Rematch by Proxy: Scn.7, Grunt6971 vs Timtom

[timtom]

Hello again! I'm finally returning to the fray after my lastest disaster againt that redoubtable Spaniard Toraq. The loss of those three divisions on Guadalcanal still stings...

This time, however, another gentleman has stepped up - Grunt6971 alias Scott B. of Minnesota, USA. Although a newcomer to the forum, Scott is by no means a newcomer to the game, and will no doubt give me a run for my money. Scott's play style, or should one say temperament, is of course entirely unknown to me, unlike that of Tony "Banzai" Lucio.

We're playing scn.7, on the face of it a rerun of scn.8 only with a better Allied hand. However this scn. differs in a major way in that the Japanese player is up some 1,500 points from start.

House-rules: Other than a gentlemen's agreement not to game the system and a few minor rules regarding night-bombing and CV sqds, the big thing is that we've agreed to adhere to SOPAC/SWPAC - Combined Fleet/8th Area Army command strictures. Units assigned to one command cannot operate in the AoR of the other. This applies to all Allied ground- and air units, but only to Japanese ground units of bgd. size or greater.

First the math: On the Japanese side, Scott can develop Wewak, Rabaul, and Shortland for 600-700 VP. Several bases in the Admiralties, on Bougainville and New Georgia each holds the promise of about 100 VP, although I doubt Scott will have the capability to do more that three or four of the these. Basically, I have to grab 2,500 VP just to close the gap. My own base expansions excl. the Solomons runs to about 850 VP. Lunga, Tulagi and Irau could add some 800-900 VP, 1,200 VP if things go really well. But that's a big if. Gains in the Lae- and Buna area could potentially yield 800-900 VP - another big if. But the message is clear: I've got to make major gains both on Papua and in the lower Solomons just to break even. Hence my strategic goals are straight-forward: Capture and hold Lae, Buna, Lunga, and inflict more casualties than I receive.

To this end I'm planning a number of operations:

SOPAC:

Operation Hightower - Lunga & Tulagi:

Forces assigned:

(Lunga)

HQ 1st Mar. Div.
1st Mar. Rgt.
5th Mar. Rgt. (Scott's old outfit - & a chance to get back at every f*cknut DI and Gentleman by Act of Congress ever come his way [:)])
17th Mar. Eng. Rgt.
1st Mar. Tank Bn.

2nd Mar. Rgt.
3rd Mar. Defence Bn.
7th CB Bn.
103th BF

(Tulagi)

1st Mar. Raider Bn. (to be withdrawn for landing at Taivu)
1st Mar. Para Bn.
Possibly later unspecified BF

Operation Kingfisher - Irau:

Forces assigned:

112th Cav. Rgt.
9th Mar. Defence Bn.
6th CB Bn.
Unspecified BF

SOPAC reserve: 23rd ID, 754th Tank Bn.

Nothing spectacular here, then, although I'm toying with the idea of grabbing Russell Islands as well. I'm keeping my commitment to Tulagi at a minimum, banking that Scott won't try any funny stuff here without holding Lunga.

SWPAC:

Operation Rebound - Buna:

Forces assigned:

HQ 32nd ID
126th Rgt.
127th Rgt.
128th Rgt.
114th Eng. Bn.

HQ 41st ID
162nd Rgt.
163rd Rgt.
186th Rgt.
116th Eng. Bn.

2/6th Armoured Rgt.

Operation Swipe - Lae:

Forces assigned:

HQ 7th ID
18th Bgd.
21st Bgd.
25th Bgd.
7th Cav. Rgt.

Unspecified Eng. Rgt.

SWPAC reserve: None, although I suspect that deployment will be so slow that several units will still be in Oz by the time 6th ID arrives at D+28.

Again, straightforward stuff, although I don't like how GG being so exposed. SWPAC priority no.1 will be building up PM and GG. In particular, I'd like to move one of the Oz bgd's at PM to GG along with a AAA bn. and some engineers.

Air forces:

About a 1,000 aircraft is available from start, 55% of it land-based:

SWPAC Sqd's: 6xP-39, 2xP-40, 2xWirraway, 3xB-26, 2xB-25, 5xB-17, 1xA-24, 1xA-20, 1xBeaufort, 1xF-5, 2xCatalina, 5xC-47.

