Argentina vs. Slovakia (Aurorus against 821Bobo)

[Aurorus]

Near Moresby, allied B-17s come in low to skip-bomb a small Japanese TF.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Amakasu Maru
xAK Boston Maru, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Skip-bombing at low altitude by level bombers was a common tactic of the U.S. in the Pacific. It was a practice adopted from the British and Germans who used it against bridges in Europe. The B-17 was tried as a skip bomber, but found lacking. Most skip-bombing attacks were conducted by 2E bombers. Nevertheless, the B-17 was used at low altitudes as an anti-ship bomber. I am not sure why so many object to this practice in the game.

[Aurorus]

March 19-20th.

Slow days. More allied air interdiction of the units moving along the dirt trail toward central Burma, and Japanese raids over the redoubt at Padang. A group of Japanese TBs also engages a group of PT boats stationed at Medan, as actions commence in northern Sumatra. One PT boat was lost and the rest fled the engagement.

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Aurorus

Near Moresby, allied B-17s come in low to skip-bomb a small Japanese TF.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Amakasu Maru
xAK Boston Maru, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Skip-bombing at low altitude by level bombers was a common tactic of the U.S. in the Pacific. It was a practice adopted from the British and Germans who used it against bridges in Europe. The B-17 was tried as a skip bomber, but found lacking. Most skip-bombing attacks were conducted by 2E bombers. Nevertheless, the B-17 was used at low altitudes as an anti-ship bomber. I am not sure why so many object to this practice in the game.

It could well have been "mast bombing" instead; BTW, skip and mast bombing were developed and employed by the US Army Air Force from 1943 on, I think...

BTW: didn't you have any naval escort to the convoy? I'm asking just check the vulnerability of the low flying big bombers against AA fire.

[Aurorus]

The convoy consisted of 1 AK, 4 AKLs, and 3 PBs. It was carrying top-secret cargo to Moresby... jajaja. The Boston Maru was able to land its devices, albeit some where disabled. (The top secret device was not disabled). It was in fairly good shape after the attack, with only 32 sys damage, and 6 flt damage. It sank after unloading its devices at Moresby, however, when it hit rocks: not a happy voyage for the Boston Maru and its crew... jajaja. At least the "top-secret" cargo was delivered.

[Bif1961]

I think it was because the game gave low level 4E bombers too much accuracy at hitting ships, far out of the norm, so many had a house rule limiting 4E bombing against naval vessels to a higher altitude, not sure if that has been fixed in any of the newer mods.

[Aurorus]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

I think it was because the game gave low level 4E bombers too much accuracy at hitting ships, far out of the norm, so many had a house rule limiting 4E bombing against naval vessels to a higher altitude, not sure if that has been fixed in any of the newer mods.

This has not been my experience since the old WiTP, before AE. Of course, others experience may vary. Level bombers did hit ships on occasion. The point is simply that 4Es are going to bomb something: ships, airfields, industry, troops... something. One always hears complaints that they are unrealistically good against shipping, against troops, at night, etc... . The allied strategy for the Pacific War was to bring their 4Es in range of Japan. That was the whole strategy. If 4Es are bombing ships, troops, etc... they are not bombing my airfields and industry. If they are bombing at night, they are on the ground in the daylight. The problem of 4Es is not solved by house rules, but by finding ways to defend against them.

[Aurorus]

March 21st 1942

3 Japanese DMSs and 4 Duth Minelayers get into a shootout at Sabang in northern Sumatra. One minelayer is left burning as the allied squadron flees from the power of the imperial navy. The allied redoubt at Padang is bombed again.

In, Burma, allied bomber attempting to interdict the Japanese column moving along the dirt trail find Japanese fighters on patrol. The IJA recognizes its 2nd ace after the battle.

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Morning Air attack on 90th Infantry Regiment, at 61,50 , near Taung Gyi

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 4
Blenheim IV x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 3 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Raid is overhead

[Aurorus]

Action heats up in the southern DEI, as a surprise Japanese CV raid on Koepang finds some planes on the runway and squadrons flying training missions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Koepang , at 68,116

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
B5N1 Kate x 12
B5N2 Kate x 54

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 1 damaged
T.IVa: 1 destroyed on ground
139WH-3: 3 damaged
139WH-3: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 27
Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Koepang , at 68,116

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N1 Kate x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CM Krakatau, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 5
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
12 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
2-VI.G.V with B-339D (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

Training flight from 2-VI.G.V has been caught up in attack

The Krakatau explodes in honor of its namesake (which was the largest volcanic eruption since Santorini in the 16th or 17th century BC).

