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NEWSFLASH FROM TOKYO ROSE....
Today 3 enemy carriers were shelled in Sydney harbour and numerous ac destroyed on the ground.
Another great victory for the Empire and another blow to Allied morale [:D]

The best with this announcement is that this ain't no propaganda! [8D]

I thought everything of value had left Sydney but still lined up a bombardment line to pound the place.
Just before we approached the Saratoga was observed fleeing south at flank speed.
In port heavy shells started to slam into not only parked ac but also the Hornet, Yorktown and Enterprise!!!!

I think they are laid up for their 07-42 upgrade or repairs; that's the only reason why they wouldn't depart.
The enemy airfields are closed, 64 damage; so the KB will move closer tomorrow and unleash its full wrath in order to finish them!! It's a risk; enemy airfields may be re-opened but we have more big ships to bombard with and a better opportunity than this we won't get.

Can Andy get his ships out of dock and try to run for it?
To be continued....


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 06, 42

Sub Attacks

Hooly, the Saratoga whistled past the I-171 and our torps missed!!!
I now thought the US fleet had fled Sydney at top speed.

Sub attack near Port Kembla at 90,169

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga

CV Saratoga is sighted by SS I-171
SS I-171 launches 4 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our search planes hit a sub outside of the Home Islands today; the USS Saury.
The Searaven was also reported hit by ac after being depth charged.

ASW attack near Gasmata at 105,128

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 30
E Tomozuru
E Yomogi

Allied Ships
SS Searaven, hits 2 -> Direct DC hit reported!

SS Searaven is sighted by escort
Searaven diving deep ....
E Tomozuru attacking submerged sub ....
E Yomogi fails to find sub and abandons search
E Tomozuru fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tomozuru attacking submerged sub ....
E Tomozuru fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tomozuru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Naval bombardment of Sydney at 90,167 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed on ground
F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed on ground
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
B-25B Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground
TBD-1 Devastator: 2 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 2 destroyed on ground

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kongo, Shell hits 4
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara
CA Nachi
CA Maya
CL Kiso

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Shell hits 3 [:)]
CV Enterprise, Shell hits 7, on fire [8D]
CV Hornet, Shell hits 5, heavy fires [:D]

Allied ground losses:
262 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 39 (2 destroyed, 37 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Airbase hits 33
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 431
Port hits 4

BB Hiei firing at Sydney
BB Kongo firing at Banks Fortress
CA Mikuma firing at Sydney
CA Mogami firing at Sydney
CA Ashigara firing at Sydney
CA Nachi firing at Sydney
CA Maya firing at Sydney
CL Kiso firing at Sydney
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

This was impressive; we loaded all but these poor grunts on our evac ships and left Dodge just in time [8D]

Ground combat at Esperance (56,153)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4226 troops, 0 guns, 572 vehicles, Assault Value = 265
Defending force 1350 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 218
Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 54 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied forces CAPTURE Esperance !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
679 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 69 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/7th Armoured Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/10th Armoured Regiment

Defending units:
9th Base Force
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardment TF and Air Casualties

"Do Not Refuel" and the other values it can toggle to only affect refueling in port. They have zero effect on refueling operations at sea.

Didn't know that...quite unfortunate. Had parked the ships in another hex if I knew!

If the Hornet, Enterprise and Yorktown truly are docked for their 07-42 update they will not get out of dry dock for a few more days. Still almost out of ops I found only 7 cruisers to bombard tomorrow.

You are a lucky B@stard!

Well done!

IT is foolish of the Allies to leave ships like that... this will certainly change the shape of the war for you.

Cheers

Rob

ORIGINAL: PzB

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 06, 42

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

Bombardments

Naval bombardment of Sydney at 90,167 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed on ground
F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed on ground
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
B-25B Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground
TBD-1 Devastator: 2 destroyed on ground
Hudson I: 2 destroyed on ground

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kongo, Shell hits 4
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara
CA Nachi
CA Maya
CL Kiso

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Shell hits 3 [:)]
CV Enterprise, Shell hits 7, on fire [8D]
CV Hornet, Shell hits 5, heavy fires [:D]

Allied ground losses:
262 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 39 (2 destroyed, 37 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Airbase hits 33
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 431
Port hits 4

