Toro Toro! Timtom's musings: scn.8, toraq VS timtom

[timtom]

Looks like Toraq's going to shut down GG, then swing round for a bombardment run on PM. For starters anyway. He's moved one CA/DD TF into position SE of GG already. If he makes the run, it should leave the TF within range of my B-26's - well, he already is, but that's another matter. However, an unescorted attack against an carrier LR-CAP'd TF could be painful. I've decided to keep my bombers at PM. They can be replaced. Cruisers can't. Anyway, I've got too much shippping in the area to just pull out.


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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/26/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships:
SS Trout, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *will live*
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Naval bombardment of Gili Gili:

Allied aircraft losses:
F-5A Lightning x 1 destroyed, F-5A Lightning x 3 damaged
Beaufort x 4 destroyed, Beaufort x 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 141
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 93
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF W Kavieng from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
Beaufighter VIC x 18
B-25D Mitchell x 24

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufighter VIC x 1 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships:
AP Shinano Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Aki Maru, Shell hits 8
AP Heiyo Maru, Shell hits 12
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield from AC TF N Rossel Island:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 17
D3A Val x 36
B5N Kate x 44

Japanese aircraft losses:
D3A Val x 1 destroyed, D3A Val x 4 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 72
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 44

Allied aircraft losses:
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
Beaufort x 1 destroyed, Beaufort x 1 damaged *good thing I've got plenty of them in the pool*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Shortland Island airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2-N Rufe x 12
A6M3 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 16

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 6
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24162 troops, 315 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 23766 troops, 247 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 98
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10234 troops, 78 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3813 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 239
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 85
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[timtom]

No new developments, although Toraq was lucky not to have a FT TF south of Gasmata totally obliterated. It only trickered about a fourth of my bombers, and a third of these failed to locate the target. It was inbound though, so I'm not complaining.

I suspect the whole point of the exercise is to emplace a lingering surface TF within strike range of PM. This prevents me from parking my transports there. With the way things are at Buna, I cannot hope to take it without reinforcements, and at present I can't move in the 41st ID. Cleaver thinking on Toraq's part, although of course impossible without his naval superiority. The BB's can't stick around forever, and I hope to sneak the Beauforts back into GG soon.

I've dispatched the Enterprise to try to sneak up on Toraq's cruiser TF, and will garther some cruisers of my own to protect my transports. Because of Toraq's use of an CVE (possibly moreso with the damaged Junyo?), the Enterprise should be able to outrun him, even in its damaged state. Just hope he hasn't but the carriers on "react".
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/27/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack N Cairns:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-26

Allied Ships:
AP Ormiston, Torpedo hits 1
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Naval bombardment of Gili Gili:

Allied aircraft losses:
F-5A Lightning x 1 destroyed, F-5A Lightning x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 154
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 122
Port hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF S Gasmata: *skip bombing*

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 18
B-26B Marauder x 16

Japanese Ships:
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Kuroshio, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 168
Guns lost 5
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Port Moresby airfield from Buka (night attack):

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 13
G4M1 Betty x 18

Japanese aircraft losses:
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Shortland Island airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2-N Rufe x 18
A6M3 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2-N Rufe x 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed, B-24D Liberator x 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24146 troops, 315 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25071 troops, 247 guns, 52 vehicles *2/6th Armoured Rgt. arrived, dead beat*

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 14

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 85
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8438 troops, 78 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 7675 troops, 129 guns, 0 vehicles *now + elements the 23rd Rgt.*

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 218

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 200
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Well, he breezed in under the storm clouds to bombard PM, with a to Toraq no doubt disappointing result - 3 aircraft destroyed, or less than 1% of the aircraft there. My search planes didn't even pick up the TF, so no chance of a counter-strike.

The overwhelmingly good news is that BB Yamato struck a mine at GG. The MK16 mine has a penetration and effect value both of 600 (almost 3x more powerful than it Japanese counterpart), so it's perfectly capable of hurting the big boat. The fact that the bombardment TF only retired 60 miles rather suggests that the damage is more than minor.

His carriers keep slipping through my sub condon. I don't know how many times I've set up a trip-line without even getting a contact.

