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I promised a picture. I hit a few more transports and a CL adn DD. We had some surface battles around Vela Lavella and I did not fare too well again.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 64,94

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CL Sendai, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Kiyonami
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Shigure
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 3
CA Shropshire
DD Russell
DD Stuart, Shell hits 1
DD Van Galen, Shell hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 64,94

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CL Sendai, on fire
DD Kiyonami
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Shigure
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare, on fire

Allied Ships
PT PT-296
PT PT-297
PT PT-298, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
PT PT-299
PT PT-300, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PT PT-301, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 64,94

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 2
CA Furutaka
CL Sendai, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kiyonami
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shigure
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CA Shropshire
DD Russell, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Stuart, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Van Galen, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vella Lavella at 64,94

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CL Sendai, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1
DD Minegumo, on fire
DD Shigure
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PT PT-189
PT PT-190
PT PT-219
PT PT-222
PT PT-224, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT PT-295, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

John said that Tanaka was in charge for him, I had a fair commander( IIRC 65,50 ). I just do not have the numbers of surface ships to make it an even match. But BB Colorado only came out with something like 15/25/0 damage so she can still stay around if I need. I have BB Massachusetts ariving 2/15/43( next turn ) at SF. I have 3 other BBs with less than 10 damage. I just need more, more, more. [:D] I lost all 3 DDs in the exchange.

My counter attack [&:]
Day Air attack on TF, near Buin at 64,92


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
Beaufort V-IX x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 8
P-38G Lightning x 9
B-26B Marauder x 21


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Buin at 64,92


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
Beaufort V-IX x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 8
P-38G Lightning x 9
B-26B Marauder x 21


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Beaufort V-IX launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet

3/18/43

Knowing that there were some fairly heavily damaged ships around I thought that a heavy raid on Raboul was waranteed. But I guess I don't know as much as I thought. I put about 120 P-38s on Escort( 0 CAP ) and game them a destination of Raboul. None of them flew to Raboul. Do I need to put them on LRCAP for that? I don't want them to protect Raboul, I want them to escort the bombers. Not all of the B-17 and B-24s I set for the raid took off, probably becasue there was no escort. [:(][:)] Only lost 14 B-24s, so not too bad. Housekeeping aroung Tarawa is about complete. Rearranged some units and pulled out one division. Sent it to Johnson Island. Activated a Regiment of the 41th div at San Fransisco and sent it to Midway, will do the other two regiments as soon as I have the PPs. I have a Division( or equivelent ) at both Johnson and Midway, with CD, AA, ART, and BF. John will have to bring a bunch to take
one of those. He can, it will just take a bit. I have a 2 BB TF at PH to use as a surface force if needed and a 3 CV TF is in the area.

I am seeing a lot of leader problems, had some ADM in charge of an AK. Talk about being in the doghouse. [:D]

I have set up regular bombing runs for Shortlands, Toroniko, and Buin. One of those will be my target, probably Buin adn then the other two. I have the First Marine and the 43rd Inf Div preping for Buin. I did occupy Woodlark Island and put a small base force and a SeaBee to build the airfield up. Can never have too many fighter bases.

I need to find a way to land forces at a base West of Buna. John has a lot of aircraft and large bases in the area so it is a bit dangerous out there.

I sent a TF of Saratoga, Hornet, and Wasp from PH to raid Wake Island. My guys need some experience and it is the best place I can find. anywhere else has much to much LBA for me. I really need those F6Fs, about 75 days for that.

More waiting and building. It is time to try and build my air unit experience factors. John forced me to use units that were not very highly experienced, but for me if I can attrit his forces using my 55-60 experinced pilots means that I do not fall off much, he has to put his new pilots into training. My new pilots come out about the same experience.

The score sits at 50144 Japan, 14155 allied. that is a ratio of 3.56:1. I still have a little cushion.

Do you have some subs around Truk?

