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August 31 1942

The last day of the month sees little action as thunderstorms shut down air activity. Another Japanese transport does fall victim to allied subs, though SS Drum expends two torpedoes for no luck, once again.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/31/42
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Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 12,53

Japanese Ships
AP Koyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage ***sunk***

Allied Ships
SS S-43

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Dear Prime Minister Churchill,
G’day and hearty greetings to you Prime Minister! I think you’ll be glad to know that you’re Australian dependents are doing fairly well at the moment – and no, you can’t have them back to launch some damm’ed fool campaign in the Med. And while I do understand you’re concern about how I could have learnt about the fall of Tobruk before it actually fell, I regret that I cannot disclose my sources. Professional integrity and all that . Please be aware though that it was a slight oversight on my part and won’t happen again. Meanwhile we’ve had our own mini Berlin Airlift here (you’ll know what I’m talking about in a few years) in a way, though I’m worried about the presence the Royal navy in the South Pacific – or rather the lack thereof. I mean neither Germany or Italy have any carriers, so there is no reasons why not to release a few to us down under, wouldn’t you say?

Anyway cheerio,

Veer

________________________________________ End Message


End of August 1942 stats:


Bases controlled

..............| Jap : Allied
End July | 16 : 18
August 31 | 23 (+7) : 12 (-6)

Aircraft Losses This Month:

Jap – 174 – 62 Bombers, 78 Fighters, 8 Dive Bombers, 2 Torpedo Bombers, 24 Misc

Allied – 395 – 43 Bombers, 28 Dive Bombers, 8 Torpedo Bombers, 264 Fighters/FBs [X(], 52 Misc.

Aircraft Losses YTD:

Jap – 419 – 130 Bombers, 175 Fighters, 17 Dive Bombers, 12 Torpedo Bombers, 85 Misc

Allied – 947 – 179 Bombers, 91 Dive Bombers, 24 Torpedo Bombers, 489 Fighters/FBs, 164 Misc

Ships confirmed sunk (this month):

Jap – 2 CL, 7 DD, 24 AP, 1 TK, 1 SS, 6 Misc*

Allied – 2 CA, 5 DD, 3 AP, 3 AK, 1 SS, 6 Misc*

* PC, PG, SC, DMS, DM, ML, etc.

Ships confirmed sunk YTD:

Jap – 1 CA, 2 CL, 15 DD, 34 AP, 2 TK, 5 SS, 14 Misc
Total = 73 [:)]

Allied – 1 CV, 6 CA, 2 CL, 15 DD, 4 AP, 6 AK, 4 SS, 12 Misc
Total = 50

Army Loss points YTD:

Allied : 287
Japan : 296 [:D]

Allied Operational LBA in theatre: 495 (up 63) (not counting carrier squadrons detached to temp. LBA duty)
At start of month: 432

Overall Score:

Japan | Allied
8901 | 4306

Difference: +4595
Axis lead increases since July end:+1226

*********

The month in review and the plan going forward:

The plan for September:



Click here for image

Despite the devastating air losses in contesting the Japanese landing in Northern Australia, August was a good month for the Allies. The NG Airlift succeeded far batter than expected. The major command elements of all Bdes but one were evacuated safely to Townsville – most are now at 80% TOE. Thanks to a careful policy of conservation, most bomber squadrons are at full strength, and fighter strength has largely recovered through the arrival of reinforcements. The Japanese raiding force at Rockhampton has been eliminated, though the cost was higher than expected – 31st and 42nd Divs are fatigued and operating at about 60% efficiency.

Come mid-September and the arrival of the 5th Air Force a major bombing campaign will be launched to crush the invaders in Cooktown and Cairns. Once the fleet carriers arrive several advance bases will be constructed in the Santa Cruz Islands, planning for a return to Guadalcanal (possibly via Irau), maybe by November?

The first day of the month and some good news for once! BB Hiei has miraculously survived the pounding of the last few days and is spotted 120 miles NE of Cairns, heading home. A special naval attack force, specially deployed to Cooktown for this special purpose finds the Hiei and sends her to her doom. We have confirmed reports that the emperors portrait was lost. A special day!

