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Hi Amiral

I have the greatest respect for your opponent's determination. As posted before you, Leo and I all agreed he came too late or too early, but because of your small pilot pool if he had just had all his CV tfs (with heavy AA escorts) escorting his transports to PJ with CAP at 70% plus and reactions set to 0, he would have pulled it off. Single or two ship CV tfs make it very hard for you to put all of his flight decks out of action in one day and the flak casualties quickly erode your striking power. Did he have his replenishment CVEs with him to keep his airgroups topped up? My dismay is caused by the fact that he has thrown away this last chance after a good start that caught you off balance. He has stripped the West Coast of it's garrison units and lost his last combined Naval strength. I believe that a masterful Japanese player (and you are definitely in this category) will be able to cut off his resupply efforts and destroy this last remnant of his offensive power.

He no longer possesses the power projection capability to take advantage of the fact you have stripped the Pacific to re-inforce the Home Islands and is only in reality left with Burma as an offensive option. He could potentially take PJ and build up the AF there to begin bombing of the Home Islands, but without being able to protect his SLOC, I think you will be able to prevent the necessary build up. Your opponent has been very brave and has never given up through many defeats and I applaud him for this, but I am a little exasperated that he has continued to make similar mistakes without seeming to learn from them. I would have been crying in the corner with a white flag up in his situation and hats off to him for his fortitude, but it need not have been so...

This is a fantastic AAR that has taught me a lot. Many thanks to you and your incredibly tough opponent.

Monthly report August 1943

Japanese score: 60 272 (+ 1 116)
Bases 16 069 (+ 47)
Aircraft 12 160 (+ 681)
Army 21 070 (+ 118)
Ship 10 108 (+ 278) 563 ships sunk (+ 34: main ships 1 CA, 7 DD, 5 DMS, 8 AK...)
Scuttled ships 147 (- 8) (probably a CVL)
Strategic 718 (+ 0)

Allied score: 10 522 (+ 734)
Bases 1 366 (+ 37)
Aircraft 6 184 (+ 445)
Army 1 165 (+ 101)
Ship 1 808 (+ 150) 176 ships sunk (+ 15: 1 CA, several SS)
Strategic 0

Economic situation (stocks rounded to the thousand):
Supplies : 4 451 000 (bases) + around 153 000 (TFs) = around 4 604 000 (-151 000) (huge construction and repair program underway, no new projects last month)
Fuel : 4 383 000 (bases) + around 347 000 (TFs) = around 4 730 000 (+107 000)
Ressource centers : 19 148 (+ 47)
Ressources : 1 265 000 (bases) + 204 000 (TFs) = 1 469 000 (+ 17 000)
Oil centers : 2 791 (+ 3)
Oil: 2 154 000 (bases) + 160 000 (TFs) = 2 314 000 (+ 35 000)
Manpower centers : 818 (+ 0)
Manpower pool : 1100 000 (+ 109 000)
Heavy industry: 14 214 (+ 67)
Heavy industry pool: 415 000 (+ 19 000)
Naval shipyard: 1402 (+ 18)
Merchant shipyard: 1000 (+ 0)
Repair shipyard: 1020 (+ 31)
Armament industry: 683 (+ 0)
Armament stock: 195 000 (+ 16 000)
Vehicles industry: 113 (+ 0)
Vehicles stock: 16 000 (+ 3 500)
Aircraft engine factories: 1633 (+ 46)
Aircraft frames factories: 1431 (+ 96) (A6M5c now in production)
Aircraft research: 404 (+ 94) (Jill, Judy, Frances, Frank researched)

Aircraft production:
391 A6M5 Zeke (462), 133 Ki-61 KAIc Tony (123), 93 G4M2 Betty (86), 75 B5N Kate (80), 75 A6M3a Zero (0, all factories converted to A6M5), 45 D3A Val (41), 36 J2M Jack (48, new production launched this month), 32 Ki-46-III Dinah (31, capacity reduced by conversion of a factory), 30 J1N1-S Irving (23), 26 Ki-44-IIb Tojo (57, suspended), 23 A6M5c (31, new production launched this month), 22 E13A1 Jake (20), 19 Ki-43-IIa (capacity 159, partly suspended), 19 Ki-21 Sally (20), 15 L2D2 Tabby (10), 15 A6M-2 Rufe (14), 13 Ki-57 Topsy (10), 11 L3Y Tina (5), 9 A6M3 Zero (0, all factories converted to A6M5), 2 E14Y1 Glen (4), 0 Ki-45 KAIa Nick (44, suspended), 0 Ki-48 (capacity 40, stopped), 0 H8K Emily (32, suspended), 0 Ki-45 KAIb Nick (25, suspended), 0 Ki-49 Helen (23, suspended), 0 Ki-51 Sonia (18, stopped), 0 J1N1-R Irving (16, suspended), 0 MC-21 Sally (5, suspended), 0 H6K2-L Mavis (4, suspended)

Total: 1084 aircraft (704 fighters (including 15 Rufes), 112 level bombers, 32 recon, 39 transport, 75 torpedo bombers, 24 floatplanes, 30 night-fighters, 45 divebombers, 23 fighter-bombers)

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent

Allied losses in this battle to 1 CA and 3 DD sunk, 2 CA and 2 DD heavily damaged, 2 CA and 3 DD on fire, while the Japanese left behind the wrecked CA Suzuya and had three other ships damaged, 1 CA, 1 CL and 1 DD.

While four escort were sunk (DD HMS Encouter and USS Chew, DMS USS Wasmuth and Dorsey) and two MSW damaged, only one AK was hit by one shell that did 58 casualties aboard her.

Great success in two naval battles - congratulations (shame that AKs were not hurt)!

BANZAI!!!

The main battles of the day took place over PJ that was heavily attacked (more or less as planned) by Allied heavy bombers. Japanese fighters had orders to fly 90% CAP but I had forgotten that Nicks were fighter-bombers, not fighters, and gave them no orders, so they remained on the ground today… Their fellow pilots missed them, but not Allied bombs…

In the morning PJ was attacked by 67 PB4Y and 4 B-17E from Kiska. 72 Japanese fighters intercepted them (23 Ki-44, 17 Ki-61, 13 A6M2, 11 A6M3 and 8 Rufe) and shot down 20 PB4Y and all four B-17E. AA fire then shot down twice more PB4Y and ten hit by fighters in the battle will crash on the way back, so bringing the losses for this raid to 36 heavy bombers (51%). But they still reached the target. Only 3 Japanese aircraft were shot down by return fire (2 A6M2 and 1 Rufe) but 17 were destroyed on the ground: 5 A6M3, 4 Ki-45, 3 A6M2, 3 Ki-61 and 2 Ki-44. The base reported 34 casualties and 1 hit on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 17 on the runways.

In the afternoon another raid hit the base, this time from Attu with 91 heavy bombers (39 PB4Y, 28 B-24D and 24 B-17E) that were intercepted by 44 fighters (13 Ki-44, 9 A6M2, 9 Ki-61, 7 A6M3 and 6 Rufe). For two losses to return fire (an A6M3 and a Rufe) the CAP shot down or damaged enough for them to crash on the way back 20 bombers (10 PB4Y, 7 B-24D and 3 B-17E). So 56 Allied heavy bombers were lost today over PJ. But this second raid also bombed the airfield and destroyed 40 aircraft on the ground (14 Nick, 9 Tony, 8 Tojo, 4 A6M3, 3 A6M2, 1 Rufe and 1 Helen). The base reported this time 68 casualties and 5 hits on the airbase, 3 on supplies and 49 on the runways.

Four more Japanese fighters (2 Ki-61, 1 Ki-44 and 1 Rufe) were lost in accidents on the cratered runways of the base, bringing the Japanese losses here to 66 aircraft destroyed today.

The detailed unit situation in PJ was the following:
246 Sentai scored 14 kills and lost 11 Ki-44 and 1 pilot
244 Sentai scored 15 kills and lost 14 Ki-61 and 2 pilots
13 Sentai scored no kill (didn’t fly) and lost 18 Ki-45 and 1 pilot
F4/Toko scored 5 kills and lost 8 A6M2 but no pilot
F1/2nd scored 7 kills and lost 10 A6M3 but again no pilot
FF1/452nd scored 3 kills and lost 3 Rufe and 2 pilots
FF2/452nd scored 5 kills and lost 1 Rufe and 1 pilot

I think that you were unlucky with afternoon "leakage" but that big massacre of heavy bombers (it must have been huge suprise for Allies) will be surely noticed (the remaining air units will have very very low morale)!

On the ground at PJ, both sides only exchanged artillery fire as Allied forces were still organizing after their landing. Allied losses were 56 men and 1 gun, Japanese ones 307 men, 2 tanks and 5 guns. Reports showed 195 994 Allied men (+ 1907), 2229 guns (+84) and 424 vehicles for 3914 AV (+ 14), against 78 555 Japanese men (+386), 694 guns (+22) and 4 tankettes for 1504 AV (+16). The evening report of the base listed damage of 57/22/5 (base/runway/port), 387 engineers (+12) and 39 546 supplies (-1962). An attack is expected for tomorrow. To answer to Leo’s question about the AV ratio, Allied forces may reach 1 to 1 ratio in their next attack or not… fresh engineers squads will probably reduce fortifications anyway. The next attack will be critical. With fort, mountains and better commanders than at start of the battle, it is fairly possible that Japanese lines held. A failed Allied attack will probably give me enough time to send more reinforcements here. A 1 to 1 attack will probably allow Allied troops to continue attacking and may seriously threaten the base.

Best of luck - may the Gods be with you and our brave troops in cold Pacific north!


Leo "Apollo11"

Hi
 
I think you should be producing a lot more Nakajima engines

Hi, Gordon

You're right, some changes had to be done for the engine production, especially regarding the Nakajima.

1 September 1943

Northern Pacific

The five Japanese submarines remaining between the Kuriles and the Aleutians had a busy night. The RO-100 was chased by 5 DD 180 miles ESE of PJ and sunk by three hits scored by the DD USS Bullard and Boyd. The SS I-155 avenged her when she sank the damaged CA Northampton with two torpedoes 360 miles west of Kiska. The SS I-162 was 240 miles west of Kiska and was chased by two damaged DD during the night, escaped unhurt and attacked at dawn another damaged ship, the DD Caldwell, and heavily damaged her with a torpedo.

Both Japanese surface TF sent to OJ and PJ found no Allied ships there and so there was no battle… except that the SS USS Steelhead attacked before dawn the DD Kasumi off OJ and heavily damaged her with a torpedo. It seems to me that I forgot to set orders for this TF as ‘retire’ and it remained there during the day. That proved to be a bad idea.

The KB moved during the night to its new patrol area 60 miles west of OJ. It was also the patrol area of the SS USS Bluefish and she attacked five times before the evening. The first was before dawn, she missed a DD escorting the Kaga and escaped 5 DD chasing her. Then after dawn she was seen, chased by 4 DD and lightly damaged by two near-misses scored by 2 of them. But she was still there in the afternoon and found herself in a perfect position to attack. She launched forward torpedoes against the CVL Shoho, and missed, and the rear torpedoes on the CVL Ryujo and scored 2 hits, leaving her on fire. She escaped undetected but then tried to come back and was chased by 7 DD, two of them again scoring one near-miss each. So finally a Japanese CV had been hit off PJ.

Other than that it had been a fairly uneventful day for the KB. It was in range of Allied CV (that now were 180 miles ESE of PJ where their escort had dispatched the RO-100) but again the 90% CAP saw only patrol planes coming from them, shooting down 4 TBM and 2 Barracuda while losing an A6M2 in a landing accident. Two B-17E from Attu tried to attack it in the afternoon and flew in the middle of a CAP of 153 A6M3a, 46 A6M5 and 29 A6M2. They didn’t make it and were both shot down by the rookies of F2/653 the 40-exp A6M5 group of CVL Chiyoda that flew at the last time aboard. Finally these newbies can do something. There was no more Allied ships in range (limited to 1) of the KB. Radio intercept showed that several were scuttled last evening, while two that had been damaged yesterday by Betties, the LST-342 and the AK Adelong sank today SE of PJ.

The small surface TF cruising off OJ (CL Yubari and now 4 DD after the Kasumi had been torpedoed and left) was attacked in the morning by 12 PB4Y, 12 B-17E and 8 B-24D from Attu. They concentrated on the CL and heavily damaged her with 5 bomb hits. Four penetrated the deck armor, the fifth ravaged a turret.
The Allied CV commander received a report of this attack and sent in the afternoon patrol aircraft to check the area. A SBD crew reported that the Yubari was still afloat then bombed and hit her. The CV sent 93 SDB, 62 TBF and 15 Barracuda to finish this TF. As there was no CAP on the morning, it sent no escort to keep all fighters above his own ships. 31 SBD get lost and turned back, and the other were intercepted by fighters coming from the nearby PJ. 17 Oscar II, 5 Tony, 3 Tojo and 3 Nick intercepted them and shot down 17 SBD, 9 TBM and 4 Barracuda without loss. Oscar pilots scored 8 victories without loss and were no more used to that! The remaining bombers didn’t find the damaged Yubari but found the four DD that were with her and attacked them. The Sanae was sunk by 2 torpedoes and 1 bomb and the Karukaya heavily damaged by 2 bombs and 1 torpedo. The same TF was then attacked by 3 PB4Y from Attu that slipped past the CAP (reinforced by 14 A6M3a, also from PJ) and missed a DD.

And then came news of the ground battle. The mayor of Onnekotan Jima sent a last message saying that Americans were in the street of the village and the destroyed the radio. The port was taken by the 138th US RCT (against no resistance). Six Seabees units and two USN base forces had also been landed there to build an airfield.

And at PJ the Allied troops launched a deliberate attack. Allied troops on the island numbered 196 814 men (+ 820), 2251 guns (+22) and 426 vehicles (+2) for 3936 AV (+ 22), against 79 210 Japanese men (+655), 718 guns (+24) and 2 tankettes for 1522 AV (+18). The combat report showed 3847 Allied AV attacking 1520 Japanese, but after adjustments the attack failed at 0 to 1 by a wide margin (2994 Allied adjusted AV vs 6328 Japanese). And Allied engineers failed to reduce fortifications. A good day for the Empire and the garrison of PJ that lost 1477 men and 79 guns while Allied losses were 3574 men, 157 guns and 9 tanks. This defensive victory will probably be decisive. Before the next attack Japanese forces will be reinforced and should be able to hold again, leaving 200 000 Allied troops stranded on PJ beachhead.

The evening report of the base of Paramushiro Jima listed damage of 47/0/5 (base/runway/port), 399 engineers (+12) and 38 212 supplies (-1334). The airfield had in the evening 146 fighters (114 available) and 17 Nick (5 available) to defend itself. The local commander was now confident enough to allow replacement aircraft (6 Zero today) to arrive here.

