Erik the Viking isn't on this forum I think - he's a guy from Sweden called Erik, hence Erik the Viking - but he's an old friend of mine and we're having a pbem of the Guadalcanal campaign.
I'm the Allies.
Erik, if you're reading this, stop reading, this is for non-Japanese eyes only. [:-][:D]
So, turn 1 plans. The invasion of Tulagi is called off. APDS and the two AKs at Noumea on turn 1 are loaded with a USN baseforce, which has aviation support and naval support... we need that alright. Lunga will be hit as normal as I know the Japs lack for toys in the first week.
3 x TK at Brisbane are sent to Sydney, a convoy of AKs is formed up in Sydney to resupply Noumea. The invasion is on a shoestring but I hope to change this asap.
The Beauforts at Port Moresby are pulled back to Cairns for naval attack training. Their skill is poor, their airframes scarce and valuable, and there are no torps at Port Moresby. Their time is not this time.
An AS is ordered to Rockhampton, this will be my sub base.
DMs are ordered to mine Tassafaronga. *evil*
Banana vs Erik the Viking
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
Day 3 of the campaign now, whatever date that is. Not much going on... yet.
The Japs have been quiet. Erik is a newbie, so I expect some fairly random moves out of him. We shall see. [:D]
The three Allied carriers arrived in range of Lunga today, which came under heavy air attack, a mix of port/ground hits. B17s from Noumea also hit the place. 2 guns disabled, not bad. An Allied SAG loiters at Noumea untouched by the enemy.
Thunderstorms forecast, which is good, the marines should hit the beach tomorrow. The USN base force is on its way, should arrive 1 or 2 days after the marines.
Some supplies are dispatched from Noumea to Luganville, some S-boats are given patrol zones - one south of Rabaul, one around the Slot, one in the Lae/Buna area.
Bombardment by the Japs in the Owen Stanley range result in no Allied casualties, but they must be disrupted as my Airacobras have been bombing them.
The Japs have been quiet. Erik is a newbie, so I expect some fairly random moves out of him. We shall see. [:D]
The three Allied carriers arrived in range of Lunga today, which came under heavy air attack, a mix of port/ground hits. B17s from Noumea also hit the place. 2 guns disabled, not bad. An Allied SAG loiters at Noumea untouched by the enemy.
Thunderstorms forecast, which is good, the marines should hit the beach tomorrow. The USN base force is on its way, should arrive 1 or 2 days after the marines.
Some supplies are dispatched from Noumea to Luganville, some S-boats are given patrol zones - one south of Rabaul, one around the Slot, one in the Lae/Buna area.
Bombardment by the Japs in the Owen Stanley range result in no Allied casualties, but they must be disrupted as my Airacobras have been bombing them.
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
We started over and made sure we were both patched (we had different versions). Same plan!
I hope it goes better than the last time, as Miss Betty sunk CA Australia at Lunga despite Wildcats on cover...
I hope it goes better than the last time, as Miss Betty sunk CA Australia at Lunga despite Wildcats on cover...
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
OK, back on track.
August 7th 1942 - the day before the landing.
My CVs are now in position by Lunga and found 4 Jap heavy cruisers 200 miles west of Guadalcanal. They were heavily attacked but accuracy was poor - half a dozen 1000lb hits but spread out across all the targets, none suffered heavy damage. This does mean that Lunga is not attacked, though. I've ordered B17s to do a low level ground attack which should cause sufficient disruption in the defenders on the day of the landing. One of the three naval Wildcat squadrons is set to LRCAP. This is a slight difference from the synch bug game, where I just parked the carriers by Lunga and let CAP bleed off over the transports. I was a little wary of the CVs being vulnerable with one less squadron is why, but we shall see, maybe these orders are more optimal.
The marines, heavily escorted, will arrive tomorrow. DMs set to mine Tassafaronga should arrive the day after, and a smaller amphib TF holding a USN baseforce should arrive the day after that. My CVs will have to remain on station throughout, so best part of a week probably. Hope they are up to the challenge...
USS Greenling was attacked off Truk by ASW forces, no hits tho.
August 7th 1942 - the day before the landing.
