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My father who is 84 remembers being evacuated to Somerset very well.He recals like is was yesterday the Headmaster at the school call a special assembly to bring the tragic news od the loss of the POW and Repulse to the school.

This then is the story of that Ship - and alternate story if I can make it so.

Dec 7th. I receive information that an ambush is being prepared.
Task force Z has to abandon its mission against expected landing until the situation becomes clearer.

TF Z
Mission speed - head south destination Batavia.
Woken by alarm 2am, just of the coast of Toboali Island escorts sighted Submarine, have engaged. 1 hour later second sub fires two torps at DD VAMPIRE.
Escorts abandon search and we head south. I hope position of POW and Repulse were not detected and reported.

PM 8th December drop anchor of Batavia, FP ordered stand down, morale seems low.
Reports of Japanese landings north of Singapore and massive raid on PH from Japanese carriers many ships damaged some sunk but NO BB sunk. Raid on Manilla sinks may US subs and support craft. Orders are sit tight to see what may venture into the DEI when we are to engae and destroy any landings threatening the oil security...





ASW attack near Toboali at 51,93

Japanese Ships
SS I-155, hits 3

Allied Ships
DD Tenedos
DD Express

SS I-155 is sighted by escort
I-155 bottoming out ....
DD Express attacking submerged sub ....
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express attacking submerged sub ....
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub




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ASW attack near Toboali at 51,94

Japanese Ships
SS I-159, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Vampire
DD Express

SS I-159 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Vampire
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Express attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-159 eludes DD Express by hugging bottom
Escort abandons search for sub

Dec 9-11th Stay hidden in Batavia bay, many Japanese subs creating carnage outside. Too dangerous to move


Radio reports --- CV Enterprise ambushed rushing south from PH and lost, CA heavily damaged
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 166,129

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
B5N2 Kate x 48
D3A1 Val x 35

Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Dunlap
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Chester
DD Fanning
DD Ellet

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
24 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-6 with F4F-3A Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes

Fuel storage explosion on CV Enterprise

25th Dec 1941
Xmas in Batavia bay - Japan draws closer - soon time to make a move. No Turkey.

Early Jan - No Japanese opportunities present ( but a few traps do) and recon planes detected - leave for refit Colombo
Mid Jan based Colombo with Repulse - Japan advances in DEI under heavy CV cover
PM falls, Noumea falls but Singapore holds out
Late Jan - New orders - steam for Auckland via safe route to meet Saratoga and Lexington as dedicated CV escort and build for counter attack.

I joined the navy with a guy whose dad had been on Repulse. He was late back from leave and missed the sailing to the Far Flung. After a period in DQs he ended up crewing a Mulberry section which sank under him on the way to Avranches

Thanks for that - Repulse quite save in Colombo at the moment. Useful ship actually as she is the only old BC that has some speed.

My Father remembers the school assembly being stopped to announce the sinking of POW and Repulse - at the time it was very severe news. tat is what inspired me to start this.

ORIGINAL: cavalry
Radio reports --- CV Enterprise ambushed rushing south from PH and lost, CA heavily damaged

And this is EXACTLY the sort of battle that makes me wary of playing 2 day turns. If it had been 1 day turns you may have noticed or suspected the KB was trying to ambush you. With 2 day turns you achieve the same level of surprise with normal speed as you can with full speed with 1 day turns with a CV fleet. So really you have to be very very careful with the KB nearby; it can move far before you can react.

Good point about the 2 day turns, which makes me wonder: given the risks, does anyone play 3 day turns? Maybe only against the AI?

2day turn is the bet as you cannot micro manage everything and the tempo is slower and battles more confused and muddled - as they were. The loss of the Enterprise was an accident.

I made her sail too direct from PH south and in RA there are several groups of Jap CV - one came south of PH looking for transports. My opponent was as surprised as I was and she did manage to launch a strike but alas hit nothing.

I actually would not play 1 day turns.