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/01/42
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Weather: Overcast

Air attack on TF at 10,54

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 12
Beaufighter VIC x 18
Beaufort x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage ***sunk***

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BB Hiei under attack:




A round of Beer for everyone! [8D]

In other news an airfield attack on Cairns finds heavy Flak but no aircraft. The SS Drum takes two swipes at CA Chikuma SW of Gilli, but misses both times [:@]. SS Drum has now expended all her torpedoes for not a single hit on anything. The aforementioned beer ration is cancelled for her captain and redistributed to Allied HQ who feels he deserves it more.

September 2 - 5 1942

Little happens to disturb the peace. A Japanese troopship is torpedoed just off Gilli, but most of my subs are now out of ammo and have to retire. Japanese CVs are moving again – CV Hiryu was spotted steaming out of Gilli, heading full steam SE – towards Noumea! This may be a raid, so all units in SOPAC are on high alert. Meanwhile, the Raid on Rockhampton is finally over and the highway open once again. 31st and 42nd Divisions will retire to Rockhampton to rest and recuperate.

Raid on Rockhampton Evaluation:

Naval:
The Japanese committed a goodly portion of the Combined Fleet – however most of these merely supported the invasion by their presence – no offensive attacks were launched with either the KB or the 4+ BBs. The Allies choose not to contest the invasion, but a transport TF was caught in the open. Confirmed losses for the Japanese are 1 DD, 2 MLs, and 4 APs – with 1 BB, 1 CA, maybe a CVL and some transports damaged. The Allies lost 2 APs, 2 AKs and 3 Misc.

Air:
Losses are difficult to quantify, but the allies initially opposed the invasion with about 30 B-17s and 40 F4Fs. A further 60 F4F, 60 SDBs and 30 Torpedo bombers were committed as reinforcements. The allies lost about 40 F, 10 DB/TBs and 10 B-17s, The Japanese losses came to about 20-25F, mostly to op losses[:o].

Ground:
Complete and under victory, over 11K Jap troops destroyed completely [:)]. The ground campaign lasted from 08/18 to 09/04 and could have had an effect on Townsville supply, except SJ could not keep the sea routes to Townsville completely closed.

Overall I would say – 4 out of 5 Beers

September 6 - 8 1942

[>:]

The lazy days continue. Allied command has fallen into a sense of lethargy and general slothfulness. Even the enemy naval forces have mysteriously vanished into the vastness of the Coral Sea and there is not a peep or a pip to be heard from them. An envoy as been dispatched to the Japanese emperor to discover if the Japanese have secretly decided to surrender without telling anyone.

The re-arrangement of forces in Australia continues. The plan is to mass as many combat units and engineers as possible into Townsville, with 31st and 42nd Div forming a local reserve at Rockhampton, while 6th Australian Div and 5th Tank Regiment forms a theater reserve at Brisbane. Once all troops are in order, Allied HQ will decide what we can do with them.

Anyway it’s time for another staff report:

Cairns Invasion evaluation:

Naval:
Once again the almost entire combined fleet came out in force – atleast 6 CVs identified (Kaga and CVL Shoho missing) along with 2 BBs – Mutsu and Hiei (Kongo, Haruna missing) and a large number of APs. Against this the allies had 1 CV (off in SOPAC), 1 BB, 4 CAs, 2 CLs and 12 DDs total. The allies lost a total of 7 ships – 2 CAs, 2 DDs, 1 PG and 2 APs . 1 BB, 2 CAs, 3 DDs, about 6 APs and 4 Misc ships were damaged badly enough to be sent to Pearl for repair. The Japanese lost 1 BB (Hiei), 2 CLs, 4 DDs, an amazing 20+ transports and another 4-8 misc ships . 2 CAs were badly damaged, and 2 CVs, 2 CAs and 1 BB suffered probably damage.

Air:
[:-] Do the words Catastrophic Defeat mean anything? Virtually the entire allied force was committed by the end of the battle – some 550+ aircraft. Losses came to 82F (all Wildcats), 126 FBs, 19 Bombers and 10 other aircraft . Japanese losses came to 54 Zeros, 41 Bombers and about 20 other aircraft.

