The last charge: Toraq´s fight against Timtom

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/13/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Heavies over Lunga
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 59***6 lost due to op. losses***

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 376

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 64

Buna air battle
Last air battle since I´ve retired my datais to get some R&R

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 29
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 19

Allied aircraft ***Timtom is trying to wipe out my CAP***
P-40E Kittyhawk x 41
P-40E Warhawk x 23
P-38G Lightning x 22
A-20B Havoc x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed ***from the 6th datai, one unit that I´m studying lately***
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 3 destroyed x 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 6 damaged

PO1 L.Ogawa of F1/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 3

SLDR W. Arthur of No. 76 Sqn RAAF is KILLED

[toraq]

Oppppppppps! My Emilys detected at least one CV very close to Irau. Don´t know what are those ships doing there. Maybe he was trying to flank me just to strike Shortland.
Moreover, 147 have been spotted in Irau, probably covering one transport TF unloading supplies or fuel there. Also some BBs have been discovered close to Irau. To protect those ships?
Anyway, I´ve delayed the invasion of Tulagi at least until I see the things clearer. My CVs and some other ships sailed out of Short. My APs (invasion TF) have been discovered).

Buna attacked
Buna was attacked but without escorts!!!. Later on he launched a deliberate attack. But my level 9 forts caused some casualities!.[;)]

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 23
A-20B Boston x 11
B-25D Mitchell x 23
B-26B Marauder x 80
B-24D Liberator x 21
A-20B Havoc x 26

Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Boston x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 231

Ground combat

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 26932 troops, 289 guns, 52 vehicles
Defending force 38298 troops, 406 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 194
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 349
Guns lost 2

[toraq]

Enemy movements
CVs spotted close to Irau. They have been approahing slowly...Intentions
a) Supply and reinforce Tulagi: this would be a major problem since I´m about to invade it. But it is too dangerous (still) to get close to Tulagi.
b) Supply and reinforce Irau, yes it could be. Also some other ships and a strong CAP there but why?. Why does he use APs in a level 0 port?
c) He wants to strike Vella Lavella or even Short.It is not a bad idea since they are important bases.
d) Provoque a carrier battle. Since my Kate pilots are not as good as before and he may have 1 or 2 CVs plus 3 or 4 CVEs, he will win. This is the only thing that may give him the victory

My movements
I ordered all my ships to withdraw to a point NE of Short. It is a trick because he may think that I´m retiring but at the same time I´m grouping my ships for the Tulagi invasion. By this way I can surprise him!
On the other hand, I ordered most of my Zeros to CAP Short and Vella Lab.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/15/42
Weather: Clear

Submarine warfare
Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42
Japanese Ships
SS RO-34

Allied Ships
AP Esperance Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Buna attacked
Allied power over NG is becoming overwhelming[:(]

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18
B-24D Liberator x 19

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed x 7 damaged ***2 lost***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 27

Air attack on 41st Regiment, at 12,38

Allied aircraft **this air attack really hurt 41st rgt.***
Hudson x 26
Beaufighter VIC x 15
Wirraway x 33
P-400 Airacobra x 21
P-39D Airacobra x 119***[:(] getting stronger***
A-20B Boston x 9
B-25D Mitchell x 19
B-26B Marauder x 78
A-20B Havoc x 22
P-39D Airacobra x 22

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 299

Ground combat at Buna

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 26586 troops, 287 guns, 52 vehicles
Defending force 37789 troops, 405 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9)
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 219
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 176
Guns lost 1

[toraq]

Timtom has moved one Rgt to Nazgad?, I suppose to attack Lae. My Naval Garrison there won´t resist. But one Bde is not enough for the Lae garrison.
Enemy CVs are closer to Irau, very strange but still far from my ships. I can´t invade Tulagi until they retreat to Noumea. And then it would be late (I think to start the operation).
Tomorrow I´ll send my bombers to Pm. There are soooo many allied planes there (800 or 900) that I can´t resist. Many planes put on sweep mission (70) and 48 Zeroes will escort the bombers. We will see...

Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 36 ***2 lost***


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 269

Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 41st Regiment, at 12,38 ***poor guys***

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 28
Beaufighter VIC x 16
Wirraway x 36
P-400 Airacobra x 22
P-39D Airacobra x 126
B-25D Mitchell x 29
B-26B Marauder x 99
P-39D Airacobra x 22

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 272
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD Dauntless x 65

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 37

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 3

Ground combat at Buna

Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 30692 troops, 326 guns, 52 vehicles
Defending force 37356 troops, 404 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 163

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 286
Guns lost 2

[toraq]

It seems that Timtom saw my intentions and PM was strongly LCAP. Allied lost 31 planes to 21 for the IJ. But final losses were 33 vs 28, so a pirric victory. Despite my great effort, some enemy fighters were able to shoot down 3 Nelly [:(]
And guess what, despite PM packed with 800 planes or so, 1 one destroyed on the ground...Complaining? I´m not complaining!

A6M3 proved to be still better than P40 and Beaufighters but the P38 is another thing. However 10 P38 were lost. I lost two very good pilots due to op. losses (I think) including F1/6th datai commander and also one ace.
Oscar performed well but most of the times only managed to damage enemy planes. And no less than 7 were shot down or lost.

Not a very good day[:(]

Submarine warfare

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
APD McKean, Torpedo hits 3 on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 33

PM attack

Fighter sweep
(two times)

J1N1-R Irving x 1
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 21
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21
A6M3 Zero x 33

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 15
P-40E Kittyhawk x 37
P-40E Warhawk x 20
P-38G Lightning x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 7 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5 destroyed x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC x 2 destroyed x 4 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 11 destroyed x 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 9 destroyed x 5 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 6 destroyed x 6 damaged

ENS V.Obayashi of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 5 (later killed or lost)
LTJG T.Fukada of F2/6th Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED
CPO C.Chono of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Bombers attack
Some P38 and kitty get through my escorts and shoot down 3 Nells
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
G3M Nell x 36
G4M1 Betty x 35

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 11
P-38G Lightning x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
G3M Nell x 4 destroyed x 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk x 3 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 6 destroyed x 1 damaged
A-20B Boston x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged ***Only this aircraft destroyed on the ground[:@][:@]***

LTJG D.Sugiyama of F2/252nd Daitai is credited with kill number 5
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 92

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 27

Nadzab occupied
I didn´t want to resist here...Salamaua is more important![:'(]

Ground combat at Nadzab

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 3039 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 460 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 54 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Nadzab base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 16

[toraq]

Just forgot it..enemy CVs retreating but still close enough to strike Short or Vella Lavella next turn, so watch out!!!
He won´t surprise me[:-]

[toraq]

Nothing changed from the last post. Enemy CVs still around...

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
DD Farragut, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22583 troops, 308 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 32944 troops, 323 guns, 52 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 28333 troops, 323 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 37119 troops, 403 guns, 0 vehicles

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Salamaua

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7566 troops, 69 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 13242 troops, 189 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 29

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[toraq]

THE INVASION OF TULAGI BEGINS!!!!!!!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/20/42

Weather: Overcast

Night bombardments

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 17

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Port hits 4

Air support
Air attack on 2nd Marine Regiment, at 38,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G3M Nell x 14
G4M1 Betty x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13


Enemy P39 destroyed while attacking my invasion forces
***I lost this part of the combat report but it is more or less this way***

Air attack on TF at 39,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 70

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21
P-39D Airacobra x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 destroyed x 4 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 12 destroyed x 3 damaged

Enemy C.47 intercepted over Nadzab
3 of them shot down but P38 LCAP destroyed 5 of our aircraft (or so) while 3 of them were also shot down

[toraq]

Tulagi invasion TFs are unloading troops. But they suffered some damage from CD unit. In my scen 19 game, my 2 CD units at PM are not as effective as these!. This game is so strange sometimes!!.

His naval bombers are now based at Irau. Timtom has told me that the Tulagi invasion caught by surprise...Ufffff!. Yes his CVs have been spotted near NG where they launched an air attack.
My strong CAP over my ships shot down 63 planes. So congratulations, guys!. But also some of my best pilots suffered from op. losses. and got killed [:(]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/21/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Night bombardments

Airbase hits 2
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 3

(the second TF could not bomb because of CD unit fire???...who knows!!!)