20 Feb 1942 - arrive Sydney, 1 sys damage. 2nd March Lexington and Saratoga arrive for AA refit along with 2 x CA and several DD. Proposed ambush raids on any further careless expansion if opportunity arrises. Later to cover landings to re secure Noumea. provided Japan is busy elsewhere

24th Feb Singapore finally falls. Manilla hold out.

Many small BB arranged causing Japan outlying bases some trouble, including Wake, PM, Noumea and Canton Islands. Plus some BB in the Alutians.

Yorktown and Hornet in mainland US - proposed to use for surprise assault in Aluatians around May. Provided no chance of Japan being active in the area.

4th March, US sub attacks a TF near Lunga suspected to contain Jap Carriers as CA Tone and Chikuma present, where are they going? - lock down in Sydney just in case- all fighters ashore and patrolling. All TF in range of ambush turn away...

Some delay in this as opponent has been out and then I am on holiday etc...we have just upgraded and hope to post an update soon.

Seems risky to leave two CVs in Sydney for upgrades of 21 days during March 1942. If KB comes calling you do not have enough air defence to keep strikes away from your CVs, unless RA gives you more fighters/AA to work with than the stock game.

BB - yes you are right I am new to playing allied AND the KB has raided but Colombo - see my post below.

News reaches the POW 16/3/42 that Japan has raided Colombo her home port. But a badly coordinated strike has lead to a severe defeat.... Hermes was hit by an 800kilo AP but has survived with moderate damage. That raid could have come to Sydney but all things considered Japan is very busy in the DEI. When the refits of LEX AND SARA are complete we are planning an operation to take back some of the small islands as a distraction for a big raid on Wake to take that back - we will see

Luckily Repulse TF was at sea chasing Jap CA around Calcutta but found nothing - but luckily was out of range of the KB in the morning.

In the meantime

This is the raid - 2 day turns March 42 I am allies PBEM RA 7.9 Over 150 Jap bombers lost according to the losses screen afterward
If you look at some of the messages you will see sweeps have got mixed up with the raids?
My opponent has confirmed there are over 200 planes in the TF, BUT what affects the chance of an uncoordinated raid the ship commanders of the planes or the admiral???

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 15, 42
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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 93 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
B5N2 Kate x 111

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 16
Hurricane IIa Trop x 16
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 35 destroyed, 15 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 1
BB Resolution, Bomb hits 1
BB Revenge, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet
20 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
3 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
No.30 Sqn RAF with Hurricane I Trop (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 11 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
No.232 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 32,48

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 22

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Cap Varella, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Cagou, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.30 Sqn RAF with Hurricane I Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 85 minutes



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Colombo at 29,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 21

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 10
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Jalakrishna
xAP Turing Mary

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes
No.243 Sqn RAF Det with Hurricane IIb Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
No.232 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes

Training flight from No.243 Sqn RAF Det has been caught up in attack


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 31,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CM Abdiel, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 33,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 11
Swordfish I x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 2 destroyed
Swordfish I: 9 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1 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 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
Nisshin-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 32,48

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 29

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 13 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Rangitata, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Cagou, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Cap Padaran, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
KV Aster, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Polynesien, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Capitaine Illiaquer, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.30 Sqn RAF with Hurricane I Trop (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Rangitata
Massive explosion on xAK Cagou
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Cagou
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Capitaine Illiaquer


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 31,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CM Abdiel

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb


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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 4
Hurricane IIa Trop x 8
Hurricane IIb Trop x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
No.30 Sqn RAF with Hurricane I Trop (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Raid is overhead
No.232 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes





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Morning Air attack on TF, near Colombo at 29,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 5

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 2
Hurricane IIa Trop x 2
Hurricane IIb Trop x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.232 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.30 Sqn RAF with Hurricane I Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 55 minutes
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes


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Afternoon Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 49 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 18

Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 3
Hurricane IIa Trop x 6
Hurricane IIb Trop x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.17 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIa Trop (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
No.30 Sqn RAF with Hurricane I Trop (0 airborne, 2 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 38 minutes
No.232 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