SOPAC Sqd's: 1xP-39, 2xF4F, 1xB-26, 1xHudson, 2xB-17, 1xSBD, 2xCatalina.

Unlike scn.8, I start with three CV's with 12 USN sqds. The difference this will make can hardly be overestimated...

Naval Forces:

Naval forces at kickoff include 3xCV, 1xBB, 11xCA, 1XCL, 2xCLAA, 30xDD, 5xDMS, 4xAPD, 18xSS, 5xPG, 12xSC, 9xMSW, 24xAP, 17xAK, 5xAO.

As usual when playing the Allied, substancial reinforcements are in the pipeline...

So in conclusion, I need to attack aggresively all along the line. Ideally I would fight a succesful and, for my opponent, bloody, defensive battle for Lunga - much like history. Holding Lunga itself won't be enough. Indeed, a viable strategy for Scott would be to forego Lunga altogether, and rather than fight on my terms, avoid major confrontations while taking a toll of my attempts to reinforce/resupply Lunga - which I'm forced to hold at all cost. As in scn.8, a full force counter-attack is equally viable, if more risky. Lunga, Gili Gili, and Luganville are all vulnerable, although as long as a strong US CV-fleet-in-being is retained, Lunga is probably the only really realistic option.

[timtom]

After several days delay I've come to accept that I'll be without C-47's for awhile. Oh well. As an additional bonus, it seems that the Operation Hightower invasion force weighted anchor only having embarked half the 1st Mar.Div, which is ironic given the amount of time I spend trying to get the loading just right. But hopefully it'll confuse Scott as much as me.

After the sabotage of my C-47's, I'm left with 25 transport aircraft. Operation Swipe is hence put on the backburner. The 7th ID will march to Townsville and act as SWPAC reserve for now. Operation Rebound is moved up. I'm embarking the 32nd ID for PM straight away, along with some Oz engineers and supplies.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01 Aug 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Gili Gili airfield from Rabaul: *I'm basing a PBY sqd. here, nothing else*

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 7
G4M1 Betty x 31

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 13
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8
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[Sergeant]

If you sufferred casualties at GG you must have more than just PBYs based there. What land forces do you have on the base?

[timtom]

To clarify: The scn. starts with a Oz militia bgd. and a BF at Gili Gili. I meant to say that I've pulled out the two P-40 sqd's also stationed there, as I see no point in being chewed up piecemeal. The defence of Gili Gili rests on Port Moresby either way.

The Lunga invasion convoy was duely returned to Luganville for another try. Unfortunately the I-171 also managed to torpedo AP American Legion, carrying the 7th CB Bn. The transport will live, but it's curtains in this scenario. However the unit it was carrying is fairly critical, as I need to throw as many fort levels at Lunga as quickly as possible. Now it'll be a fortnight or so before the bn. even gets there.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02 Aug 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack W Luganville:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-171

Allied Ships:
AP American Legion, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 50
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[timtom]

Happily it seems the remaining Operation Hightower forces are being loaded without a hitch. Similarly, the TF carrying 32nd ID is away without any hassle.

Scott flew another - unopposed - strike, this time against PM. They're coming in quite low, so AAA downed two bombers at the cost of two P-39's destroyed on the ground. Hopefully Scott will not be too discouraged and come back next turn.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03 Aug 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Port Moresby from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3 Zero x 10
G3M Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 28

Japanese aircraft losses:
G3M Nell x 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed, G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 2 destroyed, P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10
Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 24
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[timtom]

The Operation Hightower invasion forces has finished loading and are away. The 1st Mar.Div and sundry bound for Lunga are loaded exclusively on AP's. The transports are combat loaded in the sense that the smaller units are loaded onto the 3000 point AP's to ensure the swiftest possible unloaded at Lunga. The two battalions bound for Tulagi are carried on DD's, DMS' & APD's for a FT-style unloading. Thus I'll only have to provide LRCAP for one TF. The covering force consists of CV's Enterprise, Saratoga, and Wasp in three different TF's, plus a SC TF headed by BB North Carolina. In fear of subs, the TF's are being routed east round Espirito Santo. They'll then head for Irau, which will allow me to enter Sealark Channel from the south or the east.

