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22 August 1943

SEA OF JAPAN

SS Grampus launches 2 torpedoes at PB Koshun Maru and misses at 117,53 near Hirosaki/Aomori

PB Koshun Maru
PB Kumi Maru # 2

CHINA

Japanese morning air attack on 11th Chinese Army-Corps at 80,33 near Lanchow - 65 casualties
Japanese morning air attack on 89,40 - 7 port hits and 2 port fuel hits

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Allied morning air attack on TF at 108,94 near Tinian

Weather Overcast

Allied aircraft

F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
F6F-3 Hellcat x 84
SBD-5 Dauntless x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships

CM Tokiwa, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Carrier support unable to supply air cover
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CM Tokiwa

I am going to make some mistakes in the coming campaign. This is one. I should have ordered my plucky old minelayer to disband or head home to Saipan instead of Tinian. By end of turn she is languishing in port sporting the following damage 55 57(51) 15(07) 53. Fires... the constant nightmare for Japanese crews.

The American juggernaut has changed course and is now east of Tinian. It would seem that Pagan is not the main target!

Do you sense my trepidation for what is about to come.

Yamaguchi and Tanaka have opted for an aggressive move towards the American Fleet with the intention of protecting the islands and catching the American infantry still on board ships before they hit the beaches. In order to to this the escort for the carriers has been reduced in order to create battle groups.

The Americans have good detection on our fleets and a lot is expect from our Zero fighters in the coming battle.

The make of of the Imperial Fleet is thus:

KB Yamaguchi

CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Taiho
CV Akagi#
CA Mikuma
CL Yubari
CLAA Yubari
DD Makinami
DD Tamanami
DD Onami
DD Hatsukaze
DD Akatsuki
DD Sagiri

KB Senda

CVL Ryujo
CVL Shoho
CVL Zuiho#
CA Kako
CL Agano
CL Jintsu
CS Nisshin
CS Chitose
CS Chiyoda
DD Nizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Kiyonami
DD Oyashio
DD Nenohi

KB Nagumo

CV Junyo
CV Hiyo#
CVL Ryuho
CVE Hosho
CVE Taiyo
CVE Unyo
CVE Chuyo
CA Tone
CL Oyodo
CLAA Tenryu
DD Susuzuki
DD Kagero
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Minazuki
DD Mikazuki

Battle Group Tanaka

BB Nagato
BB Mutsu#
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Hatsuharu

Battle Group Sato

CA Chokai
CA Haguro#
CA Kumano
DD Takanami
DD Kuroshio
DD Yamakaze

Battle Group Masuyama

BB Kongo
BB Hiei
DD Naganami
DD Umikaze

Edit: corrected title

23 August 1943

SOUTH CHINA SEA

SS Sailfish launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 76,77 near Bataan/Corregidor

xAKL Hachirogata Maru
xAK Okuni Maru
xAK Fukko Maru
xAKL Yagi Maru
xAKL Miyako Maru
xAKL Tonegawa Maru
xAKL Anbo Maru
PB Kyo Maru#13

EAST CHINA SEA

SS Tunny launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 99,57 near Fukue-jima

DD Yumagi
DD Akigumo

SS Herring launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 100,56 near Saishu To

DD Kisaragi
DD kikuzuki

HOME ISLANDS

SS O19 launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 111,65 near Aogashima

xAK Kinryu Maru
xAK Hiyama Maru
xAK Kosin Maru#2
PB Akitsui Maru

CHINA

Japanese morning air attack on Sining - 2 airbase hits, 3 airbase supply hits and 21 runway hits.
Japanese morning air attack on 89,40 - 4 port hits, 2 port fuel hits and 3 port supply hits

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Allied morning air attack on TF at 109,94 near Saipan

Weather in Hex: Heavy rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 14
A6M2-N Rufe-Guisen x 26
A6M3a Zero-Reisen x 23
A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 182
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 120
N1K1J Gerorge-Shiden x 7
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7
Ki-84a Rrank-Hyate x 8

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36
FM-1 Wildcat x 18
F6F-3 Hellcat x 104
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 76
SBD-5 Dauntless x 52
TBF-1 Avenger x 227