BB Hiei firing at Sydney
BB Kongo firing at Banks Fortress
CA Mikuma firing at Sydney
CA Mogami firing at Sydney
CA Ashigara firing at Sydney
CA Nachi firing at Sydney
CA Maya firing at Sydney
CL Kiso firing at Sydney
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PzB, I don´t want to belittle your successes all over the map, but it seems Andy is playing the worst he can. [&:] Sending around so many TFs right into their doom and throwing away his forces for no gain. Above example tops everything though.[:(] he can´t use his airfield so I guess you will at least sink one or two CVs next turn. The only chance I see are sending out all three CVs at full speed (how fast that is is the question though), all going in different directions. That´s the only small chance I could see to at least save one of the carriers, if he can even move them, which he probably can´t if they undergo an upgrade.

One of the good examples how much naval bombardments were toned down btw.

"I will confess to not thinking for a second you would bombard Sydney Harbour"

Andy felt protected by the coastal guns covering Sydney; obviously he shouldn't have.
There's been a quiet period now and I guess he got tempted to move his carriers to Sydney to get them upgraded.
- Not the best thing to do but this is the only major port between India and Pearl Harbour.

Putting pressure on Australia will force a few difficult choices; stay in theater to counter possible enemy attacks (like the one against Port Augusta) or minimize risk by keeping the fleets further away.

Still, today we only found the heavily damaged Yorktown (plus a cadre of other ships) in Sydney.
Not spotted the other carriers. It's therefore possible that Andy can get away with a small disaster instead of a major one!
In our last game I made some major podoos and got the KB beaten up by LBA.
It will be a long war though and the side with the fewest mistakes will win in the long run; this puts me one pin ahead.

The butchers bill got very long today though.....
Counted 8 AM and 15 destroyers sunk at sea today with a host of other ships receiving further damage in Sydney [8D]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 07, 42

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sydney at 90,167, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako
CL Yura
CL Tenryu
CL Yubari
DD Suzukaze
DD Akebono
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
AM Echuca
AM Horsham
AM Junee
AM Katoomba
AM Bombay
AM Madras
AM Punjab

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 32% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Allied Surface Combat TF evades combat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This tanker has been hard to kill....

Day Time Surface Combat, near Lord Howe Island at 105,170, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
TK Mobilfuel, Shell hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Sydney at 90,167, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako
CL Yura
CL Tenryu
CL Yubari
DD Suzukaze
DD Akebono
DD Ushio

Allied Ships
AM Echuca
AM Horsham
AM Junee
AM Katoomba
AM Bombay, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Madras
AM Punjab, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

The Kumano raked up some 25 sys damage after being hit by a hailstorm of 6 and 9.2" shells.
Brave of her to face the music while the smaller ships bombarded.

Looks like Yorktown is almost done for. One more punch and she should sink.

Naval bombardment of Sydney at 90,167 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

46 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CA Kumano, Shell hits 10
CL Yubari
CL Tenryu
CL Yura

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Shell hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Grampus, hits 2, heavy fires
CL Achilles, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
SS Narwhal, hits 2, on fire
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 7, on fire
SS Pickerel, hits 2
SS Pollack, hits 2, on fire
SS S-18, hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Raranga, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Leander, Shell hits 7, on fire
SS Stingray, hits 1, heavy damage
xAKL James Cook, Shell hits 1
SS Gato, hits 2, on fire
SS Snapper, hits 1, on fire
xAKL Vichy, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAKL Iowan, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 45
Port hits 13
Port fuel hits 2

CA Kako firing at Sydney
CA Kinugasa firing at Sydney
CA Aoba firing at Sydney
CA Kumano firing at Banks Fortress
CL Yubari firing at Sydney
CL Tenryu firing at Sydney
CL Yura firing at RAAF OTU Sydney
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Sydney is still closed but Andy but a truly heavy LRCAP over the place!
All damaged ac were most likely railed out of town. Personally I think damaged ac shouldn't be possible
to move before spending 2-3 days to be crated.