Naval bombers at Irau attack invasion TF
Despite I choose my DD to increase my AA fire, only few of them were lost. But no complains of the results. I´ve mixed the results (various strikes)

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71
A6M3 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 45
SBD Dauntless x 65
P-40E Warhawk x 6
TBF Avenger x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 12 destroyed x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28 destroyed x 3 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 37 destroyed x 29 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 4 destroyed x 2 damage
TBF Avenger x 8 damage

LTJG P.Nojima of F1/253rd Daitai is credited with kill number 7
CPO I. Miyazaki of F2/252nd Daitai is credited with kill number 5
LTJG P.Nojima of F1/253rd Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED
LTJG L.Imamura of F2/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 3
2LT N.Garrett of VMF-224 is KILLED

Japanese Ships
AP Shozan Maru, on fire
AP Miike Maru
AP Azuma Maru
AP Aiyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Uzuki

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 49
Vehicles lost 1

Most of the SBD damaged were due to flak fire. Almost every one could land safely at Irau

Yunagi is sunk by LB from PM
Yunagi had struck a deadly Mk16 mine while on FT mission (which was aborted). Look the precision...deadly

P-40E Kittyhawk x 32
A-20B Boston x 11
Beaufighter VIC x 15
Wirraway x 32
P-40E Warhawk x 15

DD Yunagi, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
All attacking at 1000 feet

Lae heavily attacked
Lae was closed once, trapping some planes there...204 runaway hits[X(]

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 12
P-40E Kittyhawk x 41
B-25D Mitchell x 30
B-26B Marauder x 97
A-20B Havoc x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 410
Guns lost 2

Enemy troops at Buna are increasing
7 Rgts there including 4 Aussies Bdes. But still far from 1:1 odd

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29760 troops, 320 guns, 52 vehicles

Defending force 36351 troops, 401 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 7 [:@]

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 310

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 381

[toraq]

Some strange movements detected:

a) PTs from Irau came to attack my invasion TFs. But my commanders, despite being escorted by several DDs, decided to retreat from Tulagi, avoiding contact
b) Later on they returned to Tulagi but no time for unloading troops
c) PTs attacked during daytime and were sunk

Well, no damage was done by this little escorpions but they delayed my TFs. Since his CD unit is quite deadly against my ships (of course not in my scen 19 game), this is a major mishap. I ordered 3 APs to withdraw as they got only supplies and they are moderately damaged. However 1 APs was lost, mainly die to aerial bombs but I think 2 more APs will join him soon (including one 3000 cargo ship).

In the air, my Zeroes showed superior but time is changing and today losses were almost the same. This is the end of an era...

TULAGI INVASION

Betties attack Marines
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 22
G4M1 Betty x 41
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 30

Naval bombers try to sneak CAP
And they managed to do it. My Zero pilots are tired...Only one air mission today as weather avoided further missios from Irau

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
TBF Avenger x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 6
B-25D Mitchell x 12
B-26B Marauder x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 destroyed x 1 damaged
TBF Avenger x 3 destroyed x 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed x 1 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 destroyed x 6 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 5 damaged

PO2 S. Matsuki of F2/Tainan Daitai is credited with kill number 5
CPO I. Miyazaki of F2/252nd Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED

Japanese Ships
AP Aki Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Arizona Maru
DD Fumizuki
AP Azuma Maru
DD Mochizuki
AP Aiyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage ***from B26 I think, later sunk***
DD Asakaze

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10
Guns lost 1

Day naval battle
Japanese Ships ***see how many DD the TF got. All of them with high AA values***
DD Uzuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Mochizuki
DD Yuzuki
DD Asakaze
PC Ch 23
AP Aiyo Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Aki Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Arimasan Maru
AP Arizona Maru
AP Asahisan Maru
AP Azuma Maru
AP Heiyo Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Miike Maru
AP Shozan Maru
AP Yamakuni Maru

Allied Ships
PT 37, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT 38
PT 39, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT 46, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 106***why I lose men, it´s a mistery***


Shortland heavily damaged
Runaway damage is 84[X(]. I don´t know if tomorrow my bombers will fly missions

Air attack on Shortland Island , at 29,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 26
P-38G Lightning x 14
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-24D Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
no losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 28

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 36

Air battles over Lae
Just to save my trapped planes of being destroyed like the last time, I put my Zeroes on CAP. Not very favourable figures...[:(]. They keep coming and coming, and B26 proved to be very hard to shoot down.