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe-Guisen: 3 destroyed
A6M3a Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero-Reisen: 3 destroyed
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destoryed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 10 destroyed, 14 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-5 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 25 destroyed, 19 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships

CV Hiyo, Torpedo hits 1
CVE Taiyo, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Junyo
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CV Taiho, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires
DD Sagiri
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 1
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Yubari
CV Soryu
CL Oyodo
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CVE Chuyo
CVL Ryuho
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits, heavy fires
DD Minazuki
CLAA Tatsuta
DD Hatsukaze
CA kikuma
DD Akatsuki

Fuel sotrage explosion on CVE Unyo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Unyo
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Taiyo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Shokaku class CV
Ammo storage explosionon CVE Hosho

Allied afternoon air attack on TF at 108,93 near Saipan

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29
FM-1 Wildcat x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 91
SBD-5 Dauntless x 21
TBF-1 Avenger x 11

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 4 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships

DD Nowaki
DD Oshio
DD Tanikaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Carrier support unable to supply air cover.
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Tanikaze

SOUTH CHINA SEA

SS Grayling is located by escort at 84,68 near Itbayat Island

EW-20
EW-8


WO Kudo, O of 202 KuS01 Det B is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
CPO Kikuchi, T of 251 KuS-1 Det B is credited with kill number 10
PO1 Diikawa, D of Kaga-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO1 Matsumura, H of Shokaku-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO2 Araki, R of Hosho-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO2 Fujimatsu, W of 202 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO2 Kawamura, L of Hosho-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO2 Kamihira, N of Hosho-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO1 Hori, T of 253 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO2 Inano, G of Hiryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO2 Shoji, S of 202 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO1 Magara, K of Shokaku-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO2 Hirano, G of Hiryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO2 Mikami, H of Taiho-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!
PO1 Kojima, P of 6th KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 - attains ace status!!


G4M1 Betty-Rikko from 753 KuK-1 has spotted AM Rail at 109,95 - AM Rail is reported hit

DD Tanikaze sinks at sea

SC CHa-42 arrives at Yokohama

xAP Lancashire is reported to have been sunk near Moulmein on 9 October 1942

CM Tokiwa remains afire at Tinian - 67 57(51) 22(07) 34



Meanwhile in Yokohama naval reinforcements have been ordered to proceed.

Battle Group Kiraoka casts off comprised of :

BB Yamato
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
CA Chikuma
CL Nagara
CL Isuzu
CL Abukuma
CL Kiso
DD Yugure
DD Namikaze
E Wakamiya


West of the Marianas a convoy containing 90th JAAF AF Bn is ordered to wait. I don't want this lot near the battlefield until I know what if any islands I can hold onto.


Damage to my carriers at end of day is:

The intel screen displays a promising result from aerial duels in the sky. Plenty of enemy planes splashed but the sheer numbers meant lots of bombers were able to get through to make their bombing run. The figures also show one of my mistakes. Overthinking or simply getting too clever for myself... Concentrating of having all my fighters up on CAP I opted to put a good percentage of my bombers on ASW duty at 2 hex range. I also opted to put half of them on search. A very bad decision and given that the two opposing sides ended up being a hex apart the Allied CAP had a field day downing my hapless bombers.

Dispositions for 24 August 1943.

So at end of day we have the following task force groupings.

KG Yamaguchi

CV Hiryu#
CV Soryu
CA Mikuma
CL Yubari
CLAA Tenruy
CLAA Tatsuta
DD Makinami
DD Tamanami
DD Onami
DD Hatsukaze
DD Akatsuki

KB Senda

CVL Ryujo
CVL Shoho
CVL Zuiho#
CL Kaka
CL Agano
CL Jintsu
CS Nisshin
CS Chitose
CS Chiyoda
DD Niizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD kiyonami
DD Oyashio
DD Nenohi

KB Nagumo

CV Junyo
CV Hiyo (Damaged)
CVL Ryuho
CVE Unyo (Damaged)
CVE Chuyo
CA Tone
CL Oyodo
DD Susuzuki
DD Kagero
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Minazuki
DD Mikazuki

The 3 surface battle groups maintain their configuration. The surface battle groups are ordered to patrol Saipan with a reaction range of 1 hex. The 3 carrier groups are ordered to patrol the hex west of Saipan with nil reaction range. I am expecting the Americans to come again for the carriers.

