Noosing the Bull: Scn.9, Toraq vs Timtom

[timtom]

Tony's BB's pulled back - breezing past my sub cordon - to a position north of Buka. He doesn't seem too intent on interfering at Vella, so I'm displacing my Lambeti SC TF's there.

Anyways, having taken a deep breath, I'm dropping the 503rd PIR on Finschafen next turn. It's with considerable misgivings, though, but I felt I had to try it. The dispositions of Tony's surface units at present suggested to me that I might get a turns headstart, so to speak, as I'm not expecting to take the base on the first turn (forts) - if at all. Recon still indicates the garrison to be two NG Bn., but of course that can't be trusted. Whatever's there will feel the full force of 5th AF if nothing else. C-47's fully rested and the weather forecast is good.

Japanese Base Points: 4,178
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 30 Apr 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Dobadura from Gasmata (fighter sweep):

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 22

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Kittyhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Momote airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Wewak airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 23

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

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 20
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20G Havoc x 28
B-25J Mitchell x 92

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20G Havoc x 1 destroyed, A-20G Havoc x 6 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed, B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 127
Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island port from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 26
PB4Y Liberator x 19

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 135
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 41
B-24D Liberator x 9

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 48
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 9
Runway hits 37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

The garrison of Finschafen is indeed weak, so weak in fact the AI targetted the 12th Naval CB as the most powerful ground unit there. Not that it helped me any, as the Para attacked with an assault value of zero, presumably from the disruption of the drop. So, 4 fort lvl's to knock down before Tony can reinforce. Presumably he's going to hit the 503rd with an air attack next turn, escorted by some of those 300 fighters he's got at Rabaul. So we should have a nice furball over Finschafen next turn. Of course he could turn that power on any of my TF's or bases and blow me out of the water instead.

At least one of the BB SC TF's has been disbanded at Rabaul. I was tempted to put the heavies on them, but thought the better of it as I can't see the point in scratching a bit of paint off Tony's BB's at this stage. No sight of the KB though - maybe that's were he got those extra 100 fighters from.

Japanese Base Points: 4,135
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01 May 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack N Lambeti:

Japanese Ships:
SS RO-103, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
DD MacDonough
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF E Buin from Vella Lavella:

Allied aircraft:
F4U-1 Corsair x 2
SBD Dauntless x 15

Japanese Ships:
ML Yurijima, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 12th Naval Construction Battalion (Finschafen) from Port Moresby, Dobodura, Buna & Salamaua:

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 63
Beaufighter VIC x 20
Beaufort x 4
A-20G Havoc x 31
B-25J Mitchell x 89

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 185
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buin port from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
PB4Y Liberator x 15

Allied aircraft losses:
PB4Y Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 17
Port hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Vila airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Kittyhawk x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 49

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 50
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Finschhafen:

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2056 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles *503rd PIR*

Defending force 3903 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles *Sasebo 5th SNLF, 25th NG Bn., 12th Naval CB, 25th BF*

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Getting nowhere fast at Finschafen. On paper the paras oughta be able to push aside the assorted Japanese rabble there, but the reality is different, it seems. Meanwhile Tony FT'd in another NG Bn. It was my good fortune, however, that the only place with no flying condition was in the South Pacific this turn was a Rabaul, which might ot might not have spared the paras a heavy air attack. Most of my own air men decided to stay on the ground to work on their tans - 17 out of 80-odd assigned flew.

It's notable that Tony base VP have taken a dive, although it remains to be seen whether this signals a more permanent development.

Japanese Base Points: 4,043

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,514/3,709 = 1.00:1.48

Week 1: 2,687/3,482 = 1.00:1.30
Week 2: 2,883/3,639 = 1.00:1.26
Week 3: 3,242/3,730 = 1.00:1.15
Week 4: 3,431/4,009 = 1.00:1.17
Week 5: 3,729/4,235 = 1.00:1.14
Week 6: 3,802/4,059 = 1.00:1.07
Week 7: 4,065/4,450 = 1.00:1.09
Week 8: 4,500/4,681 = 1.00:1.04
Week 9: 4,562/4,757 = 1.00:1.04
Week 10: 4,776/4,955 = 1.00:1.04
Week 11: 5,009/4,942 = 1.01:1.00

Army Losses:

49/111 = 1.00:2.27

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 2xCL, 2xDD, 2xDMS, 1xMSW, 1xPG, 1xAPD, 2xPT, 4xSS, 2xAP, 2xAK
Damaged: 1xBB, 1xCA, 1xCL, 10xDD, 1xDM, 4xAPD, 9xSS, 6xAP, 3xAK, 1xLST

