Rematch by Proxy: Scn.7, Grunt6971 vs Timtom

[timtom]

Pretty quiet. Shoehorn TF's are bunkering and marshalling off Koumac. I don't really have a proper handle on Scott's heavy units and a recent resurgence in enemy bomber strength - if intel is anything to go by - is giving some pause to thought as how I'm going to protect my TF's at Tulagi. It's not so much the bombers themselves that's the problem - I can put plenty of fighters up over Tulagi - but Scott's starkly superior surface potential. On my last Lunga run, I used the CV's to cover the Slot and struck Shortland. Now bases are proliferating throughout New Georgia (Kates, Vals, Zero's) and 60-odd Betty's out of Rabaul + 100 or more Zero's. Hmm...

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,246/3,715 = 1.00:1.65
Week 1: 2,394/3,731 = 1.00:1.56
Week 2: 2,739/3,868 = 1.00:1.41
Week 3: 2,889/3,889 = 1.00:1.35
Week 4: 3,861/3,979 = 1.00:1.03
Week 5: 4,190/4,214 = 1.00:1.01
Week 6: 4,362/4,262 = 1.02:1.00
Week 7: 4,515/4,487 = 1.01:1.00
Week 8: 4,757/4,602 = 1.03:1.00
Week 9: 4,976/4,699 = 1.06:1.00
Week 10: 5,157/4,829 = 1.07:1.00
Week 11: 5,296/4,824 = 1.10:1.00

Army Losses:

18/105 = 1.00:5.83

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xBB, 1xCA, 2XDD, 1xMSW, 2xSC, 1xAV, 2xAO, 1xAP, 7xAK
Damaged: 3xCA, 2xCL, 9xDD, 2xAPD, 1xPG, 4xSS, 1xAO, 5xAP, 1xAK

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 2xCV, 1xCVL, 1xCVE, 2xCA, 1xCL, 10xDD, 3xAPD, 5xML, 5xMSW, 2xPG, 3xPC, 3xSS, 3xAO, 3xTK, 20xAP
Damaged: 3xCA, 2xCL, 6xDD, 1xAPD, 1xMSW, 1xPG, 4xSS, 1xTK, 12xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 509/498 = 1.02:1.00

Week 1: 8/22 = 1.00:2.75
Week 2: 25/29 = 1.00:1.16
Week 3: 3/5 = 1.00:1.67
Week 4: 90/141 = 1.00:1.57
Week 5: 165/75 = 2.20:1.00
Week 6: 23/46 = 1.00:2.00
Week 7: 16/21 = 1.00:1.31
Week 8: 31/28 = 1.11:1.00
Week 9: 59/56 = 1.05:1.00
Week 10: 67/48 = 1.40:1.00
Week 11: 22/27 = 1.00:1.23

Air-to-Air: 357/192 = 1.86:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 8/29 = 1.00:3.63
Destroyed by AAA: 79/58 = 1.36:1.00
Operational Losses: 65/219 = 1.00:3.37

Sorties Flown:

Total: 39,096/40,326 = 1.00:1.03

Week 1: 2,329/1,123 = 2.07:1.00
Week 2: 3,630/2,381 = 1.52:1.00
Week 3: 2,673/3,581 = 1.00:1.34
Week 4: 4,374/3,512 = 1.25:1.00
Week 5: 4,806/4,385 = 1.10:1.00
Week 6: 2,558/3,764 = 1.00:1.47
Week 7: 3,272/4,714 = 1.00:1.44
Week 8: 4,910/4,135 = 1.18:1.00
Week 9: 3,962/3,464 = 1.14:1.00
Week 10: 2,670/4,228 = 1.00:1.58
Week 11: 3,913/5,035 = 1.00:1.29

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0128/0.0116 = 1.1034:1.0000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0017/0.0054 = 1.0000:3.1765
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 16 Oct 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 23639 troops, 338 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10840 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 2
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[timtom]

Shoehorn forces slowly proceed northwards as a minor SNAFU at Townsville delays the impending PM supply convoy 24 hours.