As for the damaged ships:

CVE Hosho ordered in a single ship TF to Saipan and disband.

CVE Taiyo ordered in a single ship TF to Saipan and disband.

The below ships at cruise speed 6/3 are ordered to clear the area to the northwest:

CV Shokaku
CV Taiho
CV Akagi
DD Sagiri

And the plan for the following day... soak up the Allied aerial onslaught and see where the American fleet deploys.

Edit: Correct attachment inserted.

Here is the roll over of the American Fleet sitting 2 hexes east of Guam.

If the Allies are one hex away and the Japanese fleet moves first, I would make a lot of small SCTFs to annoy the enemy, trying to get uick torpedo hits and then evade. Then the heavier SCTFs attack. Any LBA with highly trained bombers could also try night attacks to try and get some lucky hits in.

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If the Allies are one hex away and the Japanese fleet moves first, I would make a lot of small SCTFs to annoy the enemy, trying to get uick torpedo hits and then evade. Then the heavier SCTFs attack. Any LBA with highly trained bombers could also try night attacks to try and get some lucky hits in.

Thanks for the input RangerJoe.

I am a good one month behind where we are currently at in the game. As it was with the next turn coming up I was very cognizant of the impressive size of the American Fleet bearing down on my islands clad in very scanty defenses. There was so much American air power left to worry over after the strikes of 23 August. Keeping a credible CAP over this islands was my first priority. By this time, too, I was well aware that Ed comes at you with big TFs. I was more than comfortable with the make up of the Japanese battle groups. The only questions which remained at the end of this day was... did I configure them properly to defend Saipan and Tinian. I had already decided to leave Guam to it's fate. My objective was simply to defend the two central islands of Tinian and Saipan.

As for the bombers... there simply wasn't enough capacity on the islands to maintain fighters and bombers. Fighters were my priority along with keeping American bombardment groups away from my land based runways so those fighters could maintain a CAP to complement my knocked around carriers. Further to the night attack option I don't think I have a sufficient pool of 80+ experienced bomber pilots at present. If I do I haven't spent the time needed to pull them altogether into one unit. I might get there some time later in the war and if I do and the opportunity presents I may just give a night time attack a run.

00:13 Combined Fleet Headquarters, Yokosuka Navy Base

Sleep this night had not come easily for Admiral Yamamoto, Commander of the Imperial Japanese Navy. So many reports to digest before rest could be contemplated and then when rest was allowed the it was to be denied by the constant to and fro in his head. How was Yamaguchi to deal with the coming onslaught now that Akagi, Taiho, Shokaku and some of the smaller carriers had been removed from the fight. Granted.. no Japanese carriers had been sunk but that was surely a flight of fancy with several carriers reporting raging fires threatening to completely engulf the ship. Had the command to send Yamato, Yamashiro and Fuso to the fight been left too late. And what of Haruna just about out of the yards in Singapore... would she and her escorts be in time to make any meaningful contribution. What of 5th Division, also in Singapore, and earmarked to make a dash to the Marianas. Would there be any Japanese Marianas Island for them to even land upon. The responsibility of command from afar weighed heavily on the Admiral's mind.

Tap, tap, tap.... a gentle knocking on the door. The Admiral emitted a perfunctory grunt to acknowledge the intrusion. He had after all left orders for important messages from the fleet brought to his immediate attention. All vestiges of sleep gone... if he had even been asleep there had been precious little of it.

So what was it to be.... Message from Rear Admiral Tanaka flying his flag on battleship Mutsu... enemy fleet engaged east of Tinian.

Tanaka has conjured an opportunity. It would seem that there would be no more opportunity for sleep on this night!

24 August 1943

Night time surface combat at 109,94 near Saipan, Range 12000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 4
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships

DD Porter, Shell hits 2
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Balch, Shell hits 1
DD Clark, Shell hits 2, on fire

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 35% moonlight 12000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 12000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 12000 yards
Allison F. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 5000 yards
Allison F. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 12000 yards

Task forces break off...


