Winged Horse vs Dutch Admiral - Arnhem (A) vs Cannonfodder (J)

[Arnhem44]

3-11 DEC 1942
SUMMARY
I'm getting a little annoyed with how the air war is turning out in Burma. Doesn't matter what I do or how good my fighter pilots are, they're getting absolutely smashed by the relentless waves of Tojos. Little much else of significance to report.

AIR WAR INDIA-BURMA
The cream of my fighter squadrons have taken heavy losses in the past few turns due to sweeps by Tojos, I'm down to less than half strength for every squadron and replacement rates just cannot keep up with losses, I know from talking to Roel that my pilots have a slight qualitative edge and the IIc and -40K are not shabby compared with the Tojo but even with local superiority in numbers the defenders just can't hack it against the IJAAF and that's just plain frustrating. Have withdrawn everything to airfields further back from the border where I'll attempt to rebuild. The loss of airframes are one thing, seeing pilots whose names you've become familiar with get whacked one by one is quite another. Talk about immersion eh?

SOPAC/SWPAC
Recently finished a cleanup these 2 commands, most of the land combat power is on it's way back to PH for subsequent redeployment in CENPAC. No significant LCUs remain apart form those assigned to local defence. Am expecting to transfer 1 more US Inf Div here in the near future after I've accumulated enough PPs.

Have transferred 2 FGs to mainland Oz to assist the Ausies in sweeping PM, mainly 1)to attrit the Zeroes based out of there, 2)make Roel burn HI points by keeping his pools up, 3) continuing to give the impression that my focus is still in the immediate area.

USN CVs
The CVs are back in PH and repairing, Lady Lex will take the longest at nearly a month. The good news is that my first group of 3 CVEs are finally mated with their VMFs/VMSBs and are conducting training flight ops. The second trio of CVEs (this time with organic VF/VT elements) are scheduled to arrive within the next fortnight, those will form a second TF and go into training while waiting for the fleet CVs to be fully repaired. Once all decks are ready to go, the invasion of the Gilberts will commence.

SUBS
The S boats continue to do well. S-28 puts 2 into AMC Kinryu Maru (on fire, hvy dmg) and 1 into DD Oboro (on fire, hvy dmg) the turn after.


SUB KILLBOARD (JULY '42 ONWARDS)
Finback – TK Nisshin Maru (13,340)
S-27 - CL Naka (7,000), xAKL Konsan Maru (1,900)
S-34 - AMC Asaka Maru (6,825)
KXI - AK Takaoka Maru (6,475)
S-46 – AMC Bankok Maru(4,050)
KXIV (SUNK) – xAK Tenzan Maru (2,980)
Tarpon – xAK Seiwa Maru (2,900)
S-47 – PB Hakkaisan Maru (2,780)
O23 – xAKL Arizama Maru(2,050)
O20 – TK Kuremente Maru (1,120)
KXVII (SUNK) – TK Azuma Maru (1,120)
Pompano - PB Yahonui Maru (830)
Greenling (SUNK)– PB Shinko Maru (830)
Silversides (SUNK) – SC Cha-32 (99)

S-23 – xAK Shinwa Maru (26/08/42 probable)
S-37 – CL Tama (10/08/42 damaged)
S-44 – I-170 (29/09/42 probable)
Drum - TK Itukusima Maru (13/10/42 probable - confirmed kill on 26 Dec, 10,000tons)
Grayling – xAK Teikai Maru (22/09/42 probable), xAK Amagi Maru (28/06/42 probable)
Gudgeon – xAK Saiho Maru (31/07/42 damaged)
O20 - TK Ogura Maru #3 (02/12/42 probable)
S-28 - AMC Kinryu Maru (06/12/42 on fire, hvy dmg), DD Oboro (07/12/42 on fire, hvy dmg)



Edited to add screenshot of the last 2 days of air combat losses, top is for 10 Dec, bottom is 11 Dec

[Arnhem44]

UPDATE
The past 2+ weeks of game time have been relatively quiet, apart from daily bombings of Allied airfields along the Indian-Burmese border not much has happened which explains the lack of updates, don't want to bore you to death with combat reports of airfields getting bombed.

CBI
Allied air in the CBI has been totally stood down in part because I've tried and failed to dent the incessent waves of attacks on my airfields and also because I need to build up spare airframes for the USAAF squadrons which will go into action in CENPAC in the coming month.

PACIFIC AO
The USN is mainly concentrated at PH in preparation for the assault on Tarawa and Tabituauauaua, there are now 6 CVEs operating with the 4 fleet CVs, should go some way to evening up the odds against KB which I'm now putting at at least 5 CVs and 5 CVLs. Ample amounts of CAs, CLAAs and DDs are on hand to form screens for the flattops.