Ground:
Not much action here. About 30-40K Japanese troops landed at Cairns. I expect my aviators will be using their big red on white flags as bulls-eyes soon.

Overall:
Allied Command is feeling a lot better after the Cairns invasion. Self-confidence is back, and all appointments with the shrink have been put on hold. Sure a small piece of Australian territory was lost – but it’s not like we’re living a democracy and actually have to care about the “people”. The air losses were terrible, but thankfully the sinking of ¼ the Japanese transport fleet makes up for it - mostly. A group of environmentalists did complain about what effect so many sunken hulks will have on the coral reefs. I’m not 100% sure what happened to them after that, but am quite happy to report that all further complaints have mysteriously ceased. [;)]

Overall I would say: 4 out of 5 Beers, with a hint of lemon

September 9 - 11 1942

A Japanese fleet consisting of 3 Battleships paid an uninvited visit to Townsville last night. They promptly began behaving like uncouth adolescents by proceeding to smash shore installations using 14, 16 and 18 inch shells. An allied ASW TF and transport TF sent in to discipline these brats turned out to be not quite equal to the task....

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Townsville at 10,62

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Kirishima
BB Yamato *** was wondering where he was and well, now I know***
CA Haguro
CA Ashigara
CL Naka
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
DD Akitsuki
DD Kuroshio

Allied Ships
PG Moa
PG Tui, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
SC 521, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
SC 522, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
SC 642, Shell hits 7, heavy damage
SC 645, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AK Alchiba, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Etamin, Shell hits 39, and is sunk
AK Alcyone, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Almaack
AK Mildura

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As it is AK Mildura was sunk latter by I-121 and I-2 operating off Townsville. The Japanese battleships made a return visit the next day, accompanied by the sighting of Japanese CVs near Cooktown, soon followed by the bombing of Cooktown and killing of said observer [:(]. Regardless, the 2 day bombardment of Townsville had absolutely no effect beyond confusing the local feral population and aiding the efforts of several GIs to score with the local female population. [:)].

In other news a jap FT TF breezed past my minefields at Irau and captured the base [:@]. Allied PBYs have now rebased to Rennell. CVs Enterprise and Wasp (TF 2) are in the vicinity however, and will pay the Japanese a surprise visit of their own tomorrow. *evil laugh*

September 12 – 15 1942

Events in Australia move slowly. A recon attack by Beauforts and SBDs on Cairns runs into heavy concentrations of Japanese flak. Losses are light, but many planes are damaged and will require a few days to repair. Allied command has decided that all offensive air combat operations will cease pending the arrival of 5th Air force HQ and further reinforcements. A small Japanese invasion force (elements of 144 and 141 Rgts) captured Cooktown Base. As Mr. Burns would say: “Eexcellent.”


Meanwhile in SOPAC, TF 2 is launches the first successful combined strike of the war and bushwhacks a small Japanese destroyer force off Irau. TF 2 will now resist temptation to make a follow up strike on Lunga (repeat to self: must resist! must resist!) and retire back to the safety of Noumea via the Santa Cruz Islands



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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/12/42
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Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 24
SBD Dauntless x 61
TBF Avenger x 13


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 6 damaged
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Inazuma
DD Arashio, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akebono, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yamagumo, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

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[8D]

16 September 1942

[>:]

17 September 1942

[font="Courier New"]Day 1 and our Lord slept.[/font]

18 September 1942

[font="Courier New"]Day 2 and our Lord continued to sleep[/font]

19 September 1942

[font="Courier New"]Day 3 and our Lord creaked an eye open, saw all was well, and slept.
[/font]
20 September 1942

[font="Courier New"]Day 4 – Our Lord wrote an angry letter to Nimitz complaining about the spare carriers rusting away at Pearl, and slept.[/font]

21-24 September 1942

[font="Courier New"]Day 5,6,7,8 and our Lord slept.[/font]

25 September 1942

[font="Courier New"]Day 9 and our Lord admitted he was a little bored.[/font]