Meanwhile three RAN minesweepers are being shepharded off to Rossel Island to clear the minefield there. And we all now how I feel about Japanese minefields, don't we Tony? Afterwards a bit of supply will be shipped just to shore up the Ozzies there. I'm considering visiting the same fate on the Japanse garrison at Goodenough (destruction, that is) Island, but that would require the commitment of the last of my SWPAC reserve.

Over at Lunga, the fort lvl has now reached 6, and I'll switch over to expanding the AF to lvl.4 to put Shortland within B-26 range.

The 43rd ID will arrive at Noumea within the week and be tasked with garrisoning the New Caledonia/New Hebridies area, releasing the Americal for other duty.

CL Nashville, having rendevous'd with escorts out of Noumea, made it safely back to port. Damage is moderate, but I'll keep her on as she's a veteran nightfighter.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 17 Oct 1942 Weather: Overcast
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 23624 troops, 337 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10845 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

It's D-3 on Shoehorn. Beauforts out of the new lvl 4 AF Gili Gili unsuccesfully attacked a couple of ML's at Rossel. I'm holding back the Rossel supply FT to the south until after the MWS' do their stuff.

Eichelberger and his US I.Corps staff arrive at Port Moresby by plane to assume command of Operation Rebound. Eichelberger's first action is to order the American troops at Buna to stop pussyfooting and get to grips with the Japanese immediatly.

The 46th Eng.Rgt. struggles into Salamaua to start hacking a landing strip out of the jungle.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 18 Oct 1942 Weather: Rain
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 144th Regiment(Buna) from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 23
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 65

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

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 2 destroyed, B-26B Marauder x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 50
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Air attack on TF at Rossel Island from Gili Gili: *ML's*

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 24 *two strikes*

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 1 damaged
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 23599 troops, 337 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10774 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

The Japanese perimeter at Buna was assaulted and resonable results were achieved, the dogfaces making progress against the warren of logbunkers there while suffering a couple of hundred casualties.

Shoehorn D-1: Transports and escorts will move into position for the final run on their respective destinations. From here the transports should be able to make Tulagi and Irau during the morning of the 21st, allowing them to unloading before the end of the day. Simultationsly, a supply convoy will arrive at Port Moresby, further confounding the enemy (hopefully). CA's will provide close cover at Tulagi while the CV's move further north to menace Shortland. KB and IJN BB's reported at Rabaul.

At Rossel, minesweepers and the FT should do their thing and then get out of Dodge this coming night. RAN cruisers are in support.

Operation Shoehorn forces:

Transports, Tulagi:

TF225 (R.Adm. H.Hill): DDx3 DMSx1, Akx10, APx6 - Carrying 147th Rgt., USMC 9th Def. Bn., 15th CB & 106th BF + 14400 supply.

TF230 (R.Adm. W.Fechteler): DDx3, APx6 - Tasking with loading the USMC 1st Div. elements currently at Tulagi.

TF232 (Cdr. W.Price): DDx2, TKx4 - Carrying 6,000 fuel for setting up PT fuelling station at Tulagi.

Transports, Irau:

TF 227 (R.Adm.H.Leary): DDx2, SCx3, MSWx1, AKx7 - Carrying 10,500 suppl.

Covering force:

TF201 (R.Adm. R.Spruance): CVx2, CAx3, CLAAx1, DDx4 (160 aircraft)

TF209 (R.Adm. M.Mitscher): CVx2, CAx3, CLAAx1, DDx4 (143 aircraft)

- TF201 & TF209 will move to a position west of Lunga to threated Shortland Island and strike at any enemy surface formations coming down the Slot.

TF220 (R.Adm. W.Lee) CAx5, DDx4 - Tulagi close surface cover

Other:

TF217 (R.Adm. R.Berkey) DMx4 - Tasked with laying mine barrier west to north of Tulagi.

13th AF provides 80 fighters, 24 fighter bombers, 56 dive bombers, and 20 patrol aircraft in support. A further 30 fighter bombers are in reserve.


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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 19 OCt 1942 Weather: Overcast
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SSE Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
PC Ch 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Greenling
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buna from Port Moresby (fighters sweep):

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 19
A6M3 Zero x 3
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 4 destroyed
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26183 troops, 336 guns, 52 vehicles

Defending force 10796 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 5

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 240

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 206
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[timtom]

Fairly predictable approach paths set the stage for a run of succes for Japan's undersea service. Minesweeper Whyalla is sunk at Rossel, while the steamer Diomed, returning from Gili Gili, is mortally wounded outside Townsville. Ditto fast minelayer Tracy, torpedoed on the approaches of Lunga. However DM Preble, Tracy sister, avenges the aging ex-destroyer by locating and destroying the offending I-29.

KB sighted west of Shortland...


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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 20 Oct 1942 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Rossel Island:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-29

Allied Ships:
MSW Whyalla, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
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Sub attack SE Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-169, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
DM Tracy, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sys 82, flt 34 f 27*
DM Preble
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Sub attack NE Townsville:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-27, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships:
AK Diomed, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sys 88, flt 42, f 49*
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Wau airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 12

Allied ground losses:
Runway hits 2
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Air attack on Rossel Island airfield from AC TF W Shortland Island:

Japanese aircraft:
D3A Val x 30
B5N Kate x 37

Allied ground losses:
Runway hits 5
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 144th Regiment (Buna) from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 8
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 65

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed, B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 112
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26026 troops, 336 guns, 52 vehicles

Defending force 10512 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 186
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 92
Guns lost 1
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[timtom]

This is one of those turns where almost everything goes wrong. For Scott. I-24 DC'd by one of those nominelly useless SC's at PM. I-174 torpedoes AP President Polk in the Sealark Channel, only the torpedo doesn't explode and only buckle the plates. At Buna, US I.Corps are through the Japanese defences and will likely capture the airfield on the morrow. Two massive and perfectly co-ordinate carrier strikes descend on shipping at Shortland, damaging 3 transports while sinking a heavy cruiser, a destroyer, and 5 transports. Meanwhile, Sigint indicates that extensive strikes on Allied shipping was prepared, but for unknown reasons didn't materialise.

No surface threat that Lee's cruiser can't handle are sighted within immediate reach of Tulagi. After a busy day, the US carrier aircrews are severely fatigued and the carriers would've done well to perform a tactical retreat rather than potentially defend at a disadvantage. CinCPAC would also like to know why SWPAC's heavy bombers haven't been deployed to neutralise Rabaul...

AK Diomed sinks.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 21 Oct 1942 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Port Moresby:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-24, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships:
SC 522
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Sub attack E Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-174

Allied Ships:
AP President Polk, Torpedo hits 1 *sys 22, flt 1, f 0*
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack S Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
PC Ch 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Tuna
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Air attack on TF E Kiriwani from Gili Gili: *AC TF*

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 37

Allied aircraft:
A-24 Dauntless x 9

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
A-24 Dauntless x 4 destroyed, A-24 Dauntless x 1 damaged
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Air attack on TF at Shortland Island from AC TF SE Munda:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft: *two strikes*
F4F-4 Wildcat x 106
SBD Dauntless x 210
TBF Avenger x 101

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2-N Rufe x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses;
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships:
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 18, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Takanami, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AP Arizona Maru, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
AP Asahisan Maru, Bomb hits 12, and is sunk
AP Unkai Maru #3, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
AP Nana Maru, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk
AP Taiho Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
AP Boston Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Yamafuku Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Asakasan Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 144th Regiment (Buna) from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 11
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 62

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 22
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25943 troops, 335 guns, 52 vehicles

Defending force 10301 troops, 109 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 547
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 83
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[timtom]

On and offloading of troops and supply at Tulagi should finish this coming night. The Tulagi marine contingent will be returned to Noumea before being shipped to Lunga along with the USMC 2nd Division. Unloading at Irau should similarly finish tonight, and the transports are already away from Port Moresby.

The only snag is the tankers unloading fuel for the futire PT's base at Tulagi. I couldn't keep the other vessels in the assorted TF's from siphoning fuel from the tankers enroute, so they got pulled out of the line and fell behind. The consequence is another day's exposure at Tulagi.

Preditably, Buna fell. 23 trapped Oscars were among the spoils of war. Protracted mobbing-up remains, however.

A small Japanese contigent has moved into Salamaua to attempt to delay things there. The enemy probed the lines, but was seen off.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 22 Oct 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-21

Allied Ships:
DM Tracy, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF NE Kiriwani: *AC TF*

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 41

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 9

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 1 destroyed, Beaufort x 1 damaged
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Air attack on TF W Shortland:

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42
SBD Dauntless x 25
TBF Avenger x 12

Allied aircraft losses:
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships:
PC Ch 5, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
PC Ch 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PC Ch 6, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 144th Regiment (Buna) from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 11
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft:
B-26B Marauder x 62

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 94
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1921 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4720 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses: *Maizuru 2nd SNLF, 86th NG Bn.*
Men lost 73

Allied ground losses: *7th Cav. Rgt., 46th Rng. Rgt.*
Men lost 19
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25898 troops, 335 guns, 52 vehicles

Defending force 9786 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Buna base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1009
Guns lost 13

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 72
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[timtom]

Except for the tankers, all the transports have cleared the Lunga area and should be completely out of the danger area next turn. Unfortunately, CA Quincy was torpedoed and is looking doubtful. I forgot to chance to orders for the SC TF, so it followed the retiring transports rather than stay with the tankers at Tulagi. The latter will pull out tonight, having deposited half their load, but 3,000 fuel points should be enough to keep the PT's going.

35th Fighter Squadron swapped its P-39's for P-38's, making it my first Lightning sqd. Unfortunately the sqd is one of those savaged over Buna earlier this month, and hence has a large proportion of rookie pilots (sqd XP 60). I've put them on moderate training program at Townsville rather than commit them to a downward spiral of attrition. To my experience, with a superior pilot, the Zero is equal to or better than the P-38.

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,246/3,715 = 1.00:1.65
Week 1: 2,394/3,731 = 1.00:1.56
Week 2: 2,739/3,868 = 1.00:1.41
Week 3: 2,889/3,889 = 1.00:1.35
Week 4: 3,861/3,979 = 1.00:1.03
Week 5: 4,190/4,214 = 1.00:1.01
Week 6: 4,362/4,262 = 1.02:1.00
Week 7: 4,515/4,487 = 1.01:1.00
Week 8: 4,757/4,602 = 1.03:1.00
Week 9: 4,976/4,699 = 1.06:1.00
Week 10: 5,157/4,829 = 1.07:1.00
Week 11: 5,296/4,824 = 1.10:1.00
Week 12: 5,875/4,797 = 1.23:1.00

Army Losses:

21/131 = 1.00:6.24

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xBB, 1xCA, 2XDD, 1xDM, 2xMSW, 2xSC, 1xAV, 2xAO, 1xAP, 8xAK
Damaged: 4xCA, 2xCL, 9xDD, 2xAPD, 1xPG, 4xSS, 1xAO, 6xAP, 1xAK

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 2xCV, 1xCVL, 1xCVE, 3xCA, 1xCL, 11xDD, 3xAPD, 5xML, 5xMSW, 2xPG, 8xPC, 3xSS, 3xAO, 3xTK, 26xAP
Damaged: 3xCA, 2xCL, 6xDD, 1xAPD, 1xMSW, 1xPG, 5xSS, 1xTK, 14xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 537/551 = 1.00:1.03

Week 1: 8/22 = 1.00:2.75
Week 2: 25/29 = 1.00:1.16
Week 3: 3/5 = 1.00:1.67
Week 4: 90/141 = 1.00:1.57
Week 5: 165/75 = 2.20:1.00
Week 6: 23/46 = 1.00:2.00
Week 7: 16/21 = 1.00:1.31
Week 8: 31/28 = 1.11:1.00
Week 9: 59/56 = 1.05:1.00
Week 10: 67/48 = 1.40:1.00
Week 11: 22/27 = 1.00:1.23
Week 12: 28/53 = 1.00:1.89

Air-to-Air: 377/208 = 1.81:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 8/55 = 1.00:6.88
Destroyed by AAA: 83/58 = 1.43:1.00
Operational Losses: 69/230 = 1.00:3.33