Big guns I have at my disposal include 3 modern BBs in addition to 5 older BBs, I have an even dozen BBs in various stages of long refits or repairs, ranging from 30 days for Arizona and Pennsylvania to 208 days for Nevada which just entered drydock in Seattle.

AKs and APs will be the workhorses of the invasion fleet, they're not the best for amphib assaults but not the worst I could do either, this is a challenge I'm looking forward to before the relatively ezymode APAs and AKAs come on stream from 03/43 onwards.

SUB WARS
Couple of confirmed kills from probables in the earlier months make up the updates for the silent killers, can't wait till 01/43 where the subs change from mostly harmless to mildly annoying.

SUB KILLBOARD (JULY '42 ONWARDS)
Finback – TK Nisshin Maru (13,340)
Drum - TK Itukusima Maru (10,000)
S-27 - CL Naka (7,000), xAKL Konsan Maru (1,900)
S-34 - AMC Asaka Maru (6,825)
KXI - AK Takaoka Maru (6,475)
S-46 – AMC Bankok Maru(4,050)
O20 – TK Kuremente Maru (1,120), PB Tokotsu Maru (2,780)
S-23 - xAK Shinwa Maru (3,675)
KXIV (SUNK) – xAK Tenzan Maru (2,980)
Tarpon – xAK Seiwa Maru (2,900)
S-47 – PB Hakkaisan Maru (2,780)
O23 – xAKL Arizama Maru(2,050)
KXVII (SUNK) – TK Azuma Maru (1,120)
Pompano - PB Yahonui Maru (830)
Greenling (SUNK)– PB Shinko Maru (830)
Silversides (SUNK) – SC Cha-32 (99)

S-37 – CL Tama (10/08/42 damaged)
S-44 – I-170 (29/09/42 probable)
Grayling – xAK Teikai Maru (22/09/42 probable), xAK Amagi Maru (28/06/42 probable)
Gudgeon – xAK Saiho Maru (31/07/42 damaged)
O20 - TK Ogura Maru #3 (02/12/42 probable)
S-28 - AMC Kinryu Maru (06/12/42 on fire, hvy dmg), DD Oboro (07/12/42 on fire, hvy dmg)

[Arnhem44]

INVASION OF TARAWA AND TABITEUEA
Right, it's been about 2 weeks of game time since the last update and in that time invasion fleets for both targets were formed up at PH and then proceeded onto their targets, the screenshot shows the result of those 2 weeks. Tarawa was empty and taken on the trot, I thought I had set all my amphibs to unload (set them to do not unload after I had loaded them as a precaution to prevent unloading the turn after) but turns out I missed one, can't be that careless again, could have cost me ships and men if Tabi was defended. Could be doing turns at 3 in the morning isn't such a bright idea after all, details, always the details.

I will post in detail the various facets of the operation in the next couple of posts, might help someone down the line.

MASKIROVKA - JUST WHOSE ASS IS SMOKE BEEN BLOWN UP INTO?
Regular readers of this AAR will know that I concentrated on building up the bases in the Samoa/Fiji area in the 2nd half of '42, mainly to secure the last portion of the SLOC from CONUS to ANZAC as well as what was then a plan to kick off the Allied counteroffensive with invasions of Luganville and Efate. Recon of the intended targets showed both targets had significant enemy garrisons (30k+ for Luganville, smaller for Efate) which precipitated the change of targets to the Gilberts. Not wanting all that buildup of bases and material to go to waste, I thought I'd keep up the impression that SWPAC would be where the first Allied move would be by bombing targets in the New Hebrides/Santa Cruz chains.

Got this from Roel with the turn,
                         
                 "Tarawa huh, you can have that piece of dirt in the ocean - Lots of old battlewagons you are using for that op, where is your fleet "

Always interesting this facet of PBEM, one wonders how things would have turned out if Yamamoto and Nimitz direct access to each other. Anyways it does look like Roel is under the impression that this is just a sideshow, if so, I'd like to continue giving him the impression that the real hammer blows are going to fall some place else. As to where is my fleet, breakdown of the various TFs in support of landings at T&T will show that I've thrown everything but the kitchen sink into this pair of ops but hey, don't let me tell you what to think :p

Of course this could just be some counter counter psych move on Roel's part to get me to think all is going to plan and we all know what happens when all goes to plan.

[Arnhem44]

TARAWA
Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes.