26 September 1942

[font="Courier New"]Day 10 and our Lord was rudely awoken by a report from Number 2 about how the last and latest rescue mission to Lea Lea by a bunch of APDs and DMs resulted in the rescue of 500 men and the crippling of one APD Sands by a Type 93 mine and the general consensus was that such a mission should not be attempted again, and besides reconnaissance had detected a force of Cruisers now parked of Lea Lea and reliable sources all agreed that Lea Lea was a mighty fine beach to be stranded on all things considered, so the whole attempt at rescue was perhaps an episode in futilely to begin with… Our Lord sighed, looked around for something to hit Number 2 with, and upon failing to find even a simple bedside clock, went back to bed.[/font]

27 September 1942

[font="Courier New"]Day 11 and on discovering that most of the guests had left Cairns for points north, our Lord found a new use for Number 2 and dispatched with a small force to uncover what they found lacking in our hospitaility. And then our Lord smiled to himself and went back to a sound undisturbed sleep.[/font]

28-29 September 1942

[font="Courier New"]Day 12, 13 and our Lord had a dream about a miracle submarine S-43 which expended its entire load of torpedoes in one night by sinking a tanker and crippling a transport just of Bougainville. The dream was so vivid that our Lord directed it to be preserved for all prosperity and shown in all theaters before the 8 O’clock news.[/font]

The Dream:





[font="Courier New"]and thus in the annals of our time did september paseth...[/font]

[:D][:D][:D]

30 September 1942

[font="Courier New"]End of the month and our Lord awoke… and decided it was time for a Month End Report! :[/font]


Dear President Roosevelt,

Thanks for the gramophone and radio you sent me. And while I don’t always have time to listen to your fireside chats, you can rest assured that I’ve got the 808th EAB busy constructing my new fireplace as I write! September was a quiet month down here, which allowed us to recover from the wounds suffered over the last few months. The forty thousand or so Japanese guests in Australia are very polite and actually a little shy (they tend to keep to themselves a lot). There was a small incident in the beginning of the month when they raped, ravaged and pillaged the towns of Cooktown and Cairns, but that was a simple cultural misunderstanding and is all in the past now. I expect there will be more news come October, and I’ll be sure to keep you posted!

How comes the polio? I’ve been telling everyone about how remarkable it is that you’ve done such a splendid job of keeping it a secret. Though now that the topic has come up, I’ve got this awful pain in all the diodes down my left side…

Your obedient servant,


Veer
_______________________________________End Message


End of September 1942 stats:


Bases controlled

..............| Jap : Allied
End July | 23 : 12
Sept 30 | 24 (+1) : 12

Aircraft Losses This Month:

Jap – 69 – 55 Fighters, 1 Dive Bomber, 13 Misc

Allied – 54 – 22 Bombers, 2 Dive Bombers, 2 Torpedo Bombers, 22 Fighters/FBs, 6 Misc

Aircraft Losses YTD:

Jap – 488 – 130 Bombers, 230 Fighters, 18 Dive Bombers, 12 Torpedo Bombers, 98 Misc

Allied – 1001 – 201 Bombers, 93 Dive Bombers, 26 Torpedo Bombers, 511 Fighters/FBs, 170 Misc

Ships confirmed sunk (this month):

Jap – 1 BB [:)], 4 DD, 8 AP, 3 TK, 1 Misc*

Allied – 3 AK, 5 Misc*

* PG, SC, APD, ML, etc.