To preserve the illusion of surprise, Scott has kindly agreed not to sortie from Truk before I start landing at Lunga...

I've moved SWPAC's B-17's to PM with a view to hitting Rabaul on D-1. Due to the command stricture house rule, I can't concentrate all my bombers, but about 35 will still be available to strike Rabaul.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04 Aug 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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[>:]

[timtom]

Invasion TF's located east of Irau, directed to swing round south and enter Sealark Channel from that direction. Should be in position to make the final approach next turn. With any luck, the tranports carrying the 32nd ID to PM will arrive simultaniously with the Lunga invasion force. A bunch of CA's & CL's reported at Rabaul have left that base. I've got six subs moving into position round the upper Solomons, but they won't be there in time to intercept.

Next turn's weather is thunderstorms - though ostencibly to my advantage, I don't like the element of uncertainty it adds to air operations.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05 Aug 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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[>:][>:]

[timtom]

Tomorrow's the big day. CV's move into position south of Lunga. I'm "pretending" that the possibility of intervention by enemy CV's exists, so all my strike sqd's are on naval attack with port attack (some light shipping is reported at Tulagi) and ground attack as secondaries. One VF provides LRCAP over Lunga, two are kept back as CAP and escort.

Cruisers are sighted at Shortland and some 100 fighters and bombers are reported at Rabaul...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06 Aug 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack N Luganville:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-169

Allied Ships:
AO Kaskaskia, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
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[timtom]

Well, the run-in to Lunga was virtually paved with subs, although Scott (might) be worse for it. DD Ellet was torpedoed and is in serious trouble. In return, the USN recorded hits on two IJN subs.

The Tulagi part of Operation Hightower went down without a hitch, the DMS' sweeping a small minefield before dropping off the troops. No troops have as of yet been landed at Lunga.

12 bombers out of Rabaul struck the gaggle of ships at Lunga Roads, loosing 10 of their numbers. In return, three (!) hits were scored on BB North Carolina. It must be well-built boat, however, as it is in no danger of sinking - barring further damage...

The cruisers spotted at Shortland are nowhere to be seen. It could well be that Scott will swing down to do battle, thinking that the North Carolina is hors de combat.


The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,246/3,715 = 1.00:1.65
Week 1: 2,394/3,731 = 1.00:1.56

Army Losses:

2/0 = -

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xAO
Damaged: 1xBB, 1xDD, 1xAP

Japanese ships:
Sunk: -
Damaged: 2xSS

Air Losses:

Total: 8/22 = 1.00:2.75

Week 1: 8/22 = 1.00:2.75

Air-to-Air: 2/8 = 1.00:4.00
Destroyed on Field: 2/1 = 2.00:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 0/10 -
Operational Losses: 3/3 = 1.00:1.00

Sorties Flown:

Total: 2,329/1,123 = 2.07:1.00

Week 1: 2,329/1,123 = 2.07:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0026/0.0187 = 1.00:7.19
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0013/0.0027 = 1.00:2.08
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07 Aug 1942 Weather: Overcast
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Lunga: *two attacks*

Japanese Ships:
SS I-22, Shell hits 1, on fire
SS I-29, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships:
DD Ellet, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
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Air attack on TF at Lunga from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 19
G3M Nell x 3
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
G3M Nell x 2 destroyed, G3M Nell x 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 4 destroyed, G4M1 Betty x 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed, F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 damaged

Allied Ships:
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 3, on fire *sys 19, flt 35, f 23*
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 29

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 56
Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 35
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Air attack on Tulagi port & Kure 3rd SNLF from AC TF's SSW Tulagi:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2-N Rufe x 2

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
SBD Dauntless x 71
TBD Devastator x 13 *don't ask*

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses: *reported light shipping gone*
Men lost 93
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 5
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[timtom]

As expected, the IJN turned up in force. The Japanese submarines continued their rash of successes, finally putting paid to poor BB North Carolina, limping back after eating two Long Lances during the nighttime surface engagement. It took a total of 24 shell hits and eight torpedoes to sink her.

I for my part had two sub contacts in the Slot - no hits.