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 4xCA, 2xCL, 9xDD, 4xAPD, 7xML, 1xPG, 8xPC, 4xMSW, 5xSS, 12xAP
Damaged: 15xDD, 2xAPD, 3xPG, 1xPC, 2xAV, 5xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 643/571 = 1.13:1.00

Week 1: 31/32 = 1.00:1.03
Week 2: 62/63 = 1.00:1.02
Week 3: 43/66 = 1.00:1.53
Week 4: 135/68 = 1.98:1.00
Week 5: 59/63 = 1.00:1.07
Week 6: 40/36 = 1.11:1.00
Week 7: 33/67 = 1.00:2.03
Week 8: 61/49 = 1.24:1.00
Week 9: 64/49 = 1.31:1.00
Week 10: 50/24 = 2.08:1.00
Week 11: 69/55 = 1.25:1.00

Air-to-Air: 191/180 = 1.06:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 57/72 = 1.26:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 126/28 = 4.50:1.00
Operational Losses: 269/291 = 1.08:1.00

Sorties Flown:

Total: 70,001/52,902 = 1.32:1.00

Week 1: 4,527/5,021 = 1.00:1.11
Week 2: 5,379/4,800 = 1.12:1.00
Week 3: 6,018/3,832 = 1.57:1.00
Week 4: 6,391/5,355 = 1.19:1.00
Week 5: 5,984/4,862 = 1.23:1.00
Week 6: 6,700/4,565 = 1.47:1.00
Week 7: 5,815/5,605 = 1.04:1.00
Week 8: 6,965/3,737 = 1.86:1.00
Week 9: 7,499/5,909 = 1.30:1.00
Week 10: 7,563/4,862 = 1.56:1.00
Week 11: 7,124/4,354 = 1.64:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0084/0.0094 = 1.0000:1.1190
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0038/0.0055 = 1.0000:1.4474
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02 May 1943 Weather: Clear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Dobadura from Gasmata:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M5-B Zeke x 18

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M5-B Zeke x 1 damaged

Allied Ships:
PT 124, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT 171, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack N Hoskins:

Japanese Ships:
DD Nowaki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS S-43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 25th Base Force (Finschafen) from Port Moresby & Buna:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 11
B-25J Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Madang airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 9

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 35
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Momote airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 25

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 93
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island port from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 24

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 32
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Vila airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 50

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 81
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 72
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
PB4Y Liberator x 16

Allied aircraft losses:
PB4Y Liberator x 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 49
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Finschhafen:

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2056 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4512 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles *+ 14th NG Bn.*

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 78

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 77
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Bombarded Buin primarily to cover - in both senses of the word - the laying of a minefield there. Several of my ships ran over T93 mines at Shortland on the return leg, including DM Breese (also the only vessel hurt in an appreciable way), so that kinda blows any chance of surprise. Still, the IJN being without fast MSW's, sweeping the field under my aircover is a pain.

Things are looking pretty bad at Finschafen. Tony is now rushing in a proper combat unit, which closes the book on capturing the place. Tony's probably not going to pass up the opportunity to destroy the 503rd PIR, so I have to think in terms of extracting myself from this mess ASAP. How, exactly, is another matter.

Japanese Base Points: 4,056
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03 May 1943 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval attacks:

Sub attack S Gasmata:

Japanese Ships:
DD Akigumo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Seadragon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack NE Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
CA Chikuma, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
SS Greenling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Buin:

Allied Ships:
BB Washington, Shell hits 3
BB Indiana, Shell hits 1
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 4, on fire *sys 30, flt 11, f 14*

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 83
Guns lost 2
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 54
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at Finschhafen:

Japanese Ships:
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 2
DD Suzunami, Shell hits 4
DD Michishio, Shell hits 7
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Inazuma
DD Ushio

Allied Ships:
PT 114
PT 115
PT 120, Shell hits 284, and is sunk
PT 121

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 28
G4M1 Betty x 82

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses: *airfield 58, service 27*
Men lost 30
Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 65
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 238th Regiment (Finschafen) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 14
B-25J Mitchell x 50

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Madang airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 53

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 88
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Finschhafen:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1980 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5898 troops, 55 guns, 0 vehicles *+ 238th Rgt. (-)*

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 48
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

This was one of those turns where you wonder what the hell you were doing when plotting it - dublicate orders, waywards TF's, and unprotected TF's in this case. I also let Tony slip in FT into Munda. Funny, I don't remember being drunk yesterday afternoon.

I've also lost track of most of the major elements of the IJN, except KB, which is now off Kiriwani. Well, we've tried this before. My CV's are at sea WNW of Koumac, 48 hours steaming from KB.

