Into the Bowels of The Dragon's Lair

[RGIJN]

we estimate the enemy troops too weak to take Irau, but one will see what will happen.



Results of the first assault:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25247 troops, 273 guns, 180 vehicles

Defending force 33815 troops, 519 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 7

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 7)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 87

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 769
Guns lost 1


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

[RGIJN]

May 3rd 1943 - another day of bloody encounters for Irau.... But it seems as our defenses will hold



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33414 troops, 456 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 28305 troops, 273 guns, 180 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 301
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 927
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23810 troops, 270 guns, 180 vehicles

Defending force 36196 troops, 529 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 6

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 6)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 85
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 532
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1


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

[Miller]

[;)]

[RGIJN]

last enemy troops defeated. Irau is exclusively red again....




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32446 troops, 453 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10979 troops, 149 guns, 178 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)



CPT H.Evans of 33rd TCS bails out and is RESCUED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 11265
Guns lost 126
Vehicles lost 5


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

[RGIJN]

recently the Allied forces invaded the undefended spots of Gavigamana & Nevea in the Northern Hebrides. Of course they met countless mines there... many ships (at least 6...8 DDs alone) sunk just due to them. Nevea was infested by 13,700 pieces of this kind..... [:D]

So now the enemy is busy to clear his new possessions from the lethal stuff in order to supply & build them up. Since we´re pretty aware of his shortage of such precious vessels as MSWs (14 sunk) we sent a small TF into our own minefields of Nevea to catch some of them by the chance... and it worked! Three more minesweepers sunk, along with some barges.
Our own casualties: five DDs and a CL damaged by mines (20...50 sys range)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
CL Natori, Shell hits 1
DD Arashi, on fire
DD Hibiki
DD Fubuki, on fire
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
MSW Starling, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
MSW Motive, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
MSW Oracle, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
LST 449, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LST 474, Shell hits 31, and is sunk
LCI 61
LCI 63
LCI 65
LCI 66
LCI 67, on fire, heavy damage
LCI 68
LCI 70
LCI 71
LCI 224
LCI 225, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
LCI 339
LCI 340
LCI 341
LCI 342


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

[RGIJN]

Announcement of known intel as for May 25th, 1943


VP score 16500 IJN - 5900 Allies

both sides lost about 2200 A/C so far.


allied ships sunk: (280 at all)

CV - 5
CVL - 2
CVE - 2
BB - 2
CA - 11
CL - 5
DD - 43
MSW - 14
SS - 18
DMS - 8 (all in theatre I guess)
DM - 1
APD - 3
AV - 1
PG/SC - 43
AK/AP - 92
TK/AO - 7


IJN ship losses (41 at all)

CA - 1
CL - 3
DD - 8
MSW - 2
ML - 1
PC - 1
SS - 9
AP - 14

[RGIJN]

three more allied transport ships sunk.




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/27/43

Weather: Rain

Night Time Surface Combat, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Shell hits 4
CL Isuzu
DD Nowaki
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki
DD Amagiri
DD Mutsuki
DD Satsuki

Allied Ships
SC 704
SC 981
AP Callaway, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Bolivar, Shell hits 1
AP Cambria, Shell hits 2
LST 340
LST 446
LST 472
LST 473
AP Ormiston, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Wanganella
LST 465
AK Caledonia
AK Charlevoix
AK Chatham, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Chicot


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gavigamana, at 51,47

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 2


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

[RGIJN]

this opportunity was just too juicy to neglect.... The enemy has swept all the mines by now, and sent a transport fleet to his new base (under Corsair LR cover, aided by some CVs).
We sent a cruiser fleet to interfere, with great results. Two more of his MSWs and several cargo ships hit, some reported sunk instantly.
Our ships did not receive a single scratch.

However his 4E pounding starts to become pain in the... you know. And the Corsairs already took their toll on our fighter groups escorting a few bombers to Gavigamana.





Night Time Surface Combat, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
CL Isuzu
DD Terusuki
DD Niizuki
DD Shiranui
DD Nowaki
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma
DD Mutsuki
DD Yayoi
DD Satsuki

Allied Ships
MSW Cessnock, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Ipswich
MSW Pursuit, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Thuban, heavy damage
AK Centarus
AK Aquarius
AK Bootes
AK Alkaid
AK Crux
AK Alderamin
AK Zaurak
AK Matar
AK Sabik
AK Menkar
AK Azimech, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Lesuth, Shell hits 40, and is sunk
AK Megrez
AK Alnitah
AK Leonis, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arkab
AK Melucta
AK Propus
AK Seginus, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Syrma


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

[a1981stingray]

Believe me when you read the first few posts about RGIJN getting a lucky torp hit on the Enterprise and Yorktown - and later on several LR port strikes on Noumea.... Enterprise still sits in port with over 30 sys dmg. Yorktown is fully repaired and out in front line service. It might be late in catching point spread 3.5x difference, but it will be good experience for the Allied Commander to figure out Ralf's tactics around Lunga.... This is not over in Port Moresby either... several more transports were released from PH and are being relocated into SWPAC command. I wonder if there will be enough lift capacity to get everyone into PNG???