This would be the logical place to bring cripples to.

Yes, I have about 12 subs prowling between Raboul and Truk

If it was me I would put half the P-38s on sweep and the other half on escort. If the bombers launch they get escorted - if they don't then some P-38s still have a go at the CAP - hopefully attriting him more than you[:D]

Just noticed that this was on page two. Not much happening, still building bases, waiting for more forces and waiting for 1st Marine division to get fully prepped. I was trying out loading using barges( really landing craft ). I could not get anything but supplies to load on LCMs. LCTs will load troops.

This time it was on page 3, got to do more. OK, it is time.

Operation Lights Out - the complete destruction of Raboul using airpower.
Operation Avacodo - the invasion of Torokino.

For Lights Out I have the following air power:
/code
B-17 = 208 B- 24 = 192 Total 4 Engine bombers = 400

B-25J = 384 A-20 = 70 Total 2 Engine bombers = 454

P-38 = 264 P-40N = 192 Total escorting fighters = 456

My fighter pilots are not highly skilled but I am hopefull that there is enough firepower to
seriously hurt John and close Raboul as a viable air base.

For Avacodo I have the following;

Invasion forces:
1st Marine Division 754th USA Tank Btn 30th USA FA Btn 1st amphib HQ

Floating reserve:
5th NZ Reg

Base Keeping and Clean up:
3 x SeaBee units 3x BF units providing 150 ac support

Covering CV TFs:
TF 1044 CV Saratoga, CV Hornet, CVL Independance, CVL Belleou Wood
240 aircraft( 114 F4F, 72 SPD, 54 TBF ) 9103 AAA

TF 1045 CV Wasp, CV Essex, CVL Princeton, CVL Cowpens
226 aircraft( 21 F6F, 87 F4F, 66 SPD, 52 TBF ) 9130 AAA

Each has a fast BB, 3 CLAA, 2 CL, 3 CA, 8 DD( all Flecher class )

Surface forces available:
1 fast BB, 2 pre war BBs, 5 CA, 8 CL, 40+ DD

The biggest problem at this time will be sea lift. I do not want to use many APs if any at all. I have about 90 LCTs( 150 cc), 30 LST, and 15 LCIs. I also have available 12 2k APs.

Air cover. I will have at least 192 F4Us within normal range to use as LRCAP over Torokino to protect my shipping as much as possible. I will have to retreat the CV groups if KB is at Truk and I see it sortie( I will try and put a sub line south of Truk.

Preparations continue. I should have amplified above. Operation Lights Out will start 3 days before teh invasion of Torokino and could be shifted to another base if necessary. I also have Operation Nectrene fully planed. that will be the 9th Aus division taking gasmota with help from 3 Armor Btns and 3 Arty Btns. The 7th Aus is split( will not recombine) so will be used to take Sag Sag and Aware( both show no garrision ). The third will land at Gasmota to provide a garrison to allow the 9th, the Armor units and the Arty units to advance on Raboul. the 3rd Marine is prepped and in route to Nouema. Its target will be Buin. The 6th Aus is training to take Lae but I want to take finchaen first.

Lights out should start in 6 days, 1 June 1943. I hope all of this works. [&:][:)] It could be time for a lot of and

I had to go and find this and bring it to the top.

6/4/43 and operation Lights Out has commenced. I can hardly wait to see the results of the first day of bombing. John will not be real happy.

I sent out a number of subs with recon squads aboard. John was not happy about that either. If this damn game would give the Allies some decent intel I wouldn't have to do that. I think he didn't like that i sent a couple of them to unoccupied bases. One I knew, the other I wasn't sure about. I couldn't believe he build the runways at Finschafen and then left it. [&:]

Three days of bombing and then the first landing on Torokino. I hope I can ground a number of aircraft at Raboul and destroy them on the ground.