Morning Air attack on Sydney , at 90,167

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 19
Beaufighter Ic x 8
Kittyhawk I x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 21
P-400 Airacobra x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 39
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sydney is 15 hexes south of Rockhampton - 1 hex beyond Zero escort range.
Still put my naval bombers there on attack in caste there was a carrier to attack.
- This cost us ~25 bombers as nothing got past the LRCAP.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 90,167

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 18
Beaufighter Ic x 8
Kittyhawk I x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 18
P-400 Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 31
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 90,167

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 17
Beaufighter Ic x 8
Kittyhawk I x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 18
P-400 Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 33
F4F-3 Wildcat x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Canberra at 88,171
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
B5N1 Kate x 21
B5N2 Kate x 34
D3A1 Val x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied Ships
DD O'Brien, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Walke, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Morris, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Bagley, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Helm, Bomb hits 1
DD Blue, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 89,170
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 24
D3A1 Val x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 13 damaged
D3A1 Val: 17 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Shaw, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Preston, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Benham, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Fanning, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Ellet
DD Lamson, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 91,168
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DM Preble, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 91,167
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Echuca, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Madras
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 89,170
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Ellet
DD Lamson, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 89,170
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Ellet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 89,170
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Ellet, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Canberra at 88,171
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 62
D3A1 Val x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 25 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Mugford, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
DD Gridley, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD McCall
DD Gwin
DD Mahan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Russell
DD Craven
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 89,170
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
B5N2 Kate x 20

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Ellet, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 91,167
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
B5N2 Kate x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Madras, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AM Horsham, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Newcastle at 94,166
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Bunbury, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AM Launceton, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Kalgoorlie
AM Cootamundra, and is sunk

Bunbury dead in the water ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Launceton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Esperance adventure is over!

Ground combat at Esperance (56,153)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 4281 troops, 0 guns, 573 vehicles, Assault Value = 265

Defending force 902 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Allied adjusted assault: 150

Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 150 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1656 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 109 destroyed, 71 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
2/7th Armoured Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/10th Armoured Regiment

Defending units:
9th Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

KB Strikes

Today the battle line visited Sydney! Saved the best for last - wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything!-)
Nice to see 16" shells rip into all kinds of ships [8D]

Hopefully the Yorktown will sink, her sisters have managed to escape...
That ships can move 15-16 hexes before they can be attacked makes it very very hard to intercept them.

Today will be the climax of the battle; I'm re-grouping the fleets and will RTB to replenish and repair.
Planning more visits "down the slot" over the next 6 months. Smaller carrier TF's will also be used to keep Andy honest; will be hard for him to know if it's the KB or a Car Div that approaches.

Hopefully we will keep him from using the facilities in Sydney for some time to come [;)]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 08, 42

Surface Combat - Bombardments

First casualty; a mine blows the Hatsuyuki out of the water.
Had to scuttle her - first fleet destroyer lost in this war.

TF 161 encounters mine field at Sydney (90,167)

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 carrier, 2 cruisers and 12 subs are among todays casualties [8D]

Naval bombardment of Sydney at 90,167

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
BB Kirishima
CA Suzuya
CA Myoko
CA Tone

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Achilles, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Iowan, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
SS Grampus, hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Vito, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Cachalot, hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL James Cook, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Raranga, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Gato, hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Stingray, hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Salamaua, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Leander, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Pollack, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Canopus, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Snapper, hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Skipjack, hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Narwhal, hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS S-23, hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS Pickerel, hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Oorama, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Georgian, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Matthew Flinders, Shell hits 4, on fire
SS Finback, hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Katoomba, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS S-18, hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Mulcra, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAKL Darvel, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc South Sea, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Vichy, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Tongkol, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AM Junee, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Wawa, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kaiping, Shell hits 3, on fire
AMc Goolgwai, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AMc Futurist, Shell hits 1
AM Punjab, Shell hits 1, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (7 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 110
Port hits 24
Port fuel hits 2

BB Ise firing at Sydney
BB Mutsu firing at Sydney
BB Nagato firing at Sydney
BB Kirishima firing at Sydney
CA Suzuya firing at Sydney
CA Myoko firing at Sydney
CA Tone firing at Sydney
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Some shore based SBD's sortied against our battle line...not a very rewarding target; almost bomb proof and strutting
with AA guns.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 92,171