AP Asakasan Maru, torpedoed by SS Sailfish as week ago off Kavieng, is reported sunk.

Japanese Base Points: 2,140
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04 May 1943 Weather: Rain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack NNW Vella Lavella:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-16

Allied Ships:
DM Gamble, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 21
G4M1 Betty x 21

Allied ground losses: *airfield 0, service 25*
Men lost 11
Runway hits 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Madang from Port Moresby (fighter sweep):

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 28

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Momote airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 66
Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 238th Regiment (Finschafen) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 14
A-20G Havoc x 48

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae port from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 14
B-25J Mitchell x 68

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed, B-25J Mitchell x 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 38
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 8
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island port from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 27

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 32
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 54
B-24D Liberator x 13

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 66
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 88
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Happily KB returned to its lair at Rabaul. Possible Tony fears I've been reinforced with the Essex or some such, hence his reticence. I've been preparing a little surprise for KB, resting a few of my better B-25 & P-38 sqd's at PM. A bit prematurely (I've got other uses for the bombers) I've moved them up to Buna in the hope that they'll trigger against the CV's at Rabaul. I'm not expecting great things - I'll be happy if they even attack - but just on the off chance of putting a few 500lbs' into the CVL Ruyho maybe. The manifest threat alone should tie down a few more fighters, one could hope.

Still no sight of the IJN BB's anywhere...

Something of a SNAFU developed as two of my TF returning to Lambeti from Vella decided to brave the great unknown to the west rather than the shorter route over Vila. They promptly hit a previously undetected minefield, with he loss of 2 AG's and APD Humphreys heavily damaged. Meanwhile, PT 59 (first ship lost directly to a mine) struck a mine at Vila enroute for Vella, making me think perhaps there's a new field there, prompting the AI to route the returning TF's west round Munda maybe?

Japanese Base Points: 4,127

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05 May 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack NW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
AP Kembu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Amberjack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF SW Gasmata from Dobadura:

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 22

Japanese Ships:
AG 120, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 365, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Dobadura from Gasmata (fighter sweep):

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 238th Regiment (Finschafen) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20G Havoc x 43

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buka airfield from Vella Lavella (fighter sweep):

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 29

Allied aircraft:
F4U-1 Corsair x 15

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 54
PB4Y Liberator x 9

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 151
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

That was something of a washout. Only one of three B-25 sqd's got off the ground, and those that did failed to hit anything. A goodly number of Zero's (12) were shot down, however, so at least it wasn't a wasted effort.

Tony's BB's turned up east of Rabaul, all seven of them. Ol' Yamamoto must be turning in his grave if they're deployed as FT.

My Kiwi Beaufighters also found the BB's. Wish they hadn't, as half the sqd. is now destroyed against peppering CA Suzuya with a bit of gunfire.

Japanese Base Points: 4,139
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06 May 1943 Weather: Clear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF E Rabaul from Buna:

Allied aircraft:
Beaufighter VIC x 16

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufighter VIC x 5 destroyed, Beaufighter VIC x 11 damaged *8 lost*

Japanese Ships:
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 52, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Rabaul from Buna:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 30
B-25J Mitchell x 8

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 2 destroyed, B-25J Mitchell x 5 damaged

Japanese Ships:
CS Nisshin, Shell hits 4
CA Myoko, Shell hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Wewak from Buna:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 4
B-25J Mitchell x 4

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Salamaua airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M3 Zero x 23
G4M1 Betty x 84

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed, P-39D Airacobra x 8 damaged

Allied ground losses: *airfield 66, service 33*
Men lost 64
Airbase hits 16
Runway hits 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Wewak airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 34

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 24

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed, A6M3 Zero x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 33
Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Momote airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 7

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 65
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Madang airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 26

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 48
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 238th Regiment (Finschafen) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 12
P-38G Lightning x 14
A-20G Havoc x 31

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 27

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 27
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Vila airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 11

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 26
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 56

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 122
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Horrible weather and very few flights. In this emergiency, I've decided to forego my own FT APD's only rule to pull the 503rd PIR off Finschafen. The alternative would be to leave them to die. So I've moved 10 DD's to Gili Gili with orders to proceed to Finschafen and make the extraction. Aided by the weather I believe the DD's as well as my carriers in support to the south are undetected. Next turn's forecast is also thunderstorms. I'm mostly worried about bumping into an IJN FT TF at Finschafen and/or the AI choosing some bizarre retreat path well into the Solomon Sea. So surprise would be nice, but I obviously can't plan on that assumption. LRCAP will be provided by the CV's and out of Gili Gili while a handful of PT's will patrol Finschafen for what little it's worth. Won't even bother to get into what will happen if Tony knows I'm coming.