Toraq's moving some APs & APD's to Lunga. He's massed 100 bombers at Shortland and another BB TF is sighted to the North of Lunga, so probably Irau's in for it. Damage to Lunga port is slight, but my B-17's will hit it again next turn. All my SBD's have been pulled back to Luganville, and I'm not moving them up yet. Let him load some troops on first, then we'll go to town. I'm also moving a CA/CL TF to the Irau area, just on the off chance that I might be able to raid Lunga. I don't want to be caught by KB though, so I'm ready to abort. 12 days to the Saratoga arrive...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/28/42 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed, A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed, P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 53
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Naval bombardment of Gili Gili:

Allied Ships: *I kept putting these PT's into a TF and they kept disbanding for some reason. Too late now*
PT 40, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT 44, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 33
Port hits 3
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga from Wunpuko:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 59

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 619
Guns lost 2
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 7
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Air attack on 23rd Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawks x 13
Wirraway x 43

Allied aircraft losses:
Wirraway x 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 14
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24186 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25008 troops, 247 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 49
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8198 troops, 78 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 7523 troops, 129 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 176

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 65
Guns lost 1
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[timtom]

BB Yamato is sighted at Rabaul, which is both good and bad. If it managed to move 420 miles in a turn, it can't be all that damaged, but of course the fact that it has been withdrawn speaks for it self.

The KB also pulled somewhat back, and if this is the sign that Toraq is calling the operation off, then I'll be very relieved. All in all a highly successful operation on Toraq's part, the Yamoto incident nonwithstanding, which couldn't be helped. It might well prove important in the end, as the 41st will now be delayed in arriving at Buna.

I've moved the SBD's up to Irau for an attack on the Lunga shipping. Should be bloody. The bombers out of Shortland didn't launch because of the weather, so there's a good chance it'll happen next turn. Can't be helped. However, with Toraq's CV's at sea, there should be fewer Zero's to content with.

He lost an impressive 10! A6M3's operationally this turn. Must be shifting a lot of sqd's around. Or what?
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/29/42 Weather: Overcast
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga port from Wunpuko:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 22
A6M3 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 53

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 416
Guns lost 1
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 8
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24169 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25803 troops, 255 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 21

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 72
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4042 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8074 troops, 128 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11
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[timtom]

SBD's hit Toraq transports, putting bombs into 3 AP's and a DD. the strike cost me some 20 aircraft, bagging 5 Zero's in return.

I've decided to push a surface TF through to Lunga next turn. Toraq's has a surface TF at Shortland and another about 240 miles North of Lunga, presumably the covering the TF. At their present position, I'm betting they're both too far off to "react". My TF has been spotted, but at Irau, unloaded supplies. It's a chancy move, and success depends on catching Toraq napping. I'm afraid I haven't been able to resist the idea of savaging a tranport TF full of troops...of course there's every chance he'll bugger out.

Enemy CV's & BB are still close enough to be able to cause trouble at short notice, but at least they're not breathing down my neck anymore.

I have to make a strategic choice about the deployment of the US 41st ID. Moving up to Buna will take about a fortnight, and when the troops get there, they'll be beat. The question is whether there's time for them to influence the outcome at Buna (which looks like stalemate even before the shooting has started). Alternatively, I could push hard for to capture Salamaua, then fly in the 41st and push for Lae. It looks like Toraq has FT'd more troops to Salamaua, right under the noses of all that airpower out of PM, so there might not be much fight left in the Ozzies when - if - Salamaua falls.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/30/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Gasmata from Port Moresby & Gili Gili: *hmmpf - not exactly a priority target, at least not at the cost of 4 Beauforts*

Allied aircraft:
Beaufighter VIC x 20
Beaufort x 13

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 2 destroyed, Beaufort x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships:
AG 116, Shell hits 16
AG 120, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 121, Shell hits 24, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 351, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 352, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 353, Shell hits 4
AG 356, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
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Air attack on TF at Lunga from Irau:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 32

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 11
P-38G Lightning x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
SBD Dauntless x 41
TBF Avenger x 10