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 16
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 9
A-20B Boston x 13
B-26B Marauder x 90
A-20B Havoc x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3 destroyed x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed
A-20B Boston x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 8 damaged ***AA fire was fierce***
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged

ENS U.Imamura of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 5

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 182
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 12
Runway hits 83

[toraq]

My transport TFs almost unloaded the troops but many supplies still waiting!. I´ve decided to withdraw as I have enough troops to overun the Tulagi garrison. However 3 APs (3000 cargo ships) will have to stay. They´re so damaged that they won´t make it. And since they got troops inside, we will try to unload them.

Thus, my entire fleet will retreat also. I don´t know where are his ships or CVs, subs are around and Zero pilots are very tired and with low morale. Flying LCAP mission during thunderstorms makes the pilots sick .

Enemy intentions
No idea!. Don´t know where are the CVs...I´m very afraid of those navy pilots. They are quite good putting 1000 lb bombs in my transports.
My recon planes spotted 120 bombers at Irau and 85 at GG. I think he´s planning a big raid over Short or Vella Lavella. This could hurt me a lot so I ordered 2 datais to CAP these places.

Anyway weather avoided a big attack against my transport TF. So I´m a lucky man![;)]. Some air combats over Lae and Buna but I won´t post them because I want to eat dinner now!


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/23/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Ground combat at Tulagi

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15261 troops, 186 guns, 18 vehicles

Defending force 7565 troops, 86 guns, 6 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 115

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 256

[toraq]

Internet is not working well...[>:]
Today showed US power, above and under the water [:(]. I have ordered my BBs to retreat to Buka. If I hadn´t done it, we would have seen a BIG naval battle!. The ships left at Tulagi went to the bottom of that cursed place. The others managed to flee and escape from enemy bombers (I think)

Next movements
For me, the battle is over. I´ve ordered a general retreat. I´m up 1200 points or so, and with the fall of Tulagi I should add another 100 VP.
My fighters (morale below 50 in most cases) have been spread all over the IJ bases (hate op. losses!) and the same with the bombers.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/24/42

Weather: Rain

Submarine warfare
I won´t complain....SS-41 started the job and BBs finished later

Sub attack near Tulagi at 38,39

Japanese Ships ***both 3000 cargo ships, with some troops still inside***
AP Heiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
AP Aki Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS S-41

Japanese ground losses:[:@]
Men lost 11
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 17

BB attack the last AP left
Americans are not brave...They were so afraid of IJ power that they retrated without rescuing IJ soldiers!. Some reports said that Army commanders have ordered "no prisioners". Tulagi garrison will be reduced until the last man.

Japanese Ships
AP Arimasan Maru, Shell hits 32, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Washington
BB South Dakota
CA Portland
CL Leander
CL St. Louis
DD O'Bannon
DD Helm
DD Gridley
DD Porter
DD Selfridge

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 324
Guns lost 5

I-26 put a torpedo in the BB Washington.
Don´t think he did a lot of damage but it´s a kind of revenge!

Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
BB Washington, Torpedo hits 1

Tulagi garrison sentenced

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 16273 troops, 195 guns, 18 vehicles
Defending force 7330 troops, 86 guns, 6 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 180

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 300
Guns lost 1

NG front

Timtom kept his attacks to Buna and Lae. This time changing objectives. A CD unit at Lae was heavily attacked by LB from PM.


Ground combat at Buna

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28935 troops, 315 guns, 52 vehicles
Defending force 35485 troops, 396 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4) ***reducing the forts fast!***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 159

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 353
Guns lost 1

[toraq]

Today allied airpower appeared again and 170 Rgt (Tulagi) was devastated by naval bombers. Disruption 100, fatigue 70 or so. Meanwhile, my Datais are still resting. Almost everyone has morale below 50 (still). Tomorow I´ll send some betties to help my men at Tulagi. We don´t want Timtom to break our final victory[:-].

Buna attacked
41st regiment (the one attacked) is extremely damaged. No guns left, only 25% of his strenght still ready.