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 3

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Kirishima
BB Ise

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've learned and won't move the KB too close to enemy LBA.
So Andy changed tactics; now LRCAP'ing his remaining warships.
Was quite happy to see that our strikes were heavily escorted and a prolonged A2A battle took place and our
Zero's held the upper hand even outnumbered 71 vs 54.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 90,169
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
B5N2 Kate x 10
D3A1 Val x 10

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 24
Kittyhawk I x 7
F4F-3 Wildcat x 20
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 6 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Mahan, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Craven
DD Gridley, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A small payback from Andy as one or two carriers attack our evacuation ships.
The troops belonged to a guards division waiting in Java.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Albany at 48,160

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 1
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Ume Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Keisyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
236 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Albany at 48,160
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Keisyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ume Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
348 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56 Zero's and 4 Kate's....again I won't complain!
The Kate's all got through but were shot down after completing their attack despite a strong remaining
escort.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Kembla at 90,169
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56
B5N2 Kate x 4

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 1
Beaufighter Ic x 10
Kittyhawk I x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 20
P-40E Warhawk x 11
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Craven, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think there ain't more fuel in Sydney...numerous ships reported dead in the water.
Despite this we missed them.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sydney at 91,167
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
B5N1 Kate x 22

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 9
P-400 Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Russell
DD Helm
DD Gwin

Gwin dead in the water ...
Russell dead in the water ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Newcastle at 93,167
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A1 Val x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Cowra, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Cessnock, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AM Kalgoorlie, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Cowra dead in the water ...
Cessnock dead in the water ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Cessnock
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Kalgoorlie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

At Geraldton Andy is reinforcing; time to discourage him slightly...

Ground combat at Geraldton (49,141)
Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11779 troops, 127 guns, 800 vehicles, Assault Value = 1147
Defending force 27034 troops, 278 guns, 189 vehicles, Assault Value = 919

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

Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/9th Armoured Regiment
27th Infantry Division
159th Mot Infantry Regiment
1st Motor Brigade
194th Tank Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
255th Armoured Brigade
2/11th Armoured Car Battalion
10th Light Horse Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade

Defending units:
2nd Tank Regiment
II./124th Infantry Battalion
16th Recon Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
65th Brigade
1st Engineer Co
6th Guards Division
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
40th Field AA Battalion
26th Air Flotilla
21st Army
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last Day: "Battle of Sydney"

Wow, classic example of thinking "but we always do it this way" - in reference to the decision to upgrade CVs in Sydney. Normally a safe port, but your conquests have put it on the front line. My favorite part of Shattered Sword was the analysis at the end: "... the flaw in the Japanese plan was that it made key assumptions based on Yammamoto's estimation of American intentions, rather than their capabilities." (paraphrased). I try to always remember that in my planning, but it's hard to do and bad habits creep in.

As impressive as it is to get the Yorktown in this relatively painless manner, what impressed me about the combat results above is the number of enemy SS and DD sunk/crippled. That will help for months to come. Banzai! [&o]

PS - How did your sub miss Saratoga? Isn't it hardcoded that she takes at least two torp hits for every sub attack? Clearly we need a patch! [;)]

MoG!!!
 
please lord of war, do not unleash the PzB monster on my forces like this. Very impressive compardre - there is certainly a fear of using the forward shipyards in this fashion.

has Andy, as part of the dev team, mentioned anything about the naval bombardments? It was said that they were "toned down" but that´s obviously not true for your PBEM, nor is it true in mine. Comparing to WITP, in WITP I´ve never seen two BBs scoring 400+ hits on a base so I wonder if I get the meaning of "toned DOWN".

It looks like sydney is reconed very well. That helps when you bombard base. With what did you recon sydney PzB ? sub plane, land based or some other TF planes....

Yeah, Andy may have gotten a bit complacent! In our last game he always got away without suffering this kind of disasters, but then we played from 43 outwards. In 42 Japan owns the game and can strike almost anywhere.

Hope the Yorktown sinks...if not she'll be in dock until mid 43[:)]
Hey - I got a reported sinking report of the Saratoga; maybe we got her without noticing...right, fat chance! [:'(]

Naval bombardments were toned down in regards to ground casualties; when I bombarded Karachi in stock 5000 casualties was the norm! If you recon your target sufficiently and send out a strong bombardment force you may still make the airfields look like Mars.