Japanese Base Points: 4,123

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07 May 1943 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Munda airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 57

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 116
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Aided by the weather, the Finschafen evacuation went down without a hitch. The DD's are back at Gili Gili and they and their human cargo will promptly be withdrawn to northern Oz. Two squads of infantry didn't make the ferry and unless Tony destroys them, I'll lift them out by sub.

The IJN BBs' are sitting just within the extreme range of the TBF and once again one wished that someone would invent an AP bomb instead of ping-pong ball GP's.

Japanese Base Points: 4,024
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08 May 1943 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Noumea:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-168

Allied Ships:
AK Diomed, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sys 72, flt 62, f 22*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack ESE Rabaul from Vella Lavalla:

Allied aircraft:
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
TBF Avenger x 29

Allied aircraft losses:
TBF Avenger x 3 destroyed, TBF Avenger x 11 damaged *6 lost*

Japanese Ships;
CA Kumano, Bomb hits 1
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 1
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 1
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Salamaua airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 6
G3M Nell x 21
G4M1 Betty x 75

Allied ground losses: *airfield 69, service 49*
Men lost 109
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 10
B-25J Mitchell x 38

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 39
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Vila airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 46

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 63
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
PB4Y Liberator x 17

Allied aircraft losses:
PB4Y Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Third day of thunderstorms and few flights. With six days to go, I'm content to sit back and bombard Tony's bases. He, on the other hand, might choose to go with out with a bang.

Tony's got a DD FT TF out southwest of Rabaul in what looks like a Lae run. Just to be sure, I'll brave the subs and mines to patrol Shortland and Munda. In my infinite wisdom, I've somehow managed to send all the DMS' at Vella off with the APD's, so it could be painful.

Japanese Base Points: 4,048

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,514/3,709 = 1.00:1.48

Week 1: 2,687/3,482 = 1.00:1.30
Week 2: 2,883/3,639 = 1.00:1.26
Week 3: 3,242/3,730 = 1.00:1.15
Week 4: 3,431/4,009 = 1.00:1.17
Week 5: 3,729/4,235 = 1.00:1.14
Week 6: 3,802/4,059 = 1.00:1.07
Week 7: 4,065/4,450 = 1.00:1.09
Week 8: 4,500/4,681 = 1.00:1.04
Week 9: 4,562/4,757 = 1.00:1.04
Week 10: 4,776/4,955 = 1.00:1.04
Week 11: 5,009/4,942 = 1.01:1.00
Week 12: 5,233/5,014 = 1.04:1.00

Army Losses:

53/122 = 1.00:2.30

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 2xCL, 2xDD, 2xDMS, 1xDM, 1xMSW, 1xPG, 1xAPD, 4xPT, 5xSS, 2xAP, 2xAK
Damaged: 1xBB, 1xCA, 1xCL, 11xDD, 2xDM, 5xAPD, 9xSS, 6xAP, 3xAK, 1xLST

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 4xCA, 2xCL, 9xDD, 4xAPD, 7xML, 1xPG, 8xPC, 4xMSW, 5xSS, 12xAP
Damaged: 1xCA, 15xDD, 2xAPD, 3xPG, 1xPC, 2xAV, 6xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 698/618 = 1.13:1.00

Week 1: 31/32 = 1.00:1.03
Week 2: 62/63 = 1.00:1.02
Week 3: 43/66 = 1.00:1.53
Week 4: 135/68 = 1.98:1.00
Week 5: 59/63 = 1.00:1.07
Week 6: 40/36 = 1.11:1.00
Week 7: 33/67 = 1.00:2.03
Week 8: 61/49 = 1.24:1.00
Week 9: 64/49 = 1.31:1.00
Week 10: 50/24 = 2.08:1.00
Week 11: 69/55 = 1.25:1.00
Week 12: 55/47 = 1.17:1.00

Air-to-Air: 196/198 = 1.00:1.01
Destroyed on Field: 60/73 = 1.00:1.22
Destroyed by AAA: 150/29 = 5.17:1.00
Operational Losses: 292/318 = 1.00:1.09

Sorties Flown:

Total: 78,004/57,714 = 1.35:1.00

Week 1: 4,527/5,021 = 1.00:1.11
Week 2: 5,379/4,800 = 1.12:1.00
Week 3: 6,018/3,832 = 1.57:1.00
Week 4: 6,391/5,355 = 1.19:1.00
Week 5: 5,984/4,862 = 1.23:1.00
Week 6: 6,700/4,565 = 1.47:1.00
Week 7: 5,815/5,605 = 1.04:1.00
Week 8: 6,965/3,737 = 1.86:1.00
Week 9: 7,499/5,909 = 1.30:1.00
Week 10: 7,563/4,862 = 1.56:1.00
Week 11: 7,124/4,354 = 1.64:1.00
Week 12: 8,003/4,802 = 1.67:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0082/0.0094 = 1.0000:1.1463
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0037/0.0055 = 1.0000:1.4865
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09 May 1943 Weather: Thunderstorms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SW Truk:

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

Allied Ships:
SS Greenling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 29
P-38G Lightning x 20
A-20G Havoc x 33

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 20
Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 57

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 102
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 64
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

I must've done something to offend the local weather gods. 'cos the weather remains miserable with more rain on the horizon tomorrow. At least I can go through the turn quickly by just more or less leaving everything the same.

That said, all the B-25 out of PM triggered against Tony's shipping at Kavieng. I've got no idea what makes them attack. Good morale and low fatigue perhaps - many of the B-25's have been grounded for several turns because of the wet. However when I operated with dedicated naval attacks sqd's they also were disinclined to attack, but there might have been fewer targets then. It's another UV mystery (to me at least). Because I'm such a lazy git, I haven't been bothered to rotate sqd's to a cycle of naval attack duty and strike duty. Rather, they were all on airfield attack (Madang, Lae) at 6,000 feet. Hence they also struck the enemy ships at 6,000 and scored comparatively few hits. Also, because we're having a bit of trouble with the combat resolution, I'm not really sure about the extent of the damage - Tony get the real sequence (posted below) and I get an alternative take. Sometimes, as in this case, they differ quite a bit. But I guess it's a kind of extra FoW, which can't be bad.

Judging from Tony's base points, he probably pushed 10 DD's worth of supply into Lae.

Japanese Base Points: 4,202
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10 May 1943 Weather: Rain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Sub attack NE Buin:

Japanese Ships:
AG 367, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Guardfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF SE Buka from Vella Lavella:

Allied aircraft:
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
P-39D Airacobra x 46
SBD Dauntless x 28
TBF Avenger x 12

Japanese Ships:
AG 5029, Shell hits 24, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 5032, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
AG 5051, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 2052, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Kavieng from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2-N Rufe x 14
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20

Allied aircraft:
Beaufighter VIC x 22
B-25J Mitchell x 86

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 8 damaged *5 lost*

Japanese Ships:
DD Nowaki, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shirayuki, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Makinami, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD 34, Shell hits 28, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kembu Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Finschhafen port from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 16
A-20G Havoc x 47

Japanese Ground Losses:
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

I can only repeat my comments from last turn, although the weather now seems to be improving a bit. Second day off for the SOPAC boys, but no such luck across the Solomon Sea where almost 150 bombers raided Lae. There seems to be little relationship between the number of supply hits and bombs on target. I suspect these large scale bombing raids probably give a relatively poor return in relation the the numbers flying and that it would be better to hit Lae, Finschafen, Madang with 40-odd bombers each turn, ie more raids with fewer aircraft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11 May 1943 Weather: Rain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at NNW Vella Lavella:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-16, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships:
CL Montpelier, Torpedo hits 1, on fire *sys 32, flt 19, f 7*
DD Bagley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Gasmata from Dobadura:

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 40 *two strikes*

Japanese Ships:
AG 103, Shell hits 8
AG 105, Shell hits 8
AG 110, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 117, Shell hits 12
AG 118, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG 123, Shell hits 8
AG 361, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AG 363, Shell hits 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield from AC TF E Kiriwani:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 29
A6M3 Zero x 6
D3A Val x 61
B5N Kate x 45

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 5

Japanese aircraft losses:
D3A Val x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses: *airfield 63, service 32*
Men lost 5
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 69
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Wewak airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 7

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 20
Runway hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
A-20G Havoc x 43
B-25J Mitchell x 102

Allied aircraft losses:
A-20G Havoc x 1 destroyed, A-20G Havoc x 4 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 156
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 158
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Better weather and the majority of my bombers get off the ground. Ditto the enemy as the good people a Gili Gili are visited by over 200 Japanese bombers. Damage is managable , though. The Allied side for its part get a good number of supply hits, so no complaints there.

Vella makes AF lvl.4, about a month late..