In the rear area the only Allied submarine attack was 180 miles WNW of OJ when the SS Growler was chased by the DD Chidori and Asagao during the night and took medium damage from one hit and four near-misses scored by them

The status of the Japanese ships damaged yesterday and today was the following. The three ships damaged yesterday, the CA Haguro, CL Sendai and DD Hayashio were now close to Shikka and in no danger of sinking (max FLT 60). They will be docked in the port where two AR arrived today (with a ML squadron that will start immediately to lay mines off the base). The DD Kasumi torpedoed today was at 300 miles from Shikka with damage 47/76/16 and will try to rally this base but will probably sink before. Off the ships attacked off OJ, the DD Karukaya was scuttled (damage 99/90/47) while the CL Yubari (66/53/17) will sail to PJ under escort by the two DD remaining of her TF and disband there (automatically) before dawn tomorrow. The CVL Ryujo, with damage (37/39/16) will be escorted by 6 DD back to Shikka.

The four available BB, 4 CA and 3 CL will bombard tonight OJ under escort by 6 DD. The KB will sail a little west to join the supply convoy, and the CA TF led by Tanaka will rally them. The KB airmen will fly naval search 100% tomorrow to try to reduce the submarine threat.

The Allied fleet won’t be pursued but the four remaining submarines west of Kiska will continue to search Allied damaged BB. They had still not been scuttled (even if my opponent scuttled for 48 points of ships last turn, probably a group of AK, LST and small warships).

In Toyohara, the G4M2 were ordered to fly 50% naval search while the G4M1 and Nell were grounded. By the way the Nell unit was upgraded to the G4M1 and a G4M1 Daitai was upgraded to the G4M2.

36 Topsy will begin tomorrow to ferry the 23rd Eng Rgt from Wakkanai to Shikka. And 26 Ki-49 arrived from Japan in the latter base to fly naval search to detect Allied submarines.

In Ominato and Aomori all available AP and AK (around 20 ships) left port under MSW escort to Toyohara (by sailing west of Hokkaido to avoid submarines) and will load here the 21st Div to bring it to PJ faster than transport AC.

The Allied submarines were really a real danger in the area and four ASW TF of 6 MSW each were created today in Tokyo and will sail to Etorofu Jima. From there they will chase submarines seen by aircraft. They probably won’t do them much harm but may damage some and make other use part of their torpedoes…



Central Pacific

An AP/AK convoy loaded troops of the 4th Div in PH and will sail back to Japan. One of the two AR of the base joined the convoy.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

During the night two Allied APD swept mines SW of Lae and during the day a new Allied convoy (8+ AP, 2 DD) was reported off this base. With a good part of its strike aircraft sent to Kendari for the Tenimbar operation the local air commander will do nothing tomorrow than keep an eye on with.

Only two small raids hit Rabaul today. The airfield was attacked by 9 B-25J from Gili Gili and 8 PB4Y from Rabaul and reported 15 casualties, 1 hit on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 14 on the runways. Rabaul AA gunners shot down 2 of the 17 attackers, both B-25J, bringing their score to 46 victories in 8 days. Rabaul reported in the evening damage of 100/82 (airbase/runway), Kavieng was fully repaired and built forts (level 5, 40%).

Tomorrow thunderstorms were forecast and the blockade runner waiting east of Kavieng will sail to this base and unload some supplies. The barges she launched arrived in Green Island and loaded supplies that they will try to carry to Rabaul.

The CL Naka and her escort DD arrived in Noumea and were disbanded for some repairs (both have SYS 5).

Timor-DEI-Australia

The Tenimbar started as planned with a morning sweep by 53 A6M3a and 12 Oscar II from Kendari. They met over the base 12 Kittyhawk I of 75 Sqn RAAF. Losses were even: 6 Kittyhawk were shot down for the loss of an Oscar and 4 A6M3a in the battle and one more Zero to engine failure. The Allied ships were still there but no attack was launched on them due to bad weather.
This operation will not be repeated tomorrow. Recon will first check the defences of the Allied base tomorrow. Fighters all went back on CAP, while Betties were rested (they still needed them after their transfer flight).

In the afternoon Koepang was attacked by 18 B-25C from Derby that scored 4 hits on the runways. The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere OK (fort 2, 15%), Koepang 37/2/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 88/68/0, Lautem 89/45/38, other bases undamaged. AA fire shot down in the area a PBY Catalina flying recon.

Burma

Allied airmen flew sorties: 9 B-25J and 38 escorts from Ledo on Myitkyina airfield (30 casualties, 2 hits on the airbase and 6 on runways), 152 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included), 130 bombers and 61 escorts against 3 divisions in Myitkyina (274 men and 9 guns hit) and 68 Dacca bombers and 12 escorts against the 46th division in Katha (56 men and 5 guns hit). A Lysander I and a Beaufighter Mk 21 were shot down by AA fire while two other Beaufighter, a B-24D, a Vengeance I and a P-40N were lost in accidents. A Dinah III was shot down by an Allied fighter over Ledo, and another was shot down by AA fire over India. More worrying was the fact that P-40N of the 23rd FG intercepted in the evening Japanese transport aircraft flying supplies to Myitkyina and shot down 2 MC-21, a Tabby and a Topsy. All transport units in Hanoi were grounded and a Topsy Chutai reduced to two crews sent to the rear (Java) for training.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (no casualty) and Allied guns Japanese lines in Myitkyina (77 men and 2 guns hit). 1531 Japanese AV (+6) faced 1425 Allied (+4) in Katha, and 2041 Japanese AV (-12) faced 3031 Allied (+33) in Mytkyina.

The evening report showed damage in Myitkyina as 24/36. In this town there were 4695 remaining supplies (+49) for needs of 11653 (-70).

China

Training raids continued to target 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha. 74 training sorties (+ 9 Oscar escort sorties) were flown from Changsha and 85 from Wuhan (+33 escort) and hit 129 men for the loss of an A6M2 and a Kate in accidents.

Japan

The damaged DD Takanami reached Tokyo and was docked for repairs. The DD Akigumo that escorted her from Lunga will be upgraded here.

The last successes by the Japanese submarines changed the priority in Japanese shipyards. The CV Taiho that was built at an accelerated rate to be released at the end of the summer of 1944 (she was halted for most of the war) will now be built at normal rate until the completion of the third Unryu-CV, the Katsugari, in 27 days (53 “remaining days” but at accelerated rate). And with the spared shipyard resources the construction of eight RO submarines that had been halted will restart.

There has no map of the Burma front (that is mainly static now but some moves are slowly done) so I included it in the map below that will show mainly the main front, the Kuriles.

2 September 1943

Northern Pacific

Waters between Sakhalin and the Kuriles were still full of Allied submarines. The night saw two attacks on Japanese damaged ships. 120 miles west of OJ the USS Bowfin attacked the damaged CVL Ryujo… but missed and was chased by 6 DD. The DD Yugumo hit her with a Type 95 depth charge and she was reported on fire. Off PJ the USS Apagon was luckier and sank the damaged CL Yubari with two torpedoes while she tried to rally this port. Her two escort DD chased the submarine and scored a near-miss. 180 miles WNW of OJ a third American submarine, the Growler, was chased by 4 Japanese DD and heavily damaged by a hit and a near-miss scored by the Kikuzuki. In fact the Growler was near the meeting point of the KB and the supply convoy. In the evening she submerged to do some repairs but was surprised in the fog by 3 DD. The Harukaze scored two hits with shells on the diving submarine and sank her. KB airmen also bombed and hit an American submarine (maybe the Grunion ? My notes are barely readable) off PJ during the day.

Between the Kuriles and Aleutians there were 5 Japanese submarines (one limping back to base). All were busy during the night and/or the day. From west to east:
_ 180 miles ESE of PJ the damaged SS I-156 was attacked again by 5 SC and further damaged by two near-misses but escaped.
_ 240 miles ESE of PJ the Allied CV TF arrived in the patrol area of the I-166. Since the start of the battle no Japanese submarine had been able to survive such a situation and this submarine suffered the same fate. At it she was able to attack once and fired at the CLAA Oakland, but her torpedoes failed. She was then chased by the escort of this TF (8 DD) and by 7 DD of another TF and sank after 4 hits and 20 near-misses scored by the DD USS Braine, Fletcher, McKee and Chevalier.
_ 300 miles west of Kiska the I-155 attacked in the morning a SC TF and sank one with a torpedo. The four remaining SC searched her twice during the day.
_ 240 miles west of Kiska five SC chased twice the RO-33 lightly damaged her during the night with a hit and two near-misses and missing her in the morning.
_ 180 miles west of Kiska the SS I-162 escaped during the night at 5 SC and then 6 DD escorting 3+ AO. After dawn she met the unescorted and damaged CA USS Houston and sank her with one torpedo (the third US CA sunk in 3 days). But later in the afternoon she was bombed and damaged by a PB4Y.
In the evening two of the three remaining submarines west of Kiska sailed back to base with small damage (7/0 for RO-33) and (20/22 for I-162). Only the I-155 will continue to search Allied damaged BBs.

But there was also surface action this night. Tanaka led a bombardment TF made of 4 BB, 4 CA, 4 CL and 6 DD against the new Allied base of Onnekotan Jima and met off the port three American APD bringing fuel to the base and quickly dispatched them under the waves with gunfire by 2 BB and 3 CA, without any damage aboard Japanese ships. The Japanese main ships then bombarded the base, scored 2 hits on the port and 4 on supplies and disabled 1266 men, 14 guns and 14 vehicles (bulldozers).
PT boats were supposed to defend OJ but were late. In fact during this action they were still off PJ and a dozen of them were surprised by the two DD that escorted the Yubari before she was sunk by a submarine. The Japanese ships sank in some minutes 3 PT before they reacted but were then attacked with guns and torpedoes and the DD Manuzuru (sp?) was sunk. Later during the day the PT sailed to OJ and were seen there by Japanese airmen.

The DD Okikaze was at dawn the last ship remaining of the TF led yesterday by the Yubari off OJ. But she didn’t last long. In the morning, the Allied CV 240 miles ESE of PJ launched 31 SBD and 17 TBF to sink her. These aircraft were escorted by 27 F6F, 10 F4F-4 and 8 Hellcat II, but met over PJ the local CAP flown by 20 Oscar II, 14 A6M3a, 12 A6M2, 10 A6M3, 9 Rufe, 8 Ki-61, 6 Ki-44 and 3 Nick. The Allied airmen won the battle and shot down 36 Japanese fighters (17 Oscar, 4 A6M3a, 4 Tojo, 3 Tony, 2 Rufe, 2 A6M2, 2 A6M3 and 2 Nick) for 27 losses in the battle (12 F6F, 7 F4F-4, 4 SBD, 3 Hellcat II and 1 TBF). The DD Okikaze was attacked by the Allied airmen (coming from the Enterprise II) and after three hits by SBD her magazine exploded and she sank.

The detailed unit situation in PJ was the following:
84 Chutai scored no kill and lost 4 Oscar II and 2 pilots
204 Sentai scored 4 kills (2 F6F, 2 F4F-4) and lost 14 Oscar II and 10 pilots (1 WIA)
246 Sentai scored 3 kills (2 F6F, 1 F4F-4) and lost 4 Ki-44 and 3 pilots
244 Sentai scored 4 kills (2 F6F, 2 F4F-4) and lost 3 Ki-61 and 1 pilot (WIA)
13 Sentai scored 1 kill (1 F6F) and lost 2 Ki-45 but no pilot
F2/Tainan scored 8 kills (2 F6F, 2 Hellcat II, 2 F4F-4, 2 SBD) and lost 4 A6M3a and 3 pilots (1 WIA)
F4/Toko scored 2 kills (1 Hellcat II, 1 SBD) and lost 2 A6M2 and 1 pilot
F1/2nd scored 2 kills (1 TBF, 1 SBD) and lost 2 A6M3 and 1 pilot
FF7/Yokohama scored 3 kills (3 F6F) and lost 1 Rufe and its pilot. A pilot of this unit scored his 5th kill and become my first ace on a Rufe!
FF1/452nd scored no kill and lost 1 Rufe and its pilot (WIA)
FF2/452nd scored no kill and suffered no loss
So the losses for this day were 16 IJAAF pilots (at least two only WIA) and 7 IJNAF pilots (at least two only WIA).
By the way even if the losses are probably still a bit too high I think that the air battles over PJ are the closest to history I have seen so far for big battles… at least on the Japanese side. As units are only able to send 20-50% of their aircraft in the air they can’t be destroyed in one day, also thanks to the new casualty rate for Japan (about 50% of Japanese pilots shot down over their own base survived, wounded or not). The result (of the initial heavy bomber bombardment) is that I have units with more pilots than aircraft (as all sides did IRL) and losses (of pilots) remained comparable to what happened in similar battles IRL, off Leyte for example.

The Allied ships seen today were in two groups. From 180 to 300 miles west of Kiska there were a dozen of TF either retreating transports, damaged ships or SC TFs. 420 miles west of Kiska (and so 240 miles ESE of PJ) cruised the Allied CV TF. Other than the above action, the Allied CV CAP shot down a Glen getting too close. Today 2 SBD, a TBM and a Barracuda were lost operationally by the Allied CV TF.
2 PT TF and 4 submarines were off OJ, two submarines off PJ and 5 other submarines scattered NW of PJ.

On the ground at PJ, both sides reverted to artillery fire. Allied losses were 24 men and 1 gun, Japanese ones 126 men and 1 gun. Allied troops on the island numbered 191 189 men (- 5 625), 2026 guns (-225) and 412 vehicles (-14) for 3482 AV (- 454), against 78 151 Japanese men (- 1 059), 684 guns (-34) and 4 tankettes (+2) for 1501 AV (-21).

The evening report of PJ listed no more damage, 412 engineers (+13) rebuilding fortifications (level 5, 53%(+3%)) and 37 928 supplies (-284).

An Oscar Chutai with morale 50 was flown to Toyohara for R&R. 27 A6M3 arrived from Ominato to replace them, as did 12 replacement fighters for other units. That left PJ airfield with 146 fighters (119 available) and 15 Nick (6 available) to defend itself. The fighters will continue to defend the base while the Nick will fly naval attack against the Allied PT off OJ.

Outside the ships sent to PJ and all sunk it was not a bad day for the damaged Japanese ships. The CA Haguro, CL Sendai and DD Hayashio reached Shikka and were docked with two AR to assist them. The DD Kasumi was now at 180 miles from Shikka with damage 53(+6)/76/7(-6). The floatability damaged didn’t increase today and it was now hoped that she will be saved. The CVL Ryujo was also at 180 miles from Shikka and will reach it tomorrow and now had damage 42(+5)/52(+13)/7(-9) but should have no problem to reach Shikka.

OJ showed port damaged (only 1, but still more than 0) at the end of the day. That meant that Allied engineers had not worked on fortifications or airfield. To continue to keep them honest there will no naval bombardment tonight because of the arrived PT (that will probably lack fuel shortly). But 80 G4M1 of Toyohara will bombard the port tomorrow morning while the G4M2 based here will fly naval search. And the CL Natori and 4 DD will engaged PT off OJ tonight.