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed,
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed, P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed, F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged *actual loss 7*
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged *actual loss 6*
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships:
DD Hatsushimo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Shinkoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tamashima Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP China Maru, Shell hits 8
AP Tarushima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 132
Guns lost 1
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Shortland Island airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2-N Rufe x 12
A6M3 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed, G3M Nell x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 8
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Air attack on Buna airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 45
B-26B Marauder x 109

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31
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Air attack on Lunga port from Wunpuko:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 47
port hits 1
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24126 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25762 troops, 255 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 32
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[timtom]

Well, that was a bit too ambitious. I lost a CA and have two badly banged up DD's, one of which will surely sink. I ships put 45 shells into the enemy with getting a single penetration. This includes several 8"/55 MK9 hits on BB Kongo (penetration 275 vs belt armour 200) and a single 6"/47 MK16 hit against CA Suzuya (pen. 200 vs arm. 125). But I should be happy to get away relatively unscathed. The DD's have had to put into Tulagi, which I have heavily CAP'd. It is my hope that Toraq will send an unescort strike to finish them off, as is his want.

Toraq left me a little consolation price through some mix-up with his APD FT TF and CAP, in that the former was present and the latter absent. My SBD's out of Irau had a field day. So in the end I got to savage something after all...

AV Kimikawa Maru finnally succumed to its wounds, taking 13 float planes with it into the depth. Total VP cost: 27 - almost as much as what the loss of CA Northampton cost me.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/01/42 Weather: Overcast
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SE Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-121, Shell hits 1 *subsequently hit by Catalina*

Allied Ships:
CL Leander, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *minor damage*
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Night Time Surface Combat at Lunga: *USN cross IJN T*

Japanese Ships:
BB Kongo, Shell hits 7
BB Nagato, Shell hits 27
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 4
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 3
CA Kumano, Shell hits 3
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships:
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
CA Northampton, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
CL Leander
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Bagley
DD Helm
DD Conyngham
DD Selfridge
DD Phelps, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage *will sink*
DD Farragut, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage *very severe damage, but will make it pending further damage*
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Lunga from Irau: *multiple strikes*

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 21
P-38G Lightning x 23
F4F-4 Wildcat x 40
SBD Dauntless x 84
TBF Avenger x 18

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships:
APD 1, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
APD 2, shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD 31, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
APD 34, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
APD 35, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
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Air attack on 23rd Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 19
P-40E Warhawks x 23
Wirraway x 42
B-26B Marauder x 100

Allied aircraft losses:
Wirraway x 4 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 136
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24120 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25761 troops, 255 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 56
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[timtom]

Quiet...The 41st ID has been unloaded at PM, and I've pretty much decided to commit it to the Lae push, once Salamaua is mine. Incidentally, the Oz troops there are in much worse nick than my troops at Buna in terms of disabled squads. About 25% of their squads are already disabled. I somehow managed to fail to give 6th ID HQ its marching orders, so it's only just arrived at Salamaua. Maybe there's a connection.

My subs are chasing the troop carrying transports coming back from Lunga, which seems to be headed North round Choseil.

BB Musashi is sighted at Shortland, so I must presume that it's been repaired.


The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 1,840/1,724 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 1 week: 1,929/1,798 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 2 weeks: 1,962/1,925 = 1.02:1.00
Score after 3 weeks: 2,024/2,045 = 1.00:1.01
Score after 4 weeks: 2,392/2,231 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 5 weeks: 2,675/3,768 = 1.00:1.41
Score after 6 weeks: 2,795/3,827 = 1.00:1.37
Score ater 7 weeks: 2,964/4,187 = 1.00:1.41
Score after 8 weeks: 3,175/4,267 = 1.00:1.34
Score after 9 weeks: 3,312/4,390 = 1.00:1.33

Army Losses:

603/87 = 6.93:1.00

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: CVx1, CAx1, CLAAx1, DDx9, DMSx2, DMx1, SSx5, AVx1, AOx1, APx1, PTx5,
Damaged: CVx1, CAx4, CLx1, DDx12, SSx2, AVx1, APx1, AKx3

Japanese ships:
Sunk: BBx1, CLx1, DDx7, APDx5, MLx3, SSx2, AVx2, TKx2, APx6, MSWx5, PGx4, PCx11
Damaged: CVx1, BBx2, CAx2, CLx6 DDx10, APDx2, MLx4, SSx2, AVx4, APx10, PGx2