Night time surface combat at 109,94 near Saipan, Range 9000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships

CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 1
CA San Francisco
CA Quincy
CA Vincennes
DD Bache
DD Beale
DD Bennett
DD Braine


Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 35% moonlight 12000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 9000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo crosses the 'T'

Task forces break off...


Night time surface combat at 109,94 near Saipan, Range 11000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships

AM Starling, Shell hits 1 and is sunk
AM Swallow, Shell hits 1 and is sunk
AM Heed, Shell hits 3 and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 35% moonlight 12000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 11000 yards

Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


Night time surface combat at 109,94 near Saipan, Range 10000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Nagato, Shell hits 2
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 2
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships

DD Farenholt, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Barton, Shell hits 3
APD Whipple
APD Litchfield
APD Ward
APD Chew
APD Schley
APD Colhoun
APD Gregory
APD Little
APD McKean
APD Stringham
APD Waters
APD Dent
APD Talbot
APD Kennison
APD Crane
APD Kilty
APD Humphreys
APD Sands, Shell hits 1
APD Rathburne
APD Dickerson
APA Elmore, Shell hits 2, on fire
APA Fayette, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
AKA Albireo
AKA Libra
AKA Fomalhaut
AKA Alhena, Shell hits 1
AKA Alchiba
AKA Algorab
AKA Alcyone
AKA Thuban
AKA Virgo
AKA Centarus
AKA Almack
AKA Acquarius
AKA mercury
APA Doyen, Shell hits 2
APA Feland, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Republic
AP President Fillmore
AP President Tyler
LSI(M) Prince Henry
LSI(M) Prince David
LSI(L) Kanimbla, Shell hits 1
LSI(L) Glenstrae
LSI(L) Denbigshire, Shell hits 1
AP Ernest Hinds
+APA President Van Buren, Shell hits 7, on fire

Allied ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 35% moonlight 12000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 25000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 25000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 20000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 15000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 10000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 10000 yards
Range closes to 4000 yards
AKA Algorab collides with APD McKean
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Japanese ASW attacks SS Mingo at 107,93 near Saipan

CA Kako
CL Jintsu
CL Agano
CS Chiyoda
CS Chitose
CS Nisshin
DD Wakazuki
DD Nenohi
DD Oyashio

Allied TF encounters minefield at Saipan

Allied Ships

SS Mingo, Mine hits 1

Allied TF encounters minefield at Tinian

Allied Ships

DE Wintle
APA George F Elliot, Mine hits 1
AKA Oberon, Mine hits 1

1 mine cleared

SS I-9 is attacked by escort at 110,93 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

SS I-9, hits 1

Allied Ships

xAK American Star
xAK Lipscomb Lykes
xAK Dellwood
xAK Potter
xAK Admiral Williams
xAK San Angelo
DD Hughes

SS I-9 is attacked by escort at 110,93 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

SS I-9, hits 11, heavy damage

Allied Ships

xAK Dellwood
xAK Potter
xAK Admiral Williams
xAK San Angelo
DD Meade

Pre-Invasion action off Tinian
109 Coastal gun shots fired in defense

Allied Ships

DD Cummings
APA George Clymer
DD Tucker

Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Amphibious Assault at Tinian

Allied ground losses:
501 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 65 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 455 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (0 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 44 (0 destroyed, 44 disabled)

18 troops of a USN Const Labour Squad lost in surf during unload of 15th USN Naval Const Rgt/2

Allied TF encounters minefield at Tinian

Allied Ships

AM Skylark
AM Tumult
AM Token

33 mines cleared

Day Time Surface Combat at 109,94 near Saipan, Range 30000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Hatsuzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships

BB Maryland, Shell hits 1
BB Colorado
BB Pennsylavania, Shell hits 4
BB Tennessee, Shell hits 13
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA New Orleans
DD Converse
DD Conway
DD Cony
DD DeHaven
APA Wharton
APA Harris
APA Zeilin
APA Henry T Allen
APA J Frankilin Bell
APA Hunter Liggett
APA American Legion
AK Prince Georges
AK Etamin
AK Adhara
AK Ganymede
AK Bootes
AK Aludra
AK Deimos
AP Santa Elena
xAP Klipfontein
xAP Irene Du Pont
xAP Harpoon
xAP Cape Ann
xAP Cape Elizabeth
xAP Cape Greig
xAP Cape Stephens
xAP Cape Newenham
xAP Cape Johnson
xAP Cape Mendocino
xAP Golden Eagle
xAP Trade Wind
xAP Cape Neddick
xAP Cape San Juan, Shell hits 1
xAP Cape Cumberland
xAP Cape John
xAP Cape Trinity
xAP Santa Isabel
xAP Alcoa Puritan
xAP Cape San Martin
xAP Cape May
xAP General Fleisher
AK Abigal Adams
AK Adoniram Judson
AK Amos Kendall
AK Anson Burlingame
AK B F Shaw

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 30000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 30000 yards
AK Abigail Adams collieds with AK Benjamin Lundy
AK Aludra collides with AK Benjamin Lundy
xAP Irenee Du Pont collides with AK Benjamin Lundy
Range closes to 23000 yards
AK James M Goodhue collides with AK Benjamin Holt
Range closes to 17000 yards
AK Adoniram Judson collides with AK Benjamin Lundy
Range closes to 9000 yards
Range increases to 10000 yards
xAP Cape Stephens collides with AK Benjamin Lundy
Range increases to 21000 yards
APA Wharton collides with AK Benjamin Holt
Range increases to 30000 yards
AK Robert J Walker collides with AK Benjamin Holt

Task forces break off....


Day Time Surface Combat at 109,94 near Saipan, Range 30000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Nagato
BB Mutsu, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki, heavy fires
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shigure
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships

BB Maryland
BB Colorado
BB Pennsylvania
BB Tennessee
CA Pensacola
CA New Orleans
DD Converse
DD Conway
DD Cony
DD DeHaven
APA Wharton
APA Harris
APA Zeilin
APA Henry T Allen
APA J Franklin Bell
APA Hunter Liggett
APA American Legion
AK Prince Georges
AK Etamin
AK Adhara
AK Ganymede
AK Bootes
AK Aludra
AK Deimos
AP Santa Elena
xAP Klipfontein
xAP Irene Du Pont
xAP Harpoon
xAP Cape Ann
xAP Cape Elizabeth
xAP Cape Greig
xAP Cape Stephens
xAP Cape Newenham
xAP Cape Johnson
xAP Cape Mendocino
xAP Golden Eagle
xAP Trade Wind
xAP Cape Neddick
xAP Cape San Juan
xAP Cape Cumberland
xAP Cape John
xAP Cape Trinity
xAP Santa Isabel
xAP Alcoa Puritan
xAP Cape San Martin
xAP Cape May
xAP General Fleisher
AK Abigal Adams
AK Adoniram Judson
AK Amos Kendall
AK Anson Burlingame
AK B F Shaw

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 30000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 30000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw
Range increases to 30000 yards
Both Task Forces evade combat


Allied TF encounters minefield at Tinian

Allied Ships

AM Skylark
AM Tumult
AM Token

33 mines cleared

HOME ISLANDS

SS Tunny launches 4 torpedoes and misses at 100,59 near Fukue-jima

Japanese Ships

DD Akigumo

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Day time surface combat at 109,94 near Saipan, Range 29000 yards

Japanese Ships

CA Chokai, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro
CA Kumano
DD Takanami, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 3
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships

DD Cummings, Shell hits 2
DD Tucker, Shell hits 9 and is sunk
APA George F Elliot
APA Fuller, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA William P Biddle, Shell hits 1
APA John Penn, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
APA McCawley, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA Barnett, Shell hits 2, on fire
APA President Jackson, Shell hits 2, on fire
APA President Adams, Shell hits 2, on fire
APA President Polk, Shell hits 4
APA Crescent City, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA Arthur Middleton, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA George Clymer, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKA Oberon, heavy damage
AKA Arcturus, Shell hits 1
AKA Procyon, Shell hits 1
AKA Castor
LSD Belle Grove, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LSD Carter Hall, Shell hits 1, on fire
AKA Henry S Grove
AKA Peter Kerr, Shell hits 1
AKA Redjacket, Shell hits 1
AKA Great Republic, Shell hits 3, on fire
AKA Bald Eagle
AKA Colbert, Shell hits 3, on fire
DE Wintle, Shell hits 16 and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 29000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 29000 yards
Range cloeses to 8000 yards
AKA Henry S Grove collides with APA Fuller
Sato, Yasuo orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...