[RGIJN]

the enemy sent his few carriers close to Irau, and his strike badly damaged three APs on the piers. Since we did not expect such a move only parts of our airforce was ready to protect & attack.. But even then, our Nell bombers managed to send some fishes into their bellies. Two of them is too much for a CVL we guess.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
F6F Hellcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 7
TBF Avenger x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
TBF Avenger x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Ceylon Maru
AP Boston Maru
AP Cuba Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
AP Chowa Maru, Torpedo hits 1
PC Ch 17


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 3

no losses

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Florida Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 45,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
A6M3 Zero x 17
G3M Nell x 18
E13A1 Jake x 7
Ki-21 Sally x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19
F6F Hellcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 10 destroyed
G3M Nell x 11 damaged
E13A1 Jake x 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally x 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally x 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged
F6F Hellcat x 2 destroyed
F6F Hellcat x 1 damaged

ENS N.Kelly of VF-25 is credited with kill number 3

Allied Ships
CV Victorious, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVL Belleau Wood, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CL Phoenix
CL Cleveland, Bomb hits 1
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVL Cowpens


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

[RGIJN]

Mid July 1943....

In order to avoid mutiny and not just sitting idle, we sent KB south again. After cruising NW of New Caledonia for a day or two, the enemy decided to pull down his few carriers from station off Koumac. The result was a slaughter, all the remaining allied CVs sunk for not a single hit on our own.







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M3 Zero x 26
D3A Val x 83
B5N Kate x 33
F1M2 Pete x 21
E13A1 Jake x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
F6F Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 destroyed
D3A Val x 27 damaged
B5N Kate x 9 destroyed
B5N Kate x 19 damaged
F1M2 Pete x 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete x 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged
F6F Hellcat x 1 damaged

LTJG G.Madison of VF-42 is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Victorious, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Cowpens, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A Val x 23

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 13 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

ENS O.Dallas of VF-25 is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
CV Victorious, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 28
D3A Val x 25
B5N Kate x 38

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 9 damaged


ENS O.Dallas of VF-25 is credited with kill number 3

Allied Ships
CVL Cowpens, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA San Juan, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, on fire, heavy damage
CV Victorious, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 11
A6M2 Zero x 122
A6M3 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 28 destroyed

ENS B.Kanzaki of AII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53
A6M3 Zero x 14
D3A Val x 80
B5N Kate x 40
F1M2 Pete x 5
E13A1 Jake x 10

no losses

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Victorious, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA San Juan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M2 Zero x 10
D3A Val x 11

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,59

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete x 6 destroyed
F1M2 Pete x 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Hobart
CA Shropshire, Bomb hits 1
DD Converse


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

[RGIJN]

second helping....

The enemy sent his surface fleet into reach of our A/C


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,61

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 89

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 20 destroyed
D3A Val x 53 damaged

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Bomb hits 1
BB Mississippi, Bomb hits 7, on fire
BB New Mexico, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 4, on fire
BB Massachusetts, Bomb hits 13
DD Jenkins
BB Indiana, Bomb hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,61

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 25
B5N Kate x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 8 damaged
B5N Kate x 7 destroyed
B5N Kate x 7 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Bomb hits 4, on fire
BB Massachusetts
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,61

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 14
B5N Kate x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 13 damaged
B5N Kate x 16 destroyed
B5N Kate x 13 damaged

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis
CL Hobart
DD Thatcher
CA Shropshire, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Baltimore
DD Foote
CA Wichita, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,61

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 10 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Hull, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wadsworth, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


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

[RGIJN]

KB recently sailed again, first heading for the Hebrides but after being spotted they went after Northern Australia.

Today, the strikes hit Cooktown airdrome causing some moderate damage. During the day our CAP shot down 101 enemy a/c (Boomerangs, Beaufighters, Lightnings, Warhawks and other types) for the loss of 38 of our own.



