4 days at Osaka. Either virgin cities are easier to damage on the initial city bombing attacks wth much less damage in return attacks......or there is some algorithym to reduce the damage inlicted once a city suffers 40 or 50% damage to its industries. You can still damage manpower but HI, LI and the rest seem to be more resistant to damage and MP by itself doesnt generate much in the way of strategic loss points. I guess that I should focus on the undamaged targets at Yokohama, Kobe and almost untouched Nagoya. The weather is forcast to be good over Osaka so we will hit it again tomorrow for a 3rd and final turn.


Victory points now stand at 81,000 Allied to 31,000 Japanese. I had been hoping to achieve autovictory with 3:1 odds by the end of October but now that seems doubtful as the strategic loss points are becoming more and more difficult to inflict. This game may last until 1/1/45 unless Curtis LeMay develops a better plan for strategic bombing attacks.

9/2-9/3/44



SUBS


This is why Ive kept my subs on station around Japan even though they have taken a tremendous beating from IJN E boats:


Submarine attack near Fukue-jima at 100,59

Japanese Ships
TK Nihon Maru

Allied Ships
SS Atule



TK Nihon Maru is sighted by SS Atule
SS Atule launches 6 torpedoes


Sub attack near Fukue-jima at 100,59

Japanese Ships
TK Nihon Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Atule



SS Atule launches 4 torpedoes


Submarine attack near Fukue-jima at 97,58

Japanese Ships
AO Ondo, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Storm



AO Ondo is sighted by SS Storm
SS Storm launches 6 torpedoes



Japan is literally starving for fuel and resources. Now StoneAge is sending single ship blockade runners in to bring in some fuel...any fuel he can get at all.



CENTPAC


StoneAge sent another DD raider TF to intedict our SLOC from the Marianas to Tanegashima so we sent a surface TF to say hello to them:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 02, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tanegashima at 106,66, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Kiyoshimo, Shell hits 2
DD Uranami
DD Okikaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
CA Indianapolis
CA San Francisco
DD Harding
DD Doyle
DD Maury
DD Lawrence, Shell hits 1



Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 100% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Yamada, Yuji crosses the 'T'
CA San Francisco engages DD Kiyoshimo at 8,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Okikaze at 8,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Uranami at 8,000 yards
DD Kiyoshimo engages DD Lawrence at 8,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Maury at 8,000 yards
DD Doyle engages DD Kiyoshimo at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Kiyoshimo at 3,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages DD Kiyoshimo at 3,000 yards
DD Harding engages DD Uranami at 3,000 yards
DD Kiyoshimo engages DD Harding at 3,000 yards
DD Maury engages DD Okikaze at 3,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Doyle at 3,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Harding at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Maury at 6,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages DD Kiyoshimo at 6,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Lawrence at 6,000 yards
DD Lawrence engages DD Kiyoshimo at 6,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Maury at 6,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Doyle at 6,000 yards
DD Kiyoshimo engages DD Harding at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Harding at 10,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Harding at 10,000 yards
DD Lawrence engages DD Kiyoshimo at 10,000 yards
DD Maury engages DD Uranami at 10,000 yards
DD Doyle engages DD Uranami at 10,000 yards
DD Kiyoshimo engages DD Harding at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Maury at 13,000 yards
DD Maury engages DD Okikaze at 13,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Kiyoshimo at 13,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Lawrence at 13,000 yards
DD Maury engages DD Kiyoshimo at 13,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Doyle at 13,000 yards
DD Harding engages DD Kiyoshimo at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...




StoneAge sends more night bombers against Tanegashima but our Black Widows are waiting for them:


Night Air attack on Tanegashima , at 102,62

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 25
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 5


Allied aircraft
P-61A Black Widow x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground


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


Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
15th FG/6th NFS with P-61A Black Widow (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes


The Havoc night fighters can disrupt and turn back night bombers....the Black Widows actually get kills.....very cool. Dont know why my 2 squadrons of Havoc night fighters didnt fly this turn ....I will be replacing their leaders next turn.


StoneAge attacked Alied shipping at Tanegashima again....the IJN attack planes were repelled but Im surprsied that so few Allied fighters actually flew:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tanegashima at 102,62

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 48 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E8N2 Dave x 12
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 8
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 10
Ki-84a Frank x 12



Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 38
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 14


Japanese aircraft losses
E8N2 Dave: 7 destroyed
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 4 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 4 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed


Allied Ships
BB Richelieu
TK Birch
CL Caradoc
BC Renown



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x E8N2 Dave flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 30 kg GP Bomb
1 x Ki-21-IIb Sally flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
49th FG/7th FS with P-38L Lightning (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
49th FG/9th FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
51st FG/16th FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
35th FG/41st FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 10 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 35000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes



Allied heavy bombers and 5th Fleet carrier bombers city bombed Osaka for a 5th and 6th consecutive day. When its all over, 5th Fleet returns to port and the 4Es are stood down for maintenance and repairs.....the CVEs return to Tanegashima and the fleet carriers return to Okinawa. After 6 consecutive days of strategic bombing of Japan, only 95 of the 274 B-29s at Tinian are available for flight ops.



BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT


Allied strategic bombers inflict massive damage on Osaka this turn in spite of inclement weather. Nearly 800 strategic loss ponts were inflicted on Japan. MP damage increased to 47(92), HI increased to 908(1043) and LI REALLY ramped up to 884(1017). I alluded to this in my last post in response to vaned74....the 1st 2 days of the strategic bombing offensive at Osaka netted only 50 strategic loss points with some 1700 bombers in good weather. The 3rd and 4th days of firebombing inflicted 500 strategic loss points in poor weather. The 5th and 6th days of firebombing inflicted nearly 800 strategic loss points with maybe only 80% of the carrier bombers and 60% of the 4Es flying again in poor weather. I bet that next turn will see just as much damage or more with no bombing........ just damage from the residual fires.

9/4-9/5/44



SUBS


SS Razorback is hit by 13 DCs from IJN ASW TF off Shanghai.