Ships confirmed sunk YTD:

Jap – 1 BB, 1 CA, 2 CL, 19 DD, 42 AP, 5 TK, 5 SS, 15 Misc
Total = 90

Allied – 1 CV, 6 CA, 2 CL, 15 DD, 4 AP, 9 AK, 4 SS, 17 Misc
Total = 58

Army Loss points YTD:

Allied : 311
Japan : 317

Allied Operational LBA in theatre: 730 (up 235)
At start of month: 495

Overall Score:

Japan | Allied
10195 | 4357

Difference: +5838
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The plan for October revolves around several newly conceived operations. In SWPAC, Operation Lucky will see the recapture of Cairns by the 3rd Australian Div. Operation Strike will then see the repeated bombing of Cooktown, possibly followed by a ground assault. Cairns is to be back in allied hands by mid-October, and the Cooktown force neutralized by the end of the month. Following which I can plan my return to New Guinea. [:'(]




In SOPAC, Operation Knuckle-Hammer will see the building of bases at Gavigamana and Nevea. Both are to be Lvl 3 airfeilds on which I shall base Marine F4Fs and SBDs by the middle of the month. Then I can plan for a return to Irau and the neutralization of Japanese threat on Guadalcanal. 3rd Fleet will cover this operation.




1 October 1942

The last day of September saw a bit of action. A strike by the Long Range Bomber Force attacked shipping at Gilli Gilli port. Encountering CAP the raid resulted in the loss of 5 B-17s. Not going to try that again! [:o]
Meanwhile PC 24 hit a mine at Rossell and sank. SS Drum returned to form by torpedoing an AP just off Buka [:)]. After a long hiatus my 5 subs are now back in position. Now if I just knew what the Japanese were upto…

02 -03 October 1942

Now behold the might of allied air power! Over two hundred allied bombers pound Cooktown into gristle. MUHAHAHAHA Soon all of Japan will tremble!!!

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/02/42
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Air attack on Cooktown , at 6,53

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 31
B-26B Marauder x 102
B-17E Fortress x 62
B-24D Liberator x 10
A-20B Havoc x 12

no losses

Airbase hits 49
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 298

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hehe.. I’m feeling evil.

October 04 1942

Well it seems that in my gloating of Allied air power I had forgotten about Japanese naval air power. Today the tables get turned as a Jap CV TF appears out of nowhere (NE of Nevea) and pounds my transport TF at Gavigamana [:(]. Just my luck I stood down all LRCAP today owing to thunderstorms [:o]. As a result of this Operation Knucke has been put on hold for the time being. The only bright spot was that the TF had almost finished unloading... Gav has 2 Seabees units, 1 base fore (60 AV support) and 1 AA unit.




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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/04/42
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Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on TF, near Gavigamana at 51,47

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
D3A Val x 27
B5N Kate x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 3 destroyed


Allied Ships
AP Fuller, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AV Tangier, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *** 90 sys, she's going down *** [:(]
AK Idomeneus, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AK Adelong, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC 741, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *** sunk *** [:(]
AK Lycaon, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Ormiston, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *** 75 sys ***
AP William Ward Burrows, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Draco, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *** 82 sys *** [:@]
AK Crater, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage *** 75 sys ***

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The TF will retire to Lunganville. I'll try to save what I can.

October 05 1942

The convoy at Gavigamana slowly limps away. The Japanese carrier attempt no further attacks and disappear to the north. AV Tangier and AK Draco now have 99 sys damage and I fear they will sink next turn. [:(]
Meanwhile in SWPAC CVs Wasp and Enterprise abandon their berth at Rockhampton and are ordered to return to Noumea, bearing several marine squadrons in addition to their own complement.
Reconnaissance has meanwhile detected what seems to be the Japanese Emperor at Cooktown. Tomorrow 200 level bombers will fly over the base to make sure. [;)]

Recon image from Cooktown: (note Japanese landing-craft in the background)




October 06-07 1942

Now after 2 days straight of bombing by masses of allied aircraft the enemy situation at Cooktown and Cairns can’t be good [:'(]. With the airfield a mess of craters, attention has been shifted to the docks.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/06/42
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Air attack on Cooktown , at 6,53

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 30
B-26B Marauder x 107
B-17E Fortress x 64
B-24D Liberator x 12
A-20B Havoc x 12
Hudson x 15
Beaufighter VIC x 17
Beaufort x 15

no losses

Port hits 15
Port fuel hits 8
Port supply hits 6
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hehe... [&o]


Intelligence has intercepted a Japanese postcard from Cooktown. I think it speaks for itself. [:D]

October 8 – 10 1942

Daily bombing continues in N. Australia…. [>:]