Sorties Flown:

Total: 43,188/44,548 = 1.00:1.03

Week 1: 2,329/1,123 = 2.07:1.00
Week 2: 3,630/2,381 = 1.52:1.00
Week 3: 2,673/3,581 = 1.00:1.34
Week 4: 4,374/3,512 = 1.25:1.00
Week 5: 4,806/4,385 = 1.10:1.00
Week 6: 2,558/3,764 = 1.00:1.47
Week 7: 3,272/4,714 = 1.00:1.44
Week 8: 4,910/4,135 = 1.18:1.00
Week 9: 3,962/3,464 = 1.14:1.00
Week 10: 2,670/4,228 = 1.00:1.58
Week 11: 3,913/5,035 = 1.00:1.29
Week 12: 4,092/4,222 = 1.00:1.03

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0123/0.0111 = 1.1081:1.0000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0016/0.0052 = 1.0000:3.2500

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 23 Oct 1942 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack E Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-174, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
DD Sterett
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Sub attack SE Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-176, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
CA Quincy, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sys 65, flt 60, f 32*
DD Wilkes
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25875 troops, 334 guns, 52 vehicles

Defending force 5653 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 284

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 56
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[timtom]

The tankers are away and the tranports out of the danger zone, more or less closing the book on Operation Shoehorn. CA Quincy is probably going to live to fight another day, but not any time soon - the crew have a looong vacation ahead of them at Pearl. The tankers have a bit of fuel left over, and I'm using the continued bad weather to drop it off at Irau, to where I've detailed 4 PT's.

The IJA 41st Rgt. was booted out of Buna, and the 32nd ID will pursue to Dobadura, while the 41st ID is charged with the defence of Buna. At Salamaua, the airfield should be ready next turn.

VMF 212 converted from F4F-3's to F4F-4's, making this otherwise moribund sqd. (no replacements) rather more useful.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 24 Oct 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Buna:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24604 troops, 334 guns, 52 vehicles

Defending force 5221 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 314

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 25
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[DuckofTindalos]

Godt billede af Quincy...

[timtom]

The poor weather continues. Salamaua AF makes lvl. 1, however I'll just wait a bit before starting to fly in the 7th, to test Scott's reaction. All Shoehorn forces are away and safe. ASW TF's are sweeping the approaces to Noumea in preparation of their return. The last elements of USMC 2nd Div. will have arrived in a week's time and as said, another operation will be mounted to move it to Lunga. So only a brief respite for the sailors, then.

Another point of consideration is what to do with Rossel Island. Scott should've considerable reserves available by now, and Rossel is is my single most exposed position by far, the protection rendered by Gili Gili being tenious at best. Making it secure will require a rather greater commitment than the single brigade there now, yet further reinforcements/development might trigger a counter-invasion in force, exposing the forces there to destruction.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 25 Oct 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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[>:]

[timtom]

Another wet day keeping the Allied aircraft on the ground. The crew of the SS Sculpin went to their watery common grave off Rabaul, making it the first Allied sub lost. Meanwhile, Nells conducted a long-range attack at shipping at Townsvile loading supplies for Port Moresby, giving the RAAF Wirraways a rare break from the routine of flying uneventful CAP's. One Nell was damaged and subsequently seen to crash, being credited to FLT G.Addington, RAAF.

A FT TF bearing 15th AUS Eng Bn. and supply is due at Rossel. First priority is to raise the fort level.

96th Eng. Bn. is being moved to Wau and will march on Marilinin.

Badly damaged CA Quincy limped into Wunpuko and will remain until the flooding's stabilised.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 26 Oct 1942 Weather: Rain
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Townsville from Rabaul: *Transport TF*

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 12

Allied aircraft:
Wirraway x 17

Japanese aircraft losses:
G3M Nell x 2 damaged
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
DD Ikazuchi

Allied Ships:
SS Sculpin, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Quiet. 15th Eng. Bn is dropped off at Rossel without incident. All Shoehorn forces have now returned safely to Noumea for a brief respite before the next Lunga run.