Air Losses:

Total: 855/609 = 1.40:1.00

Week 1: 73/46 = 1.59:1.00
Week 2: 27/30 = 1.00:1.11
Week 3: 26/28 = 1.00:1.08
Week 4: 153/121 = 1.26:1.00
Week 5: 159/74 = 2.15:1.00
Week 6: 85/62 = 1.37:1.00
Week 7: 170/114 = 1.49:1.00
Week 8: 83/73 = 1.14:1.00
Week 9: 80/61 = 1.31:1.00

Air-to-Air: 364/224 = 1.63:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 96/65 = 1.48:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 149/72 = 2.07:1.00
Operational Losses: 246/248 = 1.00:1.01

Sorties Flown:

Total: 38,727/43,327 = 1.00:1.12

Week 1: 3,181/3,487 = 1.00:1.09
Week 2: 4,225/5,128 = 1.00:1.21
Week 3: 3,947/6,296 = 1.00:1.60
Week 4: 4,458/6,454 = 1.00:1.45
Week 5: 4,942/4,183 = 1.18:1.00
Week 6: 4,964/3,504 = 1.42:1.00
Week 7: 4,860/4,146 = 1.17:1.00
Week 8: 3,286/4,129 = 1.00:1.26
Week 9: 4,864/6,000 = 1.00:1.23

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0196/0.0126 = 1.5556:1.000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0064/0.0057 = 1.1228:1.000
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/02/42 Weather: Rain
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 23rd Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 12
Wirraway x 40

Allied aircraft losses:
Wirraway x 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24121 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25665 troops, 254 guns, 52 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 95
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Quiet enough...Toraq has assembled 100 fighters at Rabaul, and another 75 at Shortland + 80 bombers. I'm slightly concerned about the lack of traction at Salamaua.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/03/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at ESE Buin:

Japanese Ships:
AP Asakasan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Gudgeon
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga port from Wunpuko:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 55

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1046
Guns lost 1
Port hits 12
Port supply hits 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 23rd Regiment (Salamaua):

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 22
P-39D Airacobra x 72
Wirraway x 39
B-26B Marauder x 78
B-25D Mitchell x 16

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged
Wirraway x 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 127
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack:

Attacking force 24101 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25541 troops, 254 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 16

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 118
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8159 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10851 troops, 181 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 168
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 222
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[timtom]

Bad weather kept the planes grounded. Only the search and recon aircraft were up. Must be the first turn gone by without me losing a single aircraft. At least the Ozzies inflicted more casualties than they incurred this turn, but I'm fully resigned to busting the division to get Salamaua. I guess I'll have to feed in the 7th Cav. Rgt. to get things going. Time is running out.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/04/42 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24097 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25430 troops, 254 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 20

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 86
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7947 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10750 troops, 180 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 165

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 134
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Toraq continues to shuttle FT TF's round Huon Gulf, under the nose of my airpower. 60% of the 6th ID's squads are now disabled. I can only hope that the 23rd Rgt. is equally bad off. At least my troops at Buna have recoved enough fatigue for the battle proper to start soon. I don't think much of my chances at taken Buna to be honest, but I'll make the attempt, if nothing else to try to draw off some forces from Lae. I've got a bit more airpower to commit (96 P-39's, 32 Hudson's), and will need it all by the looks of things.

Lots of shipping at Shortland and 90-odd bombers. He seems to have withdrawn a lot of his fighters from Rabaul though. Hmm...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/05/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack N Buna:

Japanese Ships:
CL Yura, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Saury
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Air attack on TF at Kavieng:

Allied aircraft: *majority of aircraft failed to locate target - why not try bombing the ships SW of Rabaul, boys? The range is less*
Beaufighter VIC x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 4

Japanese Ships:
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili port from Shortland Island: *hoping to hit SS Trout, which has sought refuge here after being DC'd. Too late, Tony!*

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 29
G3M Nell x 34

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 53
Vehicles lost 1
Port hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 23rd Regiment (Salamaua):

