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So, I'm back for another game against my old nemesis Antonio L., AKA Toraq. This time it appears that Tony positively desires to lose - maybe he's feeling sorry for me, who know. Anyways, we're playing scn.9, "Stalemate and Counterpunch", Tony as the Japanese again. Some of you might recall our scn.5 game about six months ago - a scn. not dissimilar to this one - and how Tony handed me a thorough defeat in just 30 turns. I've now got 89 turns to repay the compliment.

One of the big problems I had in scn.5 was that, although I had plenty of aircraft and could penetrate Tony's defences by sheer numbers, the quality of my pilots was so low that they then couldn't hit the broad side of a battleship. If memory serves, the quality of the fliers is rather better in this scn. I presume the Japanese OOB places the 51st ID around Lae, and the 6th & 38th in the central- and upper Solomons. And that's about all I recall.

We've instituted a few house-rules to level the playing field a bit. They're as follows:

1) Only CV sqd's allowed to operate from CVs or CVEs.
2) Night bombing: IJN 4 sqds, US only 2 pr. target.
3) 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.
4) Max. of 4 heavy bomber sqd's pr. target.
5) IJN commitment 160%.
6) IJN sub OFF.
7) Max. number of planes in a base: Airfield size x 50.
8) Oz 7th ID, USMC 2nd Div., US 23rd (Americal), 25th, and 32nd ID not deployable outside of bases held by Allied player at game start.
9) Only APD's can be used for FT by Allied player (I forgot to suggest this one to Tony, so it's unilateral).
10) Allied CVE's will not participate in fleet carrier operations (not so much a rule as a pledge on my part).
11) Oz 7th ID & US 32nd ID must be withdrawn to Brisbane, US 23rd ID to Noumea.

I suggested a couple of other rules to further curb Allied surface- and air-power, but he would have any. It's his funeral, I guess.

First the math. Tony's up 1,200 VP. I'm guestimating that he can realistically develop bases to the tune of another 900-odd VP. My own expansions come to 625 VP and I'm hoping to capture and/or develop new bases to the tune of 1,400 VP. As evident below, this will make us about break even.

My basic strategic goals are, on New Guinea, to capture the entire Lae area. In the Solomons I propose to grab the Russel Islands, and establish bases at Lambeti and Vella Lavella on New Georgia, thus ignoring the Japanese garrisons at Vila and Munda.

Central to understanding my SOPAC strategy is the appreciation that I've only got 5 rgt's available for offensive action until the arrival of the 37th ID at mid-game. I'm thus not confident that I'll be able to handle a slugging-match on New Georgia. Instead I'll attempt to isolate the main Japanese bases in the area, depriving them of supply and thus VP.

On New Guinea, I've got rather more combat power available, although the 41st ID will be needed for defending the Buna-Dobodura area. However, Oz 3rd (-), 6th (-), and 9th ID will be available to drive on Lae. The 3rd and the 6th will have to deliver Salamaua by the time the 9th arrive. Isolation of the battlefield is imperative.



Operations planned, forces assigned:

SWPAC (reserve: 158th Rgt., later also 503th PIR):

Operation Ingot (Lae):

Aus I Corps

Aus 3rd ID
4th Bgd.
15th Bgd.

Aus 6th ID
16th Bgd.
17th Bgd.

Aus 9th ID
20th Bgd.
24th Bgd.
26th Bgd.

Aus 2nd Pioneer Bn.
43rd, 46th, 91st, 96th Eng. Rgt's

SOPAC (reserve: 112th Cav Rgt., 103rd Rgt., later also 37th ID):

Operation Greenback (Russell Islands):

147th Rgt.
USMC 3rd Raider Bn. (to be withdrawn)
USMC 9th DB
14th, 24th CB
104th BF

Operation Mercury (Lambati):

169th Rgt.
USMC 9th DB
33rd, 34th CB
158th BF

Operation Slipshot (Vella Lavella):

172nd Rgt.
259th CA Bn.
198th CAA Rgt.
15th, 36th CB
153rd BF

5th and 13th Air Forces have 4 primary missions:

1) To establish and maintain air superiority in the Huon Gulf and central Solomons areas only.