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/27/43

Weather: Clear


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 136
A6M3 Zero x 48
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Boomerang x 22
Beaufighter VIC x 19
P-40E Warhawk x 44
P-38G Lightning x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 23 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Boomerang x 22 destroyed
Beaufighter VIC x 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 51 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 8 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 16 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 14 damaged

LTJG O.Minobe of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 12


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Cooktown , at 6,53

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 158
B5N Kate x 70
E13A1 Jake x 1

Allied aircraft

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 9 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell x 14 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 190
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 48
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 110



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 7
A6M2 Zero x 119
A6M3 Zero x 52
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 5

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC x 1 damaged


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 7
A6M2 Zero x 119
A6M3 Zero x 52
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 3

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC x 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed

LTJG R.Hirata of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 8


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 51,44


PO2 B.Doigawa of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3

CPT H.Schmax of 6th TCS bails out WOUNDED and is RESCUED
Japanese Ships
SS I-169

Allied Ships
AV Tangier, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


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

[RGIJN]

enemy Corsairs based in the Northern Hebrides are going to start taking some heavy toll on my stubbornly attacking aircraft.

However, reinforcement stocks are filled more than sufficient to fuel another five months of massacre... [:D] Most of the deployed units aren´t aces anyway (many of them IJA).

So on the one hand some squadrons (mostly fighters) start to "disintegrate" into the 40s EXP range, while on the other hand I still have plenty of 80+ Betty units and most of the KB core with 90+ Vals & Kates (embarked on 1st & 2nd Carrier division AKAGI, KAGA, SORYU & HIRYU).

[RGIJN]

more meat for the Imperial grinder....


The enemy used the time of KB´s absence in Eastern waters for some naval movements. However, we hurried back as fast as possible to greet them with some heavy pounding....






AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/02/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy


Air attack on TF at 41,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 7
A6M2 Zero x 117
A6M3 Zero x 48
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 5

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 6 destroyed

WO S.Doikawa of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 7
A6M2 Zero x 117
A6M3 Zero x 48
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 6
TBF Avenger x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat x 6 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 10 destroyed

CPO H.Inano of BII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 10


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




Air attack on TF at 48,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
A6M3 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 66
B5N Kate x 37
E13A1 Jake x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
F6F Hellcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 6 destroyed
D3A Val x 16 damaged
B5N Kate x 8 destroyed
B5N Kate x 19 damaged
E13A1 Jake x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
F6F Hellcat x 1 destroyed

CPO K. Yanagiya of F1/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon, Bomb hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Oakland
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Selfridge
CLAA Atlanta
DD Hutchins, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 48,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
D3A Val x 49
B5N Kate x 17

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

LT S. Mori of BII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6

Allied Ships
CVE Sangamon, Bomb hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Selfridge, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 48,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 46
B5N Kate x 26

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

LCDR T.Kawakubo of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 5

PO2 J.Kanzaki of F2/6th Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED

Allied Ships
DD Helm
DD Selfridge, on fire
CLAA Oakland, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 48,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N Kate x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1
F6F Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 9 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

LTJG J.Lawson of VF-42 is KILLED

Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Torpedo hits 1
BB Massachusetts


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

[RGIJN]

Their TFs sat off Gavigamana, just in torpedo reach today.

[RGIJN]

August 25th 1943


not too much to report. The Allies use their LBA to pound our outer base network, mainly Irau, GG and PM. Recently they sunk some APs. From time to time their subs sink a few imperial transport craft.

But aside from this, our assets are still pretty intact & strong. Airforce, LCUs and fleet eagerly expect the final moves of the enemy...

about 800 landbased fighters, 600 medium bombers, 12 CVs (>700 A/C embarked), ten BBs, 30 cruisers, ~85 DDs are ready to give a warm welcome [:D]

[RGIJN]

the enemy again tries to get troops ashore....

There was cover from carriers or surface fleets, just some P-38s flying LRCAP from Nevea. So we immediately launched a fierce counteraction with BBs and aircraft.

Here is the result. Most allied transport vessels sunk or heavily damaged. Many US & NZ soldiers killed offshore...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/29/43

Weather: Rain

Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano, Shell hits 3
DD Terusuki
DD Susuzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Niizuki
DD Nowaki
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki
DD Shirayuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Mutsuki
DD Satsuki
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
MSW Requisite
MSW Revenge
MSW Sage, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AK Propus, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Venus, Shell hits 30, and is sunk
AK Ara
AK Ascella
AK Cheleb
AK Kenmore, Shell hits 42, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK De Grasse, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Prince Georges
AK Allegan, on fire
AK Appanoose
AK Indus, on fire, heavy damage
AK Saggittarius, on fire
AK Tuscana, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Zebra, Shell hits 1
AK Alamosa
AK Antrim
AK Autauga
AK Beaverhead
AK Beltrami
AK Caledonia, Shell hits 3
AK Chicot


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 2354
Guns lost 7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
CA Aoba, Shell hits 2
CA Kinugasa
CL Natori
DD Shiranui
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma
DD Asagiri
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
MSW Ipswich, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
SC 982, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
AK Centarus, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Aquarius, on fire, heavy damage
AK Bootes
AP Doyen
AP Du Page, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Custer
AP Cambria
AP Wanganella, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Alkaid, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Crux
AK Alderamin
AK Zaurak
AK Matar, on fire
AK Menkar
AK Megrez
AK Phobos, on fire
AK Arkab