First day of Operation Lights Out was good: Here is the edited Combat Report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/05/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
A6M3 Zero x 16
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 68
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 29

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 46
P-38G Lightning x 124
B-25J Mitchell x 106

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 27 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 10 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 60 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 13 destroyed, 4 damaged
L2D2 Tabby: 5 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 36 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 57 destroyed, 10 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 22 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 132

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M3 Zero x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 67
B-25J Mitchell x 113
B-17E Fortress x 99
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-24D Liberator x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 16 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 16 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 19 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 6 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 11 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 9 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 10 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 297

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 92

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 97

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-17E Fortress x 31

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 52

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

And the loss picture for the turn:



Not bad, the airfield rollover is showing airfield damage of 100. this turn some units will rest while others will
hit the port of Raboul. Operation Avacado is three days from Torokino, I should have time to hit Kavieng with
150-200 B-17 and B-24s with 144 P-38 escorts before the landings. The landing will have at least 96 F-4Us as
LRCAP coming from Vela Lavela( normal range ).

Operation Orange has been moved up three days. A Regiment of the 7th Aus Inf Div is fast transporting to Aware
this turn, I am trying to hit his para unit. [:D] Operation Peach, FT of a second regiment of the 7th Aus Inf Div
to SagSag will go in three days. It is getting exciting again. [:)]

And the second day of Operation Lights Out has concluded. John did not context things too much that turn.

Edited Combat Report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/06/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 40


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 7000 feet
14 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
P-38G Lightning x 58
B-25J Mitchell x 53
PB4Y Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 50

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
7 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
10 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
12 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 7
B-17E Fortress x 93
B-24D Liberator x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 6 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F-5A Lightning: 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 12 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
158 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 208

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
24 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
27 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I do think the airfield at Raboul is pretty much toast. I hit the port a bit
that turn and next turn will hit it again plus airfield attacks with B-17s
on Kavieng( I hope John uses his fighters to LRCAP Raboul [:D] ) I find
it a bit disconcerting that all of the P-38s escorted one bombing run and
none were present for the first and third run. I am glad no fighters were
up. [;)] I do need to continue to bomb the airfield at raboul to destroy
as many aircraft as I can. Every little bit helps. [:)]

And the third day of Operation Lights Out: before the AAR, note that John brought KB out to play but didn't hit anything but a large number of Corsairs. [:-][X(]

This is an edited AAR( some sections were snipped.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/07/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 48
B-25J Mitchell x 38


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1 there might not be any aircraft to hit. [:D]
Runway hits 77

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 9000 feet
12 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88


Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1
P-38G Lightning x 56
B-25J Mitchell x 78


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses: again, no aircraft hit on the ground. [&:]
40 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 49
Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
25 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
10 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
11 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses there are a few at Kavieng [;)]
L2D2 Tabby: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 19

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
L2D2 Tabby: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
14 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on TF at 66,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 169
A6M5 Zeke x 55
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 32
TBF Avenger x 12

Japanese aircraft losses 32 Corsairs against 227 about 1:7 odds
A6M2 Zero: 67 destroyed, 3 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 23 destroyed total losses my 33 vs 99 him, 1:3 losses
TBF Avenger: 10 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Katsuragi

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 64,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 106
A6M5 Zeke x 29
B5N Kate x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 39 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 16 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Grayson
DD Bailey

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More airborne mayham next turn, I hope. I wonder if he will retire KB? [:D]

The fourth day of heavy bombing is complete. And the results:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/08/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88


Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 44


Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 64

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 7000 feet
11 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 48
B-24D Liberator x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 45
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
27 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
7 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 8000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the taking of Arawe:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Arawe

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1459 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 54 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 64 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Arawe base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Operation Avacado lands next turn. I should get most of the 1st Marine Division landed in one day.
I have SB units and BF units loaded and ready to land the next day( maybe they will land in two days)

The transports will retire back to Gili Gili to load the 9th Aus ID to land at Gasmata in operation Nectrine.