2)To prevent the enemy reinforcing and resupplying positions in the Huon Gulf and central Solomons areas only.

3) To reduce existing stock of supply in the the Huon Gulf and central Solomons areas only

4) To offer direct support to ground combat operations in the Huon Gulf area and the central Solomons.

Thus operations against enemy main bases on New Britain and New England will only carried out when in direct support of operations in the main combat areas. The main goal of air operations is to deny the enemy use of his bases in the main combat area in every sense. Denying Tony VP's through isolation of bases is the third strand of my strategy.

I've got a lot of stuff to do it with - 85 sdq's to start, not counting the USN.

I intend to have my naval forces take a backseat in this scn. I won't expose major units unless I have to. However, it will be the duty of the Allied navies to interfere with the enemy attempts to reinforce and resupply his garrisons by Tokyo Express. The role of my naval forces are thus primary defensive and logistical.

US submarines - all 33 of them - will conduct an aggressive campaign of mining and torpedo attack throughout the entire area.

I've got 4 USN BB's, but only one CV. Thus I have to keep a wary eye on KB. It might be an idea to develop Rossel Island and, say, Gavigamana to block off the Coral Sea. The idea of Shok and Zui cruising around between Australia and New Guinea just outside of air range isn't too comforting.

Lots to do on the this the first turn. All my units somhow seem to be in all the wrong places, so plenty of repositioning to be had. More seriously, most of my forward bases are low on supply. So I'm busy shifting units left, right and centre. No attacking yet though, I'll recon a bit first, and in any case we won't have any full-scale airial onslaught before the supply situation is sorted out.

That said, the first move of Operation Greenback is underway: The USMC 3rd Raider Bn. has been FT'd to Russell Islands. Four DM's are ready to drop off mines once the marines have taken control of the place, and troops of the 147th Rgt. are inbound.

On New Guinea, 17th Bgd. is marching on Salamaua...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 15 Feb 1943 Weather: Rain
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[>:]

I'm basing all my SWPAC B-25's at Port Moresby, while the shorter-legged A-20's and Beauforts are at Dobodura and Gili Gili. The thinking behind this setup is to keep the B-25's from spontaniously attacking shipping at (presumably well-defended) Rabaul. As B-25's habitually strike shipping off Kavieng, it's somewhat disquieting to observe FT's move into range southwest of Rabaul and not trigger an attack.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 16 Feb 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Russell Islands

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1085 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles *3rd Raider Bn.*

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 29 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Russell Islands base !!!
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Quiet. Tony is for the moment content keeping an eye on with a prodigious number of recon missions, it seems. In a few turns the first of many resupply convoys will arrive at Port Moresby and Lunga.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 17 Feb 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SW Kavieng:

Japanese Ships:
AP Taganoura Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Albacore

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 34
Guns lost 1
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Tony delivered a reminder - if one was needed - that the Japanese are far from toothless. He smacked Dobadura with a bombardment, destroyed four aircraft (most of 89th BS' & No. 32 Sqd's aircraft are damaged) and put supply in the orange. No disaster, but a warning nonetheless.

The weather forecast for next turn is thunderstorms. Tony's got a penchant for attacking when the weather's bad and he's been massing bombers at Rabaul, so maybe...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 18 Feb 1943 Weather: Clear
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Japanese Naval Attack:

Naval bombardment of Dobadura:

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 2 destroyed, Beaufort x 15 damaged
A-20G Havoc x 1 destroyed, A-20G Havoc x 10 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed, P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged

Allied ground losses: *airfield 2, service 43*
Men lost 66
Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 79
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As always, the extremely cool graphs are appreciated. Good luck.