During the nighttime battle, Lee somehow managed to cross Tanaka's T - twice, although the low Allied nightfighting XP probably prevented my SC TF from capitalizing. The North Carolina aside, I probably got off easy given that the Allied player must expect a thrashing in the first surface engagements. The result outright was DD Blue sunk, BB North Carolina crippled, CA Australia and DD Ellet moderately damaged, with the Australia's no. one turret demolished. CL Hobert had both her forward 6" turrets destroyed, but is otherwise undamaged. All other vessels involved are undamaged.

Damage to the enemy is uncertain. My carrier sqd's finished off a couple of crippled DD's come daylight. A number of penetrating 8" were scored on the Japanese CA's, most of which were seen to smoke furiously. They did, however, make good speed on the retreat.

Strategically, however, it seems that the immediate surface threat to my transports is much reduced. I'm detaching a force of cruisers and destroyers from my AC TF's to replace the original covering force, which retreated without orders during the night.

At Lunga Roads, the transports are unloading at pace. Hopefully we'll be out of there turn after next. On Tulagi, the Marines bit into the Japanese defences, and I believe it will fall within a turn or two.

Scott is probably none too pleased with his Betty's going after my transports unloading at Port Moresby. 40-odd ships unloading supplies and an ID hardly constitutes a decoy, though...

The loss of the North Carolina sets me back 200 VP, which I can ill afford, to speak nothing of the long term consequences - USN BB's are precious in this scn. In the other news, DD Ellet is about to go under, and AP American Legion has taken a drastic turn to the worse.

Scott's damaged cruisers will have retreated to Shortland. I have three CV's within striking distance, and the air threat out of Rabaul is limited. It doesn't seems quite sportsmanlike to strike now, given that Scott is volunteringly keeping his CV's out of the fight. However, in two turn's time, he will have had four turns in which to move his CV's into a covering position (they're still reported to be at Truk), and I'll have my retribution.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08 Aug 1942 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-29, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
DD Blue, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
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Night Time Surface Combat at Lunga: *two engagements*

Japanese Ships:
CA Chokai, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Aoba, Shell hits 7, on fire
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 1
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 10, on fire
CA Kako, Shell hits 5
CL Tenryu
CL Yubari, Shell hits 3
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yayoi, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Mochizuki, Shell hits 1
DD Yuzuki
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Oite, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
BB North Carolina, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Quincy, Shell hits 4
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 4
CA Australia, Shell hits 9
CA Canberra, Shell hits 2
CL Hobart, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Bagley, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Blue, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Benham
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Sub attack at Tulagi:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-171

Allied Ships:
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Tulagi from AC TF's S Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
SBD Dauntless x 35
TBF Avenger x 12

Allied aircraft losses:
TBF Avenger x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships:
PG Keijo Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
PG Nikkai Maru, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
PG Seikai Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
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Air attack on TF at Tassafaronga from AC TF's S Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
SBD Dauntless x 18
TBD Devastator x 15

Japanese Ships:
DD Yayoi, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
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Air attack on TF SW Tassafaronga from AC TF's S Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
SBD Dauntless x 34

Japanese Ships:
DD Oite, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on TF at Port Moresby from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 16
G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 21
P-40E Kittyhawk x 28

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 2 destroyed, G4M1 Betty x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 3 destroyed, P-39D Airacobra x 4 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 destroyed
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 20

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 60
Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 26
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Tulagi:

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2,258 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles *1st Marine Raider Bn., 1st Marine Para Bn.*

Defending force 3,677 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles *Kure 3rd SNLF, 14th Naval CB, 84th BF*

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 161

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 100
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[toraq]

I watch your AAR always. Very aggresive guy, your enemy. Send his entire fleet against you without carrier support and with 3 enemy CVs around. And you said I was aggresive???[;)]

[timtom]

And it looks like he's getting away with it, too...

The weather's closed in again, keeping activity in the air to a minimum. I have no exact knowledge on the whereabouts of the enemy cruisers, but I've moved up a sqd. of PBY's to Lunga, so recon should improve.

My transports should finish unloading next turn and be away. After that we'll go fishing...

DD Ellet sank, AP American Legion still can't decide what it'll be.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09 Aug 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Tulagi:

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2,194 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3,552 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tulagi base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3710
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 74
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Ground combat at Lunga:

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5,840 troops, 71 guns, 75 vehicles

Defending force 1,905 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Lunga base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 46
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[timtom]

Scott got off his sixth successful sub attack in seven attempts over ten days, in torpedoing AK Alhena off Lunga. She might make it, but I doubt it.

The transports have finished unloading and are retiring north round Cape Esperance to avoid Torpedo Alley (I think I'm becoming subophobic).

Next turn the carriers will strike Shortland. It's a stab in the dark, as I've got no intel on shipping there. KB is still reported at Truk, and I'm throwing in a B-17 raid on Rabaul for good measure. Scott has inadvertantly aided me, as a sqd. of Nells went in against my shipping at Lunga without escort and were butchered, naturally, by the USN F4F's on CAP.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10 Aug 1942 Weather: Rain
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-22, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
AK Alhena, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
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Air attack on TF at Lunga from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 12

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses:
G3M Nell x 5 destroyed, G3M Nell x 5 damaged *total loss 11!*
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[timtom]

Well, that was a bit of an anticlimax: The weather prevented any strikes on Shortland. Recon indicates 17 vessels in port, so we'll have another go next turn, then bugger out. KB has left Truk, it seems, and any chance of surprise is of course lost. However, in view of the future, putting the torch to Shortland's oil farm as also a worthwhile target.

The transports left Lunga without incident and is now just about out of the danger zone.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11 Aug 1942 Weather: Overcast
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 4

Japanese aircraft losses:
G3M Nell x 2 damaged
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Alllied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 18

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 12 damaged *3 lost*

Japanese ground losses:
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 12
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[timtom]

Happily, the strike came off this turn, which was probably the last chance as I need to bunker the destroyers. My carriers will now withdraw to Luganville to refuel and receive replacement aircraft.

The Shortland strike wasn't quite the slaughter I'd hoped for, although the damaged caused seems bad enough. However Scott's DD & CL's got the worst of it - two CA's were struck, and it would seems that only CA Kinugasa was damaged in an appreciable way a by penetration 1,000lbs bomb. AAA was brutal, and I lost eight SBD's in the process.

The loss of the North Carolina has trickered further reinforcements from Pearl. I've been assigned the remaining US carrier, the Hornet, and will soon have a rather daunting carrier strike force available. However no replacement battleships will be available for another month, let alone assigned to me.

I'm sending both CA Australia and CL Hobert back to Pearl. Neither are too badly damaged, but with their destroyed main batteries it'd be a good long time before they'd be ready if I repaired them in theatre.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12 Aug 1942 Weather: Rain
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Allied Air Attacks:

Sub attack S Truk:

Japanese Ships:
CS Chitose, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
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Air attack on Shortland Island port from AC TF's SE Munda

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft:
F4F-4 Wildcat x 25
SBD Dauntless x 102
TBF Avenger x 19

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2-N Rufe x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed, A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
SBD Dauntless x 6 destroyed, SBD Dauntless x 28 damaged
TBF Avenger x 5 damaged

Japanese Ships:
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 1
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 1
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 1
DD Yuzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Mochizuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Mutsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 175
Guns lost 1
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 6

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 4
Airbase hits 1
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[timtom]

Busy day for the US subs in the South Pacific this turn. My guess' that we won't be seeing neither the Chokai or the Kinugasa for a while...

All the surviving naval forces participating in Operation Hightower are now out of the danger zone, closing the book on the first phase of the operation. Now I just have to hold on to the Lunga for the next 135 turns... [:)]

The operation was hardly without cost, though. BB North Carolina and DD's Ellet and Blue sunk, CA Australia, CL Hobert, and DD Bagley crippled, AO Kaskaskia sunk, AK Alhena about to go under, and AP American Legion still can't decide whether to sink or not. I've also lost almost a sqd's worth of literally irreplaceable B-17's.