[Aurorus]

March 22nd

Another round of action between the minesweepers and minelayers for the rights to control mining at Sabang. This round also goes to the IJN.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 22, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sabang at 44,70, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DMS W-1
DMS W-8
DMS W-19

Allied Ships
ML No. 362
ML No. 363
ML No. 432, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
ML No. 423, Shell hits 1

Then the torpedo boats come in to assert IJN control.

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

Day Time Surface Combat, near Sabang at 44,70, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
TB Otori
TB Kasasagi
TB Hiyodori
TB Hayabusa
TB Sagi
TB Kari
TB Kiji

Allied Ships
ML No. 362, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
ML No. 363, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
ML No. 423

[Aurorus]

In Burma, allied fighters from Rangoon sweep Chiang Mai looking for the Oscars that ambushed the British bombers yesterday. They don't find the Ics, but a couple of Oscar Ias somehow somehow were flying over the base from Rahaeng. They were outnumbered and had rookie pilots and the results were unhappy for the IJA.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chiang Mai , at 58,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-43-Ia Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chiang Mai , at 58,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 20000 feet

The squadron of Ias was set to escort bombers over Rangoon several days ago; then set to cap Rahaeng, but I forgot to change the range to 0, so they were caught over Chiang Mai. 5 Ias went down as a result of my oversight.

[Aurorus]

On Java, the last of the Dutch air force takes a toll on a Japanese raid over Batavia.

First a sweep

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Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 40

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet

Then an airfield raid.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
8 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 12000 feet

CAP engaged:
24th PG/3rd PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 68 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Batavia , at 49,98

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 4

The scoresheet showed 22 Japanese planes downed for the day to 6 allied planes: not a happy day for the empire.

[Aurorus]

Another CV raid on Koepang.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Koepang , at 68,116

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
B5N1 Kate x 31
B5N2 Kate x 54

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 damaged
T.IVa: 1 damaged
T.IVa: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
ACM Planter, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
ACM Buttress, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

If skirmishing in the Southern DEI, mop up operations on Java, action in northern Sumatra, and a lively air war in Burma were not enough, lines seem to be joining in SOPAC as the Japanese move additional units to Ndeni near the U.S. base at Espiritu Santo. China remains mostly quiet.

[Aurorus]

March 23rd

A Japanese landing commences at Sabang as the torpedo boats patrol the area south on guard for the squadron of PT boats that had been near Medan. Indeed the PT boats sortie and are intercepted by the TBs. The intrepid PT boat captain however, pushes straight at and through the TBs, landing a torpedo on one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Langsa at 46,72, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
TB Otori
TB Kasasagi
TB Hiyodori
TB Hayabusa
TB Sagi
TB Kari, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TB Kiji

Allied Ships
PT-31
PT-33
PT-34
PT-35
PT-41
PT Q-112, Shell hits 1
PT Q-113
MTB 7

The PTs then push on to Sabang where they encounter the Japanese amphib group unloading.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sabang at 44,70, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kashii
DD Murakumo
DD Uranami
xAK Tokyo Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Miike Maru

Allied Ships
PT-31
PT-33
PT-34
PT-35
PT-41
PT Q-112, on fire
PT Q-113, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 7

Japanese ground losses:
825 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 46 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Quite the show by the PT boats and their commander. Thankfully, the game is still in the amphibious bonus period and the ships had already landed for one phase; otherwise the casualties would have been much worse.

[Aurorus]

Earlier that night, submarine action, and a scary moment for Japan as a U.S. sub gets off a shot at Hiryu south of Truk.

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Sub attack near Truk at 111,109

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Tone
CS Chitose
DD Asagiri
DD Ayanami
DD Shikinami

Allied Ships
SS Dolphin

Later in the day, a rare submarine vs. submarine attack off the coast of Australia.

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Sub vs Sub: SS RO-68 attacking SS KX at 93,139 - near Cairns

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68

Allied Ships
SS KX, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

SS RO-68 launches 2 torpedoes at 1,000 yards

[Aurorus]

The major event of the day occurs in Burma as the Japanese gain the river line along the dirt trail.

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

Ground combat at 60,49 (near Taung Gyi)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 9419 troops, 54 guns, 183 vehicles, Assault Value = 386

Defending force 2698 troops, 6 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 128

Japanese adjusted assault: 280

Allied adjusted defense: 61

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
528 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1848 casualties reported
Squads: 45 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (6 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
90th Infantry Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment

Defending units:
13th Burma Rifles Battalion
BFF Brigade
B Sqn 3rd Hussars Regiment

821Bobo tells me that he was moving a full division to the river-line to reinforce the hex and trash the units that were crossing. He tells me that I arrived one day ahead of the division, so a fortunate turn of events for Japan. I had spotted two units with a large troop count moving in the direction of the river from central Java about one week before, so I knew there was a race on for the river. This should explain to those following the AAR why 821Bobo has been bombing my units along that trail for a week: to interdict their movement and try to win the race to the river. That is also the reason for my cap trap of those bombers a few days ago. In addition to destroying bombers, I was also trying to chase them off to keep the regiments in move mode to keep pace with the armor and recon. Fortunately, I was able to keep 2 regiments in move mode for the day, allowing me to cross the river with the majority of the stack three day later, ahead of the Indian division: a close shave for Japan.

