End of game. MrKane(J) vs GreyJoy(A)

[MrKane]

Hi all,

I am not starting real AAR here due lack of time and lack of proper skills in written English.
But I will try to put here some interesting events here.

Background:
General strategic situation up to now was not very optimistic. My opponent by first 8 months was all of time hiding and running. Without chance to find his force I could not inflict any serious blow to his navy. After unsuccessful India adventure frustration on my side goes really high. Situation has change at August when GreyJoy made decision that he is ready to strike back, hit & run tactics but still his navy goes out of shadows. I am sure more detail can be founded in my opponent AAR, he always make great AARs.

Preparation:
At that point I operation "Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan-1" has started. Plan was simply bait his carries by sending very bad organized invasion fleet to Tabiteuea.
Plan was good, up to now he always use every opportunity to attack easy target. Convoy was protected by 3 CVL and 2 BB to force respond with his flattops. When KB-1 & KB-2 was waiting at south Salomon's Islands. But trap did not work due lack cooperation on Allied side. Then my recon notice CVTF + 2 SCTF entering Gulf of Carpentaria.
Plan "Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan-1" was change to plan "Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan-2". I have moved to Dili 36 Zeros, 45 Kate, 36 Betty and 135 Zeros, 45 Nelly, 36 Betty to Kai-einlanden to block his escape to north. Next 72 Zeros + 36 Betty to Umboi Island. KB-1,KB-2,KB-2 + 2 x SCTF (each 4 CA + some DD ) to Great Reef just outside his recon planes range.

Battle of Cooktown :

Day 1:
Generally his fleet was sitting around Horn Island, my LBA did some noise by putting one torpedo into Hornet hull.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 91,128

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 22

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 11 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Raleigh

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 91,128

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 104 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
G4M1 Betty x 29

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged


Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Hull
CL Raleigh
xAK Peshawur
DD Reid
CL Detroit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 87,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
G3M2 Nell x 36

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 16 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1
CV Yorktown

Day 2:
Still making noise and cleaning sky over Horn Island.

Morning Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 28

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 6 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Horn Island , at 91,128

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Day 3:
Silent before storm. Recons flights report CVTF + SCTF south of Horn Island heading south.
KB moved to intercepting position.



Day 4:
I have send forward 2 SCTF at full speed to engage his SCTF and make some distruption in his fleet. KB make full speed move to strike position 5 hex east of Cooktown.
At night 2 Allied SCTF opend fire at Port Moresby:


TF 274 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Ships
DD Henley, Mine hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 52 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 44 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-15-II Babs: 27 damaged
Ki-15-II Babs: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 54 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 24 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
C5M2 Babs: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Helena
CL St. Louis
DD Craven
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Mugford
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
296 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 77
Port hits 28
Port supply hits 6

CL Helena firing at Port Moresby
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CL St. Louis
CL St. Louis firing at Port Moