Combat Report
July 9, 1942
The early morning hears the start of many Japanese plane engines prior to sunrise. Vice-Admiral Nagumo doesn't expect to find the Americans today due to his overwhelming number of carriers spread around him. His CS/BB/CA/CL launch nearly 40 Floatplanes to search for the American Fleet.
While they fan out to look, Nagumo wastes no time bringing his Strike Planes on deck and orders for a second strike to be readied in the hangar decks. Though a risk, Nagumo is fully confident in his ships, their doctrine, and capabilities.
This day's action will fully justify his Supreme Confidence.
Japanese Kido Butai:
0655
An American Dauntless is spotted by Japanese CAP over the Fleet
0700
Joyfully realizing that the Americans have STAYED in the area, Nagumo orders the Strike Force into the air. He knows it is only a matter of time for his Scouts to report in.
0705
The Japanese begin launching what will total 73 Zeros, 69 Vals, and 162 Kates.
0708
Chitose's Scout 7 radios "Large enemy TF range 135 miles, bearing 190*, Speed 24 Knots. Fleet appears to have 2 CV, 10 CA/CL, and 10 DD. They are launching planes."
0740
The launch is complete and the KB steers a direct course for the American Fleet. CAP begins to be beefed up.
0845
A single squadron of American Avengers is spotted closing on the Japanese Fleet. There is a total of 106 Zeros flying CAP. Senior Fighter Pilot Itaya of Akagi orders the Zeros from CarDiv2 to attack this formation of 15 planes.
0847-0855
The American Squadron is destroyed as numerous Zeros splash plane after plane. At least 10 are directly shot down before the pilots flee for their lives.
0852
A Squadron of Dauntlesses with strong Fighter Escort is seen advancing from a more northerly axis. As the planes appear to be attack CarDiv1, Itaya personally leads the attack upon this group.
0900
The Second Attack Wave begins to be spotted for immediate launch.
0856-0910
Nearly all the remaining planes not shooting down the Avengers swarm this formation of 18 Wildcats and 17 SBD. The American Fighters are no match for the swarms of Japanese Zeros and they begin to fall rapidly. Fully 16 Wildcats and 9 Dauntless fall to the Zeros.
This being said, 8 Dauntlesses survive to push over into their dives. Half choose to attack Nagumo's flagship and the other 4 go after smaller Shoho. Both Carriers are veterans and heel into tight turns to starboard. The bombs dropped against Akagi do not even come close; however, Shoho takes 3 near misses while managing to shot down a single Dauntless.
Shoho radios that she has not taken any real damage.
0859-0915
The Japanese CAP is nearly saturated at this point in time. Another lone squadron of SBD are spotted approaching from the NW and only Shokaku/Zuikaku's Zeros manage to interpose themselves in time. Without any Wildcats to defend them 13 Dauntlesses of Bombing-6 are shot down and the remaining 3 run for home.
0915
Admiral Nagumo orders the 2nd Wave launched against the American Forces. Originally this Attack Force was to consist of 40 Zero, 45 Val, and 45 Kate; however, the aerial attack upon the Fleet has caused nearly all the Zeros to be launched for CAP protection. Only 6 remain to provide escort. The Strike Force--as is--is ordered into the air.
RESULTS for American Morning Attacks: 6 Zero lost in exchange for 16 F4F, 23 SBD, and 10 Avengers. No damage sustained by Japanese.
0915-0932
The 2nd Wave is launched and recovery of CAP begins.
0940-1015
The 1st Strike Wave hits the American Fleet. Commander Fuchida relays the joyous results to the Fleet.
1110-1147
2nd Wave Leader Tomonaga conducts the attack and radios further good news.
1208-1230
1st Wave is recovered and ordered to be re-armed for an afternoon strike.
1310-1320
2nd Wave recovered.
1430-1510
Afternoon Strike Wave launched consisting of 65 Zero, 95 Val, and 134 Kate.
1640-1730
Fuchida carefully coordinates the attack to do as much damage as possible to the surviving American ships.
1815-1850
Afternoon Strike lands and sake is ordered for all the flight crews!
1900
As the results are being tabulated throughout the Fleet, Nagumo orders the carriers to a slow cruising speed reflecting the serious fuel concerns he now has to deal with. Vice Admiral Yamaguchi signals that his carriers will remain to finish the job even if they have to be "towed back to Canton!"
The American Fleet
0940-1015
Commander Fuchida guides his Aerial Armada unerringly to the American Fleet. Through his binoculars he spies the American Fleet and begins to order the attacks. He is fully confident that moment shall be remembered in Japanese history as a glorious day for the Empire.
Perhaps a bit of overconfidence does hit the Japanese. A full Chutai of Zeros are jumped by the 23 F4F flying CAP over the American formation. With great rapidity 7 Zeros are shot down without hardly firing a shot. The enraged Japanese Fighter pilots immediately make the Americans pay for their attack by dropping 21 Grummans from the sky. Two manage to get through the Escorts and shot down a lone Val.
Akagi's twin Kate Daitai are led by the legendary Murata. They break into fast, shallow dives and aim for the port side American carrier. It is the USS Hornet. Though AA is fearsome, Murata's pilots hold their formations and drive in with a classic hammer and anvil attack. Glancing up, Murata spots Akagi's Vals plummeting down at the same time. Hornet hasn't a chance. She is rapidly struck by 2 bombs and then 5 torpedoes rip into her port side with another 3 crushing her starboard. The ship--still under assault by other Daitai--rapidly sinks.
Not to be outdone the elite veterans of the Dutch East Indies and Indian Ocean, CarDiv2's pilots crush the USS Enterprise in similar fashion. A more balanced assault culminating with 5 bombs and 6 Torpedoes sends her to her watery grave as well.
Seeing the results, Fuchida tries to divert as many planes as possible to attack the supporting ships of the TF. Several hits are scored but Fuchida is disappointed as bomb-after-bomb and missile-after-missile crashes into the sinking carriers.
1110-1147
Strike Leader Tomonaga brings his 90 Strike Planes into the area and they continue the work started by the 1st Wave. Several American cruisers are seriously hit before the wave heads for home.
1640-1730
Fuchida orders only a single Daitai of Kates and Vals to attack at any one point during this assault. He makes sure that the damage is spread around as much as possible. It is believed that between 8-10 American cruisers are damaged and/or sunk during this attack.
The most visual moment of the day occurs when a group of Shokaku's Kates put a Torpedo into the side of the USS Vincennes. The ship--literally--explodes from a main gun magazine hit early in this attack. It is later found out that only 11 men survive the volcanic explosion.
Japanese Kido Butai:
2000
The results are carefully tallied from the long day of operations. The conclusive numbers end up being the following:
CVs Enterprise and Hornet SUNK
CAs Vincennes and San Fransisco SUNK
CLs Phoneix and Nashville SUNK
CAs New Orleans, Astoria, and Minneapolis heavily damaged
CL Honolulu is heavily damaged
2 DDs were hit by a single Torpedo as well and are presumed to in sinking condition.
Japanese Aerial Losses: 15 Zero, 2 Val, and 20 Kates
NO DAMAGE TO JAPANESE CVs!!!
Banzai BABY!
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