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawks x 29
P-39D Airacobra x 53
P-38G Lightning x 3
Wirraway x 30
B-26B Marauder x 81
B-25D Mitchell x 12

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 128
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24073 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25404 troops, 254 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7819 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 11592 troops, 199 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 146

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 88
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Toraq's moved some bombers to Lunga, and I've "planned" a spur of the moment bombardment of the base. Generally not a good idea, and I must admit I've got a funny feeling about it. No major surface elements are reported in the area though, except of course for the entire Japanese navy sitting at Shortland. The TF going in will be heavy CAP'd. In order to be able to make the run, I've had to detach BB Washington, which has built up sys damage and is now too slow to make it. Two DM's are going to mine Lunga as well. They're faster than the bombardment TF, and I'm not sure how this works - I'd obviously like the DM's to arrive after the bombardment TF.

Toraq has slipped elements of the 66th Rgt into Salamaua. I for my part have come up with another strategem, and I'm...uh, what's the word...f*ck*ng kicking myself, ya f*ckl*ss tw*t, for not having thought of it before: The 7th Cav. Rgt will be flow to Marilinin, then march on Nadzab, flanking Toraq position at Salamaua. If I can grab Nadzab - and I presume it is weakly held, I'll fly in the 41st ID and head for Lae. Time is short though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/06/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga port from Wunpuko:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 50

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 691
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 66th Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby: *a new arrival*

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 75

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24045 troops, 313 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25379 troops, 252 guns, 52 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 80
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7737 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 11294 troops, 195 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 234

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 96
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Well, that strange feeling in my stomach must've been something I ate, 'cos the bombardment run came off without a hitch. Too well, in fact, as I was hoping the bombers would sortie against my heavily CAP'd TF. The DM's dropped off 160 mines, which will hopefully cause Toraq some hazzle. Just for the hell of it, the SS Grampus has been employed as a minelayer at Buna, in spite of - or rather because of - its damaged engines. I actually get the SS Argonaut at the end of the month - would've been fun to play around with. Alas...

Toraq's being strangely quiet, which I don't like. However he's been quite the busy-bee expanding his bases. Wewak is now worth 510 VP to him, making it the single most valuable base to him on the map. He's now ahead by 1,200 VP!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/07/42 Weather: Clear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Lunga:

Japanese aircraft losses:
D3A Val x 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 409
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 98
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 66th Regiment (Salamaua):

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 18
P-39D Airacobra x 70
Wirraway x 41
Beaufighter VIC x 16
B-25D Mitchell x 20
B-26B Marauder x 88

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 190
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24046 troops, 313 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 25323 troops, 251 guns, 52 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7640 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10898 troops, 194 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 228
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 60
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

The weather shut down most air operations on New Guinea again. Toraq discovered my newly laid minefield at Lunga immediatly - hmmpf - he could at least have had the decency to hit one. But then again he paid me in a different coin. 7th Cav. Rgt is commencing its march on Nadzab.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/08/42 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Lunga from Irau:

Allied aircraft: *two strikes*
P-40E Warhawk x 11
P-38G Lightning x 5
P-39D Airacobra x 47

Japanese Ships:
APD 34, Shell hits 24, Bomb hits 2, on fire
APD 31, Shell hits 48, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24066 troops, 311 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 29670 troops, 291 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 78
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

The most notable thing to happen this turn was that Toraq flew a recon mission against Wau. Presumably he was checking for any reinforcement for Salamaua. Hopefully not finding any there will lead him to the conclusion that there aren't any rather than that they're somewhere else.

Toraq's fighters finally reappeared, flying CAP over Salamaua, and he's also basing a sdq. at Buna. Next turn's weather is thunderstorms, but after that I'll start attacking at Buna.