The supply convoy escorted by Tanaka’s CA TF and the 3 CV TF of the KB will sail to a spot 60 miles NW of PJ, ready to sail there next night if the Allied ships will have left. PJ won’t be protected tonight against an Allied bombardment TF but Tanaka had orders to react and may do it in case Allied ships attacked PJ. The only way they could do that will be by stripping their CV escort probably.
More west the BB TF was 180 miles off Shikka. It was ordered to go there, refuel and sail at full speed back to PJ.

KB airmen will keep same orders: CAP 90% and naval search range 3. The fleet had now with the departure of the Ryujo 308 fighters (300 available), 78 dive-bombers (78) and 84 torpedo bombers (84). The rising aircraft losses of the Allied CV should be enough and they should probably retire tomorrow, but you can never be sure.

Barges loaded in Etorofu Jima the last 1000 men of the 14th Div not in PJ and will bring them to the battlefield.

The BB Mutsu had been left at Ominato with SYS 11 when the KB sailed. Now with SYS 10 she left the port with an escort of 6 DD to join the fleet. She will be useful to pound OJ. The same reasoning applied to the BB Yamato that was repairing in Osaka with SYS 13 and left for Wakkanai with the CL Kitakami (fully repaired) and 3 DD.

Japanese intelligence learned today that the MSW Bittern II, hit by Japanese warships three nights ago, was scuttled by her crew.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

An Allied patrol from Lae occupied the nearby empty base of Finschhafen. Allied engineers expanded Lae airfield to size 2 today.

The only allied raid today were sent from Kiriwima. 38 Beaufighter Mk 21 escorted by 18 P-38G attacked Rabaul, disabling 85 men and 1 gun and scoring one hit on the airbase and 23 on the runways, while 3 other Beaufighter attacked barges west of Buka and sank one. Two Beaufighter were shot down by AA fire over Rabaul, and a third was lost operationally.

Rabaul reported in the evening damage of 100/82 (airbase/runway) and 3688 supplies for 4977 required, Kavieng was fully repaired and built again forts (level 5, 45%). The blockade runner arrived off Kavieng but sailed again without unloading because of clear weather tomorrow.

Tonight the SS I-124 will lay mines off Woodlark Island.

Timor-DEI-Australia

There was no Allied raid today. A B-17E bombed and hit a damaged barge off Lautem but didn’t sink it. A PBM Mariner flying recon to Kendari was shot down by AA fire.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere OK (fort 2, 23%), Koepang 5/0/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 88/60/0, Lautem 89/38/38, other bases undamaged.

Today recons of Tenimbar showed that a dozen of Spitfire Vb joined the Kittyhawk I on CAP. The operation was almost cancelled as some officers said that attacking ships off Lae will be a better idea, as Allied ports in the area were smaller and so damaged ships had greater chances to sink. But there were Corsairs in the area, and what was the final point in favour in Tenimbar was that Lae was itself a size 3 port, so damaged ships will dock right there. At least Tenimbar was only a size 1 port. Weather forecast for tomorrow was overcast and Kendari airmen were ordered to proceed. 28 G4M1 and 24 bomb-carrying Oscar II escorted by 48 A6M3a and 64 Oscar II were ordered to attack the ships off Tenimbar and the CAP covering them. There will be no sweep this time to allow a greater concentration of Japanese aircraft in one raid.

SRA

The “Gold Convoy” was now 120 miles SE of Batavia and sent to this port 8 AK and 4 TK that will load 57k oil and 56k resources here. The convoy won’t stop in Batavia but will sail directly to Palembang. This “super-convoy” will run out of ships before stopping at all bases in the area and so local ships will join it too. Six 7000-ton AK so started loading resources in Kuala Lumpur today.

Burma

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (11 men hit) and Allied troops launched a shock attack in Myitkyina. Well in fact the Allied troops already here probably launched a deliberate attack from the north while the 38th Chinese Corps crossing the river SE of the town launched a shock attack due to the river. By the way the
Chinese Corps brought the number of Allied units here to 28. The attack was a bloody failure at 0 to 1 (3229 Allied AV vs 1608 Japanese adjusted to 2122 vs 4721). Japanese losses were 1284 men, 74 guns and 1 tank, Allied ones 5195 men, 143 guns and 34 tanks. Allied engineers failed to reduce the fortifications.

The evening report showed damage in Myitkyina as 24/4. In this town there were 4548 remaining supplies (-147) for needs of 13369 (+1716). 1541 Japanese AV (+10) faced 1427 Allied (+2) in Katha, numbers will be given in Myitkyina (when it will be back to normal artillery fire routine).

Both the 11th NLF and the 1st Tk Div were now in Rangoon for R&R. The latter also assured that an Allied landing in the area could be resisted.

China

Training raids continued to target 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha. 70 training sorties (+ 12 escort sorties) were flown from Changsha and 83 from Wuhan (+ 29 escorts) and hit 141 men for the loss of a Kate.

3 September 1943

Northern Pacific

The last Japanese submarine operating between the Kuriles and the Aleutians, the I-155, was chased during the night by two SC groups and sunk by two hits and five near-misses.

The CL Natori and 4 DD swept waters off OJ during the night and surprised two PT TF (7 and 14 PT), sinking three in the first clash and four in the second. Only two PT fired torpedoes (in the second battle) and missed. This TF then retired at full speed towards Shikka and was attacked after dawn 180 miles ESE of this port by the SS USS Redfin, but she was seen by the escort and chased away by the 4 DD, even if she escaped unhurt.

During the night another Allied bombardment TF attacked PJ but with only three CL (USS Minneapolis, HMS Newcastle and HMAS Hobart) and seven US DDs was unable to defeat the Japanese coastal guns and only hit 124 guns and 5 guns, but was able to retire without damage.

Tanaka’s surface TF sailing with the KB was supposed to react but never received orders to do so and so remained with the CV TFs following the convoy supply NW of OJ and PJ. During the night the submarine USS Dragonet tried to attack this fleet 120 miles WNW of OJ but was chased by two DDs.

The KB with Tanaka CA Tf and the supply convoy was during the day 60 miles NW of PJ. The Allied ships seen today were in two groups. From 180 to 300 miles west of Kiska there were a dozen of TF either retreating transports, damaged ships or SC TFs. 420 miles west of Kiska (and so 240 miles ESE of PJ) cruised the Allied CV TF. 2 PT TF and 4 submarines were off OJ, two submarines off PJ and 5 other submarines scattered NW of PJ.

So both enemy CV TFs were out of range of each other, and neither reacted. The KB airmen busied themselves by searching Allied submarines, launched around 15 attacks and damaged two, the USS Permit in the morning 180 miles WNW of OJ and the USS Gato twice in the afternoon near the KB. In the morning the KB was attacked by 13 B-24D from Attu. A CAP of 155 A6M3a, 49 A6M5 and 30 A6M2 was defending the fleet and repulsed the attack, shooting down ten of the Liberator, but losing to return fire 5 fighters (3 A6M2, 1 A6M3a and 1 A6M5) and 3 pilots. The CAP scored three more victories during the day against Allied patrols, shooting down a PBY, a TBM and a Barracuda. ENS Fujita I of BI-1 Daitai became today the best living Japanese ace (and the 3rd overall) by shooting down 3 B-24D and an Allied patrol aircraft over the KB and so reaching the score of 28 kills.

79 G4M1 from Toyohara bombed the new Allied base of OJ today. They met weak AA defenses and their only two losses were operational. This attack disabled 596 men, 1 gun and 5 vehicles and scored 4 hits on the port and 5 on supplies. OJ showed again port damage (now 8) at the end of the day. So still no work on fortifications or airfield. To continue to keep them honest there will no naval bombardment tonight because of the arrived PT (that will probably lack fuel shortly). Tomorrow the G4M1 of Toyohara will fly the naval search missions while the 60 G4M2 based will continue to bomb the Allied base.

PJ was not bombed during the morning and sent 5 Nick to attack unsuccessfully PT off OJ, while a PBM Mariner coming for a recon of the base was shot down by AA fire. But in the afternoon a huge Allied raid targeted the airfield. Allied CV sent 110 SBD, 54 TBM, 16 TBF and 8 Barracuda escorted by 27 F6F, 17 F4F-4 and 6 Hellcat II that met 107 Japanese fighters on CAP (31 A6M3a, 29 A6M3, 9 A6M2, 9 Rufe, 8 A6M5, 8 Tony, 7 Oscar, 6 Tojo). Local units were helped by three Zero units from the nearby KB.
Japanese fighters suffered 40 losses (9 A6M3a, 7 A6M3, 6 Rufe, 5 Tojo, 5 Oscar, 4 Tony, 3 A6M2 and 1 A6M5) but shot down 93 Allied aircraft (25 SBD, 21 TBM, 20 F6F, 17 F4F-4, 5 TBF, 3 Barracuda and 2 Hellcat II). The raid anyway reached the airfield and destroyed 35 Japanese aircraft on the ground (10 A6M3, 9 A6M2, 4 Nick, 3 Tony, 3 Rufe, 2 Tojo, 2 Oscar, 1 A6M3a and 1 Helen), did 62 casualties and scored 12 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 48 on the runways. AA fire shot down 4 SBD and 3 TBM, and with the final loss of 1 SBD to engine failure, the final score for this raid was 101 Allied aircraft and 75 Japanese destroyed.
Two of the Japanese big scorers were involved in this battle: WO Hori M of F2/Tainan, who was with this unit since the start of the war and scored his first victory in December 1941, scored 3 kills to bring his score to 21 but was then himself shot down and killed. The ENS Banno V of AI-1 shot down 3 Allied bombers to raise his score to 19.

The detailed unit situation in PJ was the following (including the three KB units that took part in the battle):
204 Sentai scored no kill and lost 7 Oscar II and 4 pilots
246 Sentai scored 4 kills and lost 7 Ki-44 and 3 pilots
244 Sentai scored 5 kills and lost 7 Ki-61 and 2 pilots (one WIA)
13 Sentai scored no kill (didn’t fly) and lost 4 Ki-45 but no pilot
F2/Tainan scored 8 kills and lost 8 A6M3a and 6 pilots
F4/Toko scored 8 kills and lost 12 A6M2 and 2 pilot (one WIA)
F2/6th scored 10 kills and lost 13 A6M3 and 4 pilots
F1/2nd scored 9 kills and lost 4 A6M3 and 1 pilot
FF7/Yokohama scored no kill and lost 5 Rufe and 2 pilot (one WIA)
FF1/452nd scored no kill and lost 1 Rufe and its pilot (WIA)
FF2/452nd scored 2 kills and lost 3 Rufe and 1 pilot
AI-1 scored 7 kills and lost 1 A6M3a but no pilot
DII-1 scored 17 kills and lost 2 A6M3a and 2 pilots (one WIA)
JI-1 scored 18 kills and lost 1 A6M5 and its pilot (WIA)
So the losses for this day were 9 IJAAF pilots (at least one only WIA) and 20 IJNAF pilots (at least five only WIA).

On the ground at PJ, both sides continued to exchange artillery fire. Allied losses were 13 men, Japanese ones 325 men and 10 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 192 527 men (+ 1 138), 2046 guns (+20) and 414 vehicles (+2) for 3544 AV (+62), against 79 609 Japanese men (+1 458), 716 guns (+32) and 4 tankettes for 1537 AV (+36). A Tina was lost in an accident while flying troops to this island from Toyohara.

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 16/2/0 (airbase/runway/port), 416 engineers (+4) and 36 734 supplies (-1194). At the end of the day PJ airfield had 88 fighters (76 available), 11 Rufe (6 available) and 11 Nick (7 available) to defend itself. No more reinforcement was available immediately but a Rufe Chutai and the A6M2 Daitai were sent to Toyohara to receive replacement aircraft (18 A6M2 pilots and 3 Rufe one had no more AC). Also 12 replacement fighter aircraft arrived but were not serviceable. Tomorrow the base will have 109 aircraft able to fly CAP (78 available).

The damaged submarine I-156 reached PJ with damaged 36/81 and was disbanded in the port. So she might be saved or draw some bombers that won’t try to bomb Japanese CV or the local airfield.

More east the admiral Nagumo was hesitating to start a new CV battle. Japanese services estimated that the Allied CV fleet was composed of the American CV Hornet, Enterprise II, Essex and Intrepid, the British CV Victorious and Indomitable and the CVL USS Belleau Wood for a total of around 480 aircraft. Around 200 should be fighters and of this number 21 were lost yesterday and 38 today. While around 120 Allied bombers were lost in the last four days. So the Allied CV TF was probably in need to sail back to base. And if it didn’t and remain on position it should be an easier target than it will ever be.

So rather than ordering the supply convoy to sail to PJ, Nagumo directed it to 120 miles EAST of PJ. The KB will follow it and DB and TB were ordered to fly naval attack at range 4. So they will be able to engage the Allied CV if they remained in the area, or an eventual Allied bombardment TF ready to hit PJ again. Fighters will fly CAP 60%. The fleet had this evening 299 fighters (293 available), 78 dive-bombers (78) and 84 torpedo bombers (84). Tanaka transferred a CA and a CL to each CV TF to increase AA defenses, and kept 1 CA and 1 CL and 6 DD as a surface TF to escort the CV. The four new submarines arriving in the area will sail east, outside of the Allied shipping lanes but ready to sail north if Allied CVs were hit.

More west the BB TF refueled in Shikka and completed shell cases but didn’t replace torpedoes (no AD here, and port 6 is not enough). It will sail SE and meet tomorrow off Shimushiri Jima (the island 120 miles NE of Etoforu Jima) the Mutsu and her escort. This will allow it to avoid the numerous submarines seen today on the way between Shikka and OJ (at least 8).
The Yamato TF will join the fleet in a little less than a week. It was joined today by five more repaired DD in Kitakyushu.

The damaged ships in Shikka repaired FLT damage with the assistance of the local ARs. The DD Kasumi was now at 60 miles from Shikka with damage 54(+6)/76/2(-6). The floatability damaged didn’t increase again today. It seems that at least one Japanese crew knew that water going inside a ship is a bad thing. The CVL Ryujo reached Shikka in the afternoon and was docked with damage 43(+1)/55(+3)/2(-5). Her 33 remaining aircraft (26 A6M3a and 7 Kate) were unloaded by crane and brought to the local airfield. The damaged APD-34 had attempted to sail alone from Etorufo Jima from Ominato, starting with FLT 54, but sank today near Ominato.



Southern Pacific

The reorganization continued. In Noumea three AP loaded the 149th IJA BF and will carry it to Luganville where it will relieve the 3rd Base Force that will then be shipped more north.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

During the night three Allied MSWs swept the Japanese minefield laid SE of Lae. During the day the Dinah flying the daily recon of Lae reported that the CAP had been reinforced here by 13 Corsair that new flew together with around 20 F4F-4.