Japanese Base Points: 4,139
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12 May 1943 Weather: Overcast
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SE Gasmata:

Japanese Ships:
AG 364, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Triton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Atttacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield from Rabaul & AC TF SE Gasmata:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 36
A6M3 Zero x 11
D3A Val x 58
B5N Kate x 56
G3M Nell x 21
G4M1 Betty x 73

Allied ground losses: *airfield 6, service 36*
Men lost 76
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 146
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Wewak airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 31

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 10
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 16
Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Madang airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 10
B-25J Mitchell x 55

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 152
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 15
P-38G Lightning x 20
B-25J Mitchell x 54

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 95
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 67
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Finschhafen airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 27
P-38G Lightning x 10
A-20G Havoc x 42

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 55
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island airfield from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 14

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 27

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 21
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buin port from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
PB4Y Liberator x 12

Allied aircraft losses:
PB4Y Liberator x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 14
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 59

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 185
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

With two turns left, the game is winding down, at least for my part. Well, actually it's not - it's something of a cliffhanger as I now have 1.05X Tony's VP, which is about as close as you can get to a marginal victory I guess. I won't get any more points on expansions though, and I'll start loosing points at Gili Gili next turn while I doubt I'll be able to drive Tony's VP down much further. So unless Tony decides to launch a major attack as a going-away present, a draw it is. Which is fine.

Japanese Base Points: 4,136
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 13 May 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack W Buka:

Japanese Ships:
DD Oite, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships:
SS Guardfish
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield from Rabaul & AC TF NE Kiriwani:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 31
A6M3 Zero x 11
D3A Val x 57
B5N Kate x 58
G3M Nell x 17
G4M1 Betty x 78

Allied ground losses: *airfield 64, service 73*
Men lost 122
Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 173
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Madang airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 55

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 243
Guns lost 2
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 29
B-25J Mitchell x 56

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 91
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Finschhafen airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 27
A-20G Havoc x 45

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 22
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island airfield from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 13

Allied aircraft:
F4U-1 Corsair x 24
B-17E Fortress x 24

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 destroyed, Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 55
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Vila airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Little to report. PT 110 hits a T93 mine at Shortland while on patrol and founders, making it only the second vessel sunk by a mine. Plenty of boats damaged though.

Tony's moved at couple of bomber sqd's down to Buin and moved fighters into Lae for the first time in months. I'm expecting a sweep on Port Moresby and either a long-range attempt on Noumea or Townsville port or a concerted airstrike on my SC TF's at Vella. he's dispersed his fighters throughout the theatre though, so I feel the second option is unlikely. KB is off Gili Gili and the IJN BB's within striking range of Vella. Could get hot.

Japanese Base Points: 4,155
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 14 May 1943 Weather: Clear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Dobadura from Gasmata:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M5-B Zeke x 16

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M5-B Zeke x 2 destroyed, A6M5-B Zeke x 1 damaged

Allied Ships:
PT 115, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Shortland Island from Woodlark Island (PT's):

Japanese aircraft:
E13A1 Jake x 4

Allied aircraft:
F4U-1 Corsair x 7

Japanese aircraft losses:
E13A1 Jake x 2 destroyed, E13A1 Jake x 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack NE Finschafen:

Japanese Ships:
DD Asagumo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
SS Tuna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at Kavieng from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2-N Rufe x 16

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 33
B-25J Mitchell x 39

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2-N Rufe x 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships:
AP Hakusan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP China Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Nagara Maru, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Salamaua airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 18
G4M1 Betty x 88

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses: *airfield 69, service 41*
Men lost 186
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 66
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 49
G3M Nell x 3

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 39

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
G3M Nell x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 9 destroyed, P-40E Kittyhawk x 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Wewak airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 25
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 4
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 10 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 72
Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Finschhafen airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 42
A-20G Havoc x 45

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 73
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Shortland Island airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
PB4Y Liberator x 18

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 35
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Vila airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
B-24D Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses:
B-24D Liberator x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 13
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[timtom]

Tony made a last ditch effort to push supply into his bases in New Georgia and elsewhere. This of course ulilizes the fact that I won't be bombing his bases next turn, but essentially demonstrates how my isolation of New Georgia is only wafer-thin.

Tony then had the bad fortune of getting one of his FT TF's snagged in my minefield in the shallows west of Shortland. The DD's were still there come morning, which isn't a very healthy place to be for tincans. Still, considering that about 150 FB's, DB's and TB's partook in the attack on the DD's, results were moderate.