Thanks, it's appreciated! [:)]

The game hasn't even started proper and I'm already rethinking part of my strategy. I either have to park a powerful SC TF at Dobadura or withdraw the bulk of my airpower from there. Another FT TF slipped into Lae during the night, so it can't really be said that Dobobura is serving its purpose. I'm increasing the no. of sdq's on naval search in the hope that it might help. For the time being, I've withdrawn a no. of sqd's to Port Moresby. However this is what I'm proposing:

1) Subject Rabaul & Kavieng to protracted bombardment by escorted heavy bombers. Attrition of enemy airforce is the goal.

2) This is to pave the way for the deployment of B-25's to Dobadura, which will then operate against shipping at Rabaul.

3) Two SC TF's will be deployed to the Dobadura area. One will be heavy (BB's) and shield Dobodura, the other light (CL's) and will operate against FT TF's in the Lae area.

4) A forward base at Kiriwani will be developed, initially to house one or two sdq's of fighter-bombers, possibly later light bombers. This requires the commitment of my only SWPAC reserve (159th Rgt.).

In toto this constitutes a far more forward and aggresive approach than I had initially envisioned, along with the commitment far greater resources. Furthermore SOPAC can't really contribute all that much within the parameter of planned operations, so I'm tinkering with the idea of landing at Jaba on Bougainville, which will put Rabaul within F4U range.

AP Taganoura Maru reported sunk, 147th Rgt. completely deployed to Russell Islands.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 19 Feb 1943 Weather: Thunderstorms
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[>:]

My resupply convoys arrive at Port Moresby and Lunga. The 17th Bgd. is 4 miles short of Salamaua, so a strike against the garrison there is ordered. A few Topsy's were intercepted over Lae last turn and now (unidentified) aircraft have appeared at the airfield there. Just on the off chance, we'll also be paying that location a visit. About 250 fighters and bombers are reported at Rabaul and 4 sqd's of B-17's are tasked with delivering a message to the Japanese high command.

A TF, held to include a BB, is reported southwest of Rabaul. If correct, Dobodura's in for it again.

Oh, and a funny little red square has appeared at Woodlark Island...
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 20 Feb 1943 Weather: Rain
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[>:][>:]

After six days quiet the South Pacific positively exploded into activity. I had the good fortune of catching out one of Tony's troop-laden FT's. Tricky business these FT's - I should imagine Tony's not too happy about it landing in position 150 miles from Dobodura.

The attack on Rabaul went resonably well, although I would've done well to have provided an escort. Two sdq's of B-24's will have a go next turn, along with 3 sqd's of P-38's. I'm also hitting Buka (50 aircraft reported), so things are obviously shaping out a bit different from what I initially intended.


17th Bgd. marched into Salamaua and I'll probe the defences next turn. I'm not sure what to make of the Woodlark business. 'Guess I garther up a few battalions of infantry somewhere and kick the Nips off before their boss gets any ideas.

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,514/3,709 = 1.00:1.48

Week 1: 2,687/3,482 = 1.00:1.30

Army Losses:

0/3 = -

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: -
Damaged: -

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 1xAP
Damaged: 1xCL, 1xDD, 1xAP

Air Losses:

Total: 31/32 = 1.00:1.03

Week 1: 31/32 = 1.00:1.03

Air-to-Air: 5/5 = 1.00:1.00
Destroyed on Field: 6/3 = 2.00:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 10/1 = 10.00:1.00
Operational Losses: 10/23 = 1.00:2.30

Sorties Flown:

Total: 4,527/5,021 = 1.00:1.11

Week 1: 4,527/5,021 = 1.00:1.11

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0055/0.0058 = 1.00:1.0545
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0022/0.0046 = 1.0000:2.0909
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 21 Feb 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Dobadura

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 1 destroyed, Beaufort x 1 damaged
A-20G Havoc x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 8
Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 27
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at SE Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
AP Hakutetsu Maru #13, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
SS Growler
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Air attack on TF SW Gasmata from Buna & Dobodura:

Allied aircraft:
P-39D Airacobra x 41
A-20G Havoc x 20
Beaufort x 8

Allied aircraft losses:
P-39D Airacobra x 3 damaged
A-20G Havoc x 1 destroyed, A-20G Havoc x 11 damaged
Beaufort x 3 destroyed, Beaufort x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships:
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 8
DD Asashio, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yubari, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 220
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Lunga airfield from Rabaul (night attack):

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 9
H8K Emily x 16

Allied aircraft:
P-70A Havoc x 6

Japanese aircraft losses:
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged
H8K Emily x 1 destroyed. H8K Emily x 1 damaged *first successful night-intercept I've ever seen*

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 102nd Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
B-25J Mitchell x 35

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 48
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Air attack on Lae airfield from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 76
B-25J Mitchell x 44

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 44
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29
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Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 50

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 38

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 2 destroyed, A6M3 Zero x 10 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed, G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 16 damaged *4 lost*

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 53
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 12
Runway hits 32
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Japanese Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Woodlark Island:

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 485 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles *85th NG Bn., 21st BF*

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Woodlark Island base !!!
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The P-38's acquitted themselves well over Rabaul, but lost 10 of their numbers, mainly operationally. That's a weeks worth of replacements, and I'm not sure we'll be trying the too often. The Allies have the upper hand in this scn., but they aren't overwhelmingly powerful. It doesn't help that Tony's prudently leaving SOPAC alone (it seems), which effectively knocks it out of the fight - for now. SWPAC has 10 fighter sdq's with which to protect friendly bases, support offensive operations and, looking ahead, protect TF's operating in the Huon Gulf. The problem is that with that many ops on my plate, there's the possibility that Tony could achieve local superiority in any one attack out of Rabaul. I'd probably do well to call on my 3 P-39's sdq's to do some defensive legwork.

CL Yubari reported sunk.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 22 Feb 1943 Weather: Clear
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
DD Satsuki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Greenling
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Sub attack E Salamaua:

Japanese Ships:
DD Yukikaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Tuna
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Sub attack S Finschafen:

Japanese Ships:
DD Kiyonami

Allied Ships:
SS S-40, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sys 19, flt 80, f 0*
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Port Moresby airfield from Buka (night attack):

Japanese aircraft:
G4M1 Betty x 8
H8K Emily x 7

Allied aircraft losses:
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed, B-25J Mitchell x 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 102nd Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 38
B-25J Mitchell x 76

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 27
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Air attack on Buka airfield from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 28

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 13
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Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Port Moresby, Dobodura & Gili Gili:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M3 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 63
B-24D Liberator x 22

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 6 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 5 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 1 destroyed, G4M1 Betty x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed, P-38G Lightning x 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 101
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 28
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4401 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles *17th Bgd.*

Defending force 7897 troops, 88 guns, 32 vehicles *102nd Rgt., 51st Recon Rgt.*

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 2
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Most of my airfield were socked in this turn, except Lunga, which got of a reasonably successful strike on Rabaul. It cost me 5 heavies to a total of 9 lost over the last three turns. Replacements being what they are, it's obviously not a sustainable tempo of operations in the long run. There's no indication that Tony's particularly worried about the bombing of Rabaul - at least the no. of aircraft there seems stable.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 23 Feb 1943 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at ENE Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
TK Nichei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships:
SS Albacore
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on Buka airfield from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 25

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed, A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 19
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Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M3 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 17
B-24D Liberator x 17

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 7 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 16 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 1 destroyed, B-17E Fortress x 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 169
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 37
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A base has popped up at Torokina and the presence of some shipping there triggered an attack from Lunga. Unfortunately it seems I inadvertently stood my B-25's down at Lunga, but the Beaufighters did well all the same.

Fighters have appeared at Shortland, so we'll send them a package. The goal is simple: Attack and destroy enemy aircraft when the opportunity of attrition at reasonable terms are offered.