27th March leave Sydney before Sara and Lex CV fully refited to cover surprise allied INVASION attack on Tanna as Japanese CV busy in Indian Ocean, POW 3 US CA and 4 DD sail for Brisbane. Tanna will provide a good forward base as has large airfield possibility.
29th March Arrive and depart Brisbane for Noumea
1st April sight Japanese Mavis Recon DET level 4? Alled DMS clears around 30 mines for POW advance
2nd April NIGHT Bombard Noumea (to reduce Japanese recon ability), with modest success suspected one Recon FB destroyed
Allied landing on Tanna, Japanese ships including AMC and DD detected 200 miles north.
Retire SE of Noumea to cover any attempt to damage landings which are almost complete, ammunition at 50%. Tanna landings are covered by 2 x CL and 5 DD - we hope its enough should Japanese advance, invasion LANDINGS attacked 1-2 April by 2 x 9 Betty with Bombs, 1 Betty damaged and no hits on transports.
SUVA base provided B17D cover ( attack Noumea airfield and will support Tanna assault 3/4/42) but fighters are out of range.

April 42 ....continued
8th Bombard Noumea with remaining shells as Tanna landings go in - to distrupt recon abilities
9th Tanna falls after brutal assault - landings at La Foi north of Noumea.
10th POW TF retire East toward Sydney... meanwhile Saratoga and Lexington (just refitted) move NW of Noumea to intercept approaching Japanese Surface TF or maybe CVL moving toward La Foi transports - KB last seen around Singapore...all seems safe to try an close a trap.
11th POW TF orders Full speed to be used to meet Saratoga TF to become AA protection (only 2 surface shots of ammo left) as Japanese CVL could be present. Planes from POW fly alternate search and asw missions.
12th Sara (merged with POW TF) and Lex planes find and attack Japanese surface ships just north of La Foi - suspecting sinking or crippling 2 or 3 old CL and a DD. At least 2 DD escape one to Noumea but is brushed aside by defending DD TF doing a bombard.
13-14TH advance north to try and intercept stragglers and crippled CL?? but also have a go at Tulagi/ Lunga where many ships are noted unloading.
15th Carrier Raids on unloading Japanese ships sink around 4 AK, 1 or 2 DD an several small ships. Surface units detach to bombard Tulagi causing extensive damage and damage on ships in port.
16-18th ALL TF Retire - fuel is low... Japanese Sub fires at supporting ASW TF and carriers are detected by Glens...
19th Several Subs maybe 5 in path- so all TF swing wide to the west to avoid them.
All seems well and the mission supporting the carriers seems a success.
Allied troops will advance on Noumea on the ground once rested and organised and some north.

Meanwhile in the north surprise assault on Wake takes the island BUT a surprise - part of the KB maybe 4 CV ( from Truk) turns up and sinks around 1/2 the transports after unloading. 2 Old BB damaged, one will need extensive repairs. Wake defenders dig I like mad.

I am doing anew historical layout as follows.