Meanwhile in SOPAC – today will be day long remembered! Not for any great feat of arms though, but today Emper…sorry, Admiral Nimitz decided to release the carriers Lex, Sara and Hornet to the South Pacific. Yeee!
The remnants of the Gavigamana convoy have made it back to Luganville (lvl 6 port). By some miracle these include the AV Tangier (99 sys, 90 flt) and AK Draco (83 sys, 82 flt). About 5 other ships have damage in the 50-70 range. And even though Operation Knuckle has been dealt a temporary setback, Gavigamana is now a level 3 airbase. With no sign of the Jap carriers, Operation Hammer continues and a large convoy carrying the 182nd RCT of the Americal Div, 3 Eng units and 1 base force begin unloading troops at Nevea beach. LRCAP is provided by 2 VMF squads from Gavigamana. Risky. [:-]

3rd Fleet has now been reorganized into 2 TFs-

TF 1 – Carrier Div 1 - CVs Enterprise and Hornet, supported by CV Wasp, Cruiser Div 3 - CAs Indianapolis and Pensacola, along with screen forces of 1 CL, 2 CLAA and 7 DDs
TF 2 – Carrier Div 2 – CVs Saratoga and Lexington, Battle Div 1 – BB Washington, CA Northampton and screen forces of 1 CL, 1 CLAA and 10 DDs.

Both TFs will operate out of Efate. But while all carriers can boast a full compliment of strike aircraft, the fleet is about 25-30 F4Fs short. With the replacement pool essentially at zero, high command has decided that the carrier forces will operate within the umbrella of land based air cover for now. The time is not yet to take on the KB.

Meanwhile CVE Long Island will take up shipping the Marine SBDs squadrons back to New Caledonia from Australia.

CVE Long Island – doing what she was meant to do!

October 11 – 15 1942

A quiet few days. SS Grayling takes up position between Munda and Shortlands where she sinks 6 barges in 3 nights, but loses a 40mm deck gun in the process. Many Jap APs are spotted in ‘The Slot’ either heading to or from Guadalcanal. Most allied submarines have been deployed to interdict this route. Though so far only several pot shots have been taken at a TK, AP and ML with no hits. [:(]

The Nevea convoy completes unloading without incident, but on its return to Luganville is hit by a flight of 8 Betty bombers. AP President Hayes and an APD are hit – though not badly. Nevea is now a level 2 airbase! [&o]

In Australia, the 3rd Aussie Division has finally reached Cairns, about a week behind schedule. Tomorrow they will launch an attack to evict the lone Jap Bde at the base. As a final hurrah Cooktown gets plastered by the 5th Air force one last time. On the 16th most of the bomber force will be stood down to allow the pilots to rest and have a few beers before being shipped to the ‘real war’ brewing in the East.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/13/42
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Weather: Clear

Air attack on Cooktown , at 6,53

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 30
B-26B Marauder x 99
B-17E Fortress x 67
B-24D Liberator x 9
A-20B Havoc x 12

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1038 [8D]
Guns lost 16

Airbase hits 22
Runway hits 212

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I doubt anything will be flying from Cooktown anytime soon [:)]

October 16 – 18 1942

The carriers of the 3rd Fleet make a small sortie northwards, after stopping at Luganville to refuel. On reaching a position near the Santa Cruz Islands they are spotted by the Japanese patrol boats – with one Mavis flying so close she can literally read the paint on the side of the Hornet and Saratoga. With operational surprise lost, and Japaneseve CVs spotted at Shortlands, the sortie is called off. Another 3 barges are sunk at Munda.

Meanwhile in Australia the Battle for Cairns begins, though results are far from satisfactory. In 3 days of attacks Maj.Gen. Savige’s troops makes little progress and the bombers from the 5th Fleet have to be called in to soften the defenses. The Allies take over 400 casualties for a similar amount of Japanese killed – this despite us having a 2-1 superiority in men. At least the 1st Aerodrome was taken, that will allow us to deploy some fighter craft to the base.