I'm flying the rest of the 6th ID to Wau post haste, along with the 2nd Pioneer Bn., which will try to flank Salamaua.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 24 Feb 1943 Weather: Rain
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SE Lunga:

Japanese Ships:
SS I-21, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
AK Bellatrix, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack at SSE Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
MSW Seki Maru #3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Growler
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Air attack on TF at Rabaul from Dobodura:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 37
A6M3 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 30
B-25D Mitchell x 15

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed
B-25D Mitchell x 1 destroyed, B-25D Mitchell x 5 damaged
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Air attack on TF W Kavieng from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12
A6M2-N Rufe x 9

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 14
Beaufighter VIC x 24

Allied aircraft losses:
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
Beaufighter VIC x 1 destroyed, Beaufighter VIC x 3 damaged

Japanese Ships:
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 20
DD Wakazuki, Shell hits 12
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Air attack on TF at Torokina from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 11
Beaufighter VIC x 14

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufighter VIC x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships:
CA Kumano, Shell hits 16
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 36, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 102nd Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 10
B-25J Mitchell x 65

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 63
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Hmpff, no dice at Shortland. We'll have a go at Buka next turn, then.

Tony's dedicating several sqd's to ASW, getting multiple attacks in the Rabaul area every turn. No hits (yet), but it's a drain on the subs' fuel. I've deployed about 50% of my available subs, mostly around Lae and Rabaul. Another 10% are doing mining work. It's not that I've got sterling hopes about the mining, but it allows me to use subs offensively with little risk - I view it as a kind of reserve at work. Anyways, it's a fun little game-within-the game.

The latest probe at Salamaua indicates that bombing is having a telling effect on the combat efficiancy of the 102nd Rgt. No FT's have been sighted in the area in the last couple of days - could that mean Tony's deployed the reserves immediatly available to him?
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 25 Feb 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 102nd Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Kittyhawk x 13
P-38G Lightning x 9
A-20G Havoc x 31
B-25J Mitchell x 46

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 113
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Air attack on Shortland Island airfield from Lunga:

Allied aircraft:
P-38G Lightning x 34
B-25J Mitchell x 29
B-17E Fortress x 35

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 85
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 29
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Air attack on Rabaul airfield from Port Moresby:

Japanese aircraft:
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 13
A6M2 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 15
B-24D Liberator x 20

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed, A6M2 Zero x 4 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 destroyed, Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 91
Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17
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Allied Ground Attacks:

Ground combat at Salamaua:

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4401 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 7664 troops, 88 guns, 32 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 2
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30 heavies hit Buka to little effect, loosing three of their numbers in the process. Maybe they need a denser target to score. Escorted strikes is the way to go, of course, if I want to destroy fighters, but I'm a bit wary - losses were rather on the severe side last.

All the Greenback units are in place at Russell Island and a small airfield and port have sprung up there. Supply remains an issue both at Lunga and Port Moresby. While I'd like to get the ball rolling on Operation Mercury ASAP, I think perhaps I should get my house in order first. However, I want Lambeti invaded no later than mid-March.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 26 Feb 1943 Weather: Partly Cloudy
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SE Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
AP Kyosei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Growler
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 102nd Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 15
A-20G Havoc x 28
B-25J Mitchell x 26

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 120
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Air attack on Buka airfield from Lunga:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M3 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft:
B-17E Fortress x 21
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed, A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses:
B-17E Fortress x 1 destroyed, B-17E Fortress x 7 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 4 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30
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Another soggy day in the South Pacific, keeping most of the planes the ground. A TF is sighted and attacked north of Woodlark Island. Could be headed for Gili Gili or Woodlark. I've pulled most of the aircraft off GG just as a precaution.

16th Bgd. has arrived at Wau and is now enroute for Salamaua. HQ 6th ID is not far behind, along with 2nd Pioneer Bn., whereas 96th Eng. Rgt. has made Salamaua.

AP Hakutetsu Maru #13 reported sunk - third sinking by SS Growler. The SS S-40 is gingerly being emptied of water at Buna.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 27 Feb 1943 Weather: Thunderstorms
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack SSW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
DD Akitsuki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships:
SS Growler
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Air attack on TF N Woodlark Island from Dobadura:

Allied aircraft:
Beaufort x 6

Allied aircraft losses:
Beaufort x 5 damaged

Japanese Ships:
DD Yugure, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1
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Tony orchastrated a rather neat double whammy against Dobadura this turn, nicely underlining the dilemma I face. First the airfield got smacked by bombardment, then air attack by 94 bombers along with 115 fighters. As I mentioned earlier, "interior lines" allows Tony to attain local superiority anywhere inside A6M2 (and outside F4U) range. I'm not quite sure what to do: Either 1) go hedgehog and withdraw to Port Moresby, leaving only the Beauforts at Gili Gili and Dobadura - this'll minimize exposure, but virtually surrender Huon Gulf 2) Move a SC TF to Dobadura, split my 254 P-38's, P-39's, and P-40's between there and Port Moresby, and fight it out. I'll need about a 100 fighters up permanently at each location to ensure parity in the air, thus tying down the bulk of my fighters in a narrow defensive fashion with no guarantee that I won't incur severe losses, not only by placing a heavy SC TF well within Betty-range, but also because I'd have to support major air operations out of the Dobadura area.

I remain, however, inclined towards the second option, much like I proposed a few posts back. Additionally, I think perhaps I should view my P-38's and heavies as wasting assets and go for pure attrition while devoting the P-40's and P-39's to defensive work. The B-25's will have to do without escort - I receive 50 replacements B-25J's and 20 B-25D's a month...

Oh yeah, CA Suzuya was spotted among the retreating bombardment vessels. Guess those Beaufighters didn't do such a good job after all.

The Weekly Tally:

Allied/Japanese:

Score at start: 2,514/3,709 = 1.00:1.48

Week 1: 2,687/3,482 = 1.00:1.30
Week 2: 2,883/3,639 = 1.00:1.26

Army Losses:

3/5 = 1.00:1.67

Naval Losses:

Allied ships:
Sunk: 1xAK
Damaged: 1xSS

Japanese ships:
Sunk: 1xCL, 2xMSW, 3xAP
Damaged: 4xDD

Air Losses:

Total: 93/95 = 1.00:1.02

Week 1: 31/32 = 1.00:1.03
Week 2: 62/63 = 1.00:1.02

Air-to-Air: 23/27 = 1.00:1.17
Destroyed on Field: 20/14 = 1.43:1.00
Destroyed by AAA: 16/1 = 16.00:1.00
Operational Losses: 34/53 = 1.00:1.56

Sorties Flown:

Total: 9,906/9,821 = 1.00:1.11

Week 1: 4,527/5,021 = 1.00:1.11
Week 2: 5,379/4,800 = 1.12:1.00

Loss pr. sortie (excl. DoF): 0.0074:0.0082 = 1.0000:1.1081
Operational loss pr. sortie: 0.0034:0.0054 = 1.0000:1.5882
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 28 Feb 1943 Weather: Overcast
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Japanese Naval Attacks:

Naval bombardment of Dobadura:

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 2 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 5 damaged
Beaufort x 3 destroyed, Beaufort x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 141
Vehicles lost 2
Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 82
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Allied Naval Attacks:

Sub attack NW Rabaul:

Japanese Ships:
MSW W15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships:
SS Grayback
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Japanese Air Attacks:

Air attack on Dobadura from Rabual & Gasmata:

Japanese aircraft:
A6M2 Zero x 52
A6M3 Zero x 63
G3M Nell x 22
G4M1 Betty x 72

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses:
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses:
P-40E Warhawk x 3 destroyed, P-40E Warhawk x 5 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 4 destroyed, P-38G Lightning x 5 damaged
Beaufort x 3 destroyed, Beaufort x 1 damaged

Allied ground losses: *airfield 65, service 53*
Men lost 100
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 50
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Allied Air Attacks:

Air attack on 102nd Regiment (Salamaua) from Port Moresby:

Allied aircraft:
P-40E Warhawk x 26
A-20G Havoc x 35
B-25J Mitchell x 30

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 72
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