C-47's airlifting the 96th Eng. Bn. are intercepted over Wau and two are lost. The battalion will march on Marilinin.

IJN subs continue to be a pest...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 27 Oct 1942 Weather: Rain
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack NNW Townsville:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-27

Allied Ships:
AP Orungal, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *sys 19, flt 33, f 0*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

My submarine- and airforces gets lucky this turn against Scott's light shipping. It's not much, but I always like to get at ships with "special" abilities like APDs, ML's and subs.

Also, I-176, which torpedoed CA Quincy, is reported lost off Guadalcanal. An Efate based RNZAF Hudson sights and DC's I-20 in shallow water off Luganville.

Otherwise quiet...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 28 Oct 1942 Weather: Overcast
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at SE Shortland Island:

Japanese Ships:
APD 36, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS S-39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Finschhafen from Gili Gili:

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 15

Japanese Ships:
AP Hokuhi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF NE Finschafen from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
Beaufighter VIC x 46 *two strikes*

Japanese Ships:
ML Takashima, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
ML Saishu, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

I've returned all my large AP's at Noumea along with a number of short-legged SC's, leaving enough AP's to lift two div's. I rarily use the large AP's anyway because of their long unloading time and high VP cost. Naval reinforcement as jumped to moderate and I'm hoping to get some more AK's (hoping for BB's seems to ambitious). So far CINCPAC has given me a couple of MSW's and a sub...

Current SOPAC lift capacity is 25,500 in AK's and 39,000 in AP's. SWPAC has 18,500 and 19,000 respectively.

The 96th Eng. Bn. somehow catapulted into Marilinin, making the 30 miles from Wau in three days.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 29 Oct 1942 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Rossel Island:

Allied ground losses:
Runway hits 5
Port supply hits 2 *supply 1,500 -> 1,000*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack W Kavieng:

Japanese Ships:
AP Jusan Maru, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Drum

Japanese ground losses: *51st Recon Rgt.*
Men lost 82
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack SE Lae:

Japanese Ships:
AP Shozan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
SS S-47
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

10 transports and their escorts are unloading at Port Moresby, and I'm feeling distinctly nervous about the
75-odd bombers reported at Rabaul. KB is sighted off Bougainville, and could potentially swing over for a concerted
strike...

The loading for Operation Pullover, as it is now known, will commence next turn. This operation will
more or less be a carbon copy off Shoehorn, only bigger and headed for Lunga. The 2nd Marine Division is
the last major combat formation scheduled to go to Lunga. The 43rd ID is also about to arrive at Noumea
and will be tasked with garrisoning the New Caledonia/New Hebridies area. The Americal will then be put into reserve.

It appears Scott's pulled his blocking force back from Salamaua.

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,246/3,715 = 1.00:1.65
Week 1: 2,394/3,731 = 1.00:1.56
Week 2: 2,739/3,868 = 1.00:1.41
Week 3: 2,889/3,889 = 1.00:1.35
Week 4: 3,861/3,979 = 1.00:1.03
Week 5: 4,190/4,214 = 1.00:1.01
Week 6: 4,362/4,262 = 1.02:1.00
Week 7: 4,515/4,487 = 1.01:1.00
Week 8: 4,757/4,602 = 1.03:1.00
Week 9: 4,976/4,699 = 1.06:1.00
Week 10: 5,157/4,829 = 1.07:1.00
Week 11: 5,296/4,824 = 1.10:1.00
Week 12: 5,875/4,797 = 1.23:1.00
Week 13: 5,953/4,847 = 1.23:1.00

Army Losses:

24/143 = 1.00:5.96

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xBB, 1xCA, 2XDD, 1xDM, 2xMSW, 2xSC, 1xSS, 1xAV, 2xAO, 1xAP, 8xAK
Damaged: 4xCA, 2xCL, 9xDD, 2xAPD, 1xPG, 4xSS, 1xAO, 6xAP, 1xAK