SS Haddo is attacked at 109,94 near Saipan

Japanese Ships

DD Takanami
DD Yamakaze
DD Kuroshio

Allied Ships

SS Haddo, hits 1

Allied TF encounters minefield at Tinian

Allied Ships

PC-782
PC-781
PC-779
PC-778
PC-777
PC-780, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

8 mines cleared

33 mines cleared


SS I-22 launches 2 torpedoes and misses at 108,95

Japanese Ships

SS I-22, hits 2

Allied Ships

DD Hull
AK Crater
xAK Unicoi
xAK West Ira

Day Time Surface Combat at 109,94 near Saipan, Range 27000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Kongo, Shell hits 2
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
DD Naganami, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Umikaze, Shell hits 1, heavy fires

Allied Ships

DD Anderson, Shell hits 2
DD Hamman, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
AE Shasta, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Bengalen, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Toendjoek, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
xAK Enggano
xAK Charles McCormick
xAK West Cactus, Shell hits 1
xAK Howell Lykes, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Dashing Wave, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Golden Gate, Shell hits 11 and is sunk
xAK Santa Moncia, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Barbara Olson, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
xAK Cynthia Olson, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK William R Gibson
xAK Exmoor, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Will A Point, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Liberty Glo, Shell hits 4 and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 29000 yards
CONTACT: Allied look outs spot Japanese task force at 27000 yards
Range closes to 3000 yards
Masuyama V. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 2000 yards
Massive explosion on DD Hammann
Range increases to 8000 yards
AE Shasta collides with xAK Santa Moncia
Range increases to 28000 yards
Task forces break off...

Day Time Surface Combat at 108,93 near Saipan, Range 29000 yards

Japanese Ships

BB Kongo
BB Hiei
DD Naganami, on fire
DD Umikaze, heavy fires

Allied Ships

DD Meade
DD Huges
AE Pyro
xAK Antares
xAK San Angelo
xAK San Felipe
xAK Maine
xAK Vermont
xAK Admiral Gove
xAK Admiral Williams
xAK West Planter
xAK Ernest Meyer
xAK City of Elwood
xAK Jeff Davis
xAK Potter
xAK Wind Rush
xAK Hurricane
xAK Clevedon
xAK Sataria
xAK Dellwood
xAK Lipscomb Lykes
xAK American Star

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions 30000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese look outs spot Allied task force at 29000 yards
CONTACT: Allied loo outs spot Japanese task force at 29000 yards
Both TF attempt to withdraw!
Range increases to 29000 yards
Both Task Forces evade combat

Allied TF encounters minefield at Tinian

Allied Ships

AM Skylark
AM Tumult
AM Token

29 mines cleared

Allied TF encounters minefield at Tinian

Allied Ships

DD Lamson

2 mines cleared

Allied TF encounters minefield at Tinian

Allied Ships

DD Downes
DD Shaw
DD Lamson

5 mines cleared

SOUTH CHINA SEA

SS Flying Fish launches 2 torpedoes at 66,81 near Jesselton

Japanese Ships

PB Take, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Tenshin
TK Hofuku Maru
TK Urato Maru
TK Tatibana Maru
TK Shoyo Maru
TK San Luis maru
TK Nichiei Maru
TK Juko Maru
TK Amatsu Maru
DD Shimakaze
PB Ichiyo Maru

CHINA

Japanese morning air attack on Sining - 4 airbase hits and 9 runway hits
Japanese morning air attack on 89,40 - 7 port hits, 3 port fuel hits and 1 port supply hit

MARIANAS ISLANDS

Allied morning air attack on TF at 107,93 near Saipan

Weather in Hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 16
A6M2-N Rufe-Guisen x 24
A6M3a Zero-Reisen x 20
A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 169
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 110
N1K1J Gerorge-Shiden x 10
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Ki-84a Frank-Hyate x 1

