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The Hengyang pocket was continuously squeezed by the Chinese. On the 20th the attack they launched caused most of the support units to melt away from attrition, and the onscreen AV is entirely zeroes. They were declared 'surrounded' on the 20th.

A bunch of Dutch bombers tried to attack the Japanese fleets at Java. Between all the enemy fighters, one of them reached Shoho, another reached Kongo. Another Japanese army landed at Cheribon.

There was a major furball at Sorebaja on the 20th, when it was attacked by Zeroes from Kendari:

Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 26
CW-21B Demon x 12
75A-7 Hawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 2 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 13000 feet

CAP engaged:
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 8 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
2-Vl.G.IV with CW-21B Demon (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 9 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
3-Vl.G.IV with B-339D (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
2-VI.G.V with B-339D (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 7 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
3-VI.G.V with B-339D (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 6 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 13
CW-21B Demon x 8
75A-7 Hawk x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 4 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed
75A-7 Hawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 18000 feet

CAP engaged:
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
2-Vl.G.IV with CW-21B Demon (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
3-Vl.G.IV with B-339D (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
2-VI.G.V with B-339D (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
3-VI.G.V with B-339D (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 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

They held off on attacking in the next turn. Very fortuitous, considering the 21 fighters the Allies lost in that one day.

Another few torpedo bombers were shot down over Rangoon, except for the last wave, which dropped one bomb on AMC Cornwallis.

Aw geeze, another weird routing choice courtesy of the Japanese. At least it wasn't a troop convoy this time.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 22, 42
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Naval Gun Fire at Singapore - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki, Shell hits 5, Mine hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Usugumo, Shell hits 3, Mine hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fubuki, Shell hits 5, Mine hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Singapore Fortress firing at DD Hatsuyuki
DD Hatsuyuki firing at Singapore Fortress
Singapore Fortress firing at DD Usugumo
Singapore Fortress firing at DD Fubuki

He can't be too mad...there was another aerial disaster over Soerbaja:

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Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 7
CW-21B Demon x 9
75A-7 Hawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 3 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 2 destroyed
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 13000 feet

CAP engaged:
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
2-Vl.G.IV with CW-21B Demon (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 6 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
Ambon Patrouille with B-339D (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
2-VI.G.V with B-339D (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 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
3-VI.G.V with B-339D (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Soerabaja , at 56,104

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 2
75A-7 Hawk x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 18000 feet

CAP engaged:
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (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 15000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
2-Vl.G.IV with CW-21B Demon (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes

Lots of bomber swarms in China. Unescorted bomber raids. Perhaps a CAP trap courtesy of the CAF is in order.

Ground combat at Hengyang (80,53)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 104658 troops, 588 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2154

Defending force 34550 troops, 359 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Allied adjusted assault: 269

Japanese adjusted defense: 12

Allied assault odds: 22 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1258 casualties reported
Squads: 82 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 69 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 26 (21 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
14th Chinese Corps
66th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
6th Chinese/C Corps
22nd Artillery Regiment
30th Group Army
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
6th Division
3rd Division
40th Division
11th Army
13th Division

This is taking forever. It'll be worth the effort for the mildly more experienced troops and the slaying of 3 divisions (IJA 6th is one of their most experienced according to the editor).


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

Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Hengyang

Prince of Wales can make 21 knots. Repulse can make14 knots. Japanese Torpedo bombers have been reduced in their attacks on Rangoon. Time for a Channel dash.

On February 25, a task force consisting of HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Repulse, and all remaining Warships in Singapore weighed anchor for Colombo. The task force would sail along the Eastern Coast of Sumatra until it reached the Indian Ocean. Air cover would arrive shortly after in the form of another fleet centered around HMS Indomitdable, carrying an extra squad of Fulmar Fighters with escort from 3 Heavy Cruisers, 1 Light Cruiser, and 10 Destroyers.
It was a risky choice. HMS Prince of Wales could only make 21 knots, while Repulse had lost the use of her rear turret in a lucky torpedo hit that caused severe flooding, which left her capable of 14 knots.
'Force Z' hit it's first snag on February 26th, when the Japanese Submarine I-164 attempted to attack HMAS Vampire. The British Destroyers quickly responded with an enthusiastic counterattack.
Shortly afterward, HMS Jupiter picked up a contact on Sonar. Again, the British Destroyers launched a vicious attack to defend their hobbled flagship. Again, there wasn't much to go by from the depth-charging, but in a few hours, the damage from this attack would be the end of I-164.
By the next morning, the operation was proceeding quite smoothly under the circumstances. Not one plane came close to launching an attack. But before the British could clear the strait, they had one last obstacle.
The Japanese fleet had arrived.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Langsa at 45,72, Range 25,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E8N2 Dave: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 2
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 33, and is sunk
CA Kumano, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Arashi, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 21, on fire
BC Repulse, Shell hits 5
CL Danae
CL Mauritius
DD Vampire, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Vendetta, Shell hits 2
DD Tenedos, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Electra
DD Encounter, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Express, Shell hits 1
DD Isis, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Jupiter, Shell hits 2