Why Tarawa? To answer that I must first answer the question why the Gilberts. Most of the islands in the Gilberts chain can support up to 30k troops as opposed to the Marshalls where most bases are atolls, I like the safety buffer of 30k as it allows me to put substantial force down on the first go and on non-atoll bases I don't have to go through the hassle of taking off the excess assault troops after I've taken the target. As to why Tarawa, when first planning for targets I had initially wanted Mili, Makin and Tarawa as first wave targets but Mili and Makin were too close to Kwajalein for comfort so Tarawa was the only one that survived the first cut. It's far enough from Kwajalein that if Roel hadn't developed the other islands in the Marshalls it would force bombers flying out from there to go unescorted, or roughly that was the plan, I didn't exactly count the hexes between Kwajalein and Tarawa.

With the why done now comes the what. The screenshot below shows the units directly in support of the Tarawa landing.
Invasion Troops
25th Inf Div, 151st Combat Eng Reg, 763rd Tank Bn, A Det USN Port Svc
Carried in an amphib TF consisting of 1 CL, 5 DDs, 2 DMSs, 10 APs, 6 AKs.

Follow on forces
2 Coast AA Reg, 1 USAAF Base Force, 1 USN CB
Carried in an amphib TF consisting of 6 xAPs and 3 AKs and holy shit, where are the escorts??!? (I realised I had overlooked escorts for the follow up TFs while typing this, go me!)

Bombardment/Covering Group
5 BBs (Idaho, Mississippi, New Mexico, West Virginia, Tennessee)
4 DDs

EXECUTION
The Tarawa TFs together with the Tabiteuea TFs formed up just off Palmyra positoning themselves so they would hit both targets at the same time, this involved some counting of hexes, probably the first time in this game I was careful to count and recount again to make sure I got the distance right. From then on it was just a matter of turning the ships loose. The bombardment TF got in ahead of the amphibs and did it's thing (forgot to fly night spotters, one for the AAR) and the amphibs unloaded over the 2 pulses of the turn without too much fanfare.

Night Naval bombardment of Tarawa at 136,128

Allied Ships
     BB Mississippi
     BB New Mexico
     BB Idaho
     BB Tennessee
     BB West Virginia

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

BB Mississippi firing at Tarawa
BB New Mexico firing at Tarawa
BB Idaho firing at Tarawa
BB Tennessee firing at Tarawa
BB West Virginia firing at Tarawa

ENEMY RESPONSE
The invasion TFs were spotted about 3 turns out as they made their approach, I half expected KB to turn up and make a go for the transports but the sub screen didn't pick up any activity and as the initial screenshot shows, there's been no naval activity. However, Betties (probably from Kwajalein) did make an appearance over the invasion beaches.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tarawa at 136,128
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     G4M1 Betty x 26

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
     G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied Ships
     BB Tennessee
     DD Selfridge
     AP Zeilin
     BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 1
     CL Columbia
     BB New Mexico
     DD Stack
     BB West Virginia
     AP President Jackson

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

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
     0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
     Group patrol altitude is 20000
     Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
     0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
     Group patrol altitude is 20000
     Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
     0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
     Group patrol altitude is 20000
     Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
     0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
     Group patrol altitude is 20000
     Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
     0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
     Group patrol altitude is 20000
     Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tarawa at 136,128
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     G4M1 Betty x 15

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
     G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied Ships
     BB Mississippi
     AK Titania, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
     BB West Virginia
     BB Tennessee

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

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
     0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
     Group patrol altitude is 20000
     Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
     0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
     Group patrol altitude is 20000
     Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
     0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
     Group patrol altitude is 20000
     Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
     0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
     Group patrol altitude is 20000
     Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
     (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
     0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
     Group patrol altitude is 20000
     Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

For the record, Tracker reports 20 Betties downed (14 to A2A and 6 to flak). Idaho has sustained 19(0)/19(15)/3(0) damage and Titania 20(0)/53(39)/35(15) damage, both are limping towards Tabiteuea escorted by a single DD.

AP AND AK UNLOADING SPEEDS
One of the results of this little exercise that I was looking for was the speed at which APs and AKs unload, on the turn after the amphibs unloaded, there remains only 18 support and 38 motorized support squads belonging to the 25th ID on the transports, everything else has been offloaded.

[Arnhem44]

TABITEUEA
Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes.

Now out of the two, Tabi is the one I really want, it can accomodate up to 60k troops, has 4 other bases (all 30k max troops) in the immediate vicinity I can take over and would be perfect for being the jump off point for the next set of targets.