October 19 -20 1942

At Cairns the battle has developed into a mutual bombardment contest, with allied medium bombers attacking every afternoon. Allied command has resolved to evict the troublesome Jap rearguard once the troops have a chance to take in some draughts of beer and recover.

In the Solomons, SS Drum sinks 5 AGs in 2 nights, but also loses a deck AA gun in the process. SS Sailfish finds a lone Jap transport just off Tassafaronga and after chivalrously giving the crew 30 seconds to jump overboard into the dark shark infested waters, sinks the ship with a combination of shell fire and torpedoes. [:)]

Couple of troubling things though –
An Jap garrison unit has landed at Rennell [X(] – I am determined not to lose the island as it forms my only ‘eye’ into the Solomons, but also I had just fast transported the 808 EAB there yesterday inorder to build up the base prior to the reconquest of Irau (Allied HQ was mightly impressed at how quickly Nevea and Gav were built up). All PBYs are now tasked with flying reinforcements to the base pronto!

In conjunction, the Jap CVs have penetrated into the Coral sea, in their favorite position SE of Rossel. They may be trying to force a reaction from my carriers (near Efate), or could be covering the Jap transport TF spotted just SW of Gilli. Or this could be the start of an evacuation attempt form N Australia… we will see.

October 21 -22 1942

Japanese Betty bombers swoop in and massacre the mass of allied shipping at Noumea…
No CAP was flying as the weather men had promised thunderstorms and… this NOUMEA for Christ’s sake!! Seems nowhere is safe [:(]. Allied AA crew were too busy taking pictures of these strange beasts to heed orders to open fire.
5 transports sunk and many badly damaged. This loss of shipping will seriously retard attempts to establish a foothold at Irau… [:@]

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Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 52,67
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Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 49 *** + another 46 in the afternoon ***

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed *** 6 lost***
G4M1 Betty x 18 damaged

Allied Ships

TF1:
MSW Swallow
DMS Zane, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage ***48 sys***
DMS Trevor, Torpedo hits 1, on fire ***40 sys***
AK Celeno, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, ***sunk*** [:o]
AP Feland, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, ***sunk*** [:o]
AK Asphalion, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Eridanus, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP McCawley
AK Murzim, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Mintaka, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AP William P. Biddle, Torpedo hits 3, on fire ***sunk*** [:@]
AK Albireo, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, ***sunk*** [:o]
AK Barwon, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, ***sunk*** [:o]

TF2:
MSW Toowoomba
AP George Clymer, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage ***89 sys***
AP American Legion, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage ***72 sys***

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22 October 1942, Noumea: What curious birds




Not to mention that the troops at Rennell have been getting a regular pounding from Vals and Kates flying from Lunga. Supplies have dwindled to next-to-nothing and airfield construction is far slower than anticipated. The only good news is that enough ground troops were flown to hold the base for now. Though the Japanese can reinforce at will, so maybe it’s time to bid the island bye-bye [:(].

October 23-25, 1942

In desperation Allied HQ orders a small force of Patrol Boats to Rennell to deter any Japanese attempt to reinforce their troops there. The result is a small surface battle – PT 123 is surprised and sunk by a team of Japanese destroyers, but PT 122 slips in between the shadows and torpedoes DD Suzukaze [:'(]. The Japanese commander’s nerve breaks and he withdraws from the area at full speed. [8D]

PT 122: Pasting the Suzukaze



HQ is also scrapping together a small FT TF to pick up the 808 EAB from Rennell. The quartermaster has estimated it will take 2 months and 200 barrels of beer to build an airfield at the base and the Japanese don’t seem to co-operating in the allied efforts. EAB units are too precious at this stage to be lost!

The Long Range Bomber Force (LRBF – 80+ B-17s, 15 B-24s) has now been rebased to Noumea, awaiting deployment to Luganville. The problem however is that in my initial ignorance of SOPAC in favour of SWAPC in May, June & July means that Luganville doesn’t have enough supplies or a large enough airbase to sustain heavy bomber operations (only 5K supplies at base, and level 6 airfield). Oops. [:o]

At Cairns bombing, strafing and bombardment attacks continue, but despite all efforts the 228 Rgt refuses to be crushed! Tomorrow Maj.Gen Savige will order his troops to live up to his name and chase the Japanese back to Cooktown.