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Kumano at 25,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Suzuya at 25,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Mogami at 25,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Kumano at 25,000 yards
CA Kumano engages DD Tenedos at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Kumano at 19,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Suzuya at 19,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Hagikaze at 19,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Vampire at 19,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Arashi at 19,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Tenedos at 19,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Vampire at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Kumano at 17,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BB Prince of Wales at 17,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Mauritius at 17,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages CL Danae at 17,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Jupiter at 17,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Vendetta at 17,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Vampire at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CA Kumano engages BB Prince of Wales at 16,000 yards
CA Kumano engages BC Repulse at 16,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BB Prince of Wales at 16,000 yards
DD Isis engages DD Hagikaze at 16,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Hagikaze at 16,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Encounter at 16,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Express at 16,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Nowaki at 16,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Maikaze at 16,000 yards
DD Tenedos engages DD Arashi at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CA Kumano engages BB Prince of Wales at 15,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BC Repulse at 15,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Kumano at 15,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Jupiter at 15,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Jupiter at 15,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Isis at 15,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Electra at 15,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Arashi at 15,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Hagikaze at 15,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Tenedos at 15,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Vampire at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Kumano engages BB Prince of Wales at 12,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BC Repulse at 12,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Kumano at 12,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CL Danae at 12,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Arashi at 12,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Vendetta at 12,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Express at 12,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Encounter at 12,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Electra at 12,000 yards
DD Tenedos engages DD Maikaze at 12,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Nowaki at 12,000 yards
DD Vampire engages DD Hagikaze at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Kumano engages BB Prince of Wales at 9,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Suzuya at 9,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BB Prince of Wales at 9,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Kumano at 9,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Jupiter at 9,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Isis at 9,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Hagikaze at 9,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Arashi at 9,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Hagikaze at 9,000 yards
DD Tenedos engages DD Arashi at 9,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Vendetta at 9,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Vampire at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Kumano at 10,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Isis at 10,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Tenedos at 10,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Isis at 10,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Maikaze at 10,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Encounter at 10,000 yards
DD Tenedos engages DD Arashi at 10,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Vampire at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Kumano sunk by BB Prince of Wales at 12,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BC Repulse at 12,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Mogami at 12,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Hagikaze at 12,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Isis at 12,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Arashi at 12,000 yards
DD Tenedos engages DD Arashi at 12,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Arashi at 12,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Vampire at 12,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Suzuya at 12,000 yards
BC Repulse engages CA Suzuya at 12,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 12,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Vampire at 12,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Nowaki at 12,000 yards
DD Isis engages DD Maikaze at 12,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Arashi at 12,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Encounter at 12,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Tenedos at 12,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Vendetta at 12,000 yards
DD Vampire engages DD Maikaze at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Suzuya at 14,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages DD Hagikaze at 14,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Electra at 14,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Maikaze at 14,000 yards
DD Isis engages DD Hagikaze at 14,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Express at 14,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Maikaze at 14,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Tenedos at 14,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Vampire at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BB Prince of Wales at 15,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BB Prince of Wales at 15,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 15,000 yards
DD Isis engages DD Arashi at 15,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Hagikaze at 15,000 yards
DD Isis engages DD Maikaze at 15,000 yards
DD Express engages DD Maikaze at 15,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Electra at 15,000 yards
DD Vampire engages DD Hagikaze at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Suzuya at 14,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages CA Mogami at 14,000 yards
DD Vampire engages DD Hagikaze at 14,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Encounter at 14,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Jupiter at 14,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Vampire at 14,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Express at 14,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Maikaze at 14,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Nowaki at 14,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Tenedos at 14,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Vendetta at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BB Prince of Wales at 13,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 13,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Arashi at 13,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Jupiter at 13,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Isis at 13,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Nowaki at 13,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Hagikaze at 13,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Tenedos at 13,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Vendetta at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages BC Repulse at 15,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Express at 15,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Danae at 15,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Jupiter at 15,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Isis at 15,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Express at 15,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Electra at 15,000 yards
DD Vendetta engages DD Nowaki at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Electra at 16,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Danae at 16,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Arashi at 16,000 yards
DD Isis engages DD Hagikaze at 16,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Express at 16,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Hagikaze at 16,000 yards
DD Tenedos engages DD Maikaze at 16,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Vendetta at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BC Repulse at 14,000 yards
CL Mauritius engages CA Suzuya at 14,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Danae at 14,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Vendetta at 14,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Express at 14,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Hagikaze at 14,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Vendetta at 14,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Vampire at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 17,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Suzuya at 17,000 yards
DD Maikaze engages DD Jupiter at 17,000 yards
DD Isis engages DD Maikaze at 17,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Encounter at 17,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Nowaki at 17,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages DD Vendetta at 17,000 yards
DD Arashi engages DD Vampire at 17,000 yards
Leach, J.C. orders Allied TF to disengage
Kurita, Takao orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 21,000 yards
CA Mogami engages BC Repulse at 21,000 yards
CA Suzuya engages CL Mauritius at 21,000 yards
BB Prince of Wales engages DD Maikaze at 21,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards
CA Mogami engages DD Express at 30,000 yards
Task forces break off...

(The best part of this fight was seeing Mogami bounce a 14-inch shell from Prince of Wales off her belt at 25,000 yards, and you better believe the Japanese were launching torpedoes at the slow, crippled British ships throughout the engagement. Imagine if they'd met at night.

It is good that you got 2 Japanese CAs, they only have a limited number and they don't build new ones in historic scenarios.

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

It is good that you got 2 Japanese CAs, they only have a limited number and they don't build new ones in historic scenarios.