Invasion Troops
24th Inf Div, 102nd Combat Eng Reg, 762nd Tank Bn, D Det USN Port Svc
Carried in an amphib TF consisting of 1 CL, 4 DD, 2 DMS, 11 AP and 4 AK

Follow on forces
HQ I Corps, HQ USMC AirFMFPac, 1 USN Base Force, 1 Cst AA Reg
Carried in an amphib TF consisting of 6 xAPs, 3 AKs and yep, you guessed it, no escorts.

Bombardment/Covering Group
3 CAs, 3 DDs

Intel didn't show any improvements made on Tabi so I was pretty confident I would be hitting an undefended dot base which explains the relatively lighter covering force. Apart from the unimaginable stupidity shown by the supreme commander in not ensuring the amphib TF was set to unload the Tabi side of this op has gone off without a hitch thus far.

[Arnhem44]

CARRIER SUPPORT
Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes, Smoke gets in your eyes.

As can be seen in the screenshot below, the best the USN has to offer is within these 6 TFs. The 3 new BBs, most of the Fletchers, CLAAs and CAs are riding shotgun for the flat tops.

The invasion turn saw the DBs and TBs set exclusively to naval attack and they continue in that role. The VFs are set to 40% CAP, I had thought the spillover CAP would be enough to handle whatever came up over Tarawa but as can be seen from the combat reports it was lucky KB wasn't in the neighbourhood otherwise I'd have a lot of swimmers off the beaches of Tarawa. VFs have been set to an additional 40% flying LRCAP over Tarawa, the Tabi invasion fleets have been left to fend for themselves in a calculated move.

IMMEDIATE INTENTIONS
The follow on convoys are 3 turns out and AKVs carrying 5 Marine squadrons just left PH so the CVs will have to loiter in the area for the forseeable future, the only concern is that if KB doesn't make an appearance the subs surely will as he knows where I am and I won't be moving from the general area for a while. One stopgap would be to offload the Marine squadrons on the CVEs for the time being and pull the carriers back a bit, will make a decision in the next turn or two depending on how the situation develops.

Right, enough for now, updates on what's been happening in the other parts of the world these past 2 weeks of game time and a peek at the next wave of targets in the next post.

[Arnhem44]

SUB ACTION
Significant sub kills for this period include CA Salt Lake City which was part of the bombardment group for Tabi, it ate 2 fish a day out of PH and took another 4 while limping back.  Other sinkings of note include an AKE and a Brit TK. The home team only managed to sink an AP, Hakone Maru in reply.

SUB KILLBOARD (JULY '42 ONWARDS)
Finback – TK Nisshin Maru (13,340t)
Drum - TK Itukusima Maru (10,000)
S-27 - CL Naka (7,000), xAKL Konsan Maru (1,900)
Guardfish - AP Hakone Maru (7470)
S-34 - AMC Asaka Maru (6,825)
KXI - AK Takaoka Maru (6,475)
S-46 – AMC Bankok Maru(4,050)
O20 – TK Kuremente Maru (1,120), PB Tokotsu Maru (2,780)
S-23 - xAK Shinwa Maru (3,675)
KXIV (SUNK) – xAK Tenzan Maru (2,980)
Tarpon – xAK Seiwa Maru (2,900)
S-47 – PB Hakkaisan Maru (2,780)
O23 – xAKL Arizama Maru(2,050)
KXVII (SUNK) – TK Azuma Maru (1,120)
Pompano - PB Yahonui Maru (830)
Greenling (SUNK)– PB Shinko Maru (830)
Silversides (SUNK) – SC Cha-32 (99)

S-37 – CL Tama (10/08/42 damaged)
S-44 – I-170 (29/09/42 probable)
Grayling – xAK Teikai Maru (22/09/42 probable), xAK Amagi Maru (28/06/42 probable)
Gudgeon – xAK Saiho Maru (31/07/42 damaged)
O20 - TK Ogura Maru #3 (02/12/42 probable)
S-28 - AMC Kinryu Maru (06/12/42 on fire, hvy dmg), DD Oboro (07/12/42 on fire, hvy dmg)

P-38
P-38s out of Suva flew LR sweeps of Efate the past few turns, didn't do as well as I expected, losses were about 1 to 1.