I reconned Sydney mostly with long range flying boats for many weeks.
Subs also operated in the vicinity and our fleet moved within search plane range. As long as detection is at 9 or 10/10 you're set to go. What annoy me is that I get no info regarding capital ships in port. Intel says "AM, AM, AM, AM, AM, PT, PT".... [:o]
- This is silly cause the first thing a recon plane would spot would be carriers, battleships and cruisers.

Need to get to bed, so just a brief recap of what happened in the last couple of days.

Our fleet is regrouping SSW of New Caledonia without much ado. Rather quiet on all but one front;
When the KB showed up near Sydney Andy started a major offensive north of Perth.

He got a lot more firepower than I thought; almost a full tank army:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Geraldton (49,141)
Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11595 troops, 127 guns, 796 vehicles, Assault Value = 1876
Defending force 27057 troops, 278 guns, 189 vehicles, Assault Value = 920

Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
255th Armoured Brigade
159th Mot Infantry Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
10th Light Horse Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
2/11th Armoured Car Battalion
2/9th Armoured Regiment
1st Motor Brigade
40th Infantry Division
27th Infantry Division
7th Armoured Brigade

Defending units:
20th Infantry Regiment
1st Engineer Co
65th Brigade
16th Recon Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment
II./124th Infantry Battalion
2nd Tank Regiment
6th Guards Division
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
26th Air Flotilla
40th Field AA Battalion
21st Army
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't think I can resist such a force so we will most likely be kicked out and pursued north to the last base on the West Coast. This isn't good but there's fine little I can do about it now. I'm moving a reserves to Darwin and the KB will make a sortie towards Perth before going to the Home Islands to refit.

To cover for the KB the Second Carrier Fleet will operate out of Rabaul - Truk.
I'm now sailing the Yamato and Hiyo together with 2 cruisers and 6 destroyers to meet up with them.
This will leave us with Junyo, Hiyo and 3 light carriers and ca 200 carrier planes for some weeks.

SSW of Perth the Lexington and Formidable sailed up and attacked our evacuation TF; 3 transports have been sunk together with 2 escorts. I sortied a destroyer flotilla in an attempt to intercept. Instead the single sub chaser on their left engaged the enemy TF [8|] Carriers moved north and caught up with the retiring destroyers and have sunk 3 and damaged 1.
This last turn a damaged destroyer exchanged gunfire with the Formidable, landing a 5" shell on her armored flight deck.

So a little payback for Andy her and I got no choice but to retreat.
A surface fleet will join the KB and together try to hurt the enemy army and fleet (if still around).

Perth Area

Task force Composition: Japanese Carriers

I've been poundering on whether I should break the KB into Carrier Divisions or simply keep 6 carriers in one TF.

Advantages of 1 large TF:
- Less escorts required
- No chance for unwanted reaction moves that split the Car Divs
- Enemy attacks on ships will ignore TFs and attack any ships in the given hex anyway

Disadvantages?
- Air strike coordination problems; must admit that I've not experienced this to much as Japan long as there leader is good.

Usual composition of KB:
6 carriers
2-3 sea plane tenders (CS)
2 Kongo class battleships
2-4 heavy cruisers
2 light cruisers
6-8 destroyers

Mini KB:
2 Junyo carriers
3-4 light carriers
1-2 sea plane tenders (CS)
1-2 Kongo class battleships
2 heavy cruisers
1 light cruisers
6 destroyer

I usually put a surface combat group in with the carrier groups; either a strong cruiser TF or a battle line.
Sometimes I also put in an ASW TF. The Akitsuki class destroyer is the preferred carrier escorts as soon as they become available.

It's also very important to find a radar equipped ship to put into the group as early as possible.
The difference between having 58 min and 8 min to intercept an attack can be critical.
The Shokakus will get radar with the 06/42 update! Except from these ships only a couple of 29 knot APD's will provide radar capabilities this early I think.


Carrier tactics:

What I like to do is sending out scout cruisers and seaplane tenders in a 180 degree arc ahead of the carriers.
Alternatively I like to have the KB trailing the Mini KB by 3 hexes; if bounced by enemy carriers we loose some small eggs and get to strike back with the heavy hammer.