Indeed. Matters aren't helped for my opponent by how seemingly out of place some of his surfaces forces are. In one of the recent replays the first thing I saw was this:


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Night Naval bombardment of Wenchow at 89,58

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Atago
CA Takao
CL Jintsu
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
DD Asashio

Allied ground losses:
134 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Light Industry hits 2
Heavy Industry hits 1
Manpower hits 1
Fires 61
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2

BB Haruna firing at Wenchow
BB Kongo firing at Wenchow
CA Atago firing at 88th Chinese Corps
CA Takao firing at 100th Chinese Corps
CL Jintsu firing at 88th Chinese Corps
DD Hibiki firing at Wenchow
DD Akatsuki firing at 86th Chinese Corps
DD Arashio firing at 86th Chinese Corps
DD Michishio firing at 100th Chinese Corps
DD Asashio firing at 100th Chinese Corps

Prior to that, Wenchow was bombarded by a TF featuring Mikuma, Choukai, and Oi. An unburdened task force consisting of those ships would surely have been useful in the Java sea.
More importantly, it takes a Battleship to sink a Battleship. I could also tell that he wanted Bombers in Malaya and Victoria point (Built up to a level 6 airfield) to launch an attack, but the weather really screwed that plan up.

Quick update: it's June 6th right now.
The DEI has fallen, minus a few holdouts at Timor, Ambon, and Sabang. IJN Shoho was torpedoed and sunk with all her planes by a Dutch sub near Java in March.
A fighting withdrawal is underway in Burma as the army that held Rangoon from a Japanese force half it's size heads to Aykab via the coastal route. They eliminated a Japanese battalion that tried to block their way at Prome. Brigade level units have entered two of the road hexes but they only tried an attack once.
Prince of Wales and Repulse are heading to the East Coast for repairs.
In May, intel revealed to me that a convoy carrying the IJA 5th Division was headed for Port Blair. I delayed in trying to attack this force and the large bombardment groups accompanying it until RN Illustrious arrived in Colombo. When she did, a task force consisting of the fast RN Carriers was assembled to attack the enemy.
To my dismay, when they arrived off Port Blair and launched an attack on May 14th, the mix of Albacores and Swordfishes concentrated on a Japanese surface task force, and despite said task force containing Battleships, they only attacked the destroyers. DD Murasame was torpedoed and sunk by a Swordfish.
The Sub war is finally resuming this month, after several tedious months spent building up Midway island as a fortified Sub base. Midway has been reinforced by an Army Battalion and a small Coastal defense unit. Around 25 American Subs are just starting to take up positions around Kyushu, Truk, Saipan, and Formosa.
In Mid-April came the biggest Allied disaster yet. A Japanese Carrier task force consisting of Kaga, Zuikakau, Hiryuu, and the Somehow-repaired Shoukaku (which was torpedoed THREE times), sailed just beyond the range-radius of Search planes at Midway and Oahu to plant themselves in the Sea between Hawaii and the West Coast. Worse, they managed to pick just the right point to be in range of two groups: a convoy heading back to the West Coast after bringing in resources, and a Convoy of 14 fully-loaded tankers heading to Hawaii. That was on April 16th. By April 18th I lost all 14 Tankers, two AMs from the returning TF, two AVP's, CL Concord, DD Obrien, and 4 Wickes-class DD's. DMS Chandler was the only survivor of the tanker convoy.
Enterprise is still stuck Down Under. In May I sent her TF into the Timor Sea with the goal of attack 3 potential targets: an invasion TF at Meruake, a resupply/reinforcement TF at Saumlaki, and the juiciest one of all: a Bombardment TF consisting of the Ise, Fuso, and Nagato-class BB's with CVE Hosho and Unyo as escort. The bombarded Darwin on two occasions in late April and early May.
When Enterprise finally reached the Timor sea, her planes took out most of the transports in the Meruake TF on May 12th and a Torpedo boat that was listed as 'dead in the water' despite not taking any previous hits on May 14th.
China is in a stalemate.

Landings are underway at Luganville and Efate, with Tanna to follow. New Caledonia has level 7 airfields on both ends to support the air offensive.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 29, 42

Night Naval bombardment of Luganville at 120,150 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CA Pensacola
DD Morris
DD Hammann
DD Anderson
DD Hughes
DD Sims

Japanese ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 26
Port hits 10

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Salt Lake City
CA Salt Lake City firing at Luganville
CA Pensacola firing at Luganville
DD Morris firing at Luganville
DD Hammann firing at 10th Special Base Force
10th Special Base Force firing at DD Hammann
DD Anderson firing at Luganville
DD Hughes firing at Luganville
DD Sims firing at Luganville


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Night Naval bombardment of Efate at 120,154

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Australia
DD Le Triomphant
DD Stronghold
DD Scout
DD Voyager
DD Stuart

Port hits 11
Port supply hits 6

Seagull V acting as spotter for CA Canberra
CA Canberra firing at Efate
CA Australia firing at Efate
DD Le Triomphant firing at Efate
DD Stronghold firing at Kure 5th SNLF
DD Scout firing at Efate
DD Voyager firing at Efate
DD Stuart firing at Kure 5th SNLF


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Night Naval bombardment of Efate at 120,154

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Australia
DD Le Triomphant
DD Stronghold
DD Scout
DD Voyager
DD Stuart

Port hits 15
Port supply hits 1

Seagull V acting as spotter for CA Canberra
CA Canberra firing at Efate
CA Australia firing at Efate
DD Le Triomphant firing at Efate
DD Stronghold firing at Efate
DD Scout firing at Efate
DD Voyager firing at Efate
DD Stuart firing at Efate