Japanese Base Points: 4,293

Final score: Allied 5,421 - Japanese 5,328 = Draw


The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,514/3,709 = 1.00:1.48

Week 1: 2,687/3,482 = 1.00:1.30
Week 2: 2,883/3,639 = 1.00:1.26
Week 3: 3,242/3,730 = 1.00:1.15
Week 4: 3,431/4,009 = 1.00:1.17
Week 5: 3,729/4,235 = 1.00:1.14
Week 6: 3,802/4,059 = 1.00:1.07
Week 7: 4,065/4,450 = 1.00:1.09
Week 8: 4,500/4,681 = 1.00:1.04
Week 9: 4,562/4,757 = 1.00:1.04
Week 10: 4,776/4,955 = 1.00:1.04
Week 11: 5,009/4,942 = 1.01:1.00
Week 12: 5,233/5,014 = 1.04:1.00
Week 13 (6 days) & final score: 5,421/5,328 = 1.02:1.00

Army Losses:

58/135 = 1.00:2.33

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 2xCL, 2xDD, 2xDMS, 1xDM, 1xMSW, 1xPG, 1xAPD, 7xPT, 5xSS, 2xAP, 2xAK
Damaged: 1xBB, 1xCA, 2xCL, 11xDD, 2xDM, 5xAPD, 9xSS, 6xAP, 3xAK, 1xLST

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 4xCA, 2xCL, 12xDD, 4xAPD, 7xML, 1xPG, 8xPC, 4xMSW, 5xSS, 12xAP
Damaged: 1xCA, 19xDD, 3xAPD, 3xPG, 1xPC, 2xAV, 8xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 759/673 = 1.13:1.00

Week 1: 31/32 = 1.00:1.03
Week 2: 62/63 = 1.00:1.02
Week 3: 43/66 = 1.00:1.53
Week 4: 135/68 = 1.98:1.00
Week 5: 59/63 = 1.00:1.07
Week 6: 40/36 = 1.11:1.00
Week 7: 33/67 = 1.00:2.03
Week 8: 61/49 = 1.24:1.00
Week 9: 64/49 = 1.31:1.00
Week 10: 50/24 = 2.08:1.00
Week 11: 69/55 = 1.25:1.00
Week 12: 55/47 = 1.17:1.00
Week 13: 61/55 = 1.11:1.00

Air-to-Air: 213/214 = 1.00:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 61/76 = 1.25:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 161/31 = 5.19:1.00
Operational Losses: 324/352 = 1.00:1.09

Sorties Flown:

Total: 86,588/63,200 = 1.37:1.00

Week 1: 4,527/5,021 = 1.00:1.11
Week 2: 5,379/4,800 = 1.12:1.00
Week 3: 6,018/3,832 = 1.57:1.00
Week 4: 6,391/5,355 = 1.19:1.00
Week 5: 5,984/4,862 = 1.23:1.00
Week 6: 6,700/4,565 = 1.47:1.00
Week 7: 5,815/5,605 = 1.04:1.00
Week 8: 6,965/3,737 = 1.86:1.00
Week 9: 7,499/5,909 = 1.30:1.00
Week 10: 7,563/4,862 = 1.56:1.00
Week 11: 7,124/4,354 = 1.64:1.00
Week 12: 8,003/4,802 = 1.67:1.00
Week 13: 8,584/5,486 = 1.56:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0081/0.0095 = 1.0000:1.1728
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0037/0.0056 = 1.0000:1.5135


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 15 May 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Gili Gili from Woodlark Island:

Japanese aircraft:
E13A1 Jake x 3

Allied Ships:
PT 107, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF W Shortland Island from Vella Lavella & Lambeti:

Allied aircraft: *multiple strikes*
F4U-1 Corsair x 45
P-39D Airacobra x 24
SBD Dauntless x 93
TBF Avenger x 14

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 destroyed, TBF Avenger x 7 damaged

Japanese Ships:
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
DD Inazuma, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Susuzuki, Bomb hits 8, on fire, and is sunk
DD Yuzuki, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
DD Fumizuki, Shell hits 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield & port from Rabaul & AC TF NW Rossel Island:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 62
A6M3 Zero x 13
D3 A Val x 55
B5N Kate x 41
G3M Nell x 18
G4M1 Betty x 83

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 215
Vehicles lost 3
Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 52
Port hits 21
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Dobadura from Gasmata (fighter sweep):

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 11

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 1 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Finschhafen airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 9
P-38G Lightning x 10
A-20G Havoc x 43

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 27
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 36
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buin airfield from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 22
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 11

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 18
B-17E Fortress x 21
PB4Y Liberator x 16

Japanese aircraft losses:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 destroyed, D3A Val x 1 damaged

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 66
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda port from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 25
B-25J Mitchell x 57

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 67
Guns lost 1
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 4
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[anarchyintheuk]

Extremely enjoyable aar. Most people, me included, usually play only the campaign game and forget how good the scenarios are. I don't like/do well at the shorter scenarios, I usually waste too much time organizing things how I like them. Anyway, hope you guys start another soon.