Two turns have gone by( I did one turn during my lunch break)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/09/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 45 troops unloading over beach at Buru Island, 38,72


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 92,96

Japanese Ships
SS I-173

Allied Ships
DD Cushing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1100 encounters mine field at Torokina (63,92)

Allied Ships
DMS Boggs
DMS Trevor
DD Warramunga

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1137 encounters mine field at Torokina (63,92)

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin
DD Reid

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Torokina, at 63,92

Allied Ships
DD Evertsen
DD Warramunga
DD Anderson
DD Hughes
CL Denver
CL Columbia
CA San Francisco
BB Idaho
BB Oklahoma

Japanese ground losses:
173 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 44
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 encounters mine field at Torokina (63,92)

TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92


Allied Ships
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Aaron Ward
LST LST-28, Mine hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Torokina, 63,92, firing at TF 1063
21 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
953 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 32

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 14


No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87


Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 3
A-20G Havoc x 13


Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 8000 feet
3 x A-20G Havoc bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 54
B-24D Liberator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 6 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 54

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
15 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 5th SNLF, at 55,87


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 59
P-40N Warhawk x 5


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
5 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
5 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
5 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Beaufighter Mk 21 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 63,92


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 24
P-40N Warhawk x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
7 x P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 63,92


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5
P-40N Warhawk x 18
P-38G Lightning x 55


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 42,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Chinese Corps, at 43,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D3A Val x 63
B5N Kate x 28
G4M1 Betty x 76
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
24 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
27 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
10 x B5N Kate bombing at 7000 feet
9 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 57,89

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Concord

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
P-38G Lightning x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
Beaufort V-IX x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Torokina , at 63,92


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 21
SBD Dauntless x 31
TBF Avenger x 3


No Allied losses

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
12 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 10000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buru Island

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 340 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Buru Island base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Torokina

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1768 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 15786 troops, 139 guns, 16 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/10/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 encounters mine field at Torokina (63,92)

TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92


Allied Ships
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Buchanan


Allied ground losses:
87 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1063 encounters mine field at Torokina (63,92)

TF 1063 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92


Allied Ships
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Aaron Ward
AK Prominent, Mine hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1084 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92



Allied ground losses:
189 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1183 troops unloading over beach at Torokina, 63,92



Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese Ships
SS RO-33, hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AK Santa Anna
LST LST-335
AP William Ward Burrows
MSW Champion
MSW Skylark
MSW Sage
MSW Freemantle
MSW Dubbo
DD Buchanan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 32

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 14


No Allied losses

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
2 x P-39D Airacobra bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 58
B-24D Liberator x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 46

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 63,92


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 22
P-40N Warhawk x 27


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
13 x P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 63,92


Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 21
P-38G Lightning x 64


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 42,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
9 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 64,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Shropshire
DD Isaac Sweers

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 23
P-38G Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed


Allied Ships
CA Quincy, Bomb hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16
P-38G Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed


Allied Ships
LST LST-19

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 23
P-38G Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
Beaufort V-IX x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Torokina , at 63,92


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 26
SBD Dauntless x 30
TBF Avenger x 12


No Allied losses

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
12 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x TBF Avenger bombing at 10000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,94

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 115
F6F Hellcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 11 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Torokina

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 14546 troops, 139 guns, 16 vehicles

Defending force 1696 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 53 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Torokina base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

These are the complete Combat Reports.

I have 4 SeaBee units at Torokino and a BF. I will move another BF in in the next couple of days. I should have the damage cleaned up in about 2-3 days and the airfield built to a 2 in about 4-5 days after that. I have 2 Corsair units based there providing most of the CAP. I do have a P-38 providing LRCAP from Woodlark Island.

Arawe has the regiment I took it with and a single EAB unit. It will slowly build a size 1 airfield. I am still using FT TFs to move supplies and men into Arawe. I have a 12 PT squadron stationed there.