[Aurorus]

March 24th, 1942.

The early morning hours start off like too many have for the empire: with allied submarines finding troop transports.

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Sub attack near Donggala at 69,96

Japanese Ships
xAP Kasado Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Isuzu
DD Minekaze
DMS W-6
DMS W-5
xAP Kowa Maru
xAP Keihuku Maru
DD Okikaze
DD Sawakaze

Allied Ships
SS Pike

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


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ASW attack near Bima at 64,110

Japanese Ships
APD Aoi, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CL Jintsu
APD Fuji
xAP Tsingtao Maru
xAP Hoten Maru
xAP Buenos Aires Maru
DD Yomogi
DD Kiku
DD Hishu

Allied Ships
SS O23

SS O23 launches 4 torpedoes at APD Aoi

It seems as though allied submarines only fire at loaded troop transports, and when the transports are loaded, they do not miss or dud. I should not complain, however. They did miss Hiryu yesterday. Meanwhile, Japanese submarines have been quiet. Robert is doing a very nice job avoiding my sub patrols.

[Aurorus]

Dawn breaks and Japanese LBA continues to support ground actions at Padang and Sabang: also attacking the airfield at Batavia for a second day. Allied B-17s continue their relentless assault on Moresby.

Meanwhile, 650 miles west of Darwin, Tamon Yamaguchi has moved his CVs into position off the coast of northern Australia. His original assignment was to reduce the airfield at Koepang and support landings on Timor. He was given wide latitude in how to do so, however, and he decided move his CVs far south of the landings. By 8:30 AM, he began receiving reports of several allied TFs in the region, including a group of APs loading at Derby. He ordered the carriers to turn into the wind and all planes aloft. 2 hours later, he began receiving strike reports.


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Derby at 64,127

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N1 Kate x 6
D3A1 Val x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AMC Manoora, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAP Empire Star
xAP Boschfontein, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Manoora
Massive explosion on xAP Boschfontein
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Boschfontein


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Derby at 66,124

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Siantar, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Oorama
xAKL Sipirok
xAKL Minnipa, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Soerabaja, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Noora, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Woolgar, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Kaiping, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Hedland at 57,129

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 13
D3A1 Val x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Latrobe, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK La Cordillera, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Gorgon, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Gorgon
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Latrobe


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Hedland at 56,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N1 Kate x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Adrastus, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK City of Exeter, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Derby at 64,127

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N1 Kate x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAP Australia Star, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Empire Star, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1618 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 68 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 34 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

As the planes returned, they were ordered to refuel and rearm as quickly as possible. By 3:30 PM, a second wave was in the air.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Derby at 66,124

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A1 Val x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
PG Soerabaja, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Prominent, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Sipirok, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Parigi
xAKL Schouten, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Prominent
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PG Soerabaja
Massive explosion on xAKL Schouten
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Schouten


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Broome at 64,123

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N2 Kate x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
PC Tydeman, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Legazpi, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Silindoeng, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
xAKL Kwangtung
xAKL Oriskany, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Sinabang, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Derby at 64,127

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
D3A1 Val x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AMC Manoora, Bomb hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
196 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 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
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Manoora

821Bobo was upset with himself for not dispersing these TFs. He had spotted the CVs about 130 miles North North-west of Koepang 2 days ago, and then received reports of a TF just west of Koepang yesterday. This was the first time that the Japanese have moved their CVs outside of LBA cover, however, and the move south 650 miles west of Darwin was rather surprising. ( It was, in fact, the lack of contact by submarines that prompted the move. This was one of the few areas in which I did not have active submarines. I figured the allied shipping has to be somewhere).

[821Bobo]

All the shipping was just supply to Darwin and 2 Aussie Eng battalions(2x48AV [:@] )

[Aurorus]

ORIGINAL: 821Bobo

All the shipping was just supply to Darwin and 2 Aussie Eng battalions(2x48AV [:@] )

Yes. Other than the 2 APs and the 2 AMCs, the losses were nothing significant, but I feel better now, having lost about 85 VPs in ground troops to your subs... jajaja.

[821Bobo]

Not significant in terms of shipping but that 2 units were badly needed. [:(]