Allied airmen continued to be active above Rabaul an Kavieng for a total number of 272 sorties. 10 Beaufighter Mk 21 from Kiriwima attacked barges off Rabaul, sank one and heavily damaged another. This airfield was attacked by 41 Beaufighter Mk 21 and 21 B-25C from Kiriwima escorted by 22 P-38G and by 23 B-25J from Gili Gili and reported 93 casualties, 1 disabled gun, 2 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 68 on the runways. Rabaul AA gunners shot down 2 B-25J and 1 B-25C. Kavieng was attacked by 58 B-24D, 28 PB4Y, 20 B-17E and 12 B-25C from Dobadura escorted by 37 P-38G and by 3 PB4Y and 2 B-17E from PM and reported 37 casualties, 12 hits on the airbase, 8 on supplies and 64 on the runways. A B-24D and a B-25J were lost in accidents.

The blockade runner Shinetsu Maru was bombed in the afternoon by a patrolling B-24D 60 miles NE of Kavieng and damaged at 17/19/5 but will go to this base tomorrow to unload under bad weather cover.

Rabaul reported in the evening damage of 100/86 (airbase/runway) and 3595 (-73) supplies for 4980 (+3) required, Kavieng was damaged at 34/15.

Two submarines (I-176 and the Glen-carrying I-31) will return to the Allied shipping lanes south of Gili Gili.

Timor-DEI-Australia

In the afternoon Koepang was attacked by 18 B-25C from Derby and 84 B-17E and 32 B-24D from Darwin. The base reported 138 casualties, 4 disabled guns, 21 hits on the airbase, 5 on supplies and 141 on runways. And 14 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 5 P-40N raided Lautem and did 13 casualties while scoring 10 hits on the runway. A B-24D was shot down by AA fire over Koepang and a B-17E was lost in an accident.

A damaged barge off Lautem was near-missed by a patrolling PB4Y and then strafed by 14 Brewster 339D from Darwin but was still alfloat at the end of the day.
The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere OK (fort 2, 31%), Koepang 41/65/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 88/52/0, Lautem 89/33/38, other bases undamaged.

The planned attack on Tenimbar wasn’t launched as there were no more ships off this base and the aircraft gathered to attack them were scattered in the evening. 21 Betties and 20 A6M3a were sent to Palau where they will form a reserve able to fly to Kendari, Truk or Hollandia. The other A6M3a will rest one more day in Kendari.

SRA

The “Gold Convoy” will arrive tomorrow in Palembang. It sent 6 AK to Toboali and an ASW group to chase an Allied submarine reported 180 miles north of Singkawang, Borneo.

The convoy of small AK carrying 59k resources from Saigon arrived in Hong Kong, refueled and sailed to Japan along the Chinese coast.

Burma

After having been totally grounded yesterday by bad weather and not being able to support the Allied attack Allied airmen flew 492 sorties today, all to Myitkyina: 10 B-25J and 37 escorts from Ledo on the airfield (41 casualties, 1 hit on the airbase, 2 on supplies and 15 on runways), and 130 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included), 244 bombers and 71 escorts against 3 divisions of the garrison (657 men and 10 guns hit). A B-24D, a B-25C, a B-25J, a Blenheim IV, a Beaufighter VIC and a P-40E were lost in accidents. On the Japanese side a Dinah III was shot down by AA fire over Ledo.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (82 casualties) and Allied guns Japanese lines in Myitkyina (135 men hit). 1556 Japanese AV (+15) faced 1434 Allied (+7) in Katha, and 1968 Japanese AV (-73 in two days) faced 2663 Allied (-368 in two days despite the arrival of a Chinese Corps) in Mytkyina.

The evening report showed damage in Myitkyina as 19/0. In this town there were 4266 remaining supplies (-282) for needs of 11668 (-1701).

28 Ki-61 of the experienced (level 75) 68 Sentai left Rangoon in the evening. They will go to the Kuriles front and flew today to Changsha, China.

China

Training raids continued to target 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha. 80 training sorties (+ 29 escort sorties) were flown from Wuhan and hit 96 men without loss.

Japan

The 156th IJN Base Force was created today in Tokyo and boarded the same day ships that will carry it to Shikka.

4 September 1943

Northern Pacific

The night was for once perfectly quiet: no surface battle, no submarine action, no bombardment… but it didn’t last after dawn.

59 G4M2 from Toyohara bombed OJ again. They still reported weak AA defenses and suffered no loss. This attack disabled 559 men, 2 guns and 10 vehicles and scored 1 hit on the port and 4 on supplies.

The Kido Butai sailed as planned 120 miles east of PJ and at dawn airmen eager to defeat another time the US Navy took off to search Allied ships… and reported only submarines and PT boats in range. Land-based Betties only saw some TK/AO off Kiska and west of Attu, but could not locate Allied CV too. The expected CV battle will not take place today.
Allied airmen also flew patrols and found the KB. Zeroes shot down a PB4Y getting too close, but then saw many more coming to attack. Attu sent 29 PB4Y, 11 B-24D and 3 B-17E to attack Japanese CV and 114 A6M3a, 37 A6M5 and 17 A6M2 intercepted them. The raid was repulsed and 36 Allied heavy bombers were shot down (29 PB4Y, 4 B-24D and 3 B-17E) but return fire shot down 18 A6M3a and 1 A6M5. Clouds covered the fleet in the Japan and there was no more raid, while the surface covering force of the KB (a CA, a CL, 6 DD) found at sea an isolated PT and sank her without difficulty.
Japan couldn’t afford this kind of victory, especially as five more A6M3a of the KB were lost operationally today and as only three of their 24 pilots were saved. Cold waters took their toll…. One of the victims of the day was one of the Japanese top aces, PO2 Minobe K of AI-1 (25 kills) that was killed by return fire of a PB4Y. His long-time rival, WO Endo R of EI-1, shot down his 26th kill (a PB4Y) today.

In the afternoon, bombers from Attu (15 PB4Y, 6 B-24D and 3 B-17E) and Kiska (58 PB4Y and 5 B-17E) attacked PJ airfield that was defended by 42 Japanese aircraft on CAP (15 A6M3, 7 A6M3a, 6 Tony, 5 Oscar, 3 Rufe, 3 Tojo and 3 Nick). In both battles, Japanese pilots shot down 16 PB4Y and 6 B-24D (counting 10 bombers that crashed on the way back) but lost 6 of their number in the air (3 A6M3, 1 Tony, 1 A6M3a and 1 Rufe) and 15 on the ground (4 A6M3, 3 A6M3a, 2 Tojo, 2 Tony, 2 Nick and 2 Rufe). Five pilots were killed today there. Allied bombers also lost a PB4Y and a B-24D to AA fire and 4 PB4Y in accidents, and disabled 79 men and 1 gun while scoring 8 hits on the airbase, 4 on supplies and 33 on the runways.

On the ground at PJ, Allied troops numbered today 193 696 men (+ 1 169), 2082 guns (+36) and 416 vehicles (+2) for 3607 AV (+63), against 80 669 Japanese men (+1060), 734 guns (+18) and 4 tankettes for 1559 AV (+22). Japanese artillery fire hit 10 men and 1 gun, while Allied troops launched a new deliberate attack. It was a new failure at 0 to 1 (3014 Allied AV vs 1425 adjusted to 2256 vs 8329) but not a total failure as Allied engineers reduced the fortification level from 5 to 4 (63% to level 5). Japanese troops were 1716 men and 37 guns, Allied ones were 3499 men, 147 guns and 7 tanks.

The evening report of PJ showed damage of 36/0/0 (airbase/runway/port), 415 engineers (-1) and 34 283 supplies (-2451). At the end of the day PJ airfield had 73 fighters (51 available), 6 Rufe (6 available) and 7 Nick (4 available) to defend itself. 12 Oscar II and 5 Rufe arrived from Shikka, 13 A6M2 and 8 Oscar from Toyohara, while a Rufe Chutai reduced to 1 AC and 4 pilots went to Etorofu to receive replaceme,t aircraft and two Chutai of the 244 Sentai left for Sapporo with 8 pilots and 22 pilots and will also recomplete here. Also 7 replacement fighter aircraft arrived but were not serviceable. Tomorrow the base will have 122 aircraft able to fly CAP (88 available).

Reports showed two PT of 10+ PT off PJ today and these will have to be defeated to let the convoy pass. Tonight Tanaka with a CL and 3 DD, and two DD TF (3 ships each) coming from Shimushuri Jima will sweep these waters to chase PT. The convoy will then arrive probably after dawn off these waters. Of its escort (4 DD and 2 PC) 3 DD will remain in the convoy and the other will sail as a surface combat TF that will cover it.
The KB will sail to a new patrol area SW of PJ. It now had 275 fighters (253 serviceable), 78 dive bombers (78) and 84 torpedo bombers (84), and while the main part of its fighters will fly 90% CAP, 50 will LRCAP the convoy off PJ. All attack crews will fly naval attack range 1 at altitude 100 to chase PT boats… By the way the barges carrying the last part of the 14th Div will also reach PJ tomorrow.

The Mutsu will remain alone off Shimushuri Jima but the main BB TF will join it tonight. The first ASW group arriving from Tokyo was already there with five fast MSW and will sweep waters north of the island tomorrow.

OJ won’t be bombarded by ships tonight but Toyohara airmen will continue to attack it. Tomorrow the G4M2 will fly the naval search missions while the 86 G4M1 will do the bombing.



A convoy with an AE and a third AR arrived in Shikka. It will also unload 57k fuel here. DI-1 unloaded from the Ryujo received 9 pilots from a training unit and with now a full effective (28 pilots) upgraded from the A6M3a to the A6M5.

All five damaged ships in Shikka repaired FLT damage with the assistance of the local ARs, including the DD Kasumi that reached the port today.

Southern Pacific

An AP convoy arrived off Pago-Pago and began to load the 18th Div and the 1st Cst Gun Rgt to bring them back to Japan to take part in the Kuriles campaign.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

During the night the PT-155 hit one of the mines laid by the SS I-124 two nights ago off Woodlark Island and sank.

Allied airmen flew 125 offensive sorties today. Rabaul was only attacked by 2 Beaufighter Mk 21 from Kiriwima. The best AA gunners of the Empire were not taken by surprise and shot down one while the other dropped a bomb on a runway. Kavieng was attacked by 38 B-24D, 25 PB4Y, 17 B-17E and 12 B-25C from Dobadura escorted by 33 P-38G and reported 31 casualties, 5 hits on the airbase, 3 on supplies and 70 on the runways. A PB4Y and a P-38J were lost in accidents.

The blockade runner Shinetsu Maru was again bombed, this time while unloading off Kavieng, by a patrolling PB4Y and was now damaged at 32/33/9. She will now try to come back to Truk before sinking.

Rabaul reported in the evening damage of 100/86 (airbase/runway) and 3595 (-73) supplies for 4980 (+3) required, Kavieng was damaged at 34/15.

Allied engineers expanded the airfield of Kiriwima Island to size 5.

Timor-DEI-Australia

A new Allied fighter flew its first mission this morning: 4 Kittyhawk III escorted 14 Brewster 339D from Darwin that attacked and sank the damaged barge drifting off Lautem since two days.

In the afternoon Koepang was attacked by 20 B-25C from Derby and 78 B-17E and 27 B-24D from Darwin. The base reported 32 casualties, 7 hits on the airbase, 7 on supplies and 97 on runways. And 9 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 5 P-40N and 4 Kittyhawk III raided Lautem and did 10 casualties while scoring 3 hits on the runway. A B-17E and a B-25C were shot down by AA fire over Koepang and another B-17E was lost in an accident.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere OK (fort 2, 39%), Koepang 60/96/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 88/44/0, Lautem 89/27/38, other bases undamaged.

In the evening 23 A6M3a left Kendari to join the Kuriles front. They flew directly to Okinawa but one was lost in the flight with its pilot.

SRA

The “Gold Convoy” arrived in Palembang and 9 TK and 8 AK were detached to load 109k oil (222k were here but no more TK were available) and 56k resources. The 6 AK sent to Toboali reached it and began to load 42k resources.

In the evening the SS USS Runner was chased 180 miles north of Singkawang, Borneo, by an ASW group and was lightly damaged by two near-misses scored by 2 PC.

Burma

Allied airmen flew 368 sorties today, again all to Myitkyina: 9 B-25J and 39 escorts from Ledo on the airfield (20 casualties, 2 hits on the airbase and 11 on runways), and 127 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included), 141 bombers and 100 escorts against 3 divisions of the garrison (380 men and 4 guns hit). A Lysander I was shot down by AA fire, a B-25J and a P-40N were lost in accidents.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (86 men and 1 gun hit) and Allied guns Japanese lines in Myitkyina (41 men and 1 gun hit). 1567 Japanese AV (+11) faced 1446 Allied (+12) in Katha, and 1956 Japanese AV (-12) faced 2721 Allied (+58) in Mytkyina.

The evening report showed damage in Myitkyina as 12/0. In this town there were 4231 remaining supplies (-35) for needs of 11505 (-163).

The 8th Tk Rgt was ordered to leave Myitkyina to go to Mandalay, and then to Lashio and from there will advance to the Salween.

China

An A6M2 Daitai stopped op training in Wuhan (with exp 68) and left for Ominato (and then Kuriles) with 25 aircraft. One crashed on the arrival but the pilot was safe. Another training op unit left Changsha (also with exp 68) and arrived in Sapporo with 27 A6M3a and 33 pilots. And the 28 Ki-61 that arrived yesterday from Burma flew to Osaka, also bound for the northern front.

Bad weather grounded all training units today, but engineers didn’t stop work and expanded the airfields of Peking (to size 6), Chengting (to size 7) and Sining (to size 7). The main interest of this construction program was to score points, but these bases might be used for training later in the war.

Japan

The 156th IJNAF Base Force was created today in Tokyo and boarded the same day ships that will carry it to Etorofu Jima.

5 September 1943

Northern Pacific

The pause was over around PJ. Allied submarine and PT boats attacked repeatedly during the night.

The first to attack were Allied submarines. SW of the Japanese side the USS Perch and Steelhead were patrolling. The first was seen and chased by 3 DD. Two depth charged her and the Hibiki damaged her with a hit and a near-miss. The Steelhead chased unsuccessfully barges in the area. E of PJ the supply convoy was attacked twice by the SS USS Rasher that heavily damaged the AK Tsuruchima Maru and missed another. The 3 DD escorting the convoy were unable to find her.