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
F6F-3 Hellcat x 91
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 40
SBD-5 Dauntless x 34
TBF-1 Avenger x 120

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero-Reisen: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destoryed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 10 destroyed, 7 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 6 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 35 destroyed, 28 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships

CV Junyo
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Chuyo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CA Kako
CVL Shoho
CL Agano
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Susuzuki
CL Oyodo
CA Tone
DD Kagero
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3 and is sunk
DD Oyashio

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Chuyo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Ryuho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Zuiho
Fuel sotrage explosion on CVE Unyo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese CV

Allied morning air attack on TF at 107,93 near Saipan

Weather in Hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 11
A6M2-N Rufe-Guisen x 24
A6M3a Zero-Reisen x 16
A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 152
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 86
N1K1J Gerorge-Shiden x 5
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
FM-1 Wildcat x 14
TBF-1 Avenger x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 24 destroyed

Allied morning air attack on TF at 107,93 near Saipan

Weather in Hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 8
A6M2-N Rufe-Guisen x 23
A6M3a Zero-Reisen x 16
A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 143
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 80
N1K1J Gerorge-Shiden x 3
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 6

No Japanese aircraft losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed

Allied afternoon air attack on TF at 107,93 near Saipan

Weather in Hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero-Reisen x 11
A6M5 Zero-Reisen x 108
A6M5a Zero-Reisen x 78
N1K1J Gerorge-Shiden x 18
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14
Ki-84a Frank-Hyate x 12

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 80
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 25
SBD-5 Dauntless x 18
TBF-1 Avenger x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero-Reisen: 2 destroyed
A6M5a Zero-Reisen: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destoryed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 11 destroyed, 5 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 15 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships

CVL Shoho
CL Agano
CVL Zuiho, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Ryujo

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Zuiho

Pre-Invasion action off Guam
33 Coastal gun shots fired in defense

Allied Ships

BB Lorraine
BB Massachusetts
BB Idaho
CA Chester
CA Houston
DD Radford
DD Pringle
DD O'Bannon
DD Nicholas
AP Santa Barbara

Japanese ground losses:
227 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Amphibious Assault at Guam

Allied ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Pre-Invasion action off Tinian
112 Coastal gun shots fired in defense

Allied Ships

PC-782
PC-777
PC-330
PC-331
PC-332

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Amphibious Assault at Tinian

Allied ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (0 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Pre-Invasion action off Guam
9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense

Allied Ships

DD Gilmer
xAK Defiance

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Amphibious Assault at Guam

TF 405 unloading over beach at Guam


Japanese bombardment attack at Tinian - J 41 casualties to A 7 casualties.
Japanese bombardment attack at Guam - J 79 casualties.


E13A Jake-Suitei from 2nd CCF Det T-1 has spotted DD Selfridge at 110,94. DD Selfridge is reported hit
A Auk class AM is reported hit at 108,94

PO1 Kamihira U. of Soryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO1 Shigeo S. of 202 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO1 katsuma S. of Kaga-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO2 Abe B. of 253 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO2 Minegishi S. of 253 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO2 Koizumi E. of 6th KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO1 Nakasawa V. of Hiryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO1 Kawakami U. of 251 KuS-1 DetB is credited with kill number 5 and attainst ace status
PO1 Nishiura K. of 251 KuS-1 Det B is credited with kill number 10
PO2 Nagano S. of 252 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO1 Maki B. is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO1 Fujwara D. of Hiryu-1 is creditedwith kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO1 Fukada H. of 253 KuS-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
LT Okajima K. of Hiryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO1 Nojima F. of Hiryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
CPO Fujita I. of Soryu-1 is credited wtih kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO2 Nagano G. of Soryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO1 Endo N. of Shoho-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO1 Oda E. of Shokaku-1 is credited with kill number 10
PO2 Kasai O. of 202KuS-1 Det A is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
2LT Hidaka R. of 244th Sentai is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO1 Kawakami R. of Yokosuka KuS-1/A is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
LT Hasuo T. of 202 KUS-1 DetB is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO2 Inano R. of Shokaku-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status
PO2 Fukada V. of Soryu-1 is credited with kill number 5 and attains ace status