CENTPAC


USN surface TF sinks AOs unloading at Yokohama:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 05, 44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Yokohama/Yokosuka at 113,61, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AO Iro, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
AO Shiriya, Shell hits 32, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Houston
CA Baltimore
DD Boyd
DD Bradford
DD Patterson
DD Drayton



Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF begins to get underway
Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 89% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Lee, Willis "Ching" crosses the 'T'
CA Baltimore engages AO Iro at 8,000 yards
CA Baltimore engages AO Iro at 8,000 yards
CA Baltimore engages AO Iro at 8,000 yards
DD Drayton engages AO Iro at 8,000 yards
DD Drayton engages AO Iro at 8,000 yards
DD Patterson engages AO Iro at 8,000 yards
DD Bradford engages AO Iro at 8,000 yards
DD Boyd engages AO Iro at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CA Houston engages AO Iro at 5,000 yards
DD Drayton engages AO Iro at 5,000 yards
AO Iro sunk by DD Patterson at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Houston engages AO Shiriya at 3,000 yards
CA Houston engages AO Shiriya at 3,000 yards
CA Baltimore engages AO Shiriya at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
AO Shiriya sunk by CA Baltimore at 2,000 yards
AO Shiriya sunk by CA Baltimore at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


As usual, the IJN DDs at Yokohama escape annihilation:


Night Time Surface Combat, near Yokohama/Yokosuka at 113,61, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Kiyoshimo
DD Uranami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Okikaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 1
CA Baltimore
DD Boyd, Shell hits 1
DD Bradford
DD Patterson
DD Drayton



Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 82% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 9,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Boyd at 9,000 yards
DD Kiyoshimo engages DD Boyd at 9,000 yards
DD Kiyoshimo engages DD Bradford at 9,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Boyd at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Boyd engages DD Namikaze at 7,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Uranami at 7,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Boyd at 7,000 yards
DD Kiyoshimo engages DD Patterson at 7,000 yards
DD Bradford engages DD Kiyoshimo at 7,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Boyd at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Bradford at 8,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Boyd at 8,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Bradford at 8,000 yards
DD Kiyoshimo engages DD Patterson at 8,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Bradford at 8,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Boyd at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Namikaze at 11,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Bradford at 11,000 yards
DD Drayton engages DD Kiyoshimo at 11,000 yards
DD Kiyoshimo engages DD Patterson at 11,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Bradford at 11,000 yards
DD Boyd engages DD Kiyoshimo at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Drayton at 14,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Uranami at 14,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Bradford at 14,000 yards
DD Patterson engages DD Kiyoshimo at 14,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Bradford at 14,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Boyd at 14,000 yards
Task forces break off...



Carriers of 5th Fleet hit IJN TFs at sea and in port at Hiroshima on their way back to base:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Fukue-jima at 98,58

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7
TBF-1 Avenger x 5


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD T-7, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD T-7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Shimonoseki at 104,57

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 2



Allied aircraft
Avenger I x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger I: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
ML G-322



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Avenger I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo

CAP engaged:
352 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 21000
Raid is overhead
22nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 34440
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
Avenger II x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 47
TBM-1C Avenger x 36


Allied aircraft losses
Avenger II: 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Oigawa Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hakkai Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Hakusika Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AD Gyoko Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Izumo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Yamahuzi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Asukasan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Sinsei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Yuzan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Fukoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Avenger II bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
1 x Avenger II bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
8 x Avenger II bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17
TBF-1 Avenger x 12
TBM-1C Avenger x 16


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Nissen Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Rasin Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Koyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Hokusei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Florida Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes


Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 1
FM-2 Wildcat x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 3
TBF-1 Avenger x 4
TBM-1C Avenger x 8


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Brasil Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet


Allied CVEs fight off repeated kamikaze attacks:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tanegashima at 102,62

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 35,440 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 7



Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 22
Hellcat I x 7
P-38L Lightning x 34
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 14
FM-2 Wildcat x 39
F6F-3 Hellcat x 140


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
No.834 Sqn-FF-1 FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
No.882 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 36900.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
No.896 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.898 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
No.1839 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VC(F)-20 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VC(F)-21 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
VC(F)-42 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 34700.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 33000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
VC(F)-66 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
VC(F)-68 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 38800.
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-75 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
VC(F)-77 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
VC(F)-78 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
VC(F)-80 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VC(F)-82 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-85 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-86 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-88 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tanegashima at 102,62

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B4Y1 Jean x 4
E8N2 Dave x 2



Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 22
Hellcat I x 7
P-38L Lightning x 31
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 13
FM-2 Wildcat x 39
F6F-3 Hellcat x 134


Japanese aircraft losses
B4Y1 Jean: 3 destroyed
E8N2 Dave: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
No.834 Sqn-FF-1 FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
No.882 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
No.896 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
No.898 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
No.1839 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
No.1844 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VC(F)-20 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
VC(F)-21 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VC(F)-42 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VC(F)-66 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-68 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VC(F)-75 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
VC(F)-77 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VC(F)-78 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VC(F)-80 with FM-2 Wildcat (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 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VC(F)-82 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
VC(F)-85 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
VC(F)-86 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead

Training flight from No.1844 Sqn FAA has been caught up in attack
Training flight from VC(F)-96 has been caught up in attack


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tanegashima at 102,62

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 50 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5M1 Mabel x 6
J2M3 Jack x 20



Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 22
Hellcat I x 10
P-38L Lightning x 27
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12
FM-2 Wildcat x 43
F6F-3 Hellcat x 134


Japanese aircraft losses
B5M1 Mabel: 4 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 1 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
No.834 Sqn-FF-1 FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
No.882 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.896 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.898 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.1839 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.1844 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-20 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-21 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-42 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-66 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-68 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-75 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-77 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-78 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VC(F)-80 with FM-2 Wildcat (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 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-82 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VC(F)-85 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-86 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes

Training flight from No.882 Sqn FAA has been caught up in attack
Training flight from VC(F)-93 has been caught up in attack
Training flight from VC(F)-97 has been caught up in attack



The Black Widows at Tanegashima fight off another night bombing attack:


Night Air attack on Tanegashima , at 102,62

Weather in hex: Light rain

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 3


Allied aircraft
P-61A Black Widow x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses



Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
15th FG/6th NFS with P-61A Black Widow (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes




BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT


The fires continue to rage at Osaka 2 days after the bombing has ended. Another 600 strategic loss points are inflicted by the residual fires. MP stands at 43(96), HI at 820(1131) and LI at 757(1144).

9/6-9/7/44



SUBS


SS Ray sinks AKL Sensei maru off Moppo.