PT boats were expected off PJ and four surface TF were sent to deal with them: a CL and 3 DD, 3 DD, 3 DD and 1 DD, 1 PG and 1 PC. They effectively met 12 PT off the island but the battle didn’t go as planned. If the old PT were killed weapons far more efficient than IRL, what can we say from the 1943 versions ? They have upgraded torpedoes, radar and a 40mm and a 37mm gun added…. Ouch…. This night these 12 PT fought all four surface TF sent there, sank the DD Ushio, the PC and the PG, torpedoed the DD Tanikaze and devastated with rapid gun fire the DD Teruzuki (a 5in turret out) and Hibiki (a 5in turret and 3 25mm positions out). Japanese sailors managed to destroy 4 of the little devils…

The SS USS Aspro was patrolling off PJ and tried before dawn to attack 3 DD retiring to Shimishiru Jima but was seen and should dive to escape. She surfaced some hours later and saw the damaged AK Tsurushima Maru and hit her with two more torpedoes, but she still didn’t sink. The Aspro was more successful in the afternoon when she attacked the convoy and sank the AK Shinamogan Maru with 3 torpedoes, then evading the 3 escort DD. One of the three KB CV TF didn’t receive new orders and sailed with the convoy to PJ.

The two other CV TF and a surface TF sailed to 60 miles SW of PJ. The SS USS Steelhead was still there and saw a CV and a CA but was unable to get close enough and finally attacked a DD but missed. Five DD searched her and the Niizuki claimed two direct hits with Type 2 depth charges but the submarine was not even heavily damaged.

PT boats were reported off PJ and it was feared they attacked the CV TF. KB airmen had instruction to chase them at 100 feet. The CV TF off PJ launched no raid but the other sent 120 aircraft to attack this PT TF (other PT were off OJ but were protected by clouds). 33 aircraft got lost but 43 Kate, 26 Val and 18 Judy attacked… and met a heavy AA fire that shot down 4 Kate and 1 Val. Kates (using 800kg bombs!) and Judies sank 3 PT, two other were very slightly damaged by strafing. But at least the small boats were kept busy and didn’t attack any ship off PJ during the day. They were not attacked in the afternoon but their AA gunners shot down a Val on naval search. So to sink 7 PT Japan lost a DD (and maybe a second will sink), a PG, a PC and 6 aircraft.

OJ was covered by clouds in the morning and no raid hit it from Toyohara, finally enabling Allied engineers to fully repair the port, and probably start to work on the airfield and/or fortifications. Clouds covered it again in the afternoon, and covered too the Japanese CV SW of PJ, but not PT itself and the ships off the port.

Allied heavy bombers launched two attacks, probably against the airfield, but it is difficult to say as almost all bombers were shot down or turned back. Their commander asked them much in the last days and their morale should now be very low. With a CV TF off the port and more fighters LRCAPing the base and the convoy from the CV more south, the CAP defending the area was strong of 118 AC (52 A6M3a, 13 Oscar II, 12 A6M3a, 10 A6M2, 8 A6M5, 6 Rufe, 3 Tony, 3 Nick and 1 Tony).
The first raid was flown by 12 PB4Y, 6 B-24D and 2 B-17E from Attu and was repelled for the loss of an Oscar II. A second raid arrived from Kiska with 41 PB4Y and 3 B-17E and was decimated too, but two PB4Y got trough and scored 2 hits on the runway. This time five Japanese fighters were shot down by return fire (2 A6M2, 1 A6M3, 1 A6M3a, 1 Oscar) but at the end of the day Japanese had shot down 22 PB4Y, 2 B-17E and a PBY Catalina over PJ against the loss of 8 aircraft (6 A2A described above and a Rufe and an A6M3 in accidents) and 3 pilots (at least one WIA).

On the ground at PJ, both sides continued to exchange artillery fire. Allied losses were 5 men, Japanese ones 83 men and 3 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 189 403 men (-4 293), 1868 guns (-214) and 409 vehicles (-7) for 3277 AV (-330), against 79 693 Japanese men (-976), 691 guns (-43) and 3 tankettes (-1) for 1539 AV (-20).

180 miles WNW of OJ the first ASW group to arrive from Tokyo (5 fast MSW) chased in the evening the SS USS Dace but she escaped undamaged.

More east the Allied AK Mungana, torpedoed by Betties 5 days ago, sank in Aleutians waters during the night while in the afternoon a patrolling B-17E bombed and hit the SS I-2 240 miles WSW of Kiska.

The evening report of PJ showed no more damage, 415 engineers having started to rebuild fortification again (level 4, 64% (+1%)) and 34 247 supplies (-36). At the end of the day PJ airfield had 96 fighters (77 available), 10 Rufe (9 available) and 9 Nick (6 available) to defend itself. 14 Ki-61 (of 244 Sentai), 5 A6M5 and 1 A6M2 arrived from Sapporo, Shikka and Toyohara. Units continue to send Chutai to the rear to search new planes: one of the 246 Sentai left for Sapporo with 8 pilots and 3 Tojo and a Chutai of F2/6th with 6 pilots and 3 A6M3a and will also recomplete here. Also 8 replacement fighter aircraft arrived but were not serviceable. Tomorrow the base will have 137 aircraft able to fly CAP (106 available) but Nick won’t be used for that, but to chase PT, so reducing the CAP to 100 available fighters. Also two Chutai of Ki-49 arrived in the evening, and so the 16 Sentai was fully there with 26 AC and crews, and will also fly naval attack at 100 ft tomorrow.

The units coming as reinforcement from Burma and China were now in Sapporo or Ominato and will rest at least one day before being sent to PJ.

The CV TF that went by mistake off PJ used the opportunity to load 5 Zero to replace a part of its losses. Tomorrow the three 3 CV TF will sail NW of PJ (and NE of OJ) and continue to chase PT boats with dive bombers. Torpedo bombers will have orders to fly naval attack at 15k feet and as secondary orders to bomb OJ port. OJ will be a priority target for Toyohara airmen too and G4M1 will try to bomb it in the morning and G4M2 in the afternoon. By the way the KB CV are running out of fuel (Kaga the first as usal…) and will only remain in the area one more day. 17 Kate flew aboard it today (a training unit ready to fly and the 9 Kates unloaded by the damaged Ryujo in Shikka) brining the strength of Japanese CV air units to 302 fighters (255 available), 76 dive bombers (75) and 97 torpedo bombers (95).

So OJ will essentially be attacked from the air tomorrow. The five BB now gathered at Shimushiru Jima will wait for the next nigh to bombard it if needed and will tomorrow gather 180 miles west of OJ. Six DD will also come from Shikka to join the fleet and cover it against the PT.

The three destroyers damaged last night, Teruzuki (16/17/7), Hibiki (13/14/11) and Tanikaze (69/65/23) were ordered to go to Etorofu Jima and to disband here. By the way as there were already 3 AR in Shikka, two more AR arriving here today were ordered to sail to Etorofu as fast as possible.

Tonight 3 DD will attack PT off OJ and a CL and 2 DD off PJ. The last will have to cover the AK convoy and the barge convoy that will both start to unload tomorrow. The badly damaged AK Tsurushima Maru (78/88/46) was docked in PJ. Of her 7000 cargo, only 4 tons of supplies remained… The other ship of the convoy have still 56k supplies. Of the four DD remaining of their escort, 3 formed a surface group to chase PT and only one will remain with the transports.

The damaged submarine I-2 (33/40/0) will sail back to Etorofu Jima. The four other submarine in the area will also sail west to escape to the Allied LBA. The I-15 will even sail back to Etorofu to replace her Glen.

To try to find back the Allied CV the Dinah of PJ will recon Kiska tomorrow.

A last thing: transports were gathering in Shikka to load the 21st Div and carry it to PJ under KB cover… Given the losses and difficulties endured by the supply convoy, the 21st Div will rather continue to be sent to the front by transport aircraft.



As the above pictures shows, the Allied heavy bomber arm had been seriously reduced in strength in the last week. Now the main danger from the air will be a return from the Allied CV but they have to replace a lot of AC and pilots too... That will take them some days... That leaves the uber-PT and the submarines as my main problems.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

There was only one Allied raid today. Kavieng was attacked by 58 B-24D, 30 PB4Y, 19 B-17E and 12 B-25C from Dobadura escorted by 44 P-38G and reported 37 casualties, 10 hits on the airbase, 4 on supplies and 63 on the runways. A PB4Y was lost operationally.

Rabaul reported in the evening damage of 100/22 (airbase/runway) and 2496 (-1099) supplies for 3633 (-1347) required, Kavieng was damaged at 71/81.

During the day 6 Allied MSW arrived off Woodlark and began to sweep the mines the I-124 laid there but had not finished in the evening. Allied engineers opened an airfield here during the day.

Fed up to flying only patrol the commander of the Betty unit based in Lunga ordered its crew to fly tomorrow naval attack range 15 with search 50%. With some luck they won’t run into a Corsair nest…

For some days Allied submarines were reported off Hollandia and Wewak probably waiting for more Japanese blockade runners. Instead an ASW group of 6 ships was sent from Palau to try to chase the submarine off Hollandia.

Timor-DEI-Australia

In the afternoon Koepang was attacked by 16 B-25C from Derby and 71 B-17E and 26 B-24D from Darwin. The base reported 41 casualties, 1 disabled gun, 9 hits on the airbase, 2 on supplies and 59 on runways. And 12 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 9 P-40N and 6 Kittyhawk III raided Lautem and scored 3 hits on the airbase and 4 on the runway. A B-17E was lost in an accident.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere OK (fort 2, 47%), Koepang 79/99/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 88/36/0, Lautem 92/22/38, other bases undamaged.

The old CL Tenryu and Tatsuta and two DD were the only warships (bigger than a PG) left in the area, and were ordered today to sail from Kendari to Truk to serve for raids.

The damaged ML Kurosaki, her MLE, a damaged AK and some PG will sail from Kendari for Singapore where the damaged ships will be repaired. The MLE will then return to the DEI with some of the ML currently operating around Singapore.

SRA

An ASW group sent forward by the “Gold Convoy” reached Singapore and was split to escort three tankers to Medan and two to Bankha.

Burma

Allied airmen flew 292 sorties today: 13 B-25J and 42 escorts from Ledo on Myitkyina airfield (25 casualties, 2 hits on the airbase and 20 on runways), and 165 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included), 11 bombers and 2 escorts against 2 divisions of the garrison (181 men and 2 guns hit) and 126 bombers and 33 escorts against 2 units at Katha, 120 miles west of Myitkyina (237 men and 6 guns hit). A B-25J, a Vengeance I and a Beaufighter VIC were shot down by AA fire, two Liberator VI, a B-25J, a Vengeance, a Beaufighter Mk 21 and a Lysander were lost in accidents.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (no casualty) and Allied guns Japanese lines in Myitkyina (38 men and 2 guns hit). 1565 Japanese AV (-2) faced 1448 Allied (+2) in Katha, and 1949 Japanese AV (-7) faced 2766 Allied (+45) in Mytkyina.

The evening report showed damage in Myitkyina as 11/0. In this town there were 4158 remaining supplies (-73) for needs of 11058 (-447).

It seems that now that there are no more Allied units SE of Mytikyina (towards China) the unit being ordered to march to Mandalay will try to march there rather than following the railway as they still did some days ago…. Why can’t we order an unit to go to a hex that is under control and not contested (as is the railway hex west of Myitkyina)? By the way the unit is saying it advances to the SW but rolled zero mile today. We will see tomorrow….

China

Troops of the 19th Mixed Bde keeping the railway in Wuchow area were relieved by two regiments of the 60th Div and will now march to the frontline near Changsha.

Japan

A change was done to the Japanese naval program. The four Unryu-class CV under construction were all accelerated until now, but two went back to the normal rate and with the spared production capacity, the conversion of the BB Ise and Hyuga will be done. The conversion was done by error (I docked them in Osaka, forgetting them might be converted) but will be finished to have two more BB in the line. In 1944 they will be more useful then CVs.

As one of my reader pointed some days ago my Nakajima production will be too low in some time, but as supplies were still falling from the last industry changes, I ordered only expansion of the four smallest Nakajima factories in Tokyo, Hakodate, Shimuzu and Hamamatsu, for a total of 36 points.

Dude. you ROCK [&o][&o][&o]!
 
Just spent the morning catching up with your story, and when i go back to the aar section i see that you already have another update ready! This is the most detailed aar i've seen on this forum so far and with basically NO combat report texts, which makes it just that much more impressive. It's too bad that you're opponent dosn't have his own aar, i'll bet he could use a little moral support right about now. By the way, what do the two battleships change over into, CVs or something?( never played the japanese side)

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent
PT boats were expected off PJ and four surface TF were sent to deal with them: a CL and 3 DD, 3 DD, 3 DD and 1 DD, 1 PG and 1 PC. They effectively met 12 PT off the island but the battle didn’t go as planned. If the old PT were killed weapons far more efficient than IRL, what can we say from the 1943 versions ? They have upgraded torpedoes, radar and a 40mm and a 37mm gun added…. Ouch…. This night these 12 PT fought all four surface TF sent there, sank the DD Ushio, the PC and the PG, torpedoed the DD Tanikaze and devastated with rapid gun fire the DD Teruzuki (a 5in turret out) and Hibiki (a 5in turret and 3 25mm positions out). Japanese sailors managed to destroy 4 of the little devils…

A long and painful day for the Hibiki, but at least she avoided the fate of the Ushio. I have grown to hate and fear those PT boats. In one of my games a PT boat recently sank a destroyer using nothing but .50 and 20mm gunfire. It was painful to watch.

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent
PT boats were expected off PJ and four surface TF were sent to deal with them: a CL and 3 DD, 3 DD, 3 DD and 1 DD, 1 PG and 1 PC. They effectively met 12 PT off the island but the battle didn’t go as planned. If the old PT were killed weapons far more efficient than IRL, what can we say from the 1943 versions ? They have upgraded torpedoes, radar and a 40mm and a 37mm gun added…. Ouch…. This night these 12 PT fought all four surface TF sent there, sank the DD Ushio, the PC and the PG, torpedoed the DD Tanikaze and devastated with rapid gun fire the DD Teruzuki (a 5in turret out) and Hibiki (a 5in turret and 3 25mm positions out). Japanese sailors managed to destroy 4 of the little devils…

A long and painful day for the Hibiki, but at least she avoided the fate of the Ushio. I have grown to hate and fear those PT boats. In one of my games a PT boat recently sank a destroyer using nothing but .50 and 20mm gunfire. It was painful to watch.

True, these PT crew are bloodthirsty butchers... In last night battle the lost PG took 2 torpedoes and 103 shells hits from 20 to 40 mm.... I hope you will never have to describe such a slaugther on your AAR.

By the way the 7 PT sunk this day brought their total losses to 101 (including 12 Dutch PT)... There are probably still more than that just waiting for my ships right now off Kuriles and New Guinea.

Hi all,

It appears that I was way way way too pesimistic few days ago when I thought that with latest Allied reinforcements the PJ fate is sealed - I am very very glad I was 99% wrong (the latest attack did lower the fort level - darn [:(])!



Congratulations on all recent victories (especially for Allies heavy bomber slaughter)!!!

BANZAI!!!



And darn those pesky PTs (I really really hate the way ther are modelled in WitP/UV)... [:(]

Do you think you can safely support PJ (troop reinforcements and supply) through them?

BTW, I think that straffing at 100ft with fighter/bombers is best way to dal with PTs (KB airman doing that - it seems so wastefull). Do you have any of those on youir disposal (and able to reach PJ)?