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Pre-Invasion action off Luganville (120,150) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

32 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Whipple
DD Alden
AP Heywood

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

DD Whipple firing at 10th Special Base Force
10th Special Base Force firing at DD Whipple
DD Alden firing at 10th Special Base Force
10th Special Base Force firing at DD Alden
DD Alden fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Luganville (120,150)

TF 112 troops unloading over beach at Luganville, 120,150

Allied ground losses:
1048 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 155 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 79 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 69 (0 destroyed, 69 disabled)
Vehicles lost 38 (0 destroyed, 38 disabled)

13 troops of a USMC 42 Rifle Squad lost in surf during unload of 2nd Marine Div /4
13 troops of a USMC 42 Rifle Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 2nd Marine Div /5
13 troops of a USMC 42 Rifle Squad lost overboard during unload of 2nd Marine Div /7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Luganville (120,150) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

23 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Whipple
DD John D. Edwards
DD Edsall
AP Heywood

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

10th Special Base Force firing at DD Whipple
DD Whipple firing at 10th Special Base Force
DD John D. Edwards firing at 10th Special Base Force
10th Special Base Force firing at DD John D. Edwards
DD Edsall firing at 51st Naval Guard Unit
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 21

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 7

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 46th JNAF AF Unit , at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11
B-26 Marauder x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 51st Naval Guard Unit, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 51st Naval Guard Unit, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb


Invasion Support action off Luganville (120,150)

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP Heywood
DD Whipple

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

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Efate (120,154)

9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Capetown
DD Van Ghent
AP Thomas Jefferson

CL Capetown firing at Kure 5th SNLF
DD Van Ghent firing at Kure 5th SNLF
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Efate (120,154)

TF 167 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 120,154

Allied ground losses:
303 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (0 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (0 destroyed, 17 disabled)


Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1780 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 83

Defending force 11617 troops, 177 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 307

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

Assaulting units:
51st Naval Guard Unit
10th Special Base Force

Defending units:
2nd Marine Division
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 30, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Efate (120,154)

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP Thomas Jefferson
CL Capetown
DD Van Ghent

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Efate at 120,154

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu

CL Honolulu firing at Efate


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Luganville at 120,150 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CA Pensacola
DD Morris
DD Hammann
DD Anderson
DD Hughes
DD Sims

Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 7
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Salt Lake City
CA Salt Lake City firing at Luganville
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Pensacola
CA Pensacola firing at 10th Special Base Force
10th Special Base Force firing at CA Pensacola
DD Morris firing at 10th Special Base Force
10th Special Base Force firing at DD Morris
DD Hammann firing at 10th Special Base Force
DD Anderson firing at Luganville
DD Hughes firing at 10th Special Base Force
DD Sims firing at 10th Special Base Force

Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 12

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 10

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 46th JNAF AF Unit , at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11
B-26 Marauder x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 46th JNAF AF Unit , at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 6

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Special Base Force, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Special Base Force, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb


Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157

Allied Ships
CL Perth
CL De Ruyter
CL Java
DD Pillsbury
DD Peary
DD John D. Ford

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

Port hits 5

CL Perth firing at Tanna
CL De Ruyter firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
CL Java firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Pillsbury firing at 46th JNAF AF Unit
DD Peary firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD John D. Ford firing at Tanna


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Luganville (120,150)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP Heywood, Shell hits 1
DD Whipple

8cm/40 T88 DP battery firing at AP Heywood


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

Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1720 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Defending force 11715 troops, 177 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 319

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
51st Naval Guard Unit
10th Special Base Force

Defending units:
2nd Marine Division
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion


As for how I can get away with this and not worry about any Japanese interference...that'll be explained shortly.

Once the Japanese player loses the initiative, it is difficult to regain. Nicely done. A cautious advance on the allies part is best at this point. So long as you do not lose signficant assets, Japan will struggle to regain the initiative.

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

Once the Japanese player loses the initiative, it is difficult to regain. Nicely done. A cautious advance on the allies part is best at this point. So long as you do not lose signficant assets, Japan will struggle to regain the initiative.

I agree. My original plan involved skipping the New Hebrides and going straight for Tulagi and Lunga. That seemed a bit too risky knowing the distance involved and the need to rely solely on Carriers for air support. When this operation ends I might skip the Solomons and head straight for Milne bay. The Japanese have built a nice level 4 airfield there.

Now onto the next turns.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 31, 42

The Efate bombardment group attacks Tanna alongside the Tanna cover group and another TF after I realized that it was defended by an SNLF unit in addition to what I thought was a lone JNAF unit.


Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
DD Le Triomphant
DD Stronghold
DD Scout
DD Voyager
DD Stuart

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

Port hits 1

Seagull V acting as spotter for CA Canberra
CA Canberra firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Le Triomphant firing at Tanna
DD Stronghold firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Scout firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Voyager firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Stuart firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157

Allied Ships
CL Perth
CL De Ruyter
CL Java
DD Pillsbury
DD Peary
DD John D. Ford

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

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

Seagull V acting as spotter for CL Perth
CL Perth firing at 46th JNAF AF Unit
CL De Ruyter firing at Tanna
CL Java firing at Tanna
DD Pillsbury firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Peary firing at 46th JNAF AF Unit
DD John D. Ford firing at Tanna


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
CLAA Atlanta
DD Hull
DD Dewey
DD MacDonough
DD Worden
DD Dale
DD Monaghan
DD Aylwin
DD Farragut
DD Phelps