October 26, 1942

In a final attack at Cairns the Japanese (now less than 3,500 men) are firmly evicted from the base. Took long enough [:@]! In a couple of days Eng units and Base Forces will be transported from Townsville to Cairns, which will then become the home of 5th Air Force.

LRBF launches its first attack at Lunga airfield. The result is pretty dismal… 4 B-17s are lost, with about 6 Japanese aircraft destroyed on the ground. Airfield damage is small however.

October 27, 1942

All contact is lost with SS-43 (my only remaining S-boat), last known to be tempting fate in ‘the slot’ by taking on a destroyer and a CA single handed. All flags to be flown at half mast for the brave boat. [&o]

A second attack by the LRBF creates more damage at Lunga, but for the loss of 4 more heavies and draining of Luganvilles last supplies. No more attacks to be lauched for the timebeing.

More PT boats are sent to Rennell.

October 28-30, 1942

Not much action these last few days, though lots of sighting and failed submarine attacks in the 'the slot'. The Japanese have made no further attempts to reinforce Rennell, but in a new tactic are using Alfs and Jakes to bomb my boats there. [&:]

October 31 1942

[>:] No action today, but it’s time for another STAFF REPORT! [8D]


End of October 1942 stats:


Bases controlled:

..............| Jap : Allied
End Sept | 24 : 12
Oct 31 | 24 : 14(+2)

Aircraft Losses This Month:

Jap – 44 – 17 Bombers, 11 Fighters/FBs, 4 Dive Bombers, 2 Torpedo Bombers, 10 Misc

Allied – 40 – 23 Bombers, 7 Fighters/FBs, 1 Dive Bomber, 9 Misc

Aircraft Losses YTD:

Jap – 532 – 147 Bombers, 241 Fighters, 22 Dive Bombers, 14 Torpedo Bombers, 108 Misc

Allied – 1041 – 224 Bombers, 518 Fighters/FBs, 94 Dive Bombers, 26 Torpedo Bombers, 179 Misc

Ships confirmed sunk (this month):

Jap – 1 DD, 4 AP

Allied – 1 AV, 2 AP, 3 AK, 1 SS, 1 Aux

Ships confirmed sunk YTD:

Jap – 1 BB, 1 CA, 2 CL, 20 DD, 46 AP, 5 TK, 5 SS, 15 Aux
Total = 95

Allied – 1 CV, 6 CA, 2 CL, 15 DD, 1 AV, 7 AP, 12 AK, 5 SS, 18 Aux
Total = 67 (not counting PT boats)

Army Loss points YTD:

Allied : 332
Japan : 366

Allied Operational LBA in theatre: 974 (up 244)
At start of month: 730

Overall Score:

Japan | Allied
9206 | 4734

Difference: +4472
-----------------------------------------------------------

The Plan for November:

Australia:

Operation Strike is about to commence (2 weeks behind schedule), which will see the pounding of the Japanese force at Cooktown into dust. Plenty of ground troops are available but most will have to march a long way up the coast as I’m severely strapped for transports. As of now Australia has about 20K tons of lift capacity. Barely enough to transport a couple of divisions.



Central Solomon Sea:

Not much happening here, though I am tempted to establish a base at Rossell. For now subs will attempt to interdict the Japanese transport routes.



Southern Solomons:

Once again the lack of transports is putting a sever brake on operations and events are running about a week behind schedule. Nonetheless Nevea has a Lvl 3 Airbase with 9k supplies and Gav has a Lvl 3 airbase and port with 30K supplies. The plan (Operation Forge) is to fast-transport an Eng unit to Irau. And once an airfield is established - push a large re-supply convoy and base force to the island. This will allow the neutralization of Lunga – which is heavily populated by Jap planes. Hopefully we can have a Lvl 3 airbase at Irau by the middle of the month. A secondary operation will see supplies and more Eng units being transported to Rennell. 3rd Fleet will cover both operations.