Leo "Apollo11"

Hi Laurent,
 
I've never played War In The Pacific but I'm really enjoying reading this AAR, the level of detail you include is fantastic.
 
Good luck with the battle at PJ/OJ it really seems to be the main focal point of the war at the moment.
 
Best Regards
 
von Shagmeister

I've just spent almost a month reading all 26 pages of the great AAR
You are a great strategist, tactician and storyteller[&o]

I hope my Japanese opponent in my new PBEM does not read this[:D]

Thanks for the kind words everybody.

Few time for WITP and fewer for AAR those last days. My priority order is the following:
1) Family/friends crisis
2) Family/friends
3) Work crisis
4) WITP
5) work
6) sleep
7) AAR

Right now 1, 2 and 3 are taking most of my time.

Redd, the Japanese production system is different of the Allied as you have to pay shipyard points (and so HI points) for ships to be built. So the question was how to prorityrise (sp?) my ships as I have not the capacity to build all of them at the same time. And I changed my mind recently about what will be better, 2 (old) BB in three months or 2 (modern) CV in 10 months.

Leo, yes, fighter-bombers will be better to deal with this PT scum, but I have only one unit now (a Nick Sentai) and when I moved it to PJ I forgot to change its order and 70% of its AC were destroyed on the ground. It is the "Chutai-like" Nick unit that is reported in the below report operating from PJ.

6 September 1943

Northern Pacific

During the night the Japanese warships sent off PJ met no Allied PT but a TF of 3 DD was attacked by the SS USS Rasher that missed her target and then escaped undamaged despite being depth charged by two DDs. On the other hand the 3 DD sent off OJ engaged two TF of 8 and 9 PT and sank eight of them but the DD Oboro damaged by gunfire in the first battle was sunk by a torpedo in the second, while several 20mm hits disabled a 25mm and the torpedo tubes of the Ikazuchi.

Naval patrols revealed today that two PT TF remained off OJ and that Allied submarines had concentrated off OJ (at least 4 identified here) and PJ (at least 5 identified here). Four of these submarines were damaged by Japanese aircraft during the day: off PJ the Aspro by a Ki-49 and the Porpoise by a Judy, and off OJ the Apogon by a Val and the Skate by a Judy. In the afternoon, the PT boats off OJ were attacked by 9 Nick and 3 Ki-49 from PJ and by 31 Val and 23 Judy from the KB. A Judy sank a PT, another was strafed and set on fire by Nicks, and there was no Japanese loss this time. Japanese airmen also reported that the Allied CVs were still off Kiska (CAP here was flown by 90+ F4F-4 and F6F among others).

During the day, Onnekotan Jima port was attacked three times by Japanese airmen: in the morning by 42 G4M1 from Toyohara and in the afternoon by 71 Kate and 7 Jill from the KB and by 69 G4M2 from Toyohara. For the loss of two G4M1 and one G4M2 shot down by AA fire and of a Kate in an accident, they scored 1 hit on the port and 2 on supplies, but mostly hit Allied engineer troops, disabling 582 men, 2 guns and 6 vehicles.

In the afternoon, 14 PB4Y from Kiska arriving in two waves (6 and 8 aircraft) tried to attack the convoy off PJ but were repulsed by the CAP (23 A6M3a, 14 A6M5, 11 A6M3, 9 Oscar II, 8 Ki-61, 6 A6M2, 6 Rufe and 4 Ki-44) that shot down 6 PB4Y and a PBM Mariner and repulsed all other bombers. Three Japanese fighters were lost today in the area: the pilot of an A6M3a shot down by return fire of a PB4Y bailed out unhurt, but an A6M3 of PJ and an A6M3a of the KB were both lost operationally with their pilots.

On the ground at PJ, both sides continued to exchange artillery fire. Allied losses were 42 men and 2 guns, Japanese ones 141 men and 3 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 190 446 men (+1 043), 1890 guns (+22) and 409 vehicles for 3351 AV (+74), against 82459 Japanese men (+2766), 735 guns (+44) and 4 tankettes (+1) for 1569 AV (+30). New troops were including squads recovering from the attack the day before, the 1000 men unloaded by barges during the night and the men brought by the air bridge (two Topsy were lost today in accidents).

The evening report of PJ showed no damage, 415 engineers having started to rebuild fortification again (level 4, 78% (+14%)) and 39 438 supplies (+5 191). At the end of the day PJ airfield had 115 fighters (108 available), 10 Rufe (10 available) and 10 Nick (7 available) to defend itself. 7 Ki-61 (of 244 Sentai, that was reunited), 6 Tojo, 4 A6M3 (of F2/6th that was also reunited) and 2 A6M2 arrived from Sapporo and Toyohara. A new Rufe unit arrived with 9 Ac and 9 experienced pilots (exp 71) at the same time as 5 Betties that will fly naval search from here.Also 12 replacement fighter aircraft arrived but were not serviceable. A whole unit was sent to the rear to receive replacement AC: the F1/2nd (22 pilots and 14 A6M3) flew to Sapporo. Tomorrow the base will have 152 aircraft (fighter and Rufe) on CAP (132 available), 38 (Helen and Nick) ordered to chase PT (28 serviceable) and 7 to fly naval search only.

OJ port was again damaged tonight (damage 9) and still no Allied airfield was operational here but tonight the IJN will assure they won’t be in a close future. 5 BB, 4 CA and 1 CL will bombard it again tonight. To try to eliminate Allied PT before the arrive four surface TF (each with one CL and 2-4 DD) will sweep OJ waters before the bombardment. Three DD TF (3, 3 and 2 DD) will also patrol off PJ tonight to cover the supply convoy. One of these TF was the surface TF leading the KB CV TFs.
And she will be there for the reason that all Japanese CV will retire tomorrow to Shikka to refuel and reorganize their air groups. They will sail north to avoid the main concentration of Allied submarines.

Three ASW TF made of 6 slow MSW each refuelled in Etorofu Jima and sailed north to engage Allied submarines. The Musashi TF arrived in Wakkanai, refuelled and will sail to Etorofu Jima.

The badly damaged AK Tsurushima Maru was scuttled in PJ port. On the Allied side the damaged AK Idomeneus, damaged a week ago off OJ by KB airmen, sank just west of Attu.

Southern Pacific

The 18th Div finished boarding ships at Pago-Pago and sailed north back to Japan.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

During the night all Japanese mines laid off Woodlark Island were swept by 6 MSW.

Allied airmen flew today 117 offensive sorties in the area. 11 Beaufighter Mk 21 from Kiriwima attacked without success barges off Green Island. Rabaul was attacked by 31 B-24D, 17 PB4Y, 13 B-25C and 8 B-17E from Dobadura escorted by 30 P-38G and by 7 PB4Y from PM and reported 84 casualties, 1 disabled gun, and 57 hits on the runways. A B-24D hit by AA fire crashed on the way back.

Rabaul reported in the evening damage of 100/59 (airbase/runway) and 2502 (+6) supplies for 4978 (+1345) required, Kavieng was damaged at 71/80.

Both Japanese minelayer submarines reloaded in Truk. One will go to Kavieng to lay a defensive minefield, the other will return to Woodlark Island.

Allied engineers expanded Lae airfield to size 3. And the airfield of Woodlark Island opened yesterday was already used by Allied airmen, as 24 F4F-4 were flying CAP over the area today.

Timor-DEI-Australia

In the morning the Dutch submarine O24 attacked a barge convoy 180 miles north of Lautem and sank one with gunfire and torpedo.

In the afternoon Koepang was attacked by 21 B-25C from Derby and 60 B-17E and 23 B-24D from Darwin. The base reported 38 casualties, 9 hits on the airbase, 1 on supplies and 79 on runways. And 12 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 9 P-40N and 7 Kittyhawk III raided Lautem, disabled 9 men and 1 gun, and scored 1 hit on the airbase and 4 on the runway. A B-17E and a P-40N were lost in accidents.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere OK (fort 2, 55%), Koepang 89/99/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 88/28/0, Lautem 93/21/38, other bases undamaged. Koepang had now less than 2000 supplies and a small AK was ordered to load supplies in Kendari and to bring them to this base.

SRA

The “Gold Convoy” reached Singapore and detached 3 AK to load 21k resources in the port. 24 7000-ton AK remained unused and the convoy will continue to Bangkok to load resources (80k here) and supplies (150k here) to bring a part to Rangoon. Also some AK will be detached to Saigon to load resources too (49k here).

Burma

Allied airmen flew only 137 sorties today, again all to Myitkyina: 10 P-40N were LRCAPing the twon, 10 B-25J and 19 escorts from Ledo on the airfield (26 casualties, 1 disabled gun, 4 hits on supplies and 7 on runways), and 77 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included) and 21 escorts against 2 divisions of the garrison (51 men and 1 gun hit). A Vengeance I was shot down by AA fire, two P-40N were lost in accidents.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (72 men and 1 gun hit) and Allied guns Japanese lines in Myitkyina (60 men and 2 guns hit). 1571 Japanese AV (+6) faced 1451 Allied (+3) in Katha, and 1949 Japanese AV (+0) faced 2809 Allied (+43) in Mytkyina.

The evening report showed damage in Myitkyina as 4/0. In this town there were 3646 remaining supplies (-512) for needs of 11148 (+90).

I confirm that the 8th Tk Rgt (or any other Japanese unit) can’t no more leave Myitkyina. They could when there was an Allied unit SE of the base, but can’t now that there is no more, because they will try to go this way but as the hex is an Allied ZOC won’t move at all… At least in two months my counter-attack there should have taken back the trail…

China

After several days of bad weather training raids restarted against the 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha. 56 training sorties (+10 escort sorties) were flown from Changsha and 58 (+33 escorts) from Wuhan and hit 113 men for the loss of a Kate in an accident.

25 Kate and 9 Val crew were declared operational in Wuhan and stopped trained, flying to Japan the same day to integrate KB air units in some days.

Japan

Goods new from the aircraft factories: the Judy and the Jill will both be available in November. The Jill had been advanced one month (174 factories were researching it).

The map of the day: general view of the Empire and of the troops that will reinforce the Northern Front

7 September 1943

Northern Pacific

During the night, three Japanese TFs converged on OJ. The SS USS Escolar saw one west of this island and fired torpedoes against a DD but missed. She was chased by a CL and 4 DD but escaped unhurt.
Two surface TFs (CL Noshiro and 4 DD, and CL Tama and 4 DD) were supposed to clear the way for the bombardment TF (5 BB, 4 CA, 1 CL, 6 DD) tasked with crushing the Allied engineering troops in OJ. But for some reason they were late and the BB TF had to fight its way against two PT TF (6 and 9 PT). Each PT TF was met three times by this TF, most of the times Japanese surprising their enemy, and Japanese escort destroyers sank 5 PT and only received some 20mm shells in return. The two surface TF then engaged the remaining TF twice each but with worse results. Two PT were sunk but the DD Kasasagi was badly damaged by a torpedo and sank in the evening SW of OJ and two other DD were hit by 20mm and more or less damaged. Losing an old DD to sink 7 PT was a good trade anyway, especially as no Japanese important ship was hit and as the bombardment TF pounded the Allied positions hard, scoring 5 hits on the port and 6 on the supply but concentrating mainly on troops. Allied losses were 4757 men (around 25% of the base garrison), 25 guns and 31 vehicles (Allied lost 40 troops points this turn, compared to usual number of 2-3 points a day. That is around 110 squads destroyed in this bombardment). The base was also bombed during the day by Toyohara Betty bombers, in the morning by 55 G4M1 and in the afternoon by 64 G4M2. Both raids only scored a supply hit and reports indicated no Allied casualty, making me wonder if the naval bombardment didn’t disable ALL squads of Allied engineer units… A G4M1 was lost operationally. OJ port was still damaged in the evening (damage 40) and still no Allied airfield was operational here.

There was no raid today on PJ or the convoy still unloading there, even if the weather was clear. Allied airmen had probably morale problems… Allied CV and CV fighters were still reported at Kiska, where Allied CAP shot down a Dinah III.

Before dawn an ASW TF of 5 fast MSW chased 240 miles ESE of Shikka the SS USS Cod and one depth charged her but she escaped unhurt.

Two more Allied ships were added to the sunk list today: the SS USS Gato hit by KB airmen four days ago NW of PJ succumbed to her wounds and sank. And it was confirmed by an USN communiqué that the LST-32 torpedoed by Betties off PJ on 28 July had been scuttled and that “all next of kin of casualties have been notified” (by the way for those interested you can find on the Net a list of USN communiqués from 7 Dec 41 to end May 45 at the following address: http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/comms/index.html).

On the ground at PJ, both sides continued to exchange artillery fire. Allied losses were 29 men and 1 gun, Japanese ones 111 men, 1 tank and 2 guns. Allied troops on the island numbered 191 955 men (+1 509), 1921 guns (+31) and 416 vehicles (+7) for 3430 AV (+79), against 83 989 Japanese men (+1530), 749 guns (+14) and 4 tankettes for 1589 AV (+20).

The evening report of PJ showed no damage, 417 (+2) engineers having started to rebuild fortification again (level 4, 97% (+19%)) and 45 108 supplies (+5 670). At the end of the day PJ airfield had 133 fighters (126 available), 19 Rufe (all available) and 12 Nick (all available) to defend itself. 2 Tojo (of 246 Sentai, that was reunited) and 1 A6M2 arrived from Sapporo and Toyohara. Also 2 replacement fighter aircraft arrived but were not serviceable. The five A6M5 sent by DI-1 went back to Shikka (as the fragment left here each day reboarded the CVL Ryujo repairing FLT damage in the port… maybe if all the unit is there this won’t happen again). The 13 Sentai (12 Ki-45 for 34 crews) left also the base for Sappror and received 22 new Nick on arrival. Nine more Betties arrived to fly naval search here. Tomorrow the base will have 154 aircraft (fighter and Rufe) on CAP (143 available), 26 Helen ordered to chase PT (26 serviceable), 14 Betties to fly naval search only (11 serviceable) and 1 Dinah III to fly recon over Kiska.

Of the Japanese surface TF most of the light surface TF reached Etorofu and refuelled. The BB TF will reach it tomorrow and will suck all available fuel very probably. A convoy with 90k fuel was NW of Etoforu sailing for Shikka and was divided. One half will go to Etoforu and unload here.
There will be no more naval bombardment or air attack of OJ tomorrow. A G4M1 Daitai in Toyohara will upgrade to the G4M2, all other will fly naval search only.

All Japanese CV were in the evening 120 miles east of Shikka and will reach this port tomorrow. The first CV air units flew to this base to receive replacement pilots from training units: DII-3 received 7 Kate pilots, EII-1 8 Zero pilots and reached its TOE size (27 pilots) so upgraded to the A6M5.

Four ASW TF made of MSW were now between Shikka and OJ and will continue to chase Allied submarines.