12-13 JAN 1943
One of the subs acting as tripwire reports a force of enemy CAs just off Nauru Island on the 13th, it looked like Roel was setting up for a speed run into Tarawa to see if he could catch the invasion fleet unloading at night. The screenshot below shows the turn after. The transports were moved away as a precaution and the covering force of 4 BBs moved 1 hex west of Tarawa to setup for an intercept.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarawa at 135,128, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
     CA Atago, Shell hits 1,  on fire
     CA Maya
     CA Chokai, Shell hits 6,  heavy fires
     CA Aoba, Shell hits 2
     DD Akigumo
     DD Makigumo
     DD Kuroshio
     DD Natsushio
     DD Shiranui
     DD Oshio

Allied Ships
     BB West Virginia
     BB Tennessee, Shell hits 7,  on fire
     BB New Mexico, Shell hits 1
     BB Mississippi, Shell hits 2
     DD Case, Shell hits 2
     DD Conyngham, Shell hits 4
     DD Cushing
     DD Perkins, Shell hits 15, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 46% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Lee, Willis "Ching" crosses the 'T'

Fight went as close as 2k yards, am lucky none of my ships ate a Long Lance. Intel reports Chokai as sunk but I reckon she's the straggler you see a couple of hexes NW of Tarawa in the screenshot. Am pulling back the CVs to their covering position while the CVEs will move a little north to see if they can catch and sink the straggler. Tennessee has sustained light sys damage as have the other 2 DDs that were damaged in the fight. Am detaching the damaged ships and sending them back to PH while the remaining BBs continue to cover the unloading of supplies.

Sent the fleet CVs forward to try and catch the enemy CAs on the return leg but they went in another direction and so I'm left with trying to finish off a straggler with the CVEs while the CVs fall back to their overwatch position just a little south of Tarawa.

Other than that, all goes to plan, Tabi has been taken and unloading is proceeding apace, still no sign of KB, subs don't report anything other than the CAs from a turn ago.

[Arnhem44]

14-15 JAN 1943

JAPANESE SUBS
A screen of I boats is hanging around the southern approaches to PH. I tripped over them when my invasion convoys were transiting to their targets. The past couple of turns have seen aggressive prosecution of these subs by DEs and SCs from out of PH. I don't really keep track of enemy sub losses because FOG is extreme when applied to subs, too many "enemy ship falsely reported sunk" messages from Tracker have made me leery of sub kill claims, apart from a handful of what looked like hard kills I work on the assumption everything the IJN has is fully operational.

Apart from a handful of Kingfishers I don't have any air ASW assets, what I do have lots of are patrol craft, any sub contacts are aggressively pursued until I drive them off or lose contact which appears to have served me well thus far. The way I see it, if I can lessen losses due to enemy sub activity it's as good as a win.

Which brings me to another thing, it seems while the Allies have duds to contend with, the Japanese can't shoot straight, 3 straight days of aggressive hunting and not one Allied ship lost, and this with the I boats taking an average of 2 shots per turn.

INVASION OF CANTON ISLAND
Lesson No. 1: Landing on atolls is challenge enough. Using xAPs lengthens the amount of time taken to offload their cargo, even with 6 relatively small combat units I still haven't completed unloading after 2 turns. Each turn I unload I'm forced to make a shock attack, suffering horrendous losses. Lots of destroyed and disabled squads means by LCUs are gutted, should I withdraw or press on?

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Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143) 14 Jan 1943
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 1415 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 160
Defending force 1468 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61
Allied adjusted assault: 20
Japanese adjusted defense: 9
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
     296 casualties reported
        Squads: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
     1140 casualties reported
        Squads: 59 destroyed, 85 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
   3rd Marine Raider Bn /1
   3rd USMC Parachute Bn /1
   1st USMC Parachute Bn /1
   2nd USMC Parachute Bn /1
   2nd Marine Raider Bn /1
   1st Marine Raider Bn /1

Defending units:
   61st Naval Guard Unit

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Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143) 15 Jan 1943
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2337 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 82
Defending force 1269 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44
Allied adjusted assault: 3
Japanese adjusted defense: 59
Allied assault odds: 1 to 19 (fort level 2)


Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+)
Attacker: shock(+), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
     200 casualties reported
        Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
        Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
     591 casualties reported
        Squads: 15 destroyed, 38 disabled
        Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 49 disabled
        Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
   3rd Marine Raider Bn /1
   2nd USMC Parachute Bn /1
   3rd USMC Parachute Bn /1
   2nd Marine Raider Bn /1
   1st USMC Parachute Bn /1
   1st Marine Raider Bn /1

Defending units:
   61st Naval Guard Unit

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM (14 JAN 1943)
The CVEs caught the straggler group at Jaluit but not before Betties paid a visit...