My CVs are now in position by Lunga and found 4 Jap heavy cruisers 200 miles west of Guadalcanal. They were heavily attacked but accuracy was poor - half a dozen 1000lb hits but spread out across all the targets, none suffered heavy damage. This does mean that Lunga is not attacked, though. I've ordered B17s to do a low level ground attack which should cause sufficient disruption in the defenders on the day of the landing. One of the three naval Wildcat squadrons is set to LRCAP. This is a slight difference from the synch bug game, where I just parked the carriers by Lunga and let CAP bleed off over the transports. I was a little wary of the CVs being vulnerable with one less squadron is why, but we shall see, maybe these orders are more optimal.
The marines, heavily escorted, will arrive tomorrow. DMs set to mine Tassafaronga should arrive the day after, and a smaller amphib TF holding a USN baseforce should arrive the day after that. My CVs will have to remain on station throughout, so best part of a week probably. Hope they are up to the challenge...
USS Greenling was attacked off Truk by ASW forces, no hits tho.
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
Well, we got to landing day, August 8th, unlike last time it was quiet. Plenty of CAs in the invasion force and they did a very good suppressing what few coastal guns they had. The Marines are ashore, but without sufficient supply to begin assaulting yet, that'll have to wait a day or two. Someone had some butterfingers though and dropped a bunch of M2 AAMGs in the water while unloading...
Jap air force is quiet. The Jap cruisers seem to have retreated to Shortlands - my CVs were in range but chose not to launch a strike.
Looks like his troops in the Owen Stanleys are pulling back ([&:]). TKs are loading up at Sydney to refuel thirsty Noumea. AKs are headed to Townsville for future ops resupplying Port Moresby.
Jap air force is quiet. The Jap cruisers seem to have retreated to Shortlands - my CVs were in range but chose not to launch a strike.
Looks like his troops in the Owen Stanleys are pulling back ([&:]). TKs are loading up at Sydney to refuel thirsty Noumea. AKs are headed to Townsville for future ops resupplying Port Moresby.
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
ORIGINAL: EUBanana
The Beauforts at Port Moresby are pulled back to Cairns for naval attack training. Their skill is poor, their airframes scarce and valuable, and there are no torps at Port Moresby. Their time is not this time.
Keep writing like this and you may be in line for the most literary AAR of the year. In fact, if I ever start an AAR could I hire you to ghost write it for me?
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
ORIGINAL: EwingNJ
Keep writing like this and you may be in line for the most literary AAR of the year. In fact, if I ever start an AAR could I hire you to ghost write it for me?
Heh. One quip does not literature make. Read Cuttlefish's Hibiki AAR on the old WITP forum...
August 9th sees the Marines capture Lunga after heavy B17 and Dauntless bombardment. USS Gudgeon sees a damaged Japanese CA south of Rabaul but tries sinking her with duds, and understandably fails. Airacobras bomb the retreating Japs in the Owen Stanleys.
The Jap airforce remains quiet. Maybe Erik doesn't like seeing his flying zippos getting shot down in droves, as before the synch bug he was more aggressive...
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RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
Supply at Lunga is terrible despite my second USN baseforce convoy (they arrived today, I underestimated their speed).
B17s are set to run supplies in a pinch, Wildcats are sent over so I have some top cover. Soon as my transport ships return to Noumea, though, there will have to be a supply run to give Lunga some security.
B17s are set to run supplies in a pinch, Wildcats are sent over so I have some top cover. Soon as my transport ships return to Noumea, though, there will have to be a supply run to give Lunga some security.
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RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
Well, I did Erik a disservice for being a newb. On August 10th a wolfpack of IJN subs close in on my carriers - that I neglected to move.
I-11 fires a spread at CV Saratoga, but misses. [&o]
Later in that day she fires another spread at CA New Orleans and gets a hit. However it only does 2 sys and 10 float damage, so really, I got off incredibly lightly.
Lunga is up to 2000 supply now that the amphib TFs are ditching the rest of their loads.
IJ airforce still hiding! I spoke to him about this. In the defunct game 27 Betties were shot down in exchange for CA Australia sunk. And in his words, "Last game you wiped out my entire airforce in a day so I'm trying something different".
I think the flying zippos vulnerability has scared him somewhat.
My fleets are done with Lunga, so they are all pulling back, with the exception of 1x AK and 2x PG which are unloading a couple of hundred precious supply. The airfield at Lunga is still a wreck but I tentatively set my marine Wildcats there to active duty, though with a CAP of 0. I dont want to fly aircraft on a 66% damaged runway unless absolutely necessary, so I'm relying on them scrambling in response to a raid.
I-11 fires a spread at CV Saratoga, but misses. [&o]
Later in that day she fires another spread at CA New Orleans and gets a hit. However it only does 2 sys and 10 float damage, so really, I got off incredibly lightly.
Lunga is up to 2000 supply now that the amphib TFs are ditching the rest of their loads.
IJ airforce still hiding! I spoke to him about this. In the defunct game 27 Betties were shot down in exchange for CA Australia sunk. And in his words, "Last game you wiped out my entire airforce in a day so I'm trying something different".
I think the flying zippos vulnerability has scared him somewhat.
My fleets are done with Lunga, so they are all pulling back, with the exception of 1x AK and 2x PG which are unloading a couple of hundred precious supply. The airfield at Lunga is still a wreck but I tentatively set my marine Wildcats there to active duty, though with a CAP of 0. I dont want to fly aircraft on a 66% damaged runway unless absolutely necessary, so I'm relying on them scrambling in response to a raid.
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
11th August 1942
Its all sub action today. The various fleets leaving Lunga head in different but vaguely southerly directions, however I-10 gets a shot at CA Australia. She misses and is depth charged quite heavily, nothing more than a 'sub rattled' result though.
S-38 hits a mine at Rabaul. She was ordered to react, and reacted all the way into the harbor, a bad move. She's on 38 floatation and a long way from Rockhampton.
S-37, also by Rabaul, takes on a PC which seems to be part of a hunter-killer group, sinks her, and evades the counter.
Here is the fleet legging it, aside from that AK still unloading at Lunga... the airfield at Lunga is pretty much operational now though the port is a total wreck still. Hopefully that'll be fixed by the time the next convoy arrives, Erik seems a bit too cautious with his bombers to try and flatten the place while I'm gone.
Its all sub action today. The various fleets leaving Lunga head in different but vaguely southerly directions, however I-10 gets a shot at CA Australia. She misses and is depth charged quite heavily, nothing more than a 'sub rattled' result though.
S-38 hits a mine at Rabaul. She was ordered to react, and reacted all the way into the harbor, a bad move. She's on 38 floatation and a long way from Rockhampton.
S-37, also by Rabaul, takes on a PC which seems to be part of a hunter-killer group, sinks her, and evades the counter.
Here is the fleet legging it, aside from that AK still unloading at Lunga... the airfield at Lunga is pretty much operational now though the port is a total wreck still. Hopefully that'll be fixed by the time the next convoy arrives, Erik seems a bit too cautious with his bombers to try and flatten the place while I'm gone.
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RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
I've actually ordered some convoys to Lunga already, before my other units return. I had an AK kicking around spare so she's on her way with 6000 supply, escorted by 2 AMs.
Also I wanted some more engineers, so two SeaBees units are on their way in APs and an AM escort. I'm a little wary about the risk but the marine Wildcats are there, and I dont have the fuel to keep my carriers around.
I also noticed CA Kinugasa is reported sunk, so I think my early and I thought indecisive action against those IJN cruisers was deadlier than I thought.
Also I wanted some more engineers, so two SeaBees units are on their way in APs and an AM escort. I'm a little wary about the risk but the marine Wildcats are there, and I dont have the fuel to keep my carriers around.
I also noticed CA Kinugasa is reported sunk, so I think my early and I thought indecisive action against those IJN cruisers was deadlier than I thought.
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
12th August sees I-16 miss CA Australia one hex from Luganville. The depth charges also miss. Not much I can do about these aggressive subs as yet, I do set up an ASW patrol by Noumea with the few subchasers I have in case he parks right by my door, but thats about it. My two Hudson squadrons are in ASW training (I dont think much of the Hudson in front line duties), but it'll be a while before they are useful.
Miss Betty makes an appearance now the Allied CVs are gone, and hit that unloading AK at Lunga. I'm fairly lucky, 20 Betties score one torpedo hit, but its enough to burn up most of the supply. Lunga is on 600 and in the red - the Wildcats didn't fly presumably because of this.
2 AKLs and 1 AK are loading in Townsville for a run to Port Moresby - this will have to be covered by the PM fighters only. Supply isn't critical there but no reason to wait till it is.
Noumea has a fair bit of loading/unloading going on, 14k fuel is a day or so out as well in TKs. There'll have to be a couple of days organisation before this much needed supply run to Lunga can happen.
Miss Betty makes an appearance now the Allied CVs are gone, and hit that unloading AK at Lunga. I'm fairly lucky, 20 Betties score one torpedo hit, but its enough to burn up most of the supply. Lunga is on 600 and in the red - the Wildcats didn't fly presumably because of this.
2 AKLs and 1 AK are loading in Townsville for a run to Port Moresby - this will have to be covered by the PM fighters only. Supply isn't critical there but no reason to wait till it is.
Noumea has a fair bit of loading/unloading going on, 14k fuel is a day or so out as well in TKs. There'll have to be a couple of days organisation before this much needed supply run to Lunga can happen.
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
The days are going by quickly now. My AK at Lunga got annihilated the next day by 20 Betties, supply is on ~1000 there. The B17s are still flying every day from Noumea, but they really need a break so even this trickle of supply is endangered due to the dreaded 'in maintenance'.
Things are happening though. I've decided to try and do three resupply ops at once to stretch the Betties and allow me to get many fighter squadrons into the action at once. Also I think his CVs are here or will soon be here so I'd like to confuse him by presenting him with many targets, rather than have a carrier battle near Guadalcanal.
To that end two convoys are leaving Townsville soon, one for PM, one for Milne Bay. I'm forming up a larger op for Lunga as well, to get those SeaBees settled there, with supply. This op will be carrier covered, my tankers arrived from Sydney finally and I'm good to go for another major op.
(though after this one there'll have to be a fair bit of waiting I fear for more fuel to spawn at Sydney)
Things are happening though. I've decided to try and do three resupply ops at once to stretch the Betties and allow me to get many fighter squadrons into the action at once. Also I think his CVs are here or will soon be here so I'd like to confuse him by presenting him with many targets, rather than have a carrier battle near Guadalcanal.
To that end two convoys are leaving Townsville soon, one for PM, one for Milne Bay. I'm forming up a larger op for Lunga as well, to get those SeaBees settled there, with supply. This op will be carrier covered, my tankers arrived from Sydney finally and I'm good to go for another major op.
(though after this one there'll have to be a fair bit of waiting I fear for more fuel to spawn at Sydney)
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
17th of August, Operation Resupply is taking form.
A Jap sub torpedoes an APD that was in the vanguard fast transporting, on 94 flot she'll almost certainly never make it. I do vector my TFs to avoid the sub in future, though.
Carriers will be at Lunga tomorrow or the day after probably, convoys will follow slightly behind.
The resupply of PM and Milne Bay isn't quite coordinated, there are a couple of AKs headed for PM, but Milne Bay's convoy isn't quite done loading yet.
I've also been pondering ground reinforcement of PM/Milne Bay. I've decided to reinforce PM with 2 brigades and MB with one brigade of the 1st Australian Division. That will bring up PM's defences to pretty much one division, only a major invasion will be able to breach that.
A Jap sub torpedoes an APD that was in the vanguard fast transporting, on 94 flot she'll almost certainly never make it. I do vector my TFs to avoid the sub in future, though.
Carriers will be at Lunga tomorrow or the day after probably, convoys will follow slightly behind.
The resupply of PM and Milne Bay isn't quite coordinated, there are a couple of AKs headed for PM, but Milne Bay's convoy isn't quite done loading yet.
I've also been pondering ground reinforcement of PM/Milne Bay. I've decided to reinforce PM with 2 brigades and MB with one brigade of the 1st Australian Division. That will bring up PM's defences to pretty much one division, only a major invasion will be able to breach that.
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RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
19th of August and I'm bracing for a Battle of the Eastern Solomons, but so far the only Jap opposition has been from their subs. There have been several sub attacks all aimed at DDs, none hitting. The ASW response has been gutless though, not a single depth charge dropped.
My major coordinated resupply op is now well underway though, as you can see here...
My major coordinated resupply op is now well underway though, as you can see here...
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RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
August 20th and the unloading at Lunga begins. Milne Bay and Port Moresby will be supplied tomorrow or the day after, so it's looking good operationally! Its quiet, although the Viking has been asking me why his bombers don't fly so I think thats just because I've been lucky regarding the weather.
The two SeaBees squadrons are almost unloaded, the supply, which is the important bit, is still being unloaded... Dauntless reinforcements arrived as well, they've been sent to Luganville ready to fly over.
Then Lunga should be able to handle itself, for a little while at least.
The two SeaBees squadrons are almost unloaded, the supply, which is the important bit, is still being unloaded... Dauntless reinforcements arrived as well, they've been sent to Luganville ready to fly over.
Then Lunga should be able to handle itself, for a little while at least.
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
His subs are worrying me so much that I've assigned four DDs to an ASW TF following my CVs around... have to see if that improves matters regarding actually dropping depth charges.
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
Oh man, bad day for the Japs today. 21st August sees some Japs head down the Slot to Tassafaronga with supplies of their own. Given my CVs are still off Lunga, you can imagine how this went... a CA was present and sunk. Other losses were limited to tiny patrol craft and an AMC.
Erik is still exploring what all the missions do I think. I pointed him at fast transport. This is a learning experience at least. [:D]
Betties bombed Rockhampton, didn't realise they were in range... no damage though.
Supplies are being unloaded merrily at Port Moresby, Milne Bay and Lunga. Couldn't really expect anything better.
Erik is still exploring what all the missions do I think. I pointed him at fast transport. This is a learning experience at least. [:D]
Betties bombed Rockhampton, didn't realise they were in range... no damage though.
Supplies are being unloaded merrily at Port Moresby, Milne Bay and Lunga. Couldn't really expect anything better.
RE: Banana vs Erik the Viking
Oh man, we got the carrier battle alright. Battle of the Eastern Solomons happened on the 23rd.
In the night an Allied SAG buzzed Tassafaronga and withdrew, they didn't encounter anything at the port though a Jap submarine took a shot at them and was depth charged somewhat.
Then during the day the Allied carriers who were south of Lunga in shallow water (to avoid subs) picked up Japanese warships 7 or 8 hexes to the east. There was no reaction movement. In the AM Kates and Zeroes made the first strike, the Zeroes blew through the CAP and almost all the Kates got to make their runs. USS Enterprise was hit extremely hard by four torpedo hits leaving her on 80 floatation damage. The battleship North Carolina absorbed a huge amount of ordnance but was left on 39 floatation only.
Allied return strikes were all unescorted, but only a few Zeroes were on CAP so I think I was lucky. Ryujo was hit very hard and Shokaku slightly in the morning.
The afternoon saw another Japanese airstrike but the escorts were unable to keep the CAP from breaking through the Kates and they were all turned back. Allied return strikes were particularly devastating in the afternoon, the Japanese CAP (which was very limited anyway) didn't do much. Ryujo got nailed again, she's surely dead, a heavy cruiser got pummelled, and Shokaku took many hits. Zuikaku got off with light damage, and some Jap battleships absorbed a lot of bombs which failed to penetrate.
I think I got off very lightly - no Vals. I'm not sure what settings Erik sent them in on, I'll have to ask. [:D]
I also think I am better off but only slightly. Enterprise almost certainly won't make it, but Shokaku and Ryujo were left with heavy fires and were hit hard, they are surely in a bad way, while my other carriers were untouched. Also Enterprise's aircrews diverted to Lunga.
I will press him on the 24th. Unlike Fletcher I plan to stay the course.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 23, 42
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Sub attack near Lunga at 114,139
Japanese Ships
SS I-19
Allied Ships
CA Portland
BB North Carolina
CLAA Atlanta
DD Balch
DD Benham
DD Maury
DD Grayson
SS I-19 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Portland
DD Balch fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Benham fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Maury attacking submerged sub ....
DD Grayson attacking submerged sub ....
DD Maury fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Grayson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Grayson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Grayson fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,139
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
B5N1 Kate x 39
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 61
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 11 destroyed, 15 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
9 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
2 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
CAP engaged:
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 12 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 24 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 42
TBF-1 Avenger x 12
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 destroyed, 14 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CA Tone
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Zuikaku
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Chikuma
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 11
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
CAP engaged:
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 9
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, heavy fires
CV Zuikaku
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
CAP engaged:
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 119,137
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
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Morning Air attack on 15th Engineer Regiment, at 99,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-39D Airacobra diving from 10000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Also attacking I/55 Mtn Gun Rgt ...
Also attacking 15th Engineer Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Zuikaku
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CV Shokaku, heavy fires
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CV Shokaku, heavy fires
CA Atago, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Murasame
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Atago
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,139
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N1 Kate x 17
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 9 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 32
TBF-1 Avenger x 10
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 11 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Takao, Bomb hits 1
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CA Chikuma
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 3
CA Tone, Bomb hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 6323 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 190
Defending force 6760 troops, 81 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 93
Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
Yokoyama Tai
144th Infantry Regiment
Horii Group
Defending units:
14th Australian Brigade
112th RAAF Base Force
43rd USA Construction Regiment
52nd USAAF Base Force
40th Australian Lt AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 99,130
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3044 troops, 35 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 139
Defending force 1695 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38
Allied adjusted assault: 67
Japanese adjusted defense: 37
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)
Japanese ground losses:
272 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
30th Australian Brigade
Defending units:
15th Engineer Regiment
I/55 Mtn Gun Rgt
In the night an Allied SAG buzzed Tassafaronga and withdrew, they didn't encounter anything at the port though a Jap submarine took a shot at them and was depth charged somewhat.
Then during the day the Allied carriers who were south of Lunga in shallow water (to avoid subs) picked up Japanese warships 7 or 8 hexes to the east. There was no reaction movement. In the AM Kates and Zeroes made the first strike, the Zeroes blew through the CAP and almost all the Kates got to make their runs. USS Enterprise was hit extremely hard by four torpedo hits leaving her on 80 floatation damage. The battleship North Carolina absorbed a huge amount of ordnance but was left on 39 floatation only.
Allied return strikes were all unescorted, but only a few Zeroes were on CAP so I think I was lucky. Ryujo was hit very hard and Shokaku slightly in the morning.
The afternoon saw another Japanese airstrike but the escorts were unable to keep the CAP from breaking through the Kates and they were all turned back. Allied return strikes were particularly devastating in the afternoon, the Japanese CAP (which was very limited anyway) didn't do much. Ryujo got nailed again, she's surely dead, a heavy cruiser got pummelled, and Shokaku took many hits. Zuikaku got off with light damage, and some Jap battleships absorbed a lot of bombs which failed to penetrate.
I think I got off very lightly - no Vals. I'm not sure what settings Erik sent them in on, I'll have to ask. [:D]
I also think I am better off but only slightly. Enterprise almost certainly won't make it, but Shokaku and Ryujo were left with heavy fires and were hit hard, they are surely in a bad way, while my other carriers were untouched. Also Enterprise's aircrews diverted to Lunga.
I will press him on the 24th. Unlike Fletcher I plan to stay the course.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 23, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lunga at 114,139
Japanese Ships
SS I-19
Allied Ships
CA Portland
BB North Carolina
CLAA Atlanta
DD Balch
DD Benham
DD Maury
DD Grayson
SS I-19 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Portland
DD Balch fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Benham fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Maury attacking submerged sub ....
DD Grayson attacking submerged sub ....
DD Maury fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Grayson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Grayson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Grayson fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,139
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
B5N1 Kate x 39
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 61
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 11 destroyed, 15 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
9 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
2 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm T91 Mod 3 Torp
CAP engaged:
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 12 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 24 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 42
TBF-1 Avenger x 12
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 destroyed, 14 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CA Tone
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Zuikaku
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Chikuma
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 11
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, on fire
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
CAP engaged:
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 57 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 9
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, heavy fires
CV Zuikaku
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
CAP engaged:
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Stewart Island at 119,137
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 7
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Engineer Regiment, at 99,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-39D Airacobra diving from 10000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Also attacking I/55 Mtn Gun Rgt ...
Also attacking 15th Engineer Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Zuikaku
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
CV Shokaku, heavy fires
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CV Shokaku, heavy fires
CA Atago, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Murasame
Aircraft Attacking:
14 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Shokaku
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Atago
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,139
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N1 Kate x 17
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 9 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 32
TBF-1 Avenger x 10
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 11 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Takao, Bomb hits 1
CV Zuikaku, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CA Chikuma
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 2
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 3
CA Tone, Bomb hits 2
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Zuikaku
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Auki at 120,136
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
DI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
EI-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
EII-1 Daitai with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 6323 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 190
Defending force 6760 troops, 81 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 93
Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
Yokoyama Tai
144th Infantry Regiment
Horii Group
Defending units:
14th Australian Brigade
112th RAAF Base Force
43rd USA Construction Regiment
52nd USAAF Base Force
40th Australian Lt AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 99,130
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3044 troops, 35 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 139
Defending force 1695 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38
Allied adjusted assault: 67
Japanese adjusted defense: 37
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)
Japanese ground losses:
272 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
30th Australian Brigade
Defending units:
15th Engineer Regiment
I/55 Mtn Gun Rgt