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft ***no escorts, does this mean Timtom is sending everything no matter what happens?***
Wirraway x 27
P-400 Airacobra x 21
P-39D Airacobra x 124
A-20B Boston x 9
A-20B Havoc x 24
P-39D Airacobra x 18
B-26B Marauder x 68

Allied aircraft losses ***some of them by AA fire***
Wirraway x 1 destroyed x 4 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed x 4 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 2 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed x 3 damaged

WO W.Fujita of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 5

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 123
Guns lost 1

Tulagi force attacked
And thus, assault strenght has been reduced. Back to 1:1 odds

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 34
SBD Dauntless x 67
TBF Avenger x 10
B-25D Mitchell x 16


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 151
Guns lost 1

Ground combat at Tulagi

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15865 troops, 193 guns, 18 vehicles

Defending force 7094 troops, 85 guns, 6 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 81

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 207

[toraq]

No Tulagi won´t fall [:(]. Timtom reinforced it just in front of my nose!. And entire RCT landed there to reinforce the Marines!
In the air, Rufes were wiped out by P38 and his beaufighters proved to be deadly. Two DD almost scuttled [:(]
A very sad day for the Empire[:(]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/26/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Kavieng´s port attacked, DD docked attacked!

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2
Hudson x 30
Beaufighter VIC x 12

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina x 1 damaged
Hudson x 2 damaged
Beaufighter VIC x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships (docked)
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Onami, Shell hits 12, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 18

Port hits 2

P38 sweep Buna skies

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed x 2 damaged

LTJG T.Kumagaya of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 3

CPT D. Mcgovern of 35th FS bails out and is CAPTURED

And then his bombers visit one of my Rgts (144th Regiment). But Buna still in IJ hands [:)]

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 28
P-400 Airacobra x 20
P-39D Airacobra x 123
A-20B Boston x 6
B-26B Marauder x 59
A-20B Havoc x 20
P-39D Airacobra x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed ***by B26***

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 189


Tulagi heavy attacked
Yes, guys, this is the power of the USN now [X(]

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
SBD Dauntless x 131
TBF Avenger x 38
P-40E Warhawk x 8
B-25D Mitchell x 18

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 187

And thus, back to a not promision 0:1 odd

Ground combat at Tulagi

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15397 troops, 193 guns, 18 vehicles

Defending force 10937 troops, 143 guns, 6 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 119

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 54

My Zeroes are still very tired and with low morale [:(][:(]. But some of them reached the critical "50" morale so I put them to LCAP Tulagi. No way I can help those guys of the Imperial Army...

[toraq]

In two days this scen will have finished and I´ll be very relieved. Tulagi is now (as Lunga) a mousetrap!. If this had been another scen. I should effort myselt to solve this problem but because this scen is almost done, I won´t risk any important assest (ie. BB, CVs) So my CVs are definately going to Truk and should transfer some Zero to important bases, just to protect them!

Allied mauled every single base...and some of them are closed [:(], porving that only few bombers are needed to destroy the runway[:(]

Tulagi mousetrap


Naval bombardment of Tulagi, at 38,39

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 88

Air attack on 78th Regiment, at 38,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed [:(]

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 10 damaged ***not a single one shot down[:(]***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 114

Air attack on 78th Regiment, at 38,39
Since his bombers closed Vella Lavella, no Zeroes were flying over Tulagi [:(]

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
TBF Avenger x 28

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 9

Ground combat at Tulagi

Japanese Deliberate attack***My last deliberate attack***

Attacking force 15118 troops, 193 guns, 18 vehicles

Defending force 10876 troops, 143 guns, 6 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 472
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 140

Yes, I could send more troops to Tulagi but I don´t want to risk my ships. Moreover I spent most of my reserves so I guess there are no troops left!. I´m sure Timtom doesn´t have more troops since I destroyed his crack div. at Lunga[:)] (long time ago...)

Vella Lavella out of action
Runaway 81....[:(]. Fortunately I got 100 engineers there,. Don´t you think that this is a little bit unfair. When I bombed Irau (same size Vella Lavella) I NEVER reach this results...