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Makin at 134,125
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 6
     G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
     G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
     CVE Prince William

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

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Tarawa at 136,128
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 11
     G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 71

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
     G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
     F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
     BB West Virginia
     BB Mississippi

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Makin at 134,125
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
     G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Makin at 134,125
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 31
     G4M1 Betty x 7

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
     A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
     G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
     F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed


Luckily,the VFs and VMFs had their act together this round, forgot to grab the numbers off Tracker but the Japanese Empire took one in the chin for no returns this round.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Jaluit at 134,120
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2-N Rufe x 8

Allied aircraft
     SBD-3 Dauntless x 27
     TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Japanese losses

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

Japanese Ships
     DD Oshio
     CA Chokai, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
     CA Atago, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     DD Shiranui, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Furutaka class CA
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Atago

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Jaluit at 134,120
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2-N Rufe x 8

Allied aircraft
     SBD-3 Dauntless x 24
     TBF-1 Avenger x 17

Japanese aircraft losses

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
     SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
     TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
     CA Chokai, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
     CA Atago, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     DD Oshio, Bomb hits 1,  on fire

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Atago
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Tone class CA

Can't figure out why the bombers didn't get fighter escorts, one of those things I guess, my TB squadrons are gutted but I have a relatively healthy pool of replacements, both planes and pilots so while the losses stung they aren't a biggie in the scheme of things. I'm claiming both CAs and Intel reports Shiranui as a loss as well.

Am waiting on a group of AKVs to arrive so they can start providing local aircover for Tabi and Tarawa, surface assets are a little thin, either damaged ships are making their way back to PH or they about to winchester. The CVE bomber groups while not gutted have suffered moderate to heavy losses in their attempts to catch and sink the Japanese CAs. The CV airgroups are still relatively untouched as are the CVE VFs/VMFs so as things stand I'm starting to get stretched but I should still be able to handle KB if it does turn up and things should start to get better in a real hurry in about a week's game time.

[Arnhem44]

16 JAN 1943

Lesson No. 2: If all is going to plan, shit will happen the next turn.

I-18
Night brings multiple sub attacks on the ships anchored off Tarawa, DDs manage to drive some off but the intrepid I-18 ruins my day...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tarawa  at 136,129

Japanese Ships
     SS I-18, hits 5

Allied Ships
     CVE Sangamon, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage

SS I-18 launches 6 torpedoes at CVE Sangamon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tarawa  at 136,129

Japanese Ships
     SS I-18, hits 6, and is sunk

Allied Ships
     CVE Chenango, Torpedo hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage

SS I-18 launches 8 torpedoes at CVE Chenango

I-18 is forced to the surface on the second attack and sunk by gunfire from the escorting DDs but the damage is done.

KB MAKES AN APPEARANCE
The day brings multiple sweeps of Tarawa by what can only be KB's airgroups, pretty inspired thinking by Roel here, knowing that I'm tied to my objectives and have to defend them, sweeping an enemy base like Tarawa will only attrit my fighters. Note the gradual degradation till the later sweeps aren't opposed at all. Something I have to keep in mind on the next go around.

Morning Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 121
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M3a Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 88
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M3a Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
     F4F-4 Wildcat x 35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M3a Zero x 17

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
     17 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 47

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
     44 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
      3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M3a Zero x 30

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
     30 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tarawa , at 136,128
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M3a Zero x 28

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
     28 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..



CANTON ISLAND
The assault on Canton continues, my specialist units are being chopped to pieces.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 1504 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 35
Defending force 1143 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38
Allied adjusted assault: 12
Japanese adjusted defense: 42

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), leaders(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
     406 casualties reported
        Squads: 6 destroyed, 28 disabled
        Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
     306 casualties reported
        Squads: 8 destroyed, 12 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
   2nd Marine Raider Battalion
   1st Marine Raider Battalion
   3rd Marine Raider Battalion
   3rd USMC Parachute Battalion
   1st USMC Parachute Battalion
   2nd USMC Parachute Battalion

Defending units:
   61st Naval Guard Unit

[Arnhem44]