The SS I-122 will lay tonight a minefield off PJ.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

There was no raid today on Japanese base. The only Allied raid was flown from Kiriwima by 26 Dutch and Australian Beaufighter Mk 21 that attacked and sank west of Buka two barges carrying supplies from Green Island to Rabaul. One Beaufighter was lost to engine failure.

Rabaul reported in the evening damage of 100/10 (airbase/runway) and 2571 (+69) supplies for 3528 (-1450) required, Kavieng was damaged at 71/42.

Timor-DEI-Australia

Allied air activity was reduced today to 38 offensive sorties. In the morning 14 Brewster 339D from Darwin escorted by 3 Kittyhawk III attacked barges off Lautem and damaged two with bombs. In the afternoon Koepang was attacked by 10 B-25C from Derby that scored 7 hits on the runways, while 5 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 6 Kittyhawk III attacked Lautem and scored 2 hits on the runways.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere OK (fort 2, 63%), Koepang 89/99/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 88/20/0, Lautem 93/20/38, other bases undamaged.

Four AK were seen today by the daily recon off Tenimbar, while the Allied CAP was reported as 14 Spitfire Vb and 14 Kittyhawk I as usual. The 21 Betties and 20 A6M3a in reserve in Palau flew again to Kendari, and all Zeroes and Oscars here will rest tomorrow (CAP 10%) to prepare for an attack the next day.

SRA

The small TK sent from Singapore to Bankha and Medan arrived there and will load a total of 45k oil in these two ports and bring them to Singapore to join the “Gold Convoy” when if will return from Bangkok.

Burma

Allied airmen flew 316 sorties: 136 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included) and 14 bombers against 3 divisions in Myitkyina (91 men and 3 guns hit) and 134 Dacca bombers and 32 escorts against the 104th division in Katha (462 men and 13 guns hit). Two P-40N, a Liberator VI, a B-25C and a Beaufighter Mk 21 were lost in accidents.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (55 men hit) and Allied guns Japanese lines in Myitkyina (134 men and 3 guns hit). 1563 Japanese AV (-8) faced 1450 Allied (-1) in Katha, and 1947 Japanese AV (-2) faced 2857 Allied (+48) in Mytkyina.

The evening report showed no damage and fort level 6, 52% in Myitkyina. In this town there were 3556 remaining supplies (-90) for needs of 11555 (+407).

China

Even if many units had now left the area (having completed or not the planned operational training) training raids continued to target 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha. 26 Val from Wuhan escorted by 29 Oscar bombed it today but missed.

The 1st Parachute Regiment of the IJA boarded three ships in Haiphong. This small convoy will then sail to Hong Kong and join there the ships that will start to load the 116th Div in some days. They will then sail together to the Kuriles front.

8 September 1943

Northern Pacific

After an uneventful night Japanese airmen reported Allied ships east of PJ in the morning, but also reported that Allied CV were still in Kiska (where 46 F4F-4 and 73 F6F were flying CAP). In the evening, the reports were compiled and showed several Allied TFs east of PJ (2 BB and 1 CA sailing east 180 miles off PJ (very dubious identification), 2 DE & 1 AO 60 miles more E, 1 CA, 2 DE, 1 AK 60 miles more east again) but what they intended to do was unclear, as the Allied CV were still seen (with the corresponding CAP) off Kiska. A naval bombardment off PJ was possible but Allied ships were too close and not sailing in the good direction. Another possibility was that PT were mistaken for bigger ships. The Allied transports seen in the area were maybe refuelling PT at sea. If they try to go to PJ or OJ without CV support they will have a warm welcome.

Allied heavy bombers launched today five attacks in PJ area, targeting the base and ships off the port. The CAP counted 71 aircraft in the morning (16 Oscar II, 13 Ki-61, 12 Rufe, 9 Tojo, 9 A6M2, 6 A6M3 and 6 A6M3a) and 77 in the afternoon (20 Ki-61, 14 Oscar II, 12 Rufe, 11 Tojo, 9 A6M3, 6 A6M3a and 5 A6M2). Besides the heavy bombers it also shot down a PBM Mariner during the day.
In the morning 14 PB4Y and 3 B-17E from Attu and 3 PB4Y from Kiska attacked the convoy still unloading off PJ. The CAP shot down 10 PB4Y and 2 B-17E for the loss of 1 A6M3, 1 Oscar II and 1 Rufe. Some bombers reached the ship and the AK Beryl was set on fire by two bombs. Shortly later 8 B-17E and 3 PB4Y from Attu attacked the 3 DD covering the convoy against PT boats but scored no hit and lost 6 B-17E and 3 PB4Y shot down by Japanese fighters that lost a Tojo shot down by return fire.
In the afternoon, 6 PB4Y from Kiska and 5 B-17E from Attu tried to attack PJ airfield but the CAP shot down 9 of them (3 B-17E and all 6 PB4Y) for the loss of a Ki-61 and an A6M2. The remaining two B-17E reached the target but one was shot down by AA fire and the other missed.

Both sides also suffered operational losses (1 A6M3a for Japan, 3 Mariner sunk by a storm on the US side) bringing their total losses in the area to 35 Allied and 7 Japanese losses.

The detailed unit situation in PJ was the following:
F2/24th Chutai scored 1 kill and suffered no loss
204 Sentai scored no kill and lost 1 Oscar II and its pilot
246 Sentai scored 3 kills and lost 1 Ki-44 but its pilot was rescued unhurt
244 Sentai scored 8 kills and lost 1 Ki-61 and its pilot
F2/Tainan scored 8 kills and lost 1 A6M3a and its pilot
F4/Toko scored 1 kill and lost 1 A6M2 and its pilot
F2/6th scored 4 kills and lost 1 A6M3 and its pilot
FF7/Yokohama scored 3 kills and suffered no loss. The Rufe ace had now 7 kills!
FF2/452nd scored 2 kills and lost 1 Rufe and its pilot

PJ also launched an offensive mission in the morning as 16 Ki-49 attacked barges off OJ, but there was no loss on both sides.

The good day in the air was balanced by the ground situation as the Allied troops launched a new deliberate attack against PJ. Allied troops on the island numbered 192 934 men (+979), 1939 guns (+18) and 417 vehicles (+1) for 3485 AV (+55), against 84 729 Japanese men (+740), 761 guns (+12) and 3 tankettes (-1) for 1623 AV (+34). The combat report showed 3281 Allied AV attacking 1705 Japanese, and after adjustments the attack failed at 0 to 1 by a wide margin (2902 Allied adjusted AV vs 6895 Japanese) but Allied engineers reduced again fortifications, to level 3. Japanese losses were 1482 men, 69 guns and 2 tanks while Allied losses were 4296 men, 138 guns and 5 tanks.

By the way I went trough the whole combat animation to identify all attacking Allied units (as the screen only displayed a part of them). The following units attacked/bombarded today, or appeared on the battle screen:
_ six American divisions (3rd USMC Div, 6th, 7th, 33rd and 41st Infantry Divisons and 1st Cav Div)
_ ten American RCT (4th, 37th, 53rd, 111th, 147th, 153rd, 158th, 197th, 198th and 201st) and part of another (138th RCT, main body of which was in OJ IIRC)
_ five American para/raider units (503rd Para Rgt, 3rd and 4th USMC Para Bn, 3rd and 4th USMC Raider Bn)
_ two American TD units (640th TD Bn and part of the 632nd TD Bn)
_ four American artillery/CD units (147th Field Artillery Rgt, 250th Cst Gun Rgt, 10th and 11th USMC Defense Bn)
_ three USN Base Forces (123rd, 124th and 127th)
_ eight Seabees engineer battalions (41st, 56th, 63rd, 73rd, 75th, 78th, 79th and 85th)
So 39 out of 45 Allied units here were identified. The six other should be HQs or more Seabees.

The evening report of PJ showed no damage, 417 (+2) engineers having started to rebuild fortification again (level 4, 30% (-67% with the reduction of one level)) and 48 628 supplies (+3 520). And during the night the SS I-122 laid 50 new mines off PJ. At the end of the day PJ airfield had 129 fighters (114 available) and 18 Rufe (17 available). It was discussed to evacuate the airfield or not but finally it was decided to keep the airfield active. The F4/Toko flew to Toyohara and was upgraded there from the A6M2 to the A6M3a and will be used to replace pilots of the KB, while 15 Nick of the 13 Sentai came back from Sapporo to fly naval attack. Also 2 replacement fighter aircraft arrived but were not serviceable. Tomorrow the base will have 134 aircraft (fighter and Rufe) on CAP (118 available), 41 (Helen and Nick) ordered to chase PT (40 serviceable), 14 Betties to fly naval search only (11 serviceable) and 1 Dinah III to fly recon over Kiska.

On the other hand the convoy will leave PJ tonight. The damaged AK Beryl (29/18/6) and two intact AK will be docked in PJ port to be used as floating supply dumps. The only ship in port, the damaged SS I-156 (damage 39/67/0) left the port the same evening as these ships may draw bombs, and she now was repaired enough to reach Etorofu Jima and its two AR. The other ships of the convoy will sail west at full speed.

OJ port was still damaged tonight (damage 38 reported by recon AC) and still no Allied airfield was operational here. There will be again no bombardment of OJ tomorrow as it was not really needed and Japanese airmen had something else to all. All Toyohara bombers (174 Betties of which 146 were available) will fly naval attack range 15 with search 30%. With such orders they should attack Allied ships tomorrow.

As planned the BB TF coming back from OJ reached Etorofu Jima and used all available fuel. The Musashi also arrived here. All these surface TF will sail tomorrow to a spot 60 miles NW of Shimushiri Jima to be in range of PJ and OJ. The three KB CV TF refuelled tonight in Shikka and will sail at fuel speed tomorrow to join this point to cover ships in case Allied CV went here. The KB had now 288 fighters (223 available), 78 dive-bombers (78 serviceable) and 102 torpedo-bombers (82 available) by counting 7 replacement Kate and 6 new A6M3a. The reorganization of the KB air units was stopped for the time being

Both damaged DDs in Etorofu, the Hibiki and the Teruzuki, had now FLT damage 0 and sailed to Maizuru for complete repairs.

Two new ships appeared on the sunk list. The Japanese destroyer Tanikaze, torpedoed by a PT three days ago off OJ, sank in the port of Etoforu Jima. And the Japanese intelligence reported that the AK Santa Teresa, torpedoed by KB airmen ten days ago off PJ, had been scuttled.

Southern Pacific

The three AP that landed a small base force from Noumea to Luganville began to load the 3rd Base Force from this base and will carry it to Marcus Island.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

During the night the ASW group sent to chase the Allied submarine reported off Hollandia reached the area… and was attacked by the USS Peto. The DD Hokaze dodged the torpedoes fired at her and then searched the submarine with the five other ships of the ASW group. The submarine was depth charged by a MSW but escaped undamaged. As dawn was coming the ASW group retired to Palau.

There was no activity at all during the day. Rabaul reported in the evening damage of 48/0 (airbase/runway) and 2612 (+41) supplies for 3443 (-85) required, Kavieng was damaged at 71/0.

The blockade Runner Shinetsu Maru reached Truk with damaged 33/43/0 and will be repaired.

Allied engineers expanded Lae airfield to size 4.

Timor-DEI-Australia

Allied air activity was again reduced today, with 46 offensive sorties. In the afternoon Koepang was attacked by 12 B-25C from Derby that scored 10 hits on the runways, while 8 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 6 Kittyhawk III attacked Lautem, wounded 4 men and scored 5 hits on the runways. 14 Brewster 339D from Darwin escorted by 6 Kittyhawk III attacked north of Lautem the barge convoy returning to Kendari and sank one and damaged two with bombs. One Allied aircraft was lost in the area, a PBY Catalina shot down by AA during a recon sortie to Koepang.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere OK (fort 2, 72%), Koepang 89/77/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 88/12/0, Lautem 93/18/38, other bases undamaged.

The four AK were again seen today by the daily recon off Tenimbar, while the Allied CAP was reported as 14 Spitfire Vb and 14 Kittyhawk I as usual. Orders to attack these ships was given in the evening with the battle plan the same as the next time: 28 Betties and 24 bomb-carrying Oscar will attack ships escorted by 59 other Oscar II and 25 A6M3a. Six Emilies flew in Amboina from Hollandia to reinforce naval patrols in the area.

Burma

Bad weather grounded almost all Allied airmen. Their only raid was flown by 15 B-25J from Ledo escorted by 22 P-40E against Myitkyina airfield (24 casualties, 4 hits on the airbase, 3 on supplies and 22 on runways). Ten P-40N also flew LRCAP over this base but reported no Japanese air activity. Two P-40E were lost in an air-to-air collision in bad weather.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (214 men hit, far better than before… maybe the Allied units were now moving?) and Allied guns fired at Japanese lines in Myitkyina (106 men and 3 guns hit). 1577 Japanese AV (+14) faced 1455 Allied (+5) in Katha, and 1940 Japanese AV (-7) faced 2899 Allied (+42) in Mytkyina.

The evening report showed damage of 4/0 (airbase/runway) in Myitkyina. In this town there were 3242 remaining supplies (-314) for needs of 11079 (-476).

The 12th NLF marched out of the jungle and reached the railway near Katha. It was the last of the two NLF sent on a raid trough the jungle against the Allied rear to come back. Allied air raids and lack of supplies had reduced the unit to three disabled squads and the few survivors were sent to Rangoon to rest and train replacements.

China

A new training raid hit 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 26 Val from Wuhan escorted by 25 Oscar. Six Chinese men were hit.

9 September 1943

Northern Pacific

After another uneventful night, the SS USS Dace attacked in the morning 180 miles WNW of OJ an ASW TF made of 6 MSW and sank one with two torpedoes before escaping without being detected.

The Allied ships were still east of PJ and apparently didn’t move much. Japanese CV and surface TF met NW of Shimushiri Jima and KB airmen flying naval search reported several Allied submarines more north and so were also reported by them to the Allied command. By the way a Judy crew claimed a hit on the SS USS Spearfish off OJ. It was the main event of the day in the area.
In the evening, there were still several Allied TFs east of PJ. The BB and 1 CA seen yesterday 180 miles off PJ were probably PT boats sailing back to Aleutians to rearm torpedoes. The convoys (AP, AO, DE) seen 240 and 300 miles east of PJ were still there. Maybe their purpose was to draw air attacks but it didn’t work today. A new sighting was done today when 5 AP were reported 300 miles WSW of Kiska. And by the way the Allied CV fleet left Kiska but its current position was not known.
For some reason I missed the message displaying the Allied CAP over Kiska (that shot down the Dinah III flying the daily recon) or rather I didn’t see F6F and only a few F4F-4 among other aircraft type. A surface TF (identified as 6 CA, 1 CL, 1 CLAA, 1 DD) was reported off the island. I thought that the CV TF had left Kiska and following orders were given with this thought in mind but (after sending orders (the turn to my opponent) the reports (replay) was reviewed and clearly 76 F6F were flying CAP over Kiska, so the Allied CVs were still there. I should admit I have no idea of what my opponent’s intention might be.