CENTPAC


CVE Avengers pound shipping in port at Hiroshima:


Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 24
J2M3 Jack x 12



Allied aircraft
Avenger I x 2
Avenger II x 3
Corsair II x 6
Hellcat I x 2
FM-2 Wildcat x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 23
TBF-1 Avenger x 45
TBM-1C Avenger x 48


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair II: 2 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 3 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Brasil Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Hirota Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nissen Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Miyadono Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Teiren Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Ryoyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
ACM Hong Kong Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Liverpool Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Hoeisan Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Chile Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Havre Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Janbi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Zuisyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Asaka Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Maya Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Florida Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Izumo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Nitiran Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Taizin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Yozan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Repair Shipyard hits 2
Port hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Avenger I bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Avenger II bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Hellcat I sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
332 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (3 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 20
J2M3 Jack x 11



Allied aircraft
Avenger II x 12
Corsair II x 6
Hellcat I x 1
FM-2 Wildcat x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 42
TBF-1 Avenger x 16
TBM-1C Avenger x 32


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger II: 3 damaged
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Rasin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AD Gyoko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Nissen Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Uyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Liverpool Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Havre Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Kiyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nitii Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Hoeisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Aden Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yuzan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



Repair Shipyard hits 7
Port hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Avenger II bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
6 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 14000 feet
5 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 14000 feet
6 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
4 x Avenger II bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Avenger II bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
332 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 12
J2M3 Jack x 9



Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 1
Hellcat I x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7
TBF-1 Avenger x 12
TBM-1C Avenger x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hellcat I: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Taizin Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Maya Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Fukoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Janbi Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Brasil Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Uyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Arima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Ryugi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Nitiryu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Nissen Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage



Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
332 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 55 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers


Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 11
J2M3 Jack x 2



Allied aircraft
Avenger I x 2
Avenger II x 14
Corsair II x 5
Hellcat I x 3
FM-2 Wildcat x 17
F6F-3 Hellcat x 55
TBF-1 Avenger x 34
TBM-1C Avenger x 49


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 3 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger I: 1 damaged
Avenger II: 2 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 14 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Himalaya Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Uyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Hakusika Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hirota Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Chile Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Koyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK France Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Arima Maru, Bomb hits 1
ACM Hong Kong Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AD Gyoko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Toyokawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tone Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Asaka Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Maya Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Yamahuzi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Nissen Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Ryoyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Meiten Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Hoeisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Sinsei Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Aden Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Tokuyusan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Hakkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Hokusei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Sinno Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Nitiryu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yuzan Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hokkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Zuiho Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Asukasan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Teiren Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML G-304, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
ML G-321, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Janbi Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Miyadono Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

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



Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Avenger I bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Avenger II bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x Avenger II bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Hellcat I sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
3 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
2 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 14000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
7 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 14000 feet
1 x Avenger II bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 14000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Avenger II bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
332 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 1



Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 5
Hellcat I x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4
TBF-1 Avenger x 19
TBM-1C Avenger x 20


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK France Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Ryugi Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ryoyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nitiran Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Hoeisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Aden Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Nitii Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arima Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Rasin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Hokusei Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yamakuni Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Brasil Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Asaka Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Janbi Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Koyu Maru, and is sunk

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



Repair Shipyard hits 1
Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes


Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 2
FM-2 Wildcat x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2
TBF-1 Avenger x 7
TBM-1C Avenger x 12


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Nitiran Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Izumo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Havre Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Mansyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Florida Maru, and is sunk



Repair Shipyard hits 1
Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8
TBF-1 Avenger x 7
TBM-1C Avenger x 4


Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
ACM Oi Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Teiren Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Taizin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arima Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Shuntai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Yuzan Maru, and is sunk
AD Gyoko Maru, and is sunk
ACM Hong Kong Maru, and is sunk

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



Repair Shipyard hits 2
Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb




The Allies sink 8 IJN ships in port at Hiroshima but the cost in AC is great. The Allies lose 44 AC in A2A combat vs 16 Japanese. We just switched over to v1106i this turn and StoneAge thinks that the new radar revisions are responsible for his improved A2A performance. In plane types, the losses this turn are 26 Hellcats, 19 Avengers, 11 A6M5bs and 7 Jacks. Well...this result was with my CVE fighter jocks...mostly the 2nd stringers. Ill need to bring in the fleet carriers and see if their fighter squadrons can do a bit better.

The CVEs and fleet carriers will leave port next turn to begin the next round of city bombing attacks over Japan.


The Black Widows contimnue to fight off the Japanese night airfield attacks at Tanegashima:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 07, 44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Tanegashima , at 102,62

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 13
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 3


Allied aircraft
P-61A Black Widow x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged




Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
15th FG/6th NFS with P-61A Black Widow (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 2 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes




BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT


The fires at Osaka continue to burn 4 days after the bombing ends. Another 450 strategic loss points are inflicted from the residual fires for a total of 16,068 strategic loss points. At Osaka, MP is now 39(100), HI is 748(1203) and LI is 686(1215).

9/8-9/11/44



SOUTH CHINA SEA


For the 1st time in a long time, Japan sends some blockade runners in the South China Sea:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Miri at 64,87

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes


Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 16


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
TK Hoyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
E W-21, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring TK Hoyo Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E W-21


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Samah at 71,67

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter TF.X x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 2, Shell hits 6
TK Omurosan Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Beaufighter TF.X bombing from 100 feet



Morning Air attack on TF, near Miri at 64,87

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes


Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 16


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
E Saga, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Kuroshio Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Saga
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring TK Kuroshio Maru




CENTPAC


5th Fleet spends the 1st 2 days assembling off the coast of central Japan. While the vast majority of the carriers began city bombing of Kobe on 9/10, a few carriers are available to strike IJN shipping off the coast and in port at Hiroshima:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Maizuru at 110,58

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes


Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 5
SBD-5 Dauntless x 32


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
E Tsuta, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
E Nuwashima, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Saiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
9 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Nuwashima
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Tsuta


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Maizuru at 110,58

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 4



Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 24
F4U-1D Corsair x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 58


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet
4 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
3 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
7 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
6 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F4U-1D Corsair sweeping at 27000 feet

CAP engaged:
381 Ku S-1/B with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 37450
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
381 Ku S-1/C with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 37450
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Maizuru at 110,58

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 25


No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Maizuru at 110,58

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes


Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 3
Hellcat I x 6
FM-2 Wildcat x 9
F6F-3 Hellcat x 56
F6F-5 Hellcat x 10
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 23
SBD-5 Dauntless x 30


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
E Tsuta, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
PB Saiko Maru, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
E Nuwashima, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
21 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Tsuta
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Nuwashima
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PB Saiko Maru


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 72 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 4
J2M3 Jack x 1