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 1469
Guns lost 10


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CL Natori
DD Shiranui
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma
DD Asagiri
DD Amagiri

Allied Ships
AK Melucta, Shell hits 13, and is sunk


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 975


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 40,42

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
SS Triton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Dobadura , at 13,38


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 31
B-25J Mitchell x 94


no losses

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 62


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Wau , at 8,35

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 19
Ki-48 Lily x 21

no losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 18
TBF Avenger x 8


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 32

Runway hits 3

Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x TBF Avenger at 5000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M3 Zero x 32
Ki-51 Sonia x 9
Ki-21 Sally x 17
Ki-48 Lily x 12
Ki-49 Helen x 5

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia x 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 7 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 3 damaged

1LT J.Morrissey of 36th FS is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
AK Antrim, Bomb hits 1
AK Beltrami
AK Prince Georges, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alamosa, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Beaverhead
AK Allegan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MSW Revenge, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 5
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
A6M3 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 23
Ki-48 Lily x 17

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 4 destroyed

1LT N.Donahue of 39th FS is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
AK Centarus, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Custer, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Matar, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alderamin, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Zaurak, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Phobos, on fire
AK Crux, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Cambria, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 146
Guns lost 2



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


ouch.... that hurts!

[RGIJN]

and there are still thousands of mines...

[RGIJN]

the next turn.... bloody as ever.

Our brave heavy cruiser ASHIGARA sunk, along with several DDs. But the enemy paid a high price again for this achievement.





AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/31/43

Weather: Clear

Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Myoko, Shell hits 7
CA Haguro, Shell hits 3
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 28, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yura, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kinu, Shell hits 19, on fire
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 27, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kazegumo, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Usugumo, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Oboro, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akebono, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Hobart, Shell hits 26, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Nashville, Shell hits 2
CL Cleveland, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Columbia, Shell hits 7
CL Denver, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Mobile
DD Chevalier, Shell hits 1
DD Saufley
DD Taylor, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Pringle
DD Cony, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Converse, Shell hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
DD Terusuki
DD Susuzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Niizuki
DD Nowaki
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki
DD Shirayuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Mutsuki
DD Satsuki
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
MSW Requisite, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Cheleb, on fire, heavy damage
AK Appanoose, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AK Indus, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AK Zebra
AK Alamosa, on fire, heavy damage
AK Beaverhead, heavy damage
AK Beltrami
AK Caledonia, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Chicot


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
DD Terusuki
DD Susuzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Niizuki
DD Nowaki
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki
DD Shirayuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Mutsuki
DD Satsuki
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
AK Aquarius, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Bootes, on fire, heavy damage
AP Doyen, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
AP Custer, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
AP Cambria, Shell hits 28, on fire, heavy damage
AK Crux
AK Zaurak, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Menkar, on fire
AK Megrez
AK Phobos, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arkab


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 20


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
DD Terusuki
DD Susuzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Niizuki
DD Nowaki
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki
DD Shirayuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Mutsuki
DD Satsuki
DD Fumizuki

Allied Ships
AK Cheleb, on fire, heavy damage
AK Zebra, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Alamosa, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Beaverhead, on fire, heavy damage
AK Beltrami, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Caledonia, and is sunk
AK Chicot


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Irau, at 42,43


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 59
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lunga at 38,40

Allied Ships
SS Flying Fish


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lunga at 38,40

Allied Ships
SS Scamp


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-51 Sonia x 6
Ki-48 Lily x 13
Ki-49 Helen x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed

1LT A.Patocka of 39th FS is credited with kill number 3

Allied Ships
AK Cheleb, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Chicot
AK Beaverhead, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 2
Ki-21 Sally x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
LST 399
APD Sands

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 20
D3A Val x 3
E7K2 Alf x 4
Ki-21 Sally x 1
Ki-48 Lily x 28

no losses

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD Cony, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 31
B-25J Mitchell x 99


no losses

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 69


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Wau , at 8,35

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 19
Ki-48 Lily x 19

no losses

Runway hits 2



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 18
TBF Avenger x 8


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31

Runway hits 4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 31
B-17E Fortress x 37
PB4Y Liberator x 28
B-24D Liberator x 55


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 84

Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 101



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,49

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily x 2 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 14 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Sigourney, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Dyson, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Hudson


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,44

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3 Zero x 35
D3A Val x 30
E7K2 Alf x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 16
Ki-48 Lily x 25
Ki-49 Helen x 5

no losses

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 14, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27654 troops, 368 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 28678 troops, 338 guns, 9 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 4

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 16


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 26174 troops, 338 guns, 9 vehicles

Defending force 28432 troops, 385 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 2


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