Also tried doing a "clean sweep" of the Pacific shipping lanes by placing 3 Car Divs 7 hexes apart and then steam on.
- Problem with this approach is poorer scouting abilities, less attack ac in a strike if an enemy is spotted. Also experience that high speed enemy transports scatter like the four winds in a single turn. Catching the four winds is hard....

Another thing I've noticed is that if you order all TF's to follow the KB you may be putting yourself at risk.
- The lead group usually end up in the target hex first, thus engaging enemy TFs. It's annoying to show your hand by having a the KB engage a single cargo ship in surface combat. What would be ultimately worse would be to run into a strong enemy surface group. So lesseon is: let the KB follow a surface combat group!

Jap vs Allied Carrier strength

1942: Most Allied players shuns the KB and will only engage in a critical battle, usually after attriting KB CAG strength.
5 US carriers is still a formidable force, especially if backed up by British carriers.
- I was unwilling to charge such a force outside Port Augusta with the 6 basic KB carriers, especially after spending to many torpedoes. When expecting to take on the full US Carrier force I actually prefer to have the Mini KB along for the ride.

This is why it is very important to remove a couple of US carriers from the equation.
When we obliterated the Yorktown in Sydney harbour we lowered Andy's carrier strength by ca 20%.

- When we add the new Junyo, Hiyo and light carriers Japan field 8 fleet, 4 light, 3 escort carriers as well as 3-4 seaplane tenders by mid to late 42.

Japan can therefore consolidate local sea and air supremacy throughout 1942 unless something goes wrong.
The more favorable the exchange rate is in 42, the longer into 43 this advantage can be retained.

It's also important to be aware of enemy strengths and weaknesses:
- Radar gives the Allies a big advantage early on
- The Devastator and high torpedo dud rate make the Dauntless dive bomber your main adversary.
The introduction of the Avenger helps some, but US torps will remain unreliable until end 43.

1943
With the introduction of the Hellcat, more reliable torpedoes, heavier FLAK, the Essex fleet carrier and the numerous CVL/CVE's parity with Japan can usually be reached about mid to late 43. From the end of 43 Allies can usually challenge the KB on superior terms and invade islands and atolls.

By sinking 4-5 US carriers in 42-42 it's possible to delay Allied supremacy at sea until early 1944 at best.


CAG dispositions

Japanese CAG

I've spent much time on providing good leader for all CAGs. The 50k question is then how to organize them.
Zero: 40% CAP; 14000 feet - range 7 hexes (9 if escorting long range Kates)
Vals: 20% naval search; 14000 feet - range 6 hexes (14k feet is dive bombing, above that you get a more shallow dive, below and your attack groups will be split into smaller groups which is ok when attacking multiple vulnerable targets.)
Kates: 20% naval search: 14000 feet - range 7 hexes (increase to 9 if seeking long range attack advantage using bombs)

I'm not too good at varying these settings; keeping the fighters on the same altitude as the bombers will ensure well escorted strikes. I sorely miss the opportunity to sending Zeros out on sweep missions ahead of strike groups. This was done in real life with great effect.

In a more defensive posture more Zeros would be on CAP with CAP altitudes from 30-10k.

The seaplane tenders (CS) are very useful; I like to have a Chutai of Rufes (9 ac) as well as an expanded Jake scout plane group (10-12 ac).
- Rufes are useful CAP fighters and give your spearheads some protection when operating alone.
- Jakes have 10 hex range and are used for naval search
- Petes are versatile but short legged so I use them for ASW; but also for CAP when needed.

Allied CAG:
Wildcat / Martlet II / Buffalo: Range is usually 7/8 hexes but some Wildcat versions only have a 5/6 hex range
Dauntless: Full bomb load range (1000lb): 7 hexes Reduced bomb load range (500lb) 8 hexes
Devastator: Torp range: 4 hexes Bomb range 5 hexes
Avenger: Torp range: 5 hexes Bomb range 8 hexes
Albacore: Torp range: 6 hexes Bomb range 7
Swordfish: Torp range: 6 hexes Bomb range 8

There are 2 main options when engaging Allied carriers;
a) Close range and throw everything at them in overwhelming force
b) Try to engage them at ranges of 7-9 hexes;
- At 7 and 8 hexes the only chance they got to counter attack is with 500 lb bombs
- At 9 hexes Kate's can strike with bombs without fear of retaliation

Japan also has a clear advantage in search plane range and it's very important to set enough Jakes and Kates on naval search.
Let me know what your preferences and advice, this is to important to get wrong!