Getting Operation Kingfisher off the ground is next on the SOPAC menu. CV Hornet will arrive end of the month and I will use my four CV's to make up for my lack of surface punch. A major operation will then be mounted to resupply Lunga, plus reinforce with the 7th Mar.Rgt., 54th CA Rgt., a AAA bn., and a replacement CB bn. I plan to pull the 3rd Mar. Defence Bn. off Lunga and move it to Irau, as the 9th Mar. Defence Bn, originally slated for Irau, will be going to Tulagi along with the 17th Mar. Eng. Rgt. It's dawned on me that I'm A) pretty vulnerable to a FT invasion there B) can't afford the loss of the 150 VP's the place is worth.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 13 Aug 1942 Weather: Rain
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack W Kavieng:

Japanese Ships:
PC Shonon Maru #15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Pickerel
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Sub attack E Buin:

Japanese Ships:
CA Kinugasa, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships:
SS S-47
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Sub attack at Shortland Island:

Japanese Ships:
CA Chokai, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
SS S-44
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[timtom]

Another quiet turn. A TF is reported out to sea well to the east of Bougainville, which I take to be KB. A buildup of shipping at Rabaul is also reported, including two BB's, if intel is to be believed. There's still several ships present at Shortland - maybe one should try a nighttime PBY port attack, although I'm not sure I'd like to open that can of worms, what with the range of those Japanese patrol planes.

Over the next fortnight I'll be reinforced by almost a sdq. a day. In a few days we should be ready to ship another BF to PM, and then start an air routine of making life miserable for the Japanese garrisons on Papau. As I receive no B-17 replacements, I'm being quite niggly with them. The sqd's are still at PM, resting, in order to minimise op. losses when I withdraw them to Oz.


The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,246/3,715 = 1.00:1.65
Week 1: 2,394/3,731 = 1.00:1.56
Week 2: 2,739/3,868 = 1.00:1.41

Army Losses:

2/42 = 1.00:21.00

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xBB, 2XDD, 1xAO
Damaged: 1xCA, 1xCL, 1xDD, 1xAP, 1xAK

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 2xDD, 2xPG, 2xPC
Damaged: 3xCA, 2xCL, 3xDD, 2xSS

Air Losses:

Total: 33/51 = 1.00:1.55

Week 1: 8/22 = 1.00:2.75
Week 2: 25/29 = 1.00:1.16

Air-to-Air: 12/32 = 1.00:2.67
Destroyed on Field: 5/1 = 5.00:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 7/10 = 1.00:1.42
Operational Losses: 9/8 = 1.13:1.00

Sorties Flown:

Total: 5,959/3,504 = 1.70:1.00

Week 1: 2,329/1,123 = 2.07:1.00
Week 2: 3,630/2,381 = 1.52:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0047/0.0143 = 1.000:3.0426
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0015/0.0023 = 1.000:1.5333
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 14 Aug 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Sub attack SSE Truk:

Japanese Ships:
PC Ch 30, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Gudgeon
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[timtom]

I decided to send AK Alhena back to Tulagi, as there was no way she was going to make it to Luganville. Another notch for Scott's subs...

Looks like Scott is bend on doing a bit of damage at Lunga while it's still comparatively riskfree. I lost about a 1,000 supply - or about 30% of the total.

I must admit I've got absolutely no idea what Scott's planning.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 15 Aug 1942 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SSE Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-21

Allied Ships:
AK Alhena, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga airfield from Rabual and AC TF NNW Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A Val x 40
B5N Kate x 48
G3M Nell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses:
D3A Val x 5 damaged
B5N Kate x 6 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 9
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 19
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[timtom]

Quiet. KB reported near Shortland. I've commenced embarking troops for Operation Kingfisher and the 41st ID + 2/6 Arm.Rgt. for Operation Rebound. My AC TF's are refueling and VT-6 has divested itself of it's Devastators. Good riddance, I say.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 16 Aug 1942 Weather: Rain
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at WNW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
AP Yamakuni Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
SS S-46

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 85
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 6

Runway hits 1
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[timtom]

Still quiet. I sent my CV's bunkering at Efate, as a number of subs had congregated at Luganville. Of course the subs have now shifted to Efate in pursuit. I'm sending a few DD's fishing, although I've a feeling the hunters will end up being the hunted.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 17 Aug 1942 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga airfield from Rabaul:

Japanese aircraft:
G3M Nell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses:
G3M Nell x 1 damaged
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