The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 1,840/1,724 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 1 week: 1,929/1,798 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 2 weeks: 1,962/1,925 = 1.02:1.00
Score after 3 weeks: 2,024/2,045 = 1.00:1.01
Score after 4 weeks: 2,392/2,231 = 1.07:1.00
Score after 5 weeks: 2,675/3,768 = 1.00:1.41
Score after 6 weeks: 2,795/3,827 = 1.00:1.37
Score ater 7 weeks: 2,964/4,187 = 1.00:1.41
Score after 8 weeks: 3,175/4,267 = 1.00:1.34
Score after 9 weeks: 3,312/4,390 = 1.00:1.33
Score after 10 weeks: 3,329/4,490 = 1.00:1.35

Army Losses:

611/112 = 5.46:1.00

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: CVx1, CAx1, CLAAx1, DDx9, DMSx2, DMx1, SSx5, AVx1, AOx1, APx1, PTx5,
Damaged: CVx1, CAx4, CLx1, DDx9, SSx3, AVx1, APx1, AKx3

Japanese ships:
Sunk: BBx1, CLx1, DDx7, APDx5, MLx3, SSx2, AVx2, TKx2, APx6, MSWx5, PGx4, PCx11
Damaged: CVx1, BBx2, CAx2, CLx7, DDx10, APDx4, MLx4, SSx2, AVx4, APx10, PGx2

Air Losses:

Total: 894/626 = 1.40:1.00

Week 1: 73/46 = 1.59:1.00
Week 2: 27/30 = 1.00:1.11
Week 3: 26/28 = 1.00:1.08
Week 4: 153/121 = 1.26:1.00
Week 5: 159/74 = 2.15:1.00
Week 6: 85/62 = 1.37:1.00
Week 7: 170/114 = 1.49:1.00
Week 8: 83/73 = 1.14:1.00
Week 9: 80/61 = 1.31:1.00
Week 10: 39/17 = 2.29:1.00

Air-to-Air: 369/227 = 1.63:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 96/69 = 1.39:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 159/72 = 2.20:1.00
Operational Losses: 270/258 = 1.05:1.00

Sorties Flown:

Total: 42,669/46,825 = 1.00:1.10

Week 1: 3,181/3,487 = 1.00:1.09
Week 2: 4,225/5,128 = 1.00:1.21
Week 3: 3,947/6,296 = 1.00:1.60
Week 4: 4,458/6,454 = 1.00:1.45
Week 5: 4,942/4,183 = 1.18:1.00
Week 6: 4,964/3,504 = 1.42:1.00
Week 7: 4,860/4,146 = 1.17:1.00
Week 8: 3,286/4,129 = 1.00:1.26
Week 9: 4,864/6,000 = 1.00:1.23
Week 10: 3,941/3,498 = 1.13:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0187/0.0119 = 1.5714:1.0000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0063/0.0055 = 1.1455:1.0000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/09/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga airfield from Wunpuko:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 43

Japanese aircraft losses:
D3A Val x 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 516
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 23

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 116
Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 41st Regiment (Buna) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 12
Beaufighter VIC x 18
Wirraway x 42
P-39D Airacobra x 72
B-25D Mitchell x 16

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufighter VIC x 1 destroyed, Beaufighter VIC x 1 damaged
Wirraway x 1 destroyed, Wirraway x 8 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed, P-39D Airacobra x 9 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 23rd Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 28

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 24
B-26B Marauder x 65

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk x 3 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 83
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24008 troops, 311 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 29632 troops, 291 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 18

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9348 troops, 73 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10623 troops, 187 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 125

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Weather kept everything grounded. Except Toraq flew a recon mission over Marillinin. So I guess surprise is out of the window, but at least I've got a 8 mile headstart.

Next turn offers more bad weather, and I'm not going to attack at Buna without air support. I'm not too positive - my troops probably have to beat down a fort lvl 9 and I don't have much of a margin on the ground. I've transferred my remaining 6 sqd's to PM and am unloading 45,000 supply points.

The Saratoga finally arrived. I'm organising a large resupply convoy to Irau, escorted by the CV's. I've kept Irau supplied with FT TF's till now as it's got port lvl 0. Maybe Toraq will sortie against this slow, fat target. I'm coming to think that sinking some capital ships is the only way I can avoid a decisive defeat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/10/42 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24026 troops, 311 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 29666 troops, 291 guns, 52 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9292 troops, 73 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 11849 troops, 196 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 171

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 155
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

DD Hatsuyuki ran over mine at Lunga, which can't be bad, and APD 31 succumed to its wounds. The weather cleared up enough for an afternoon strike against Buna, but next turn offers even more thunderstorms. Another recon mission was flown over Marillinin - does that mean that Toraq isn't quite sure what to make of it?