- Al, please disregard that you read all this and erase your mental hard drive before loading up our next turn [;)]

ORIGINAL: PzB

- Al, please disregard that you read all this and erase your mental hard drive before loading up our next turn [;)]

I know I know. I started reading this and then couldn't stop. I felt like Adam, eating the forbidden fruit, of course you can't stop once you've taken the first bite of THAT meal...

I really feel I should not know this stuff. 'tis like a window into your mind:

Mummy! Mummy! it's dark in here!

There is of course one major recourse to this excellent synopsis: it can all hit the fan once the shooting starts, despite best practices and best laid plans.

But in essence Wobbs, it is just information that is readily available. It is not really something secret.

True Ken, but there's some personal dispositions in here that Al get's for free.
- At least it'll give me an excuse when he gets his long vaunted revenge [;)]

Interesting turn here [8D]
Andy made a mistake that cost him....


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 11, 42

Surface Combat

Been looking for the Mobilfuel after it shot up our destroyer..got personal.
Found it and despatched it today!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Norfolk Island at 114,166, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Umikaze

Allied Ships
TK Mobilfuel, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

In Geraldton I've got an Air HQ to provide some punch.
We're low on supplies and the airfield is crowded..it was with some effort that I inserted a crack 36 ac Betty unit
last turn. Could only set the Zero's to range 9 hexes because of supply shortages so the Bettys had to go along.
Only 10% CAP for Geraldton was provided as I was expecting visitors!

Andy's first mistake; he swept Geraldton heavily and met only minor resistance!

Morning Air attack on Geraldton , at 49,141
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 22000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Geraldton , at 49,141
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 9

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 22000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mistake # 2: There was only a weak CAP over Perth.
Mistake # 3: The enemy carriers entered Perth and into naval bomber range!

A full sized and balanced strike force arrived and the CAP was minimal.
We swept away all CAP fighters but just as the bombers were about to go in they were engaged by 3 P-40s.
I cursed as 4 or 5 Bombers were rapidly turned into fireworks - this was a bad start and not a single bomber hit its mark [:o]

Morning Air attack on TF, near Perth at 49,147
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 56 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
Walrus II x 1
Seagull V x 1
Walrus II x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 3
SOC-1 Seagull x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed, 23 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
CV Formidable
DD Reid

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Geraldton , at 49,141
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 22000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enemy bombers hit a coastal transport at Geraldton:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Geraldton at 49,141
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Takegawa Maru, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the afternoon a depleted Betty attack was assembled and I didn't have much fait in it.
However, this time we got past the tiny CAP! Again our bombers came in front and stern and couldn't hit anything
until someone finally got it and put a fish into the Formidable! First an explosion followed by an ammo storage blast that but the carrier on fire [8D] Would have loved a hit on the Lady Lex, but now the Formidable requires extensive yard time...in India most likely!

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Perth at 49,147
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 56 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
Seagull V x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 4
F4F-3A Wildcat x 2
SOC-1 Seagull x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Seagull V: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CV Formidable, Torpedo hits 1, on fire [8D]
CV Lexington

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Only bombardment attacks at Geraldton...Andy does not feel strong enough to attack yet!

Ground combat at Geraldton (49,141)
Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11643 troops, 127 guns, 795 vehicles, Assault Value = 1883
Defending force 27076 troops, 278 guns, 189 vehicles, Assault Value = 922

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

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
27th Infantry Division
255th Armoured Brigade
10th Light Horse Battalion
40th Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
1st Motor Brigade
159th Mot Infantry Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
2/9th Armoured Regiment
2/11th Armoured Car Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade

Defending units:
2nd Tank Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment
II./124th Infantry Battalion
1st Engineer Co
65th Brigade
16th Recon Regiment
6th Guards Division
40th Field AA Battalion
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
26th Air Flotilla
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
21st Army
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Betty visits Perth

Really get a kick when the naval bombers go in [:)]

Enemy tankers sunk

A look at the front in China;