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 23
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-24D Liberator x 13

Japanese aircraft losses ***all on the ground[:(]***
D3A Val x 3 destroyed x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed x 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed x 3 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 31 ***Runaway damage 81!!!***

Sweep mission over Short
I had not put this battle in my post but my best ace saw his last dawn today[:(]. Mixed the two sweep missions

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 32
F-5A Lightning x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed x 2 damaged

PO1 C.Doikawa of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 12
PO1 C.Doikawa of EII-1 Daitai is KILLED [:(][:(][:(]

[toraq]

More air battles over Lae. More losses. More good pilots won´t see the sun again[:(]
No much to say except that i put some betties and nells on naval attack. If I damage one CA or CV, I can get more VP!...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/28/42

Weather: Clear

Lae battle

First, the fighter sweep

Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 18
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 23

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2
P-38G Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina x 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed

WO A.Morita of F1/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 4
LCDR I.Fujita of F1/6th Daitai is KILLED

Then the bombers

Air attack on 80th Regiment, at 9,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 13
A-20B Boston x 9
B-26B Marauder x 61
A-20B Havoc x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed [:@]

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed x 2 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

LTJG V.Banno of F2/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 4

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 52

Finally he tried the strong defenses of Lae. [:-]

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6901 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 15308 troops, 150 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 52

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 293 ***the only good news***
Guns lost 1

Hudson over Rabaul
Yes, yes some operational losses due to this extended range missions

Allied aircraft ***several strikes***
Hudson x 15
Hudson x 6
Hudson x 3
Hudson x 8

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 2 destroyed x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki
CL Isuzu
CL Yura

Buna express

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 24
P-400 Airacobra x 17
P-39D Airacobra x 105
P-38G Lightning x 13
P-39D Airacobra x 17

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway x 1 damaged
P-400 Airacobra x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed x 9 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 46
Guns lost 1

[toraq]

Weather force our entire airfleets to stand down, except the B24 which visited Rabaul with high losses.

Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-24D Liberator x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-I Topsy x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 2 destroyed x 6 damaged ***4 lost***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 9

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 22


Lunga attacked
I guess he enjoys this, but I´ve abandond those guys...

Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 2
B-25D Mitchell x 19
B-26B Marauder x 14

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 129

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 24

[toraq]

Well my brave soldiers at Tulagi don´t want to fail in his objective. I ordered a final shock attack, and they gained a promising 1:1 odd. So in the last turn I ordered all my LB to attack the forces there. Even my CVs have been sent to launch a final air raid against the US garrison there!

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Rabaul at 21,28

Lae fighter sweep
Zero pilot beated by this powerful aircraft!!.

Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
A6M3 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed x 2 damaged

2LT G. Goolsby of 35th FS is credited with kill number 2


Tulagi Shock attack


Ground combat at Tulagi

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 14694 troops, 190 guns, 18 vehicles

Defending force 10834 troops, 143 guns, 6 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 621
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 215

[toraq]

LAST POST
Tulagi was not taken finally[:(]. Some last air battles over Tulagi but nothing else.

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 12,37

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukaze
DD Takanami
DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage***didn´t sink***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Kavieng , at 18,24

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 23

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 damaged

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 2

Air attack on Shortland Island , at 29,34

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 17
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-24D Liberator x 14

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Akitsuki, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage***didn´t sink****

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 120

Port hits 7
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 35th Regimental Combat Team, at 38,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 25
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 35th Regimental Combat Team, at 38,39

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 11
G4M1 Betty x 14
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13

Attacking Level Bombers:
10 x G3M Nell at 6000 feet
14 x G4M1 Betty at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 78th Regiment, at 38,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 15 damaged ***4 lost but none of the b17 turned back, I watched the morale and all of them had 50 or more...some even 90!!!!. Sometimes I can´t understand this game***

LCDR N.Kurakane of F1/253rd Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 54

Ground combat at Tulagi

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 14160 troops, 188 guns, 18 vehicles

Defending force 10667 troops, 143 guns, 6 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 436
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 111
Guns lost 1

FINAL RESULT: JAPANESE DECISIVE VICTORY!!!

[toraq]

The final numbers...I think Timtom will put a more detailed stats. He really likes it. I´m trying to do some search about pilots...but it takes some time. You´ll see.