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 2xCV, 1xCVL, 1xCVE, 3xCA, 1xCL, 11xDD, 4xAPD, 6xML, 5xMSW, 2xPG, 8xPC, 5xSS, 3xAO, 3xTK, 28xAP
Damaged: 3xCA, 2xCL, 6xDD, 1xAPD, 1xML, 1xMSW, 1xPG, 5xSS, 1xTK, 15xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 541/568 = 1.00:1.05

Week 1: 8/22 = 1.00:2.75
Week 2: 25/29 = 1.00:1.16
Week 3: 3/5 = 1.00:1.67
Week 4: 90/141 = 1.00:1.57
Week 5: 165/75 = 2.20:1.00
Week 6: 23/46 = 1.00:2.00
Week 7: 16/21 = 1.00:1.31
Week 8: 31/28 = 1.11:1.00
Week 9: 59/56 = 1.05:1.00
Week 10: 67/48 = 1.40:1.00
Week 11: 22/27 = 1.00:1.23
Week 12: 28/53 = 1.00:1.89
Week 13: 4/17 = 1.00:4.25

Air-to-Air: 379/209 = 1.81:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 8/55 = 1.00:6.88
Destroyed by AAA: 83/58 = 1.43:1.00
Operational Losses: 71/246 = 1.00:3.46

Sorties Flown:

Total: 45,726/49,150 = 1.00:1.07

Week 1: 2,329/1,123 = 2.07:1.00
Week 2: 3,630/2,381 = 1.52:1.00
Week 3: 2,673/3,581 = 1.00:1.34
Week 4: 4,374/3,512 = 1.25:1.00
Week 5: 4,806/4,385 = 1.10:1.00
Week 6: 2,558/3,764 = 1.00:1.47
Week 7: 3,272/4,714 = 1.00:1.44
Week 8: 4,910/4,135 = 1.18:1.00
Week 9: 3,962/3,464 = 1.14:1.00
Week 10: 2,670/4,228 = 1.00:1.58
Week 11: 3,913/5,035 = 1.00:1.29
Week 12: 4,092/4,222 = 1.00:1.03
Week 13: 2,538/4,602 = 1.00:1.81

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0117/0.0104 = 1.1250:1.0000
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0016/0.0050 = 1.0000:3.1250
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 30 Oct 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Gili Gili

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3 *supply -> 850*
Runway hits 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SE Lae:

Japanese Ships:
AP Shozan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS S-40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Marilinan:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 555 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles *96th Eng Bn.*

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Marilinan base !!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Nothing to worry about at Port Moresby - the tranports have unloaded and will soon be away.

Four largish TF's have appeared out of the rain squells 240 miles north of Rossel Islands, with KB in trail.
My guess is that this is a divisional-sized counter-invasion of Rossel. To this end, the 18th Bgd. is being flown
to Rossel immediatly from Cooktown. The P-38's will have their first outing doing a fighter sweep from Gili Gili
in case Rossel is LR-CAP'd. Supply is periously low at Gili Gili and B-26's from Port Moresby, Cairns and Townsville
are tasked with lifting supply there. There's only a single sqd of Beauforts at Gili Gili and in any case not enough
supply to sustain a major air effort out of there.

Three DM's are enroute for Rossel and will move in to lay a minefield this coming night, in the hope that the enemy
won't arrive till morning. This is probably an ill-advised move, risking my only mielayers like that.

A SC TF (CAx1, CLx3, DDx6) is dispatched from Townsville while the carriers are moving up from Noumea.

All the same, the loading troops and supply for Operation Pullover is going ahead to be in readiness. Also, the
103rd Rgt. is being loading for Luganville, to replace the 182nd Rgt. there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 31 Oct 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack S Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
PC Ch 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Grayling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 41st Regiment (Gili Gili) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20B Havoc x 32

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Rossel Island it is - transports reported just north of there. The DM's got scared off by the enemy. Good for me, otherwise they'd have been meat for the IJN. Instead they'll withdraw into the Coral Sea, bunker (I always keep a few lone AO's on station) and move in to lay their eggs once Scott withdraws.

18th Bgd's A echelon arrives by air at Rossel and again the fantastic flexibility afforded by air transportation is demonstrated. I expect the gate will now close on Rossel and, until things settle down, no further troops will be airlifted in unless imperative. However the 16th Bgd. is being loaded at Townsville to stand in readiness.