17 JAN 1943

LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT
A CL force catches the Tarawa reinforcement convoy and tears it to pieces sinking the entire TF over 2 surface actions. Orders were given for everything afloat at Tarawa the previous turn to retire southwards past Tabi but nothing from Tarawa moved, much to my sorrow. This was is my bad I guess, probably didn't cancel unload or something. That plus this was the TF that was unescorted so yeah, free target practice. The bright side, if there was any to be had, is that I have fragments of every LCU that went down with the transports, which comes up to 2 AA units and a base force.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Abemama at 136,131, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
     CL Isuzu
     CL Natori
     DD Nenohi
     DD Wakaba
     DD Ariake
     DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
     AK Prince Georges, Torpedo hits 1,  heavy damage
     AK Adhara, Shell hits 4,  on fire
     AK Alcyon, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
     xAP George Taylor, Shell hits 7,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     xAP James Gordon Bennett, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
     xAP Jane Addams, Shell hits 9,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     xAP Jefferson Davis, Shell hits 2,  on fire
     xAP William E. Channing, Shell hits 5,  on fire
     xAP William P. McArthur, Shell hits 5,  on fire,  heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
     282 casualties reported
        Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
        Non Combat: 129 destroyed, 53 disabled
        Engineers: 7 destroyed, 6 disabled
     Guns lost 36 (25 destroyed, 11 disabled)
     Vehicles lost 197 (157 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Improved night sighting under 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 85% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 12,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Abemama at 137,130, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
     CL Isuzu
     CL Natori
     DD Nenohi
     DD Wakaba
     DD Ariake
     DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
     AK Adhara, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
     xAP Jefferson Davis, Shell hits 36, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
     Guns lost 145 (89 destroyed, 56 disabled)
     Vehicles lost 84 (57 destroyed, 27 disabled)

Improved night sighting under 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 85% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Hirata, Noboru crosses the 'T'

KB MOVES IN FOR THE KILL
So that's one TF taken care of, daylight brings KB's airgroups down on the other TF still anchored off Tarawa, with predictable results.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Tarawa at 136,128
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     B5N2 Kate x 18
     D3A1 Val x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
     D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
     DD Balch
     DD Selfridge
     CL Columbia, Bomb hits 4,  on fire
     AK Alhena, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
     AK Betelgeuse, Bomb hits 4,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     AP Fuller, Bomb hits 4,  heavy fires
     AK Fomalhaut

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tarawa at 136,128
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
     A6M2 Zero x 38
     A6M3a Zero x 22
     B5N2 Kate x 24
     D3A1 Val x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
     B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
     D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
     AK Alhena, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     DD Selfridge, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     AK Oberon
     CL Columbia, Bomb hits 6,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
     AP Harris, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires
     DD Balch
     AK Fomalhaut, Torpedo hits 1

Butcher's bill for this turn includes 3 AKs, 5 xAPs and DD Selfridge. Heavily damaged ships which I do not expect to have by the next turn include 3 AKs, 1 xAP, 1 AP and CL Columbia. Everything afloat is moving away from Tabi and Tarawa in a bid to put some distance between them and KB. Am willing to offer the heavily damaged ships as a sacrifice to keep KB in the general area for another turn to allow most of what I have left to escape.

[Arnhem44]

18 JAN 1943
This turn is relatively quiet, I lose a damaged AK to a sub attack while 2 separate IJN TFs get attacked twice each by my own subs and get away without a scratch. KB disappears but they don't trip my sub screen so I'm a little concerned Roel might have moved towards PH instead of away from in a bid to catch stragglers.

19 JAN 1943
KB does indeed move towards PH on the next turn but due to no small amount of luck is not in range of any of my wounded ducks. They did spot a 2 ship TF and I reckon KB will next swing south towards Canton and then back towards Tabi just to see if they can sweep up any stragglers while giving Tabi and Tarawa a once over, have moved ships accordingly to try and get most of them out of the way.

In other news,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lihue  at 174,113

Japanese Ships
     SS I-27

Allied Ships
     BB Tennessee, Torpedo hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
     DD Conyngham

Tennessee is still afloat and every available sub hunter I have is being vectored toward her position, am going to be pissed if I lose her this close to home.

[Arnhem44]

20-22 JAN 1943
The battles of Tarawa and Tabi have defintely wound down over the course of the past few turns, some significant actions take place but overall it seems the Allies have secured their objectives and are here to stay.

20 JAN
The turn begins with a STF intercepting the damaged AK and AP in the screenshot from the previous post.

This turn also sees the Tarawa bombardment group (now down to 3 old BBs) do a drive by on Canton Island as they head back to PH.

Have also started fighter sweeps of Mandalay by Brit and US fighters, Tojos give a good account of themselves, I lose about 20 odd Allied fighters for about a slightly lower number of Tojos, lost a couple of Brit aces so that stung a little.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Howland Island at 147,131, Range 11,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      CA Mogami
      DD Akizuki
      DD Harusame
      DD Samidare
 
Allied Ships
      AP Fuller, Shell hits 2,  heavy damage
      AK Fomalhaut, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
 
Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 100% moonlight: 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards

21 JAN 1943
More fighter sweeps of Mandalay by
My 5 ship AKV TF is caught by a STF as it unloads at Tabi, thankfully the VMFs and VMSBs are already unloaded by then. The escorting pair of DDs die doing their job and I lose 2 of my precious AKVs, with another very badly damaged and anchored at Tabi while emergency repairs are made to get her ship shape.

On hindsight it was a risky move but I was already committed and did not want to haul the planes all the way there just to bring them back to PH. Having local air support would mean my CVs didn't have to hang around the area for longer than necessary and expose themselves to sub or KB attacks not to mention that follow up resupply convoys would be under friendly air cover.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tabiteuea at 137,134, Range 6,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      DD Takanami
      DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 2,  on fire
      DD Shiratsuyu
      DD Umikaze, Shell hits 2
      DD Uranami
      DD Shikinami
 
Allied Ships
      DD Flusser, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      DD Tucker, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      AKV Clan Macdonald, Shell hits 10,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      AKV Kina II, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      AKV Malancha
      AKV Athene, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
      AKV Engadine, Shell hits 1
 
Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 100% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards

22 JAN 1943
Stood down the Brits cos the Hurris had taken a beating after 2 days of 1:1 exchange ratios, this turn it was just the P-40Ks of the Tenth AF and Tracker reports 6 lost for 7 Oscars, didn't count ops losses as I wouldn't know if they were a direct effect of the A2A.

Also blasted Luganville with B-24s today, the B-24s went in unescorted cos I knew the 4Es can take whatever Zeroes dished out, I won't deny I did it to feel good about myself after the mediocre results from the CBI over the past few days and losing all those AKs and APs off Tarawa.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Luganville , at 120,150
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M3 Zero x 27
 
Allied aircraft
      B-24D Liberator x 36
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged
 
Japanese ground losses:
      6 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 41
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
               Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
       9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
               Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
      12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
               Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
       6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
               Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
 
CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 14 scrambling)
      4 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
 
USS TENNESSEE
It looks like she's going to make PH after all, the latest turn sees her just 1 hex outside of PH. Local PH escorts rushed to her side after she ate the 3 torpedos on the 19th and beat off attempts by other I-boats to finish the job.

SUB ACTION
Tambor puts one into the side of CA Kinugasa near Nauru Island on the 21st, haven't spotted this CA before in the previous turns, wonder what she's doing there and if she's riding shotgun for somebody. Intel claims her as sunk but she's a tough cookie as in the next turn Sculpin discovers she's still afloat and puts another 2 in her.

It's then O21's turn as she puts one more torpedo into Kinugasa's side and then takes a shot at one of the escorting DDs for good measure, the Hayashio was last reported as being heavily damaged and on fire.

In one of the rare instances of a confirmed kill of an IJN sub, Aussie AMs off Townsville engage RO-65 forcing her to the surface and sinking her with gunfire.

O23 rounds off the action for the 3 days by shooting at an xAK (Chile Maru) north of the Malacca Straits.

SUB KILLBOARD (JULY '42 ONWARDS)
Finback – TK Nisshin Maru (13,340t)
Drum - TK Itukusima Maru (10,000)
S-27 - CL Naka (7,000), xAKL Konsan Maru (1,900)
Guardfish - AP Hakone Maru (7470)
S-34 - AMC Asaka Maru (6,825)
KXI - AK Takaoka Maru (6,475)
S-46 – AMC Bankok Maru(4,050)
O20 – TK Kuremente Maru (1,120), PB Tokotsu Maru (2,780)
S-23 - xAK Shinwa Maru (3,675)
KXIV (SUNK) – xAK Tenzan Maru (2,980)
Tarpon – xAK Seiwa Maru (2,900)
S-47 – PB Hakkaisan Maru (2,780)
O23 – xAKL Arizama Maru(2,050)
KXVII (SUNK) – TK Azuma Maru (1,120)
Pompano - PB Yahonui Maru (830)
Greenling (SUNK) – PB Shinko Maru (830)
Silversides (SUNK) – SC Cha-32 (99)

UNCONFIRMED
S-37 – CL Tama (10/08/42 damaged)
S-44 – I-170 (29/09/42 probable)
Grayling – xAK Teikai Maru (22/09/42 probable), xAK Amagi Maru (28/06/42 probable)
Gudgeon – xAK Saiho Maru (31/07/42 damaged)
O20 - TK Ogura Maru #3 (02/12/42 probable)
S-28 - AMC Kinryu Maru (06/12/42 on fire, hvy dmg), DD Oboro (07/12/42 on fire, hvy dmg)
Tambor/Sculpin/O21 - CA Kinugasa (21-22/01/43, 4 torpedos over 2 days)
O21 - DD Hayashio (22/01/43, on fire, heavy damage)
O23 - xAK Chile Maru (22/01/43, on fire, heavy damage)