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 22
F6F-5 Hellcat x 11
SBD-5 Dauntless x 32
TBF-1 Avenger x 35
TBM-1C Avenger x 49


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Hakkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Sinsei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Yozan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Shuntai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Nitiran Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Hokkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Hokusei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Chile Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AK Arima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Sinno Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



Port hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
City Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
City Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-5 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
5 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
332 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes




Back at Tanegashima, the Black Widows continue to fight off the IJN night bombers:


Night Air attack on Tanegashima , at 102,62

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 3


Allied aircraft
P-61A Black Widow x 12
P-70A-1 Havoc x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged




Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
15th FG/6th NFS with P-61A Black Widow (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
18th FG/419th NFS with P-70A-1 Havoc (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
426th NFS with P-70A-1 Havoc (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Tanegashima , at 102,62

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 20


Allied aircraft
P-61A Black Widow x 9
P-70A-1 Havoc x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged




Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
15th FG/6th NFS with P-61A Black Widow (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
18th FG/419th NFS with P-70A-1 Havoc (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
426th NFS with P-70A-1 Havoc (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes




STRATEGIC BOMBING OF JAPAN


The city bombing of Kobe begins as some 800 carrier bombers and 700 4E's carpet bomb the metropolis with incendiaries for 2 days. After 2 days of city bombing, about 75% of the 279 B-29s on Tinian are available for flight ops.

Japan suffers some 400 strategic loss points for a total of 16,470 strategic loss points. Kobe is left with MP of 30(3), HI of 268(13) and LI of 420(21).

The weather forecast for Kobe remains good so the city bombing will continue next turn.

9/12-9/13/44



SUBS


SS Ray is hit by 4 DCs from IJN ASW TF off Moppo.

SS Sealion sinks E Nomi near Wakkanai but is hit by 12 DCs in return.



CENTPAC


5th Fleet remains offshore central Japan and contributes the majority of her carrier bombers to the city bombing of Kobe. A few carriers are tasked with destruction of IJN shipping in port at Hiroshima:

Morning Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 11
J2M3 Jack x 3



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed




Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet

CAP engaged:
332 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 38380.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes



Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 72 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 1



Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 2
Hellcat I x 6
FM-2 Wildcat x 39
F4U-1D Corsair x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 170
F6F-5 Hellcat x 10
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 24
SBD-5 Dauntless x 58
TBF-1 Avenger x 43
TBM-1C Avenger x 87


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 24 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 19 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Tokuyusan Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Sinno Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Arizama Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Havre Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Teiren Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Hokkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Hirota Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AMc Wa 17, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK France Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Ryugi Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Mansyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Brasil Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yozan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Liverpool Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

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



Repair Shipyard hits 1
Port hits 11
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
14 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
17 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x F6F-5 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
7 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
1 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
City Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
9 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F4U-1D Corsair sweeping at 27000 feet
1 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 61 minutes




BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: KOBE


5TH Fleet carrier bombers and over 500 4Es city bomb Kobe for a 3rd and 4th day. The results are somewhat disappointing...a mere 330 strategic loss points are inflicted on Japan. MP is now 26(7), HI is 209(72) and LI 381(60). Kobe has huge shipyard facilities so it appears that nearly as many stratgeic loss points were gained by damaging shipyards as by hitting the industry. Naval shipyard is now 122(79), merchant shipyard is 53(23) and repair shipyard is 63(28).

The weather forcast is marginally acceptable for Kobe so it will be hit again for a 5th and 6th days to really get the fires going.

9/14-9/15/44


SUBS


SS Albacore is hit by 6 DCs from IJN ASW TF off Shanghai.

SS Seahorse is hit by 10 DCs from E boats near Wakkanai.



CENTPAC


9/14/44 sees the carrier bombers of 5th Fleet grounded due to inclement weather over much of Japan. The weather clears slightly on 9/15.... this allows them to city bomb Kobe again along with the 4Es but there are still no port attacks delivered on Hiroshima.



BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: KOBE


With only one day of strategic bombing out of a 2 day turn the results are again muted. An additional 300 strategic point loss is inlicted on Japan for a total strategic loss of 17,126 strategic points. MP is now at 22(11), HI is at 172(109) , LI is at 328(113) and naval shipyard is now 110(91).

One more turn of strategic bombing is ordered at Kobe tomorrow. With only 139 out of 279 B-29s at Tinian available for ops and with high plane fatigue setting in, they will be grounded next turn. The longer ranged Liberators on Okinawa will also be stood down for the same reason.

9/16-9/17/44



SUBS


SS Tantiuy is hit by 5 DCs from E boats off Utonomiya.

SS Spadefish is hit by 3 DCs from IJN ASW TF near Moppo.



CENTPAC


Once gain, inclement weather grounds the vast aerial armadas of 5th Fleet and the 4Es of the USAAF on 9/16/44. On the 17th, the weather clears and a port stike is launched against Hiroshima:


Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 72 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 6
J2M3 Jack x 1
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 17



Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 4
Hellcat I x 6
FM-2 Wildcat x 38
F4U-1D Corsair x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 180
F6F-5 Hellcat x 15
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 21
SBD-5 Dauntless x 57
TBF-1 Avenger x 45
TBM-1C Avenger x 88


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 4 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 26 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 18 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Batavia Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Sinno Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yozan Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ryugi Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Hakkai Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Arizama Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Tatsuha Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Meiten Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Arima Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Asukasan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Teiren Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Brasil Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Liverpool Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Nitii Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Shuntai Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Sinsei Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Hirota Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Nissen Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Nitiran Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Hakusika Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Zuiho Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Rasin Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Maya Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Nitiryu Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Taizin Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Zuisyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Hoeisan Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Janbi Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Havre Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Hokkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled



Repair Shipyard hits 3
Port hits 21
Port fuel hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
10 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
5 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 15000 feet
2 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x Hellcat I sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
5 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
1 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
5 x F4U-1D Corsair sweeping at 27000 feet
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
7 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
16 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x F6F-5 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
12 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
9 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 64 minutes
332 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (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 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 64 minutes
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 38500 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 63 minutes



5th Fleet carrier bombers then join in to city bomb Kobe once gain on 9/17/44 along with the B-24s/Liberators based at Tanegashima, Amami Oshima and on Okinawa.



BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: KOBE


Eight days of city bombing Kobe and overall the results are less than overwhelming. City attacks were cancelled for 2 of the 8 days due to poor weather.

This turn, Kobe is only hit on a single day. A strategic loss of 250 points is inflicted on Japan for a total 17.370 stratgic points. Kobe now has MP at 19(14), HI at 155(126), LI at 281(160) and naval shipyards at 91(110).