The SC TF coming up from Townville will move into strike range next turn, the carriers turn after that.

The supply situation at Gili Gili remains critical. A transport with 3,000 supply is 48 hours away and the captain's got orders to beach the vessel if necesary.

Scott could cause quite a bit of havoc if he were to swing KB into the Coral Sea at this junction. However it would also make it likely that my CV's would catch him withdrawing...

AP Hokuhi Maru, bombed by Beauforts off Finschafen three days ago, is reported sunk.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01 Nov 1942 Weather: Clear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Rossel Island:

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Cooktown from Rabaul: *TF unloading AUS I.Corps*

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 4

Japanese aircraft losses:
G4M1 Betty x 5 damaged

Allied Ships:
DD Conyngham, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *sys 43, flt 34, f 4*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Townsville from Rabaul: *TF unloading fuel*

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 9

Allied aircraft:
Wirraway x 15

Japanese aircraft losses:
G3M Nell x 4 destroyed, G3M Nell x 8 damaged *only 1 destroyed by Wirraways*

Allied aircraft losses:
Wirraway x 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF N Rossel Island: *SC TF*

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 6

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 1 destroyed, Beaufort x 6 damaged *2 lost*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

So far, what appears to be elements of 2 rgt's, 2 bn-sized units and some engineers are landing at Rossel. KB remains in support to the northeast.

To counter this inasion, my carriers seek battle with KB, which is presumed to consist of the Junyo's and a CVL. I've messed up the movement orders, however, so the they're 48 hours steaming apart. My CV's remain undetected off Koumac.

Three Bgd's are deployable to Rossel Island, one of which is loaded on a FT TF and is within 24 hours of Rossel in company with its covering SC TF. However I don't propose to push it through before the departure of the Japanese naval forces unless imperative. Similarly with the 2 bgd's of the 7th ID at Cooktown - no further action unless imperative. Presuming Scott won't attack until the unloading is at an end, the fort lvl at Rossel should be 2, giving me time to rush in reinforcements if needed.

All heavy bombers in theatre have been move to PM (96) and Irau (46) with a view to striking the airfield from which LRCAP over Rossel is flown in conjection with a carrier strike on the shipping there and/or moving in another bgd. by air, or the USN fighting a carrier battle north of the GG-Lunga line (Betty's). Ground attack missions will also be flown as needed. Marine fighters and strike bombers will be deployed to Lunga to limit enemy freedom of manouvre.

When KB is either brought to battle or chased off, a concerted surface- and air attack will be mounted against the Japanese at Rossel.

However at this junction, Scott's scuttled off for Hawaii for a fortnight, the dog

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02 Nov 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Rossel Island:

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alllied Air Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Rossel Island from Gili Gili: *SC TF*

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 6
Beaufort x 4

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 1 destroyed, Beaufort x 3 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF ESE Finschafen:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 31
P-39D Airacobra x 48
A-20B Havoc x 9
B-25D Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 6 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships:
PG Choko Maru #2, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD 35, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Oigawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

So, a division's worth of troops are landing at Rossel Island. The Ozzies have seen off the initial Japanese attack, but it seems about a third of the enemy force is yet to land. No need to panic - yet. Essentially Scott's stolen a march on me, allowing him to land the troops unmolested.

That, however, should end next turn as the USN moved into strike range of Rossel. KB has retired to off Woodlark. My guess' that it's providing LRCAP and won't interfere directly, but we'll see (weather permitting).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03 Nov 1942 Weather: Overcast
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SSW Luganville:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-20, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships:
SC 642
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Cairns from Rabaul: *Transport TF Cairns <-> Gili Gili*

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses:
G3M Nell x 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Port Moresby airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses:
G3M Nell x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Rossel Island:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12565 troops, 144 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 6756 troops, 74 guns, 10 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses: *4th, 16th & 29th Rgt's, 2nd Recon Rgt.*
Men lost 514

Allied ground losses: *17th Bgd, 18th Bgd (-), 15th Eng. Bn..*
Men lost 91
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------