Late Bloomer - Sc 19

[RGIJN]

In November 2007 Ken (Nomad) and me agreed upon a Sc 19 campaign. Ship commitment level is 120% for the Allies and 200% for the IJN, no house rules are applied. Till then, it was just my 3rd PBEM game at all.

As stated in another thread already, our game turned out to be a crazy one. Will try to give a general overview of the things that happened in this war yet, and we´ll try to continue this AAR according progress.

After the initial deployment of my forces I noticed that Ken had evacuated PM, Luganville and Efate Port Vila instead to supply & reinforce these outposts. He just wanted to preserve his power for another day. For me as greenhorn this was a big surprise and of course I immediately took PM with limited forces against no opposition. Besides that we concentrated on the usual buildup. I garrisoned & developed a broad chain of bases: Lae, GG, Rossel Island, Lunga, Tulagi, Nevea and (some time later on) Woodlark, Kiriwana, Vila, Munda, Lambeti, Russell Island, Irau. When Tokyo finally released full naval strength into my hands I undertook several raids down the map to challenge Ken´s fleet. But though I roamed the seas between Southern Oz and New Caledonia and the NH area I was never able to force Ken into a carrier battle. At least I sunk some of his cargo fleet. But overall results of these operations were rather disappointing, merely causing wear-out damage to my valuable ships. [&o]
The Imperial forces then invaded Luganville about August 1942 (no opposition) and Port Vila as well. Unfortunately my LCU committed to the latter base were quite weak. From this point until about End of the year I had my heyday. But to be honest, actually I had no clue how to capitalize that properly. Thus I did not dare to build up Luganville into a strong air base, nor did I reinforce Port Vila with troops. Ken kept his moves pretty silent and I was puzzled with his inactivity (as it seemed to me). It was quite strange to me to have this strength as IJN but not know what to do next. From Oct 1942 on I noticed slightly increasing activity so I was forced to guess his intentions. In anticipation of the inevitable invasion of Luganville the KB stood nearby. But Ken decided to take Port Vila first. Since I had only minor naval garrison units there it was an easy prey for him. Suddenly I felt the watch ticking against me. It was a frightening thing... [X(]
Of course I tried to reinforce Luganville, but it was too late. His LBA denied any major convoys to get thru. Meanwhile several night naval clashes occurred between our fleets. One of them resulted in deadly blows for his battleship North Carolina which later sunk in Port Vila harbour. His TFs staged from Noumea and Port Vila (that he had rushed into service), mine were coming from the Solomons and out of KB´s cordon. It was late November already before I dared to build up Nevea as an air base to. In early December he then assembled his invasion fleet and sailed for Luganville. Unfortunately for me he chose just the time when the KB (still completely intact) was off for refuel. So my reaction was too weak to interrupt his operation. Continuously I tried to sneak in with my surface units, but results were rather slim, many of my ships received damage or got killed in vain. It took a few days only from his guys wading ashore till they took the base. Though I had the entire 6th divison there plus numerous other units there was no hope to withstand his invasion. Maybe the sixth division is a bad choice at all...[&:] (at Stalingrad the german 6th was knocked up too, even at about the same time at the end of 1942).
After I had lost the struggle for Luganville with decent losses of a/c, ships and LCU my strategy that had been aiming for auto victory had failed to cash out. I was deeply disenchanted and frustrated. So I offered surrender. Ken of course was astonished and asked for the reason. After some time of reconsideration I changed my mind and so we continued our game. I came to the conclusion that I wanted to know how to deal with the allied onslaught in 1943. How would feel pain?
Then following were quite calm weeks of recover & regroup for both sides. Ken struck my base at Nevea quite hard so I had to pull out the planes & base force units there. He had taken Wunpoko too, quickly developing into an forward airbase as he had done at Luganville and Port Vila before. I am really puzzled by the allied power to turn a cratered base in a few days into a level 2 airport. Level four is done in another two weeks or so. Wow! But I enjoyed this phase of the war too. I reinforced Lunga and Irau and all my MLs were busy laying thousands of eggs everywhere. Russell Islands were turned into another major air base because Nevea was clearly my opponent’s next object of desire. The Navy was still strong with countless vessels at my disposal. Most notably the Kido Butai had still 13 carriers with its complete airgroups to its avail. Though of course their experience values were mixed from high 50s to low 90s. Further on, heavy battleship and cruiser TFs were present either at port or at sea. Slowly my bases got short of aviation support - all the planes that came as reinforcements from Japan occluded my strips. Anyway, I was highly motivated for all the things to come...

[RGIJN]

Some time later on, just by intuition I had sailed right in time to get on scene when he tried to land at Nevea in late March 1943. The following three days were the most furious ones of the entire war by then.
The first turn my bombers from Lunga and partially KB´s decks managed to get thru his strong LRCAP consisting of dozens of P38 & corsairs and smashed his TFs. Two old BBs, several other warships and numerous transport vessels were turned into submerged wrecks... However, in exchange I suffered significant a/c losses to achieve this. At least Ken´s LBA failed to hit me in return.
But next day it was when the real battle arose. I decided to pull back my “death star“ to a point about six hexes NNW of Tulagi in order to avoid allied carriers attacks since I had detected them in the vicinity of Luganville. Ken obviously could read my mind and wanted to “ensure battle” (quote Ken). Accordingly he followed up north - really far north… The initial aircraft sightings in the morning showed his TFs one respectively two hexes away from my cluster!! Of course a fierce rumble got going… But to our both surprise his strikes failed to hit hard, only a few aircraft got thru my heavy CAP & LRCAP. I received only a few bomb and even fewer torpedo hits on a handful ships. Most probably some of them were even duds since they caused very limited damage. Then thunder struck over his carriers… The Japanese attacks were devastating. Three of his large CVs (WASP, HORNET, YORKTOWN) sunk right after battle, with the both E´s (ESSEX & ENTERPISE) limping home - heavily damaged. I had three of my fleet carriers scratched (only minor bomb damage) and a CVE + CVL mortally wounded. Naturally planes had died like flies that day, on both sides. If I remember correctly about 700...800 aircraft failed to return home... His remaining CVs (LEXINGTON & SARTOGA) were slightly damaged too. Mine were in various states of lower/none damage, but still very ready for action.
However, the following night I had my carriers sailing out of his LBA range but sent four SC TFs to finish of the stragglers. Then – a dream came true: a battlegroup with two of my older men-of-war met the ENTERPRISE and ESSEX as well plus the bleeding CLAA OAKLAND with each having a DD as escort… numerous 14” shells finished them. Except from the CVE CHUYO and the CVL ZUIHO I brought all ships safe into port. Both these small combatants sunk just off Tulagi harbour.

What a clash we had! Wow. I was delighted, of course. I had not only sunk the bulk of the allied carriers, I even stopped an allied invasion at this date. Keep in mind guys – it was late March 1943 already! But to quote Ken in this again: such is the fortunes of war! Of course I am pretty aware alot of luck was mixed into the pot at this battle. I could have lost definitively as well. This would have meant end of the game for me.

[Nomad]

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Code: Select all

 I see my opponent Ralf has started the belated AAR.
 
 First, in this game Allied Advance Damage Control is OFF.  My feeling is:
 
      1.  Ship commitment of 200/140 is a somewhat difficult game for the allies, but fun.
      2.  Ship commitment of 200/120 is a hard game for the Allies, the Allied player must play a good game, and a japanese
           autovictory is likely.
      3.  Ship commitment of 200/120 and ADC off is a very hard game for the Allies.  Ships that normally would survive, sink.
 
 
 Second, there are 6 autovictory bases and listed in my order of importance:
 
      1.  Noumea - lose it and the game is over.
      2.  Brisbane - lose it and the game is over.
      3.  Townville - lose it and most likely you have lost the game.
      4.  Luganville - it can be retaken at cost if Efate can be captured/held.
      5.  Efate - also can be retaken, but it might be costly
      6.  Rockhampton - very possible to retake if necessary.
 
 Losing either Noumea or Brisbane is catastophic - time to start a new game.
 
 Losing Townville is bad, you will have no fighter base in range so any bombing you do will be unescorted.  And you find it difficult to
 LRCAP any army forces marching up the road and he will have Bettys ready an multiple locations to sink any fleets you send.
 
 Rockhampton is in fighter range of Brisbane and you can probably bring the Marines from Noumea to help clear it out.
 
 That leaves Luganville and Efate.  To be honest, Efate is the key, with it the Allies can isolate Luganville and bomb it out so it is not too
 hard to take.  And LRCAP can be flown form Efate to Luganville.  
 
 A note to all Japanese players.  Do not worry about 'building a base the allies can take and use.'  The Allies can build bases so fast, it does not
 matter.  You need to build bases that you need.  So, I would say to Ralf, you should have build Luganville to a level 4 airfield and a level 3 port.
 Then you could have based Zeros and Bettys there and defended Efate.  If I tried to bomb Luganville I would have done it using unescorted
 bombers mostly.  Easy meat for your fighters.  
 
 

[/font][/size]

In the next installment Ralf will tell you about a turn that I did out of frustration [:@]

/edit - I see he already posted it while I was typing. My invasion of Nevea went bad, the TF carrying the 1st Marines decided to retire and left the
support TF unloading. I admit I was frustrated and sent my CVs into battle - it did not go well, but the story goes on.

[Nomad]

My intention "to ensure battle" was to make sure the darn TF with the Marines could get to Nevea and start unloading. I expected to lose more that I sunk but I did not expect to lose in so lopsided a battle. But, such is life and war.

[RGIJN]

Thanks for joining in Ken - would like to see your comments in the future as well! Don´t bother looking for that report - found already. Will post here now the Combat report for our late March 1943 carrier battle on the Southern tip of the Solomons:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/23/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Naval bombardment of Nevea, at 50,43


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 114
Guns lost 1


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Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 20
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 57
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 48
B-25J Mitchell x 25
B-24D Liberator x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 3 damaged
Ki-57-I Topsy x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 4 damaged

LTJG C.Inano of F2/2nd Daitai is credited with kill number 4

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 104
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 77

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
5 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
0 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
1 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet

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Air attack on 170th Regiment, at 50,43


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 23


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 60

Attacking Level Bombers:
11 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

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Air attack on TF at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 64
A6M3 Zero x 52
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 58
SBD Dauntless x 48
TBF Avenger x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 10 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 10 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 30 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 13 damaged
TBF Avenger x 21 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 13 damaged

CPO E.Fujita of CII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 11

LTJG R.Horner of VF-8 bails out and is RESCUED

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Soryu, Torpedo hits 1
CV Shokaku
CVL Ryujo
DD Terusuki


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Air attack on TF at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M3 Zero x 27
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28
SBD Dauntless x 26
TBF Avenger x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 8 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 9 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 10 damaged
TBF Avenger x 7 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 7 damaged

LTJG W.Kawato of DI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 13

CPO J.Kawato of EIII-1 Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Hiryu, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1
CV Akagi, on fire


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Air attack on TF at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
A6M3 Zero x 43
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 15 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged

LTJG O.Fujimatsu of DI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 9

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho


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Air attack on TF at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
A6M3 Zero x 42

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 46
SBD Dauntless x 41
TBF Avenger x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 9 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 5 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 10 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 17 damaged
TBF Avenger x 12 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 14 damaged

LTJG W.Kawato of DI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 14

LT K. Notomi of EIII-1 Daitai is KILLED

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 1
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL Ryuho
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL Zuiho
DD Akigumo


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Air attack on TF at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
A6M3 Zero x 31

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25
SBD Dauntless x 18
TBF Avenger x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 5 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 8 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 damaged

PO1 G.Kamihira of AII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 9

PO2 T.Ikeda of EI-1 Daitai is KILLED

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho
CV Hiyo, on fire
CL Abukuma


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Air attack on TF at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
A6M3 Zero x 39
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 35
TBF Avenger x 18

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 8 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 18 damaged
TBF Avenger x 5 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 11 damaged

LCDR M.Sakai of F2/253rd Daitai is credited with kill number 5

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
CVL Hosho, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 2
BB Fuso, Torpedo hits 1, on fire


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Air attack on TF at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M3 Zero x 43
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Arare

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet

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Air attack on TF at 46,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 13
SBD Dauntless x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVE Chuyo, Bomb hits 1


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Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
A6M3 Zero x 24
D3A Val x 99
B5N Kate x 122

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 83

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 11 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 9 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 destroyed
D3A Val x 23 damaged
B5N Kate x 18 destroyed
B5N Kate x 48 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged

CPO J.Doigawa of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 7

LCDR C. Fenton of VF-42 is KILLED

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wilson, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 19, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Indiana, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CL Nashville
DD Anderson, Bomb hits 3, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
D4Y Judy x 23
B5N Kate x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

WO F.Hagiri of BII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Indiana, on fire


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Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 15
B5N Kate x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

LCDR O.Sagara of DIII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 5

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, on fire, heavy damage


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Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
G4M1 Betty x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 20
Ki-48 Lily x 13

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 7 damaged
Ki-21 Sally x 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally x 8 damaged
Ki-48 Lily x 6 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9 destroyed

LTJG B.Hirano of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 4

LCDR R. Hoel of VF-8 bails out and is CAPTURED

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 2
CLAA Atlanta

Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x Ki-48 Lily at 8000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily at 8000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 9000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

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Air attack on TF at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
A6M3 Zero x 37
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32
SBD Dauntless x 16

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

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 5 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged

CPO J.Doigawa of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 8

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire


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Air attack on TF at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
A6M3 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 8
TBF Avenger x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 4 damaged
TBF Avenger x 3 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 2 damaged

PO2 O.Kawakubo of F2/201st Daitai is credited with kill number 6

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, on fire
CV Akagi, on fire
CA Tone


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Air attack on TF at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
SBD Dauntless x 7

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

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged

LTJG I.Obuchi of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 10


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M3 Zero x 35
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 22
TBF Avenger x 13

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 12 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 9 damaged
TBF Avenger x 6 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 7 damaged

CPO J.Doigawa of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 9

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-49 Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen x 1 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen x 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Nashville
DD O'Brien

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Ki-49 Helen at 7000 feet
1 x Ki-49 Helen at 7000 feet

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Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
A6M3 Zero x 14
D3A Val x 62
B5N Kate x 65

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 7 destroyed
D3A Val x 19 damaged
B5N Kate x 19 destroyed
B5N Kate x 19 damaged


LTJG A.O'Neill of VF-42 is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1
CV Essex, Bomb hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Aulick, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD McCall
DD Stevens
CL Montpelier


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Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 11
B5N Kate x 11

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

PO1 G.Ohara of DII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 7

PO1 G.Ohara of DII-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
DD Aulick, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Honolulu
CV Essex, on fire, heavy damage


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Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 3
D3A Val x 15
B5N Kate x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CA Shropshire


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Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13

no losses


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Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
Ki-48 Lily x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily x 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Phelps

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 8000 feet
0 x Ki-48 Lily at 8000 feet

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Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 3

no losses

Allied Ships
DD Farenholt

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Ki-48 Lily at 8000 feet

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Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 3

no losses

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, on fire, heavy damage


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Air attack on TF at 47,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


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Day Time Surface Combat at 46,39


CDR J.Vincent of VF-42 bails out and is RESCUED
Japanese Ships
CVE Chuyo, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 8, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Australia
DD Shaw, Shell hits 3
DD Dewey, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Aylwin
DD Warramunga, Shell hits 1


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Ground combat at Nevea

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6063 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1516 troops, 13 guns, 6 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 22

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 1985
Guns lost 16
Vehicles lost 6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you see above, the imperial defenders have thrown the Allied intruders that were trying to capture Nevea into the sea that turn. Due to my attacks the day before, Ken could only land a very small portion of his force. They stood no chance against my shock attack.

[Nomad]

I had 4 transport TFs.

One with the 3 regiments of the 1st Marine and its HQ.
One with the 1st Marine Engineers and 1st Marine Tanks.
One with 6 AKs of Supply.
One with 4 Seabees and a Base Force.

The first one turned tail and retreated. I must have forgot to tell the fourth one to
wait until the next day and it landed too. So, the only thing that landed was a few
engineers, a few tanks, some Seabees and Base Support people. Not what you
need for in invasion. You really did not defeat an invasion, you wiped out some
pieces of a botched invasion. Most likely all my fault, but I was frustrated and then
I tried to "fix" it. The best thing I could have done was to retreat completly and
reorganize everything, but I didn't, I pressed on with disasterous results. But wait
for the next installment - the battle at Irau.

[RGIJN]

this was the night battle some of us guys are dreaming of all the time along... battleships bombing carriers out of the water at night! Actually, this was one intention the japanese had at the battle of the Santa Cruz in Oct 1942. Kondo´s Vanguard force (two KONGO class fast battleships + escorts) were sent to catch up the remains of the US fleet. In real life, this failed.

Here not[;)]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/24/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Night Time Surface Combat at 47,41

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Shell hits 3
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 4
CA Kinugasa
DD Shimakaze
DD Asakaze
DD Okikaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Stanly, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 47,41

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB YamashiroCA Kinugasa, Shell hits 1
DD Shimakaze
DD Asakaze
DD Okikaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Oakland, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD McCalla


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you will understand I enjoyed every moment of this combat replay! Both flattops sunk that night...

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: Nomad

You really did not defeat an invasion, you wiped out some
pieces of a botched invasion. Most likely all my fault, but I was frustrated and then
I tried to "fix" it. The best thing I could have done was to retreat completly and
reorganize everything, but I didn't, I pressed on with disasterous results.

But wait
for the next installment - the battle at Irau.

Of course I am aware I did not "defeat" the invasion literally. It was rather meant in general terms - actually your invasion failed to happen & succeed. Anyway, it was me & my attacks that turned your intentions into shambles...

Before preparing the "IRAU installment", may be you want to tell the story when you finally took Nevea a few weeks later then? Though you actually weren´t sure to "do nothing at all for the next few months"...as you said.
In contrast to his first try, this time he caught me pants down with absolute no force at hand in the immediate vicinity to counter his moves. However I think considering the LCUs + LBA he commited there it was absolutely no question about his success. But may be about the costs for... [;)]

[bigbaba]

what a intense fight. espacialy the carrier battle.

nice work, gentlemen.

[RGIJN]

intense, indeed. But as Ken announced already - wait for the Irau report. Though we had no carrier battle there, the struggle was even more ferociously. Am just waiting for Ken, maybe he wants to contribute the next installment... Before we had our slaughter week at Irau he took Nevea eventually and established a potent airbase there.

[Nomad]

I am at work now, I will leave this as a holder to discuss the Nevea actions after the disasterous battle already detailed.

OK, after that really sad set of turns, it was time to retreat. So I did - at the same time I offered my surrender to Ralf, at that time I was thinking that
I would have to wait for at least 6 months to get more CVs and F6Fs to combat him and then I would be really short on time. Mostly I was thining that
it would be a very boring 6 months or so. Ralf didn't want to quit - so I thought what the heck. I had at least damaged a number of CVs so I reloaded
the 1st Marines and headed off to Nevea. Using Corsairs to LRCAP I was able to land and take Nevea with some heavy losses. I will have to try and
go back to the combat reports and see - I will edit some in later. The Allies do not have to have CVs to advance, it is just very expensive to not have
them for cover.

Here is an air combat the first day as I started landing.
Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 88
A6M3 Zero x 20
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 25
Ki-21 Sally x 15

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
P-38G Lightning x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 35 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally x 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 2 damaged

2LT K. Walsh of VMF-121 is credited with kill number 8

LCDR P.Kawamura of EI-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
CL Helena
AP President Polk

Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 7000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally at 7000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61
A6M3 Zero x 17
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20
Ki-21 Sally x 12

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 13
P-38G Lightning x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 17 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally x 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed

1LT R. Ferguson of 67th FS is credited with kill number 6

LTJG O.Fujimatsu of DI-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
LST 342
AK Libra
MSW Oracle

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 7000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 7000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 7000 feet

As you can see, Ralf was losing aircraft very quickly - Corsairs may be overrated, but they are fun. [:)]

And the next day at Raboul - he was trying to hide some CVs:
Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 13
J1N1-C Irving x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 12

no losses

no losses

Japanese Ships
CVL Hosho, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 12

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

And even more carnage over Nevea:
Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 50
A6M3 Zero x 33
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
Ki-21 Sally x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 29 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 15 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 3 destroyed

LCDR E.Oyama of F2/1st Daitai is credited with kill number 10

LCDR T. Tanimizu of EI-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
APD Brooks
APD Ward

There were some Surface Combats - and as usual the USN did not fare too well, but Nevea was taken.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 2
CA Kumano
CL Yura
DD Yukikaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Shiranui
DD Arare
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
PT 178, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage
PT 194
PT 318, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT 319
PT 320
PT 323


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 2
CA Kumano, Shell hits 4
CL Yura, Shell hits 1
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Shiranui
DD Arare, Shell hits 1
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 1
CL Montpelier, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 3
DD Mugford, Shell hits 2
DD Case
DD Phelps


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Kumano
CL Yura
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shiranui
DD Arare, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
CL Montpelier, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mugford, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Case, Shell hits 24, on fire, heavy damage
DD Phelps, Shell hits 25, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The end of Japans hold:

Ground combat at Nevea

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 15773 troops, 155 guns, 103 vehicles

Defending force 5606 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Nevea base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 6111
Guns lost 75

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 159

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: Nomad
A note to all Japanese players. Do not worry about 'building a base the allies can take and use.' The Allies can build bases so fast, it does not
matter. You need to build bases that you need. So, I would say to Ralf, you should have build Luganville to a level 4 airfield and a level 3 port.
Then you could have based Zeros and Bettys there and defended Efate. If I tried to bomb Luganville I would have done it using unescorted
bombers mostly. Easy meat for your fighters.

It´s not the "preparation" that you as the japanese are probably doing for the allies when they eventually capture your base. I would not bother to lose a level 4 airstrip to my opponent. But I feared losing all these precious squadrons I would have based there. Even when they sit down on cratered strip they´re almost certain a complete loss. The chances are thin that you will be able to fix the base quick and sufficient enough to get them flown out once the allied player is determined to close your town with its LBA. Even more so the matter with the japanese base force units. The imperial player is short on aviation support and engineers anyway, thus I´d be frighten of their loss like hell!
These were the things I had in mind when I was pondering about the plans for Luganville and Efate. My conclusion then was merely to deny these bases to you instead to utilize them for my defense. Now I see it was probably the wrong decision when actually opting for auto victory.

Another one of the many lessons I pick from this game with you Ken!

[anarchyintheuk]

It often decides cvtf v. cvtf battles . . . looks like Nomad was hit by the strike coordination penalty, RGIJN wasn't.

[RGIJN]

Heard of that thing... is it just a dice-roll issue or are you able to "adjust" the factors leading to this (respectively not leading to this)?

[Nomad]

I see Ralf has not added any more to the saga yet, so I will make a few points.

1. I took Nevea 4/10/43 and the airfield was at level 0.
2. Here is a picture of Nevea on 4/25/43 - 15 days later.
As you can see, it will take me about 17 days or so to max out Nevea airfield.
This is why I say to not worry about building up a base for your use. As Japan
I build what bases I feel I need to defend and I do not worry about 'giving' the
Allies a built base.

Note the amount of engineers: 232 + ( 5 * 121 ) = 837 engineers.

[Nomad]

As too Ralfs fears about losing things at Luganville. If you hold out, it matters not, you win. As I stated, you need to hold Efate with at least
one of the large reinforced Brigades you get. Build Luganville and station a number of fighters and some bombers. Note that you can base
Zeros and Bettys at Kourcuratopo and hit TFs trying to land at Efate. The Allies do not start getting P-38s unitl 10/42. By the time he has
enough to really cover bombing runs on Luganville it will be late November and he will be running out of time to avoid the autovictory.

[RGIJN]

As Ken already said he got into possession of Nevea in April 43 eventually. naturally he maxed its airfield for preliminary operation against Irau. Once again I want to emphasise my impression of the allied ability to take & make a base... It goes that quick! By barges and FT TFs I put supplies and troops there as much as possible, achieving almost level 9 fort (fort lvl 8 - 76%). Brought in about 27K troops there, with alot of AA and even more CD units. Bold mining in the past months resulted in thousands of eggs there. Ken may tell you more about them... [;)]

After I got to pull back all remaining subs from scene earlier, I decided to scatter them around the Northern Hebrides in March and April again. Though some submerged forever at this time, they cashed out in decent sinkings of allied lift capacity. After some disappointing air attacks from Lunga / Russell LBA craft I had to cease them due to the unbearable losses. [:@] Rather I wanted to preserve them for the inevitable... To my surprise the patrolling IJA a/c (Sally and Helen type) hit some vessels too. Though not really causing pain, I think Ken became bored of my mosquito bites. At least I hope so... [:D]
His submarines and patrol bombers caused much frustration to me as well. On some occasions his "average" was three...five barges, plus a sub or transport per day.
One of the utmost frustrations I have to blame on myself: after our epic carrier clash I retreated to Rabaul for refuel & regroup, and to refresh the a/c complement. Then, of a sudden his 4E bombers struck en masse one night... Though he did not landed critical hits, several of my ships including three CVs were bombed. Even had to send one of them back to Japan. WHAT A MISERY OF MINE!!![:@][&o] Never thought he could reach so far up north!

To be continue...

[RGIJN]

In May 43 activities in the Southern Solomons increased, and it became obvious that the Allies would go for Irau in the next few weeks. Thus I even strenghtened my efforts to rush reinforcements in. Just established "tokyo express" FT runs to bring another Rgt on the island when Ken came over the horizon...
His invasion fleets were detected one day short of the initial landings. Though I had actually expected this move, I did not expected it that soon. Hoped for another 2...3 weeks to bolster my garrison. Immediately I set all my LBA in the Solomons for attack and sailed with some SC and BB groups. As for my carriers, I decided to hold them still back, ready to jump if the situation demands for their support. To be honest, I just did not want to lose them in vain.
The first air attacks failed to have much an impact on his operation. Lost countless a/c against his almost impregnable Corsair LRCAP. Another surprise was his new airstrip at Palasu´u on the southern tip of Malaita. My recon/search completely failed to detect his build-up there. And his timing was great: just when he started to unload his numerous TFs the base was ready to contribute CAP. Too late I then knew what his small TF of warships had made a few days earlier in this vicinity - they had brought a construction party there. (one of his ships had hit a mine a hex off the spot and I was puzzled about their intention).
However, he successfully got his several TFs to Irau and started to threw the troops ashore. Had to rely on my defensive assets - mines and shore batteries...

combat report is following ->

[RGIJN]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/23/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 30,35

Allied Ships
SS Grouper


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro, Shell hits 4
CA Nachi, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Yura
DD Shimakaze
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Harukaze
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Shiokaze
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
BB Washington, Shell hits 1
BB Indiana, Shell hits 1
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 3
DD Smith
DD Warramunga, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hopkins
DMS Zane, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Trevor, Shell hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
CA Haguro, Shell hits 3
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yura, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Shimakaze
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Umikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Harukaze
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shiokaze
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 1
CA Louisville, Shell hits 1
CL Nashville, Shell hits 2
CL Columbia, Shell hits 2
DD LaValette
DD Converse
DD Foote
DMS Hamilton
DMS Dorsey


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yura, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Shimakaze
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze, on fire, heavy damage
DD Harukaze
DD Minekaze, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 1
CA Louisville
CL Nashville, Shell hits 2
CL Columbia, Shell hits 3
DD LaValette
DD Converse
DD Foote, Shell hits 18, on fire
DMS Hamilton
DMS Dorsey


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 40,40

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 40,40

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 2


no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,44


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
SBD Dauntless x 20
TBF Avenger x 10


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Tokitsukaze, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minekaze, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Suzukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 17
B5N Kate x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Ki-48 Lily x 8

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 27
P-38G Lightning x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 9 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 15 destroyed
D3A Val x 2 damaged
B5N Kate x 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 2 damaged

1LT M.Farmer of 67th FS is credited with kill number 9

LCDR R.Kawato of DI-1 Daitai bails out and is RESCUED

Allied Ships
DD Nicholson, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
A6M3 Zero x 32
D3A Val x 12
D4Y Judy x 4
B5N Kate x 9
G3M Nell x 10
G4M1 Betty x 6
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 23
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 13
Ki-21 Sally x 17
Ki-48 Lily x 24
Ki-49 Helen x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 27
P-38G Lightning x 71

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 30 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 16 destroyed
D3A Val x 5 destroyed
D3A Val x 1 damaged
D4Y Judy x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 10 damaged
G3M Nell x 3 destroyed
G3M Nell x 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally x 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally x 6 damaged
Ki-48 Lily x 17 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 2 damaged
Ki-49 Helen x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 2 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 17 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 24 damaged

FO A.Garrett of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 8

1LT M.Farmer of 67th FS bails out and is CAPTURED

Allied Ships
CA Shropshire
CL Leander
DD Wilson, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CLAA San Juan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Aludra

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 7000 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
0 x Ki-21 Sally at 7000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily at 8000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally at 7000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 42,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 21
D3A Val x 51
B5N Kate x 44

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

Allied Ships
AK Antrim, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AK Beaverhead, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Aaron Ward, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Autauga, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Taylor, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SC 743, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 222
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 42,42

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Autauga, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Beaverhead, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Beltrami, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 189

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 2


no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,44


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 4
SBD Dauntless x 3
TBF Avenger x 8


Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tokitsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3 Zero x 11
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7
Ki-48 Lily x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 26
P-38G Lightning x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed

CPT G. Holder of 35th FS is credited with kill number 8

1LT P.Drake of VMF-212 bails out and is CAPTURED

Attacking Level Bombers:
0 x Ki-48 Lily at 8000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 24

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 25
P-38G Lightning x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 14 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 3 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 5 damaged

FO A.Garrett of VMF-212 is credited with kill number 9


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-48 Lily x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 25
P-38G Lightning x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 1 damaged


2LT A. Donahue of VMF-112 is credited with kill number 8


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 42,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 27
B5N Kate x 40

no losses

Allied Ships
DD Taylor, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Aaron Ward, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



What these lines aren´t telling is the very extend of the mine & shore gun battle. Though Ken had added alot of anti-mine craft and other escort vessels including tons of DDs, his convoy had anchored amidst a large scale mine-field. It took about 2..3 minutes alone for the message delay. Hundreds of notes read like "DD xxx detects minefield" or "AP xxx hits type 93 mine" or APD xx widens path thru minefield". Then dozens over dozens messages: "batteries firing at ships", "ships returning fire", "batteries firing at amphibious troops". Wow, it seemed an endless scrolling...! And alot of his vessels indeed took mine hits, some even repeated hits. Later on, it turned out that many of this cripples sunk on their way back to port. My lurking submarines did very good too and they killed dozens of wounded stragglers, though I never had more than four..five on hand. Sometimes one of them ran out of torpedoes in one day! Though this all of course did not help to interfere this particular invasion it did help alot to decimate his lift capacity - cutting his capabilities for future landings. At least I hope for that![&:]
Ken, may be you have an estimation on your approx. ship losses for the Irau operation?

[Nomad]

Lots, I didn't keep count, but I lost probably around 50 ships in the Irau operation.