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

Port hits 19
Port supply hits 3

CA Minneapolis firing at Tanna
CLAA Atlanta firing at Tanna
DD Hull firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Dewey firing at Tanna
DD MacDonough firing at Tanna
DD Worden firing at Tanna
DD Dale firing at Tanna
DD Monaghan firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Aylwin firing at Tanna
DD Farragut firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Phelps firing at Tanna


Pre-Invasion action off Tanna (120,157)

23 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide
DD Parrott
DD Stewart
DD Bulmer
AP McCawley

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

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

CL Adelaide firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Parrott firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Stewart firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Bulmer firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Parrott fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Tanna (120,157)

TF 174 troops unloading over beach at Tanna, 120,157

Allied ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tanna (120,157)

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide
DD Paul Jones
AP McCawley
DD Parrott

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

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

CL Adelaide firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Paul Jones firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Luganville (120,150)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP Heywood
DD Whipple

8cm/40 T88 DP battery firing at AP Heywood

Convoy carrying support troops to Espiritu Santo is attacked by a sub.

Sub attack near Brisbane at 98,162

Japanese Ships
SS I-10, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Henley
DD Bagley
xAP Ruth Alexander
xAP Bloemfontein
xAP Glenorchy
xAK Meigs
DD Helm

SS I-10 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Henley
I-10 diving deep ....
DD Henley fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Helm fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Helm fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Helm fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Helm fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Helm attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-10 eludes ASW attack from DD Helm
DD Helm fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Morning Air attack on Maizuru 1st SNLF, at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 17

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maizuru 1st SNLF, at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 22

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maizuru 1st SNLF, at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-26 Marauder x 9

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Special Base Force, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Special Base Force, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Invasion Support action off Luganville (120,150)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP Heywood
DD Whipple

8cm/40 T88 DP battery firing at AP Heywood


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tanna (120,157)

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP McCawley
DD Parrott

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1676 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Defending force 11827 troops, 177 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 327

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
51st Naval Guard Unit
10th Special Base Force

Defending units:
2nd Marine Division
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 01, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tanna (120,157)

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP McCawley
DD Parrott

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CA Pensacola
DD Morris
DD Hammann
DD Anderson
DD Hughes
DD Sims

Japanese ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Port hits 2

CA Salt Lake City firing at 46th JNAF AF Unit
CA Pensacola firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Morris firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Hammann firing at Tanna
DD Anderson firing at Tanna
DD Hughes firing at Tanna
DD Sims firing at Tanna


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157

Allied Ships
CL Perth
CL De Ruyter
CL Java
DD Pillsbury
DD Peary
DD John D. Ford

Port supply hits 1

CL Perth firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
CL De Ruyter firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
CL Java firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Pillsbury firing at 46th JNAF AF Unit
DD Peary firing at Tanna
DD John D. Ford firing at 46th JNAF AF Unit


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tanna (120,157)

13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP McCawley
DD Parrott

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

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tanna (120,157)

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide
AP McCawley
DD Parrott

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

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

B-24 Liberator makes it's combat debut alongside the SB2 Vindicator.

Morning Air attack on 10th Special Base Force, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
TBD-1 Devastator x 14

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
14 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maizuru 1st SNLF, at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 17

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SB2U-3 Vindicator releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maizuru 1st SNLF, at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-26 Marauder x 22

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 46th JNAF AF Unit , at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-26 Marauder x 3

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 46th JNAF AF Unit , at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 46th JNAF AF Unit , at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Special Base Force, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Special Base Force, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tanna (120,157)

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP McCawley
CL Adelaide
DD Parrott

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

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1627 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 74

Defending force 11914 troops, 177 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 335

Assaulting units:
51st Naval Guard Unit
10th Special Base Force

Defending units:
2nd Marine Division
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion

2nd Marine division was loaded with 65 infantry squads disabled. By the time landings were over half of its squads were disabled. I was weary about attacking immediately. As things turned out, I had little to fear.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 02, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tanna (120,157)

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP McCawley
DD Parrott

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Australia
DD Le Triomphant
DD Stronghold
DD Scout
DD Voyager
DD Stuart

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

Port hits 7

CA Canberra firing at Tanna
CA Australia firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Le Triomphant firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Stronghold firing at Tanna
DD Scout firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Voyager firing at 46th JNAF AF Unit
DD Stuart firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tanna (120,157)

22 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP McCawley
CL Adelaide
DD Parrott

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Tanna (120,157)

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP McCawley
DD Parrott

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

Morning Air attack on 10th Special Base Force, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
SBD-3 Dauntless x 70
TBF-1 Avenger x 30

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 51st Naval Guard Unit, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
TBD-1 Devastator x 14

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
14 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...
Also attacking 51st Naval Guard Unit ...
Also attacking 10th Special Base Force ...