8th April 42 Bombard Noumea with remaining shells as Tanna landings go in - to distrupt recon abilities
9th Tanna falls after brutal assault - landings at La Foi north of Noumea.
10th POW TF retire East toward Sydney... meanwhile Saratoga and Lexington (just refitted) move NW of Noumea to intercept approaching Japanese Surface TF or maybe CVL moving toward La Foi transports - KB last seen around Singapore...all seems safe to try an close a trap.
11th POW TF orders Full speed to be used to meet Saratoga TF to become AA protection (only 2 surface shots of ammo left) as Japanese CVL could be present. Planes from POW fly alternate search and asw missions.
12th Sara (merged with POW TF) and Lex planes find and attack Japanese surface ships just north of La Foi - suspecting sinking or crippling 2 or 3 old CL and a DD. At least 2 DD escape one to Noumea but is brushed aside by defending DD TF doing a bombard.
13-14TH advance north to try and intercept stragglers and crippled CL?? but also have a go at Tulagi/ Lunga where many ships are noted unloading.
15th Carrier Raids on unloading Japanese ships sink around 4 AK, 1 or 2 DD an several small ships. Surface units detach to bombard Tulagi causing extensive damage and damage on ships in port.
16-18th ALL TF Retire - fuel is low... Japanese Sub fires at supporting ASW TF and carriers are detected by Glens...
19th Several Subs maybe 5 in path- so all TF swing wide to the west to avoid them.
21st April arrive Sydney
23rd April 42 Sortie considered for more bombardment of Noumea but large numbers of Jap SS of the coast put that on hold.
KB of Wake pounding it to dust. Invasion must come soon, allies advance in Aluetians while KB is elsewhere, Japanese land in Koepang but find the Island very heavily defended.
24th April - 2nd May 1942 Sydney with Lex and Sara still on proposed CV escort duty, joined by re fitted old 2X CL now CLAA. Proposed that POW will be freed from BB CV escort once French BB arrive but they are in USA just now. lex takes first delivery of Avengers x 7 to start to replace the Devestator. Japanese ( old CL plus 4 DD) evade allied surface TF in Aluetians to sink around 6 AP, then meet 3 allied DD and lose 2 for 1 DD. I will report total naval losses next turn. Cruisers and DD bombard Noumea everyday as allied ground troops close in.

8th April 42 Bombard Noumea with remaining shells as Tanna landings go in - to distrupt recon abilities
9th Tanna falls after brutal assault - landings at La Foi north of Noumea.
10th POW TF retire East toward Sydney... meanwhile Saratoga and Lexington (just refitted) move NW of Noumea to intercept approaching Japanese Surface TF or maybe CVL moving toward La Foi transports - KB last seen around Singapore...all seems safe to try an close a trap.
11th POW TF orders Full speed to be used to meet Saratoga TF to become AA protection (only 2 surface shots of ammo left) as Japanese CVL could be present. Planes from POW fly alternate search and asw missions.
12th Sara (merged with POW TF) and Lex planes find and attack Japanese surface ships just north of La Foi - suspecting sinking or crippling 2 or 3 old CL and a DD. At least 2 DD escape one to Noumea but is brushed aside by defending DD TF doing a bombard.
13-14TH advance north to try and intercept stragglers and crippled CL?? but also have a go at Tulagi/ Lunga where many ships are noted unloading.
15th Carrier Raids on unloading Japanese ships sink around 4 AK, 1 or 2 DD an several small ships. Surface units detach to bombard Tulagi causing extensive damage and damage on ships in port.
16-18th ALL TF Retire - fuel is low... Japanese Sub fires at supporting ASW TF and carriers are detected by Glens...
19th Several Subs maybe 5 in path- so all TF swing wide to the west to avoid them.
21st April arrive Sydney
23rd April 42 Sortie considered for more bombardment of Noumea but large numbers of Jap SS of the coast put that on hold.
KB of Wake pounding it to dust. Invasion must come soon, allies advance in Aluetians while KB is elsewhere, Japanese land in Koepang but find the Island very heavily defended.
24th April - 2nd May 1942 Sydney with Lex and Sara still on proposed CV escort duty, joined by re fitted old 2X CL now CLAA. Proposed that POW will be freed from BB CV escort once French BB arrive but they are in USA just now. lex takes first delivery of Avengers x 7 to start to replace the Devestator. Japanese ( old CL plus 4 DD) evade allied surface TF in Aluetians to sink around 6 AP, then meet 3 allied DD and lose 2 for 1 DD. I will report total naval losses next turn. Cruisers and DD bombard Noumea everyday as allied ground troops close in.
10th May Noumea falls back to the allies
12th May Baker Island taken back by allies ( after a close fight) - all Aluetians free except Attu. Wake under constant air attack
20th May POW still at anchor in Sydney - CLAA starting to arrive back from conversions. POW may take on a more surface role soon. Japanese look like they are evacuating Koepang. British 18th Div and supporting artillery causing a lot of damage by bombardment.