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 12 men, Japanese ones 175 men and 1 gun. Allied troops on the island numbered 188 489 men (-4445, result of the attack of the previous day), 1721 guns (-218) and 413 vehicles (-4) for 3151 AV (-334), against 85 041 Japanese men (+312), 680 guns (-81) and 2 tankettes (-1) for 1598 AV (-25).

The evening report of PJ showed no damage, 417 (+2) engineers having started to rebuild fortification again (level 4, 49% (+19%)) and 50 648 supplies (+2 020, units returning supplies to stock). At the end of the day PJ airfield had 116 fighters (110 available) and 18 Rufe (18 available). 1 more Nick of the 13 Sentai came back from Sapporo to fly naval attack and 9 new Dinah III arrived to fly naval search and recon. Also 4 replacement fighter aircraft arrived but were not serviceable. The Helen Sentai left the island to make room for the new units. Tomorrow the base will have 136 aircraft (fighter and Rufe) on CAP (128 available), 16 (Nick) ordered to chase PT (16 serviceable), 14 Betties to fly naval search only (14 serviceable) and 10 Dinah III to fly naval search and recon over Kiska (9 serviceable).

The Japanese fleet gathered today 60 miles NW of Shimushiri Jima with a total of 81 ships: 10 CV, 4 CVL, 6 BB, 8 CA, 9 CL and 44 DD. But the KB air units were still organising and only had 301 fighters (232 available), 78 dive bombers (78) and 102 torpedo bombers (91). With no clear idea of the Allied plans it will just move 60 miles eastwards tomorrow and will then be at 180 miles of OJ and 240 of PJ.

OJ port was still damaged tonight (damage 24 reported by recon AC) and still no Allied airfield was operational here. There will be again no naval bombardment of OJ tomorrow but it will be used as secondary target by the G4M1 of Toyohara. Bombers of this base (174 Betties of which 156 were available) will continue to fly naval attack range 15 with search 30%.

Four damaged ships, the CVL Ryujo (SYS 42), CA Haguro (SYS 64), CL Sendai (SYS 50) and DD Hayashio (SYS 47) left Shikka under escort by 3 DD for Japan to be repaired.

In Etorofu Jima the barge convoy loaded the last part of the 14th Div still there, a tank, and will carry it with supplies to PJ.

Central Pacific

The convoy carrying the 4th Div back from Hawaii to Tokyo was now close of Midway and sailing full west south of this atoll but this was still too close of the Allied positions in the Aleutians for the sake of the IJA generals. As the IJNAF was not able to base bomber or patrol aircraft in Wake (they had Emilies in Midway) the IJA asked for the convoy to be rerouted southwards just in case Allied CV advanced in this direction.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

A Japanese floatplane flew a daring recon mission to Dobadura from Rabaul and came back. It reported 38 P-38 on CAP here, including five of a so far unknown type (P-38J).

Using the new facilities of Lae airfield, 25 B-25J attacked at 100 feet Kavieng airfield. AA fire was less intense than over Rabaul and none was lost, but they only scored a hit on a building and 3 on runways. And a Japanese fighter shot down over Truk a F-5A Lightning also flying from Lae.

Rabaul reported in the evening no more damage and 2609 (-3) supplies for 3400 (-43) required, Kavieng was damaged at 42/0.

Allied engineers expanded the port of Kiriwima Island to size 2.

Timor-DEI-Australia

This area was far more active today than in the last days. The first targets of Allied airmen were the four damaged barges drifting off Lautem and they were all sunk by 14 Brewster 339D and 13 Beaufighter Mk 21 from Darwin escorted by 7 Kittyhawk III, or by Allied patrol aircraft.
In the afternoon 3 raids over Timor were launched: Koepang was attacked by 14 B-25C from Derby that scored 6 hits on the runways and did 12 casualties, Dili was attacked by 21 B-24D from Darwin escorted by 6 P-40N that left two holes on the runway, and 11 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 6 Kittyhawk III attacked Lautem and scored 1 hit on supplies and 8 on the runways. A B-24D and a Kittyhawk III were lost operationally.

And in the late afternoon the Allied convoy off Tenimbar was attacked by Kendari airmen. Due to garbled orders (range limited to 5) Zeroes didn’t take part to the raid and it was flown by 21 Oscar II with bombs and 12 G4M1 with torpedoes escorted by 46 Oscar II. They met over the target a CAP of 12 Spitfire Vb and 12 Kittyhawk I. The escort tried to cover the bombers but lost 15 Oscar shot down while destroying 5 Spitfire. It could have been worse. Allied fighters also shot down 2 bomb-carrying Oscar and 1 Betty. The other attacked several Dutch AKs but only one, the Siantar, was severely damaged by a torpedo. The Oscar bombing was a test but didn’t achieve anything (unit had exp 77 and fatigue 1, but maybe range was too far). AA fire shot down a second Betty, while an Oscar and a Spitfire were lost operationally.

The detailed evening report of Kendari airbase listed the losses and kills of the involved fighter units:
F2/64th Chutai scored no kill and lost 4 Oscar II and their pilots
11 Sentai scored 4 kill and lost 5 Oscar II and their pilots
59 Sentai scored no kill and lost 7 Oscar II and 5 pilots
77 Sentai (used as fighter-bombers) scored no kill and no hit and lost 2 Oscar II and their pilots
The fifth shot down Spitfire was not claimed and was shot down by one of the lost pilots.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere OK (fort 2, 80%), Koepang 89/47/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 88/8/0, Lautem 94/18/38, other bases undamaged.

In Kendari all fighters were ordered to fly CAP tomorrow as the raid on Tenimbar won’t be repeated. The Zero units didn’t take part to it because they had their max range set at 300 miles and didn’t receive orders to change that. The 59 Sentai now reduced to 18 pilots was ordered to become a training unit. It will leave most of its experienced pilots to other units here and then leave for Clark Field (in game terms the Sentai boarded an AK and was ordered to unload the same turn). Tomorrow it will have unloaded and only some AC will be repaired. There will be flown out of base and all damaged AC and their pilots will then be added to units needing them). The Betties will fly naval search.

SRA

Japanese engineers expanded the airfield of Soerabaja to size 6.

Burma

Allied airmen flew 189 sorties (49 fighter-bombers, 100 bombers and 40 escorts) against 2 divisions in Myitkyina (357 men, 1 tank and 2 guns hit). A B-17E, a P-40N and a Beaufighter Mk 21 were lost in accidents.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (187 men hit) and Allied guns fired at Japanese lines in Myitkyina (163 men and 3 guns hit). 1582 Japanese AV (+5) faced 1452 Allied (-3) in Katha, and 1920 Japanese AV (-20) faced 2944 Allied (+45) in Mytkyina.

The evening report showed no damage and fort level 6, 58% (+6%) in Myitkyina. In this town there were 3143 remaining supplies (-99) for needs of 11480 (+401). 27 Tabbies will start again to ship supplies here from Hanoi tomorrow. 33 Ki-57 left Hanoi and flew to Japan from where they may go to the Kuriles front if needed.

China

A new training raid hit 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 26 Val from Wuhan escorted by 29 Oscar.

10 September 1943

After some thoughts, the Japanese High Command had decided to slow the Allied advance in the New Guinea-Solomons area. More fighters will be sent there. The KB won’t go there, but a strong surface force will be constituted to be able to strike Allied ships during the next invasion.

Northern Pacific

During the night five MSW searched the SS USS Cod 240 miles ESE of Shikka and one depth charged her but she escaped undamaged.

Betties from Toyohara didn’t find today any of the TF that were yesterday east of PJ but reported that the Allied CV TF finally left Kiska today and saw the CV Enterprise 60 miles west of Attu (together with (at least) a surface TF). In the afternoon 33 G4M1 bombed Toyohara but the combat report showed no hit, no Allied casualty… probably because there are no able squad left… A Betty was lost operationally.

There was no Allied raid on PJ today while this base sent 16 Ki-45 to attack PT boats. Three were strafed with 20 and 37mm guns and one was heavily damaged while the other took some hits but didn’t seem to suffer from it. KB airmen continued to fly naval search in the area up to PJ, reporting PT and submarines and damaged the SS USS Capelin off PJ during the afternoon, while Allied airmen still didn’t (apparently) locate the KB. A PBM Mariner was shot down by AA over PJ.

On the ground at PJ, both sides exchanged artillery fire. Allied losses were 37 men and 2 guns, Japanese ones 121 men and 1 gun. Allied troops on the island numbered 189 640 men (+1151), 1754 guns (+33) and 413 vehicles for 3223 AV (+72), against 86 787 Japanese men (+1 746), 695 guns (+15) and 4 tankettes (+2) for 1624 AV (+26).

The evening report of PJ showed no damage, 418 (+1) engineers having started to rebuild fortification again (level 4, 68% (+19%)) and 49 579 supplies (-1 069). At the end of the day PJ airfield had 118 fighters (117 available) and 18 Rufe (18 available). The A6M2 unit (12 AC and 13 pilots remaining) left for Toyohara and an Oscar Chutai (8 pilots) for Sapporo. They were replaced by the “fireman Sentai”, the 68 Sentai that moved from Burma to Kendari to Burma to PJ each time when a crisis appeared. The unit arrived with 33 Tony and 33 pilots (mean exp 73). Also 3 more Nick and 5 (unavailable) replacement aircraft flew to the base. Tomorrow the base will have 153 aircraft (fighter and Rufe) on CAP (146 available), 19 (Nick) ordered to chase PT (16 serviceable), 14 Betties to fly naval search only (14 serviceable) and 9 Dinah III to fly naval search and recon over Kiska (9 serviceable).

The Japanese fleet now cruising 60 miles NE of Shimushiri Jima won’t move. It was well positioned to attack an advancing Allied fleet off PJ or off OJ. All TF refuelled at sea this evening. Despite the probable coming battle the reorganisation of KB air units continued. EIII-1 in Toyohara received two new replacement pilots and reached its max effective (18) and was upgraded to the A6M5. Idem for BI-1 that received 6 pilots in Shikka to reach its size of 19 and upgraded too. On the other hand a training unit arrived aboard the Kaga with 24 Kates (one more crashed on the way) and will be used operationally (exp 69). In the evening the KB had 267 fighters (227 available), 78 dive bombers (73) and 126 torpedo bombers (113).

OJ port was still damaged tonight but damage had been reduced to 5. There will still be no naval bombardment of OJ tomorrow but all Toyohara G4M2 (126, 113 ready) were ordered to bombard it. Bombers of this base (173 Betties of which 160 were available) will continue to fly naval search 30% but now at range 20.

Japanese engineers expanded Toyohara port to size 2.

Central Pacific

The BB Yamashiro and the last 3 DD in PH left this base for Truk.

New Guinea-New Britain- Solomon Islands

A Japanese floatplane flew a daring recon mission to Dobadura from Rabaul and came back. It reported 38 P-38 on CAP here, including five of a so far unknown type (P-38J).

18 B-25J attacked again at 100 feet Kavieng airfield. This time one was shot down by AA fire while they only scored 5 hits on the runways. On the other hand a P-38 pilot shot down in the area a Dinah III flying naval search.

Rabaul reported in the evening still no damage and 2607 (-2) supplies for 3427 (+27) required, Kavieng was damaged at 13/0.

More than 100 Allied aircraft were reported in Lae. 9 Betties will try to bomb the airfield tonight while 18 will lay mines off the base. Next night too the I-124 will lay another minefield off Woodlark Island.

Timor-DEI-Australia

The Allied convoy was still off Tenimbar and the CAP was not reinforced… and was enough to shot down one of the Dinah III flying to the area.

In the afternoon Koepang was attacked by 10 B-25C from Derby that scored 12 hits on the runways and did 8 casualties, and Dili was attacked by 26 B-24D from Darwin escorted by 7 P-40N that disabled 38 men and 1 gun and scored 2 hits on the airbase and 12 on the runway. 8 B-25C from Darwin escorted by 6 Kittyhawk III attacked Lautem and scored 1 hit on supplies and 4 on the runways, doing 12 casualties. A B-24D and a Kittyhawk III were lost operationally.

The evening area report listed the airfield status as: Maumere OK (fort 2, 88%), Koepang 89/21/0 (system/runway/port), Dili 90/17/0, Lautem 95/14/38, other bases undamaged.

The ships off Tenimbar might be attacked again in 2 days. Oscar, Zero and Betties were ordered to reduce their flying just in case.

SRA

The “Gold Convoy” reached Bangkok and was split here. Ten 7000-ton AK and most of the escort (including both CS) will load resources and then sail back to Singapore from where the convoy will then go back to Japan by all the bases it visited on the way in to pick up the loaded ships. The remaining 14 AK will load 98k supplies there and bring them to Rangoon, Burma.

Burma

Bad weather closed most Allied bases and their airmen only flew 118 offensive sorties: 11 B-25J and 23 P-40E from Ledo on Myitkyina airfield (12 casualties, 7 hits on the runways) and 84 fighter-bombers (Vengeance included) from Ledo and Jorhat against 3 divisions in Myitkyina (74 men and 2 guns hit). A Beaufighter Vic, a Mk 21 and a Vengeance I were lost in accidents. But in the evening P-40E of the AVG intercepted again Japanese transport aircraft flying supplies to Myitkyina. Only three Tabby Chutais were flying but they lost 7 aircraft during the interception.

On the ground Japanese guns pounded Allied troops in Katha (192 men and 4 guns hit) and Allied guns fired at Japanese lines in Myitkyina (90 men, 1 tank and 1 gun hit). 1590 Japanese AV (+8) faced 1454 Allied (+2) in Katha, and 1910 Japanese AV (-10) faced 2985 Allied (+41) in Mytkyina.

The evening report showed no damage and fort level 6, 62% (+4%) in Myitkyina. In this town there were 3179 remaining supplies (+36) for needs of 10789 (-691). Hanoi Tabbies were grounded again.

The HQ Burma Army left Mandalay to go to Lashio to draw supplies here.

China

Two new training raids hit 50th Chinese Corps NW of Changsha with 27 Val, 24 Helen and 9 Kate from Changsha escorted by 10 Oscar II and 26 Val from Wuhan escorted by 33 Oscar. The Chinese lost 140 casualties, the Japanese an Oscar in a crash.

The 116th Div left the China Expeditionary Army and joined the Northern Area Force (for 3513 of my 3530 PP) and started to board ships in Hong Kong port.

Japan

The CL Abukuma and 4 DD left Maizuru for Truk.

For the operation OJ, many small AP will be used rather than bigger ones as range and speed won’t be too important here given the proximity of the Japanese bases. Available ships of this type were ordered to sail to Toyohara: 5 left Shanghai, 5 Kitakyushu, 8 Osaka (with two old 18-knot training cruisers that finally will find something to do in this war) and 25 Tokyo (with two (empty) CVE). Also 14 small AK started to load 49k supplies in Osaka to take part to the operation. Of course all these ships were escorted by DD and lesser ships.