However this turn's headline-grabber was the sinking of SS Albacore by DD Takanami. The latter put 40 5" shells into the hapless sub. Never seen that before!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/11/42 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack ESE Shortland Island:

Japanese Ships:
DD Takanami

Allied Ships:
SS Albacore, Shell hits 40, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 41st Regiment (Buna) from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 6
P-38G Lightning x 21
A-20B Havoc x 31
B-26B Marauder x 62

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed, A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 3 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 23933 troops, 311 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 29621 troops, 291 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Toraq has moved 90-odd fighters to Buna. I need to beat them down before proceding, so I'm throwing the bombers at him. The weather's clearing up, and we should have a big air battle next turn.

He tried to run a recon mission against my one remaining Bgd crossing the Stanleys, but the weather was too foul. However that he did so lends credency to the idea that he hasn't got the full picture yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/12/42 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buna airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 33
P-38G Lightning x 23
A-20B Havoc x 37
B-26B Marauder x 101

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 6 destroyed, P-40E Kittyhawk x 3 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed, A-20B Havoc x 4 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed, B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 23890 troops, 311 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 29648 troops, 291 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 44

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 52
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Of 200-something bombers to strike Buna, exactly 10 got off the ground. Not pleased...

Toraq now knows there's only a single LCU crossing the Stanleys. A Ki-57 showed up among the op losses - no doubt he's flying troops into Nadzab. Next turn will see the opening of the battle for Buna proper.

My CV's SSW of Irau remains undectected as yet, it seems, or rather they've shown up as a few DD & CA's. The transports are moving the final stretch to Irau.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/13/42 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga airfield from Wunpuko:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 59

Japanese aircraft losses:
D3A Val x 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 376
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 64
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buna airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 29
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 19

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 64
P-38G Lightning x 22
A-20B Havoc x 10

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk x 4 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 3 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 6 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 23844 troops, 311 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 29574 troops, 290 guns, 52 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 32

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

The attack on Buna opened this turn. Casualties wasn't as bad as I had feared, and if those inflicted by airpower is included, the Allies gave better that they got. There was more weirdness with the air strike. Last turn the escort flew but the bombers stayed at home. This turn it was the other way round. Lucky Toraq has pulled all his fighters back.

KB is off the radar. Very disquieting. I must presume he's aware of the presence of my carriers. One TF holding a CS is sighted NW Bougainville, and Toraq usually teams these with KB. Two BB's are reported in Shortland harbour, and I'm debating whether to attempt a strike on these. There's about 60 fighters and 60 bombers at Shortland...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/14/42 Weather: Clear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 41st Regiment (Buna) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 37
Hudson x 23
B-26B Marauder x 80
B-25D Mitchell x 23
B-24D Liberator x 21

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 231
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26932 troops, 289 guns, 52 vehicles

Defending force 38298 troops, 406 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 194
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 373
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

He's definately aware of the presence of my CV's now, as he's formed his shipping up in TF's at Shortland. Still haven't spotted KB, which I suspect is lurken somewhere on the wing, and without knowledge of its whereabouts, I'm loath to barge ahead. Transport will finish unloaded their 15,000 supply points at Irau next turn, so the exercise hasn't been entirely pointless. I'll launch a strike against Lunga next turn, then, pending the situation, move to support the troops on New Guinea. 7th Cav Rgt will arrive at Nadzab next turn also.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/15/42 Weather: Clear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Gili Gili:

Japanese Ships:
SS RO-34

Allied Ships:
AP Esperance Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *minor damage*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 41st Regiment (Buna) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 18
Beaufighter VIC x 15
Wirraway x 33
P-39D Airacobra x 162
A-20B Havoc x 31
B-26B Marauder x 78
B-25D Mitchell x 19
Hudson x 26
B-24D Liberator x 19

Allied aircraft losses:
Wirraway x 1 destroyed, Wirraway x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 3 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed, B-24D Liberator x 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 326
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26586 troops, 287 guns, 52 vehicles

Defending force 37789 troops, 405 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 219

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 206
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7527 troops, 70 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12584 troops, 190 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------