[timtom]

I'm starting my post-game analysis with a look at the sub war. 21 ships were sunk by US subs, and 17 damaged. A further 3 were struck by dud torpedoes. All kills were by the MK14 torpedo. Total VP value of sinking was 121 VP.

The biggest single succes was the crippling of BB Haruna and the sinking of CA Aoba on 13/04/43 by SS Triton. The Triton then sank mine-cripple DD Shirakumo two days later and avenged SS Swordfish by sinking ML Hoko the following day. Further sinkings during this war partrol include barges AG 107 & 364. The Triton's captain, Cdr. G.MecKenzie Jr. was awarded the Navy Cross for his daring and aggressive actions on the night of April 13th. It is rumoured that Combined Fleet headquarters has promised an reward of comfort women and sake to the crew of any ship sinking the Triton.

Of 34 US subs participating, 5 were sunk, while another 10 were were damaged. Of the latter, half were so badly damaged that further service was out of the question, while the rest continued the campaign after conducting the necesary repairs.

In the categories sunk, severely damaged and lightly damaged, surface vessels scored 3 in each, while aircraft scored 2 in each category. Thus surface vessels accounted for 9 out of 15 subs hit, and 6 out of 10 subs knocked out of the battle. Total value of sinkings in VP terms is 40 VP.

The majority of successful attacks both ways were within the Gasmata-Kavieng-Buka triangle. Towards the end of April, most subs were with withdrawn from this area. The reason for this was less the enemy ASW effort - although this was conducted with great skill and, equally important, persistance - than an appearent dearth of targets and probably more importantly, the growth of IJN naval strength in the area of operations, in particularly with regards to battleships. At this point the focus of operations had shifted to the central Solomons and many subs were assigned in an attempt to block Japanese moves to reinforce and resupply the area as well as the defensive task of attacking IJN battleships should they sortie from their base at Buka.

[timtom]

Moving on to air strikes on shipping. Allied air power sank 36 Japanese ships for 216 VP and damaged 25 ships. 78% of sinkings were by aireal bombs. These numbers exclude subs and the occasional surface vessel "pinged" by aircraft on naval search, as well as barges. Barges was probably the single one type of vessel which suffered the most in numerical, being bombed and strafed with regularity in forward areas by P-39's and Beaufighters.

Japanese aircraft sank 9 Allied ships for 63 VP. This includes 3 PT's, 2 SS', 3 AP's and a DMS. The AP's and the DMS were all sunk in connection with the March 5th carrier raid, reflecting how Tony otherwise made virtually no attempt to attack my shipping.

The increase in the number of attacks at about mid-game signals the shift of focus to the New Georgia area, on numerous occasions putting Japanese vessels within range of the SBD's. However within this period, the Port Moresby B-25's also got off a couple of solid attacks against shipping at "Hellfire Corner" - the area just west of Kavieng which seems to attract the B-25's. The instances where only minor damage is inflicted is mostly strafing- and bombing-runs on BB/CA TF's which pretty much without excepting resulted in a lot of shot-up aircraft and nothing more.

[timtom]

Allied surface attacks lead to the sinking of 15 Japanese vesssels for 281 VP and damage to one vessel not including submarines. Most of these were in operations around Vella Lavella, where 3 CA's, 1 CL, and 5 DD's were sunk at the cost of a single Allied CL. The Japanese sank 8 Allied vessels in surface operations - 1 CL, 2 DD's, 1 PG, 1 PT and 3 subs for 84 VP.

A total of 7 surface engagements were fought, if one includes 2 by PT's, in which 9 Japanese and 5 Allied vessels were sunk. The most notable battle at Nevea during the night of March 5th, when DD Stack and PG Kiwi were sunk, and the two battles at Vella March 26th and 29th and April 6th, during which CA's Haguro, Chokai, and Atago, CL's Sendai and St.Louis, and DD's Amatsukaze, Hamakaze, Tanikaze, Hatsukaze, and Shigure were lost. It has subsequently transpired that the latter two battles were the consequence of FUBAR's at Combined Fleet HQ.

Thus few ships were lost in surface engagements, probably reflecting the care with which both sides deployed these assets. 3 PT's were lost to mines (and 13 damaged). No Japanese ships were lost to mines,

Total Japanese naval losses comes to 70 vessels for 601 VP: 4xCA, 2xCL, 13xDD, 5xSS, 2xPG, 8xPC, 7xML, 4xMSW, 5xAPD, 16xAP, 1xTK, 2xAG (large).

Total Allied naval losses comes to 27 for 218 VP: 2xCL, 2xDD, 5xSS, 1xPG, 7xPT, 2xDMS, 1xDM, 1xMSW, 1xAPD, 3xAP, 2xAK.