I wonder what John will do now? I have sent my CVs back to Nouema, no aircraft ever attacked them. I have about 20 turns until F6Fs start arriving. Plus the airgroup of the one Brit CV I have upgraded to Corsair IV. So I have a small mobile Corsair unit to use. I also have a small Navy F4F squadron from a CVE that will upgrade to F6F. I will put it on the Brit CV also.

Another day in the war:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/11/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 62,93

Japanese Ships
SS RO-65, hits 7, on fire, heavy damage glug, glug( do not put subs at an enemy base)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 52 there should have been a P-38 group also( I will talk to the commander )

Japanese aircraft losses Hey, hey, more aircraft to destroy( what is John doing?)
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 8 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 29

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
18 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 57,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
G4M1 Betty x 43

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed not bad
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 23 damaged mostly from AA

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Perth
CL Concord, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage darn it. Concord may not make it.
DD Ralph Talbot

Aircraft Attacking:
lots x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
-------------------------------------------------

My assault transport TF arrives back at Lunga next turn. I have the Americal Division prepped to land at Buin. Also the damage at Torokino is repaired and the airfield should build to a size 2 next turn. That means I can put SBDs and TBFs there [:D] I think I will go for it.

I am sending my CVs back to PH for reorganizing and aircraft upgrades. I do not like to operate them in the confined waters of the Solomons. I do not have a lot of strength in the Midway, Johnson, Hawaii area. I think the CVs will be useful there. I do have about 50 subs deployed north and west of Midway as a picket line. To many of them were getting hit trying to use them against their historical targets. Anytime I got within 3 or 4 hexes of any of Johns bases they got blasted by aircraft flying or a ASW TF. I do wish we could upgrade from 1.5 and try the newer ASW routines.

Nomad you're really giving Pzb a brutal beating.

I'm in your corner cheering ya on dude. Check out my signature for motivation!

Well, another turn goes by. SagSag reverted to my controll. I will try to send a regiment of the 7th Aus ID by FT, but it will take a number of days to do. I am sure that John will contest the base. He can get to it with Bombardment fleets and Fast Transports. But as long as I hold Aware I have a retreat path so I can't really lose all that much.

A peak at the snipped Combat Report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/12/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 15
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 5
B-17E Fortress x 48
B-24D Liberator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses Again my P-38s fail to escort, too busy playing poker [:@]
B-17E Fortress: 5 destroyed, 21 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 39
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Samuel F. Miller, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 63,92

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 26

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 38

Japanese aircraft losses no hits here, [:D] please come back again
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Houston

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 57,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 7
P-38G Lightning x 23 So this is where my P-38s are hanging out

Japanese aircraft losses Not bad for P-38s, Zero pilots tired?
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Gregory, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Torokina is now a size 2 airbase. I have 36 SBDs and 18 TBDs along with my 48 Corsairs. the SBDs and TBDs are set for a range of 4, that puts the SBDs at extended range and the TBDs at normal range. They can all reach Raboul and I saw three TFs there with a bunch of AKs. I sent a small BB, CA, CL, DD surface combat TF into Raboul also. Might be interesting. At the same time I put a group of B-25Js and a group of B-17s on Naval Attack. I loaded a Regiment of the Americal Division and sent them to Buin. I think John might try to take the troops out so I think I should try to seal off their escape. I also divided teh 1st Marine Div and sent one Reg to Buin and the other to Buka overland. It is a long trek but maybe I can get there without haveing to do an amphib assault.

I am two days away from a massive reinforcement day. This game was started with historical reinforcemnt dates. So I get things like CVL( with F6F group), CVE( reiforcement), CL, 10 DD( flecher ), 4 DE, AKs, APs, LSTs, etc. 5 more Sea Bees, a Large Base Force, another Corsair unit, B-24 group, etc.

Hey, it's time for some updates - PZB has reported some big battles and I would like to hear your view on them [;)]

nothing to say here

whatever