Pumps having difficulty controlling flooding aboard CVL Ryuho
Pumps having difficulty controlling flooding aboard CVL Ryuho

Repairs completed on BB Haruna at Singapore, ship returned to service

Loss of CVE Unyo on 24 August 1943 is admitted
Loss of PB Take on 24 August 1943 is admitted

DD Tucker is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 24 August 1943
AM Starling is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 24 August 1943
AM Swallow is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 24 August 1943
AM Heed is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 24 August 1943
XAK Golden Gate is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 24 August 1943
xAK Liberty Glo is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 24 August 1943
DE Whintle is reported to have been sunk near Saipan on 24 August 1943

That was quite a day. Here is the intel reports on aircraft losses for the day. I have paid a stiff price but if correct the offensive capacity of the American carriers should be on the blunt side for now.

Here is the price in terms of carrier damage. Hiyo is in a grievous state, along with Zuiho, Ryuho, Hosho, Taiyo and Chuyo. Ryhuo with 99 fires is clearly a loss. At the end of the day Hosho and Taiyo are in port at Saipan although Hosho is a living hell trying to combat the fires. Hiyo and Zuiho are still at sea on course to make overnight landfall at Saipan. Ryuho and Chuyo are also at sea attempting to steer something like a course towards Saipan... no one expects to see either of them arrive. As for the KB... the following ships are now included in a single TF KB under the command of Yamaguchi; Hiryu, Soryu, Junyo, Ryujo, Shoho. Yamaguchi has transferred his flag to Junyo. Akagi, Taiho and Shokaku continue to make good speed away from the battle field and are now 7 hexes north west of Saipan. Shokaku still has work to do on her own fires.

Here is the result of the battleship action during the night and day. Nagato is ok but Mutsu is feeling the pain. They are both passing Saipan with intentions of leaving the battlefield... other ships shall have to take up where they left off. Tanaka, for his part, has transferred his flag to DD Hatsuzuki which , along with DD Akitzuki, is en route to Ulithi. I shall see if I can find a way to have Tanaka return to the action.

And a screen shot of the relative positions of all sorts of combat groupings at the end of the day. The Americans seem to have a never ending stream of combatants on the way.

ORIGINAL: SierraJuliet

That was quite a day. Here is the intel reports on aircraft losses for the day. I have paid a stiff price but if correct the offensive capacity of the American carriers should be on the blunt side for now.

Yes, but what DAY was it?

None of your posts identify the dates of the turns.
Why are there so many xAPs in your invasion forces?
Where are all of your AKAs?

If all of this is happening in '43 the ship configuration might be understandable, but if it around the historical date the Marianas were taken you should be able to have pure APA/AKA amphibious TFs.

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: SierraJuliet

That was quite a day. Here is the intel reports on aircraft losses for the day. I have paid a stiff price but if correct the offensive capacity of the American carriers should be on the blunt side for now.

Yes, but what DAY was it?

None of your posts identify the dates of the turns.
Why are there so many xAPs in your invasion forces?
Where are all of your AKAs?

If all of this is happening in '43 the ship configuration might be understandable, but if it around the historical date the Marianas were taken you should be able to have pure APA/AKA amphibious TFs.

Hi Hans... just checking but this sounds like a post for Mundy's AAR. Sorry for not posting a date but this post was a run on the previous posts from 24 August. The day is 24 August 1943. Apologies if our similar game titles have made for confusion.

How much I would like to possess APA and AKA vessels. [:D]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: SierraJuliet

That was quite a day. Here is the intel reports on aircraft losses for the day. I have paid a stiff price but if correct the offensive capacity of the American carriers should be on the blunt side for now.

Yes, but what DAY was it?

None of your posts identify the dates of the turns.
Why are there so many xAPs in your invasion forces?
Where are all of your AKAs?

If all of this is happening in '43 the ship configuration might be understandable, but if it around the historical date the Marianas were taken you should be able to have pure APA/AKA amphibious TFs.

Just checking back and see in post # 811 that Mundy had a very nice TF comprised of APA and AKA plus a couple of wondrous looking LSD types that had an encounter with Chokai and friends.