Morning Air attack on 46th JNAF AF Unit , at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 13
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-26 Marauder x 3

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 46th JNAF AF Unit , at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 6

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 46th JNAF AF Unit , at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Special Base Force, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Special Base Force, at 120,150 (Luganville)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1640 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 74

Defending force 11983 troops, 177 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 339

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

Assaulting units:
51st Naval Guard Unit
10th Special Base Force

Defending units:
2nd Marine Division
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion


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

Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11983 troops, 177 guns, 184 vehicles, Assault Value = 339

Defending force 3681 troops, 31 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Allied adjusted assault: 268

Japanese adjusted defense: 15

Allied assault odds: 17 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Luganville !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1152 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 21 (15 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Division
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion

Defending units:
51st Naval Guard Unit
10th Special Base Force


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

Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Luganville

Will try to give my story for how I think the battle went later.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 03, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tanna at 120,157

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
DD Dewey
DD Worden
DD Monaghan
DD Farragut

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

Port hits 5

CL Honolulu firing at Tanna
DD Dewey firing at Tanna
DD Worden firing at Tanna
DD Monaghan firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF
DD Farragut firing at Maizuru 1st SNLF


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Lahaina at 190,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
AK Mercury

AK Mercury is sighted by SS I-27
SS I-27 launches 2 torpedoes

Morning Air attack on Maizuru 1st SNLF, at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 46
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 86
TBD-1 Devastator x 14
TBF-1 Avenger x 30

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
14 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Maizuru 1st SNLF ...
Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...

Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 21

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 120,154 (Efate)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-26 Marauder x 7

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maizuru 1st SNLF, at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-26 Marauder x 6

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maizuru 1st SNLF, at 120,157 (Tanna)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Ground combat at Efate (120,154)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4372 troops, 85 guns, 59 vehicles, Assault Value = 198

Defending force 1669 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 49

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

Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Parachute Battalion
19th Australian Brigade
2/1st Pioneer Battalion
2nd RAAF Base Sqdn

Defending units:
Kure 5th SNLF

I stood down the air groups at Noumea today. They were bombing non-stop since the 27th and I can't afford to lose a single B26 to ops when there's only 56 of them in the pool. The Aussies are attacking at Efate tomorrow.

Pardon my inaction. My opponent has been graciously flipping turns with me at a good pace (We went through 7 or so on Sunday. What a good time to be alive).
Long story short, the New Hebrides were captured with ease. No Japanese reinforcements arrived. I slowly prepared for my next goal: Milne bay, which would be used to neutralize Rabaul and Port Moresby. diversionary landings of sorts would occur at Lunga and Tulagi.
As part of this, the 6 American Carriers attacked Milne bay:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 03, 42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 102,136

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 16

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 11000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers



Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 89
SBD-3 Dauntless x 213
TBF-1 Avenger x 90

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed on ground
G3M2 Nell: 4 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

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

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 57

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
9 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 11000 feet
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 11000 feet
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 11000 feet
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 11000 feet
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 11000 feet
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
13 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
11 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 11000 feet
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes


Then on October 6th, I sent in B17s from Normanton to bomb Horn Island. There were 48 bombers in total, all with good leaders and in the same HQ. The attacks, however, came in fragments:
Morning Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 26

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (8 airborne, 18 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

Kikuchi, T. in a A6M2 Zero makes head on attack ... forces B-17E Fortress out of formation


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 53 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (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 13000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (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 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes

7 B17E's were shot down, 2 more crashed. The airfield had negligible damage.
At the same time, I saw multiple TF's moving through the Torres strait. My suspicions that they were heading for Australia were confirmed a few days later when two messy amphibious landings occurred at Cairns and Cooktown. There was some deception at work here-my opponent had the TF's move to other places, so I saw intel reports like '38th div on xAK heading to Meruake' or something similar.
Of course, I had to put a stop to this. North Carolina and Washington were grouped in one fleet led by Ching Lee, South Dakota went with Pensacola and Salt Lake City in another. The Carriers headed out in 3 groups of two, following a TF made of Lexington and Saratoga.
Disaster, of course, struck shortly before the fleet was in range to attack:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 11, 42

ASW attack near Tagula Island at 101,142

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
DD Lardner
CA San Francisco
CLAA Juneau
DD Lansdowne
DD Lang
DD Wilson
DD Sterett
DD Stack

SS I-24 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Lardner
I-24 diving deep ....
DD Lang fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sterett fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Stack fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Lang fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson attacking submerged sub ....
DD Lang fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-24 eludes DD Wilson by diving deep
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tagula Island at 101,142

Japanese Ships
SS I-24, hits 18, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA San Francisco
CLAA Juneau
DD Lansdowne
DD Lang
DD Wilson
DD Sterett
DD Stack

Ammo storage explosion on CV Saratoga
SS I-24 launches 8 torpedoes at CV Saratoga
I-24 diving deep ....
DD Lang fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sterett attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stack attacking submerged sub ....
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sterett fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Stack fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-24 eludes ASW attack from DD Wilson
SS I-24 forced to surface!
DD Sterett firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Stack firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lang firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lang firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lang firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Sterett firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Stack firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lang firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Wilson firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Sterett firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Stack firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Lang firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Wilson firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Sterett firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Stack firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

So at this point I think 'yeah, well, my CV's have more Aircraft capacity, working AA guns, and Radar. I can still go toe-to-toe with the Japanese Mobile force'. Sara had something like 80 flooding, but she got 4 Destroyers and was sent down to Brisbane.