The fleet carriers will now return to Okinawa while the CVEs return to Tanegashima to rearm and replace AC. All of the carriers will hit Hiroshima port next turn on the way back to base.

All 4Es in theatre will now be stood down for R&R.

9/18-9/19/44



SUBS


SS Lancefish is hit by 6 DCs from IJN ASW TF off Moppo.

SS Becura is hit by 10 DCs from E boats off Ominato.



CENTPAC


Allied carriers hit Hiroshima port once again on their way back to port:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 76 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 13
J2M3 Jack x 1
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 7
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 3



Allied aircraft
Avenger I x 3
Avenger II x 4
Corsair II x 7
Hellcat I x 4
FM-2 Wildcat x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 26
F6F-5 Hellcat x 15
TBF-1 Avenger x 43
TBM-1C Avenger x 31


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger I: 1 damaged
Corsair II: 1 destroyed
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Hakkai Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Batavia Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Brasil Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Asukasan Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Zuisyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

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



Repair Shipyard hits 2
Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Avenger I bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Avenger II bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Hellcat I sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Hellcat I sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x F6F-5 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
4th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIb Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 61 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 71 minutes
332 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (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 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 38500 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 38500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 68 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 54 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 11
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4



Allied aircraft
Avenger II x 11
Corsair II x 5
Hellcat I x 1
FM-2 Wildcat x 13
F4U-1D Corsair x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 57
TBF-1 Avenger x 19
TBM-1C Avenger x 34


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger II: 1 damaged
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Arima Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
xAKL Batavia Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Zuisyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Hakkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Brasil Maru, and is sunk



Port hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Avenger II bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x Hellcat I sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 20000 feet
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
1 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x F4U-1D Corsair sweeping at 27000 feet
1 x Avenger II bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Avenger II bombing from 3000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Avenger II bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 38500 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 5
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8



Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 1
FM-2 Wildcat x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5
TBF-1 Avenger x 5
TBM-1C Avenger x 7


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Hakkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 3000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 38500 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 72 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3



Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 1
Hellcat I x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2
TBM-1C Avenger x 11


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged



Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
332 Ku S-1 Det with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 38500 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes





Japanese kamikaze groups are very active this turn. BC Renown had just completed over 6 months at Pearl Harbor repairing torpedo damage and was returning to Okinawa to rejoin 5th Fleet when she was hit by a solitary Jap kamikaze attacking from high altitude:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tanegashima at 102,62

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 200 NM, estimated altitude 37,450 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1



Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 12
Hellcat I x 7
P-38L Lightning x 35
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 8
FM-2 Wildcat x 49
F4U-1D Corsair x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 232


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed


Allied Ships
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-46-III Dinah flying as kamikaze

CAP engaged:
No.834 Sqn-FF-1 FAA with Corsair 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 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
No.882 Sqn FAA with Corsair 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 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
No.896 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
No.898 Sqn FAA with Corsair II (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
No.1844 Sqn FAA with Hellcat I (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VC(F)-20 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 27000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
VC(F)-21 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VC(F)-39 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 34000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
VC(F)-42 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 34300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VC(F)-65 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
VC(F)-66 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VC(F)-68 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 27000 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
VC(F)-75 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
VC(F)-76 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VC(F)-77 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
VC(F)-78 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000 , scrambling fighters to 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VC(F)-80 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes

Training flight from VC(F)-88 has been caught up in attack
Training flight from VC(F)-11 has been caught up in attack
Bombers too high for some aircraft to intercept.



A replenishment convoy on the way to Tanegashima is hit hard in a kamaikaze attack:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Chichi-jima at 109,74

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y2 Judy x 8
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 24



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y2 Judy: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
DE Engstrom, Kamikaze hits 1
AO Kennebago, Kamikaze hits 2, heavy fires
DE William C. Miller, Kamikaze hits 1
DE Levy
AO Saugatuck



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D4Y2 Judy flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Chichi-jima at 109,74

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y2 Judy x 8
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 30



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y2 Judy: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
AO Cahaba
DE William C. Miller, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DE Levy
AO Saugatuck, Kamikaze hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D4Y2 Judy flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb



5th Fleet carriers return to port at Okinawa and Tanegashima and begin to rearm and take on replacements AC.



BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: KOBE



Some 50 4Es at Naha didnt get the message to stand down and launched a solitary city bombing attack on Kobe. The fires at Kobe continue to burn on from the 8 day fire bombing and the damage continues to accrue. Another 230 strategic loss points are inflicted for a total of 17,600 points. MP damage is now 18(15), HI is 115(166), LI is 220(221) and naval shipyard damage is 75(126).

Hello, congratulations for coming so far.
I'm reading your aar and it is very instructive.
I have a suggestion[;)] after reading your latest post. Why not do you bomb strategically in waves?
Then, bombing wouldn´t stop ever: rotate your aircraft, divide into thirds or quarters and alternate your fleet maintenance.

Greetings

Note: I´m a newie & I don´t know it is a dumb question, sorry.[8|]

Igel....welcome to the WitP boards. Good suggestion on strategic bombing in waves....it could be a good tactic. Two caveats however.....1st it takes a certain amount of critical mass to get a decent fire going and 2nd I need to use the carriers to attack heavily defended Japanese cities to get through their CAP...and carriers ops are limiting me to about 6-8 days of continuous attacks. Against lightly defended cities I think you could bomb in waves indefinitely. It appears to be that fire damage/strategic loss points is created by: (fire intensity)x (duration) with duration being the more important variable. Anotherwards.....Im seeing far more damage in a 500,000 fire over a 6 day duration than a 1.5 million fire over a 2 day duration.



9/20-9/21/44



SUBS


SS I-54 attacks a RN surface TF at tanegashima and is hit by 17 DCs.

SS Puffer is hit by 9 DCs from E boats near Aomori.

SS Caiman is hit by 3 DCs from IJN ASW TF by Hamamatsu.



SOUTH CHINA SEA


StoneAge tries to sneak another blockade runner through the South China Sea to get badly need fuel back to Japan......the land based SBDs are waiting however:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Miri at 64,87

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes


Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 31


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
TK Omurosan Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
SC Ch 2, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring TK Omurosan Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring SC Ch 2




CENTPAC


5th Fleet leaves port at Okinawa and Tanegashima and begins to assemble off the central coast of Japan. 5th Fleet now has 15 CVs, 9 CVLs and 48 CVEs.......and nearly 3000 naval AC. The CVEs will begin counterair and air superiority operations at Yokohama this turn while 5th Fleet begins to mass.



BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: KOBE


Its been four days after the majority of the bombing raids at Kobe were halted and the fires there continue to burn but the damage created is very incremental. Here is a screenshot of current damage:

9/22-9/25/44



CENTPAC


StoneAge sends out another surface raider TF to intecept Allied convoys to the front line bases at Tanegashima, Amami Oshima and Okinawa. A RN surface TF is sent out to intercept them but again the IJN DDs seem to get the best of the Allies:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Tanegashima at 104,66, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Uranami, Shell hits 2
DD Okikaze
DD Yukaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Shell hits 2
CL Kenya
DD Morrison
DD Wadleigh
DD McCalla
DD Ingraham
DD Quadrant
DD Quilliam



Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 28% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Boyd, D.W. crosses the 'T'
DD Wadleigh engages DD Namikaze at 2,000 yards
CL Hobart engages DD Uranami at 2,000 yards
DD Wadleigh engages DD Okikaze at 2,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Quadrant at 2,000 yards
CL Kenya engages DD Uranami at 2,000 yards
DD Uranami engages CL Hobart at 2,000 yards
DD Quilliam engages DD Uranami at 2,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Quilliam at 2,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Morrison at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Uranami engages CL Kenya at 5,000 yards
DD Uranami engages CL Hobart at 5,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Quilliam at 5,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Quadrant at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Wadleigh engages DD Namikaze at 8,000 yards
CL Hobart engages DD Uranami at 8,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Quilliam at 8,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Uranami at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tanegashima at 105,66, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Uranami
DD Okikaze
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 2
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
CL Hobart
CL Kenya
DD Morrison
DD Wadleigh
DD McCalla
DD Ingraham
DD Quadrant
DD Quilliam, Shell hits 2



Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 28% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Boyd, D.W. crosses the 'T'
DD Wadleigh engages DD Namikaze at 2,000 yards
DD Yukaze engages DD Wadleigh at 2,000 yards
DD Wadleigh engages DD Okikaze at 2,000 yards
CL Kenya engages DD Uranami at 2,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Quilliam at 2,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Morrison at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Quilliam at 6,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Morrison at 6,000 yards
DD Morrison engages DD Okikaze at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Quilliam at 8,000 yards
CL Hobart engages DD Uranami at 8,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Quilliam at 8,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Uranami at 8,000 yards
DD Wadleigh engages DD Okikaze at 8,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Morrison at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tanegashima at 106,66, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Uranami
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 3
DD Yukaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
CL Hobart
CL Kenya, Shell hits 3
DD Morrison
DD Wadleigh, Shell hits 1
DD McCalla
DD Ingraham
DD Quadrant
DD Quilliam



Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 28% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Yamada, Yuji crosses the 'T'
CL Kenya engages DD Namikaze at 2,000 yards
CL Kenya engages DD Yukaze at 2,000 yards
CL Kenya engages DD Okikaze at 2,000 yards
CL Kenya engages DD Uranami at 2,000 yards
CL Kenya engages DD Uranami at 2,000 yards
CL Hobart engages DD Okikaze at 2,000 yards
CL Kenya engages DD Okikaze at 2,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Namikaze at 2,000 yards
DD Okikaze engages DD Wadleigh at 2,000 yards
DD Yukaze engages DD Morrison at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Kenya engages DD Uranami at 6,000 yards
DD Yukaze engages DD Morrison at 6,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Quilliam at 6,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Quadrant at 6,000 yards
DD Wadleigh engages DD Okikaze at 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Torishima at 107,66, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Uranami, Shell hits 1
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yukaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Shell hits 1
CL Kenya
DD Morrison
DD Wadleigh
DD McCalla, Shell hits 2
DD Ingraham
DD Quadrant, Shell hits 1
DD Quilliam



Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 28% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 4,000 yards
Boyd, D.W. crosses the 'T'
CL Kenya engages DD Okikaze at 4,000 yards
CL Hobart engages DD Uranami at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Namikaze at 2,000 yards
CL Hobart engages DD Uranami at 2,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Okikaze at 2,000 yards
DD Quadrant engages DD Uranami at 2,000 yards
DD McCalla engages DD Uranami at 2,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Wadleigh at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Yukaze engages DD Quadrant at 6,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Quilliam at 6,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Quadrant at 6,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD McCalla at 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...


The RN TF will return to port this turn and is pretty well shot up...most of the RN ships, including the CLs, have over 20% SYS damage.


The strategic bombing of Japan resumes with a vengeance on 9/24 as 5th Fleet again takes up position off the central coast of Japan. This time its Nagoya's turn to feel the wrath of Allied retribution as some 800 carrier bombers and 700 4Es drop incendiaries across the city. The cost in AC is expensive however. The Allies lose 54 AC vs 13 Japanese AC in A2A combat. Allied losses include 28 Hellcats, 15 P-38Ls and even 8 of our invinceable P-47D25s. Next turn I will send 2 additional Hellcat squadrons on sweeps over Nagoya as well as an additional P-47D25 and a P-38L squadron.



BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: NAGOYA


The city bombing of Nagoya appears to be as ineffecive as that at Kobe. Only 280 strategic damage points are inflicted this turn at Nagoya. Nagoya now has MP of 35(2), HI of 277(44) and LI of 477(24).The bombing will continue next turn even though heavy showers are forecast.

9/26-9/27/44



SUBS


SS Pipefish sinks AK Goshun Maru off Fukuoka.

SS Kingfish is hit by 23 DCs from E boats and sinks near Ulleungo.

SS Beugo sinks AK Kinugasa Maru by Fusan.



BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: NAGOYA


Some 1000 carrier bombers and 700 4Es hit Nagoya for a 3rd and 4th consecutive day. 300 strategic loss points are inflicted on Japan for a total of 18,138 strategic loss points. Nagoya now has MP 32(5), HI 265(56) and LI 454(44).

Two more days of city bombing are ordered for Nagoya next turn.

9/28-9/29/44



STRATEGIC BOMBING OF JAPAN


The carrier bombers of 5th Fleet and the 4Es city bomb Nagoya for a 5th and 6th consecutive days. After 6 days of continuous bombing, only 105 of 279 B-29s at tinian are available for flight ops. All the bombers are now stood down and the fleet carriers return to Okinawa to rearm and take on AC replacements while the CVEs return to Tanegashima to do the same.



BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: NAGOYA


Its becoming more and more difficult to amass stratgeic loss points from city bombing....a mere 90 points are inflicted this turn for a total of 18,252 strategic loss points. Nagoya has MP unchanged at 32(5), HI at 231(90) and LI at 411(90). Really only 2 major city targets remain in Japan....Yokohama and Tokyo....and both have already been hit once before so strategic loss points wont come easy. A 3rd target could be Osaka but Osaka has been hit hard twice already.

We will probably continue MP attacks at both Tokyo and Yokohama one more time and then maybe switch to precision bombing to target specific industries....we are certainly seeing diminishing returns from the repeated MP attacks.

9/30-10/1/44



SUBS


SS Rasher sinks E No.52 off Fusan.



CENTPAC


StoneAge sends out some surface TFs to interdict Allied convoys to the frontline base at Tanegashima but they run into a couple of RN surface TFs:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 30, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tanegashima at 102,62, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Ioshima, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
DD Kiri, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Momi, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
E Kume, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
E No.42, Shell hits 1, on fire
E No.44
E No.54, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
E No.61, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
BB Valiant
BC Renown, Shell hits 9
BB Richelieu
CA Shropshire
CA London
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 1
CL Newfoundland
CL Newcastle, Shell hits 1
CL Caradoc
DD Mustin
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Nestor
DD Paladin



Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms with 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 96% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
DD Momi engages BC Renown at 4,000 yards
DD Kiri engages BC Renown at 4,000 yards
BC Renown engages DD Momi at 4,000 yards
CA Cornwall engages DD Momi at 4,000 yards
CA London engages DD Momi at 4,000 yards
BC Renown engages E Ioshima at 4,000 yards
DD Momi engages DD Nestor at 4,000 yards
DD Isaac Sweers engages DD Momi at 4,000 yards
Obuchi H. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 3,000 yards
BB Richelieu engages DD Momi at 3,000 yards
DD Kiri sunk by DD Isaac Sweers at 3,000 yards
BC Renown engages DD Momi at 3,000 yards
BC Renown engages E No.54 at 3,000 yards
CA London engages DD Momi at 3,000 yards
BC Renown engages E No.42 at 3,000 yards
DD Momi sunk by CL Newcastle at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Richelieu engages E Ioshima at 2,000 yards
BB Valiant engages E Ioshima at 2,000 yards
BC Renown engages E Ioshima at 2,000 yards
BC Renown engages E No.42 at 2,000 yards
BC Renown engages E Kume at 2,000 yards
BC Renown engages E Ioshima at 2,000 yards
CL Newcastle engages E Ioshima at 2,000 yards
DD Isaac Sweers engages E Ioshima at 2,000 yards
BC Renown engages E No.61 at 2,000 yards
E No.54 sunk by BC Renown at 2,000 yards
BC Renown engages E No.44 at 2,000 yards
E Ioshima sunk by CA Cornwall at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BC Renown engages E No.61 at 4,000 yards
BB Valiant engages E No.44 at 4,000 yards
BC Renown engages E Kume at 4,000 yards
CA Cornwall engages E Kume at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Richelieu engages E Kume at 7,000 yards
BC Renown engages E No.44 at 7,000 yards
E Kume sunk by BC Renown at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tanegashima at 102,62, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 54
SC Ch 60
SC Ch 61
SC Ch 63

Allied Ships
BB Valiant
BC Renown
BB Richelieu
CA Shropshire
CA London
CA Cornwall
CL Newfoundland
CL Newcastle
CL Caradoc
DD Mustin
DD Isaac Sweers
DD Nestor
DD Paladin



Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 96% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 4,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 5,000 yards...
Range increases to 6,000 yards...
Range increases to 7,000 yards...
Range increases to 8,000 yards...
Range increases to 9,000 yards...
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 13,000 yards...
Range increases to 14,000 yards...
Range increases to 15,000 yards...
Range increases to 16,000 yards...
Range increases to 17,000 yards...
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
Range increases to 19,000 yards...
Range increases to 20,000 yards...
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Range increases to 23,000 yards...
Range increases to 24,000 yards...
Range increases to 25,000 yards...
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Range increases to 27,000 yards...
Range increases to 28,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Japanese Surface Combat TF evades combat



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 01, 44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tanegashima at 102,62, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-61, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
SC CHa-73, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC CHa-85, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Hall
DD Woodworth
DD Fanning
DD Mahan



Reduced visibility due to Rain with 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 100% moonlight: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
DD Mahan engages SC CHa-85 at 4,000 yards
SC CHa-73 sunk by DD Mahan at 4,000 yards
SC CHa-85 sunk by DD Hall at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
SC CHa-61 sunk by DD Mahan at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tanegashima at 102,62, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-6, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
SC CHa-9, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC CHa-13, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC CHa-28, Shell hits 25, and is sunk
SC CHa-45, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC CHa-57, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
SC CHa-69, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC CHa-81, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BB Queen Elizabeth
CA Dorsetshire
CA Suffolk
CA Cumberland
CL Gambia
CL Achilles
CL Sumatra
DD Napier
DD Queensborough
DD Racehorse
DD Redoubt
DD Relentless
DD Rocket



Poor visibility due to Rain with 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 100% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
Palliser, Arthur FE crosses the 'T'
SC CHa-81 sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 3,000 yards
SC CHa-69 sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 3,000 yards
SC CHa-57 sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 3,000 yards
SC CHa-9 sunk by DD Rocket at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
SC CHa-45 sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 4,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages SC CHa-13 at 4,000 yards
DD Rocket engages SC CHa-13 at 4,000 yards
DD Racehorse engages SC CHa-6 at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
SC CHa-28 sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
SC CHa-6 sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
SC CHa-13 sunk by BB Queen Elizabeth at 4,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tanegashima at 102,62, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-72, Shell hits 35, and is sunk
SC CHa-84, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BB Queen Elizabeth
CA Dorsetshire
CA Suffolk
CA Cumberland
CL Gambia
CL Achilles
CL Sumatra
DD Napier
DD Queensborough
DD Racehorse
DD Redoubt
DD Relentless
DD Rocket



Low visibility due to Rain with 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 100% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
SC CHa-84 sunk by BB Queen Elizabeth at 1,000 yards
SC CHa-72 sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 1,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...






The Black Widowns still rule the night skiies over Tanegashima:


Night Air attack on Tanegashima , at 102,62

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 6


Allied aircraft
P-61A Black Widow x 10
P-70A-1 Havoc x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed




CAP engaged:
15th FG/6th NFS with P-61A Black Widow (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
18th FG/419th NFS with P-70A-1 Havoc (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
426th NFS with P-70A-1 Havoc (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes



The CVEs rearm and take on AC replacements at Tanegashima while the fleet carriers rearm and take on AC replacements at Okinawa. With the heavy fighter losses over Japan Ive exhausted trained pilots on the replacements for the fleet carriers so the the CVEs are taking on a few newbs.



BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: NAGOYA


The fires at Nagoya burn brightly 2 days after the cessation of strategic bombing. Strangely, much more startegic point damage is inflicted after the bombing stops than while it rained incendiaries over 6 days......the residual fires cause an additional 250 points of strategic losses for a total of 18,492 strategic loss points. Nagoya now has MP 29(8), HI of 222(99) and LI of 359(142).

10/2-10/3/44



STRATEGIC BOMBING OF JAPAN



Relatively quiet turn. A small residual fire continues to burn in Nagoya and an additional 8 strategic loss points are inflicted but all all intents and purposes the fires at Nagoya have ended.

5th Fleet leaves port in Okinawa and Tanegashima and begins to reassemble off the central coast of Japan. A Japanese TF under heavy fighter cover is hit by CVE torpedo bombers off Nagasaki:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nagasaki/Sasebo at 102,58

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
A6M5b Zero x 32
Ki-27b Nate x 20
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 15
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 23



Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 14


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 4 destroyed



CAP engaged:
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
352 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(32 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 10 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
4th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIb Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(23 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34440
Raid is overhead
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
203rd Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(20 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 9 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nagasaki/Sasebo at 102,58

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M5b Zero x 26
Ki-27b Nate x 25
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 13
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 15



Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 9
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
352 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(26 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34440 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 34440.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
203rd Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
4th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIb Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nagasaki/Sasebo at 102,58

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M5b Zero x 18
Ki-27b Nate x 17
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1
Ki-84a Frank x 10



Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed



CAP engaged:
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
352 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
4th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIb Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34440 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
203rd Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nagasaki/Sasebo at 102,58

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 76 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M5b Zero x 14
Ki-27b Nate x 17
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 8



Allied aircraft
Avenger I x 4
Avenger II x 15
Corsair II x 17
Hellcat I x 5
FM-2 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1D Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 69
TBF-1 Avenger x 38
TBM-1C Avenger x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-27b Nate: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger I: 1 destroyed
Avenger II: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Corsair II: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yukaze
E No.42
SC Ch 60, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
ML G-205
SC CHa-75
ML G-401
ML G-404, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Uranami, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Namikaze
ML G-326
ML G-216
ML G-325, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x Avenger I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
4 x Avenger II launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
1 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
3 x Avenger II bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
2 x Corsair II sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
1 x Hellcat I sweeping at 27000 feet
4 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
3 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x FM-2 Wildcat sweeping at 27000 feet
1 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 27000 feet
2 x F4U-1D Corsair sweeping at 27000 feet
8 x Avenger II bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
203rd Sentai with Ki-27b Nate (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 71 minutes
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 63 minutes
352 Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 67 minutes
22nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 34440 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 71 minutes
26th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 71 minutes







The carriers are out of position for strategic bombing this turn but for once the weather is clear over central Japan......so the 4Es will be sent in to hit Yokohama without the carrier fighters serving as escorts. The CVEs will bomb the airfield at Yokohama to help attrite the fighters in that area.

The 4Es are being sent in a couple of days prematurely due to the presence of good weather. At Tinian, only 182 out of 283 B-29s are available for flight ops. Here is a screenshot of the 312thBG/389th BS....the B-29 squadron with the highest # of non-ready AC. Notice that even though they have rested for 4 days most of the group still requires an additional 3-5 days to complete maintenance. Depending on the weather over Yokohama......I will probably do more of a rolling barrage over the city with fewer numbers of bombers striking over a longer period of time.

10/4-10/5/44



STRATEGIC BOMBING OF JAPAN



Some 700 4Es city bomb Yokohama this turn while CVE Avengers hammer the airfields there and both P-47Ls and Hellcats conduct air superiority missions. The airfields at Yokohama are 100% neutralized but the cost is high...the CVEs lose over 100 AC to flak, ops and enemy CAP....esp flak. Looks like StoneAge has massed most of his AA at Tokyo and Yokohama so any further use of carrier bombers here will be prohibitively expensive.

All of the fleet carriers reach station off the central coast of Japan along with the CVEs. Poor weather is forecast for most of central Japan next turn including Tokyo and Yokohama. Im going to break up the city bombing attacks somewhat next turn as the manpower attacks seem to be less and less effective. The only 2 cities in central Japan with decent weather forecast next turn are Kobe and Nagoya. The carrier TBs amd DBs will target HI and LI at Kobe. The B-29s on Tinian will be rested. The B-24s at Tanegashima and Amami Oshima will target LI at Nagoya while the B-24s on Okinawa will target HI at Nagoya.



BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: YOKOHAMA



Once again, the strategic bombing results are sub optimal. Bad weather on 10/5 grounded most of the 4Es so only 90 strategic bombing losses are inlicted on Japan....not nearly enough to cover the hiuge Allied plane losses suffered this turn. At Yokohama, MP damage increased from 31(2) to 29(4), HI damage from 232(49) to 211(70) and LI damage from 327(111) to 324(114).

This pretty much mirrors what I'm seeing in the EA Downfall mod game.... Allied strategic bombing can shut airfields very quickly and can hit smallish amounts of HI etc and neutralise them completely in a day but once you try to take out a whole city you're going to need multiple weeks of full effort bombing to do so.

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

This pretty much mirrors what I'm seeing in the EA Downfall mod game.... Allied strategic bombing can shut airfields very quickly and can hit smallish amounts of HI etc and neutralise them completely in a day but once you try to take out a whole city you're going to need multiple weeks of full effort bombing to do so.

This game is still in 1944 (even if this is hard to believe when looking at the map). The destructive potential of the USAAF will be much higher in 1945 (in AE and at least if you did not change this, in your mod as well). It is mainly a matter of proper concentration of assets in 1945 for the Allied player. I think AdmSpruance does his best now and here with the assets at his disposal.