On October 12th, I finally had my decisive battle:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 12, 42


Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 96,136

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 64
B5N2 Kate x 106
D3A1 Val x 107
D3A2 Val x 53

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 73

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 10 destroyed, 9 damaged
D3A2 Val: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 1
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 6, on fire
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Hull
DD Aylwin
CA Houston
CA Northampton
DD Farragut
CLAA San Diego
DD Worden
DD Dewey
DD Phelps
DD Tucker
DD Case
DD MacDonough, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shaw
CLAA Atlanta

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A2 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A2 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
14 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A2 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A2 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x D3A2 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x D3A2 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 10 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 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Enterprise
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hornet
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Wasp
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Yorktown
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,136

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 100

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25
SBD-3 Dauntless x 85
TBF-1 Avenger x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 destroyed, 32 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Kaga
CV Akagi
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1
CV Zuikaku

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
9 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 13000.
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 16000.
Raid is overhead
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 11 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 9000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers

Fuel storage explosion on CV Soryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Soryu


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,137

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 49
SBD-3 Dauntless x 52
TBF-1 Avenger x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 14 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CS Chitose
DD Fumizuki
CL Tatsuta, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Natori
DD Urakaze
CL Kitakami
DD Kagero

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (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 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Raid is overhead
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Junyo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 94,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M5 Zero x 1
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
CVE Chuyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Raid is overhead
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 67 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 96 minutes
Chitose Ku S-1 Det with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
5th Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 96,136

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A1 Val x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, heavy fires
CV Hornet, heavy fires
CLAA Atlanta

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 69 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 7810 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Yorktown
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hornet


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 94,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M5 Zero x 1
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Chitose Ku S-1 Det with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
5th Ku S-1 with A6M5 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 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 95 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Raid is overhead
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 96,136

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 55
B5N2 Kate x 83
D3A1 Val x 90
D3A2 Val x 44

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 9 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A2 Val: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Lardner
DD McCalla, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 6, on fire
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 2
DD Downes
DD Cummings, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Tucker
DD Shaw
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires
DD Duncan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Portland, Bomb hits 2
DD Lansdowne, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Stack
DD Clark, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CLAA Atlanta, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Sterett, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Case, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Cassin
CLAA Juneau, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A2 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 7000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A2 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
16 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A2 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A2 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A2 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D3A2 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F4F-4 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 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Yorktown
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Lexington
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hornet
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Case
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD McCalla
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Cummings
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CLAA Atlanta
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA San Francisco
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Sterett


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 96,136

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N2 Kate x 12

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, heavy fires
CLAA Juneau, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 11000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Raid is overhead
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 78 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 69 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers

fternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,136

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 83

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
SBD-3 Dauntless x 40
TBF-1 Avenger x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 8 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 11 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
CV Soryu, on fire
CV Hiryu
CV Shokaku
CV Kaga
CV Zuikaku

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 13000.
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 16000.
Raid is overhead
Akagi-1 with A6M2 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 13000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1 with A6M2 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 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 96,136

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Lansdowne, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters to 14810.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Lexington
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Lansdowne


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,136

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Raid is overhead
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 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 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 60 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 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 6000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 90 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 68 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,136

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu, heavy fires
CV Hiryu

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
Soryu was hit once...by a dud

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-1 with A6M2 Zero (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 13000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
1st Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes


In the aftermath of this battle, I lost Yorktown, Hornet, and the Destroyer Cummings. I sorted the task forces out and prepared to weather the mop-up:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 13, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 96,136, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo
DD Kawakaze
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima

Allied Ships
DD Shaw
DD Downes
DD Cassin
DD Tucker, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Reduced sighting due to 14% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 14% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 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...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Maki R. crosses the 'T'
DD Tucker engages DD Hatsushima at 12,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Tucker at 12,000 yards
DD Tucker sunk by DD Hatsushima at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Cassin at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Cassin at 10,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Shaw at 10,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Cassin at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Cassin at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Downes at 8,000 yards
DD Cassin engages DD Kawakaze at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Cassin at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Downes at 12,000 yards
DD Downes engages DD Kawakaze at 12,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Downes at 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 96,136, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo
CS Chitose
CL Natori
CL Kitakami
DD Kagero
DD Urakaze
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
CV Wasp
CA Northampton
CA Houston
DD Phelps
DD Farragut
DD Aylwin
DD Dale
DD Dewey

Reduced sighting due to 14% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 14% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range increases to 22,000 yards...
Range increases to 24,000 yards...
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Rekata Bay at 112,135

Allied Ships
SS Narwhal

SS Narwhal is sighted by escort
Sub escapes detection




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Moresby at 96,133

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CA Kako
CA Aoba
CL Nagara
CL Naka
DD Arare
DD Sazanami
DD Akebono
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon

(Dud attack) [:o]

SS Seadragon launches 4 torpedoes at CV Hiryu
Seadragon diving deep ....
DD Sazanami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amagiri fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Sazanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 97,139, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo
DD Kawakaze
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
DD Duncan, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Sterett, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Sherman, Frederick crosses the 'T'
DD Yugumo engages CA Portland at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages CA Portland at 16,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Nenohi at 16,000 yards
DD Duncan engages DD Kawakaze at 16,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Duncan at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages CA Portland at 12,000 yards
DD Duncan engages DD Nenohi at 12,000 yards
DD Duncan engages DD Kawakaze at 12,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Yugumo at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Hatsushima at 10,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Sterett at 10,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Duncan at 10,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Yugumo at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Duncan at 8,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Hatsushima at 8,000 yards
Sherman, Frederick orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Yugumo at 11,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Sterett at 11,000 yards
DD Duncan engages DD Kawakaze at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Yugumo at 14,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Nenohi at 14,000 yards
DD Duncan engages DD Hatsushima at 14,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Duncan at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Sterett at 16,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Sterett at 16,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Duncan at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Nenohi at 20,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Duncan at 20,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Hatsushima at 21,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Duncan at 21,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Yugumo at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Kawakaze at 19,000 yards
DD Duncan engages DD Nenohi at 19,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Duncan at 19,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Sterett at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Hatsushima at 15,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Sterett at 15,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Duncan at 15,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Sterett at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Yugumo at 14,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Sterett at 14,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Duncan at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Duncan at 11,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Sterett at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Duncan at 11,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Duncan at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD Sterett at 7,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Sterett at 7,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Sterett at 7,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Duncan at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Hatsushima at 12,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Duncan at 12,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD Sterett at 12,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD Duncan at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
DD Duncan engages DD Hatsushima at 18,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Duncan at 18,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Duncan at 18,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Yugumo at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Yugumo at 23,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Hatsushima at 27,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Nenohi at 27,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Yugumo at 27,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 97,138, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 1
DD Kawakaze
DD Nenohi, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hatsushima

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CLAA Juneau, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Lansdowne, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
DD McCalla, and is sunk
DD MacDonough, Shell hits 14, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 24,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Nenohi at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Nenohi at 17,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Kawakaze at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Nenohi at 13,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Nenohi at 13,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD MacDonough at 13,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD MacDonough at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD MacDonough at 11,000 yards
CLAA Juneau engages DD Nenohi at 11,000 yards
DD MacDonough engages DD Nenohi at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages DD Nenohi at 8,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD MacDonough at 8,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD Lansdowne at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD MacDonough at 10,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages DD MacDonough at 10,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD MacDonough at 10,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD MacDonough at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages DD MacDonough at 12,000 yards
DD MacDonough engages DD Nenohi at 12,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages DD MacDonough at 12,000 yards
DD MacDonough engages DD Hatsushima at 12,000 yards
CLAA Juneau engages DD Nenohi at 12,000 yards
DD MacDonough engages DD Kawakaze at 12,000 yards
DD Yugumo engages DD MacDonough at 12,000 yards
Maki R. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CLAA Juneau engages DD Kawakaze at 10,000 yards
CLAA Juneau engages DD Yugumo at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Nenohi at 15,000 yards
CLAA Juneau engages DD Kawakaze at 15,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Yugumo at 15,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Hatsushima at 19,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Kawakaze at 19,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Yugumo at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Nenohi at 26,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Hatsushima at 29,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Nenohi at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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ASW attack near Portland Roads at 94,132

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
SS Seawolf

(Another Dud attack) [:o]

SS Seawolf launches 4 torpedoes at BB Fuso
Seawolf diving deep ....
DD Ushio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Ushio is out of ASW ammo
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Ushio fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


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ASW attack near Port Moresby at 96,133

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CA Kinugasa
CL Tama
CL Kinu
DD Arashi
DD Amatsukaze
DD Maikaze
DD Sagiri
DD Shikinami
DD Hibiki
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
SS Pollack

SS Pollack is sighted by escort
DD Sagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Shikinami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hibiki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Arashio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sagiri fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Arashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Arashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Arashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Arashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Arashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 97,138

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
D3A1 Val x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 4, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 97,139

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
B5N2 Kate x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
10 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

The Japanese transports bailed out, so I tried a bombardment.

Naval bombardment of Cairns at 92,140

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota
CA Salt Lake City
CA Pensacola

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

BB South Dakota firing at 1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
CA Salt Lake City firing at 23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
CA Pensacola firing at 48th Division


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Sub attack near Port Moresby at 97,132

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CA Kako
CA Aoba
CL Nagara
CL Naka
DD Yamakaze
DD Sazanami
DD Akebono
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
SS Pollack

SS Pollack launches 6 torpedoes at CV Shokaku
DD Sazanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amagiri attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akebono fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 14, 42


And here is the final action of the battle. The Japanese carriers moved precariously close to the crippled Saratoga...and turned around.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 98,141

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
D3A1 Val x 22

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied BB

Losses

Allies:
CV Lexington
CV Yorktown
CV Hornet
CA Portland
CA San Francisco
CLAA Juneau
DD Cummings
DD Tucker
DD Sterret
DD Lansdowne
DD McCalla
DD Macdonough
DD Duncan

98 SBD3's (25 on ground)
65 F4F's (17 on ground)
45 TBF's (1 on ground)
5 OS2U Kingfishers

VT-5 and VT-8 both ceased to exist (But John Waldron somehow managed to survive).

50 pilots MIA, 25 WIA, 55 KIA

Remaining American planes diverted to Cairns. Air wings of sunken Carriers disbanded to reconstitute Wasp and Enterprise's air groups.

Japan:
CL Tatsuta
CV Soryu claimed sunk.
Junyo is surely near death.
Chuyo might be crippled

41 A6M2 Zeroes
28 D3A1 Vals
21 B5N2 Kates
17 D3A2 Vals
Several recon planes shot down by CAP

Current turn as of posting is November 9th.
Wasp and Enterprise will be out of the Sydney repair yard before the year ends.
Saratoga has 58 Major FLT and may need to return to Pearl Harbour.
Chicago is making her way to Brisbane escorted by some Australian Corvettes.
The Japanese stack at Cairns is being grinded down by two Australian brigades, the 27th US division, the 18th UK Division, Artillery, and a Marine tank unit.
Japanese Carriers were between Koumac and Brisbane for a few days until disappearing recently.
I just realized that I could create PT boats at Townsville and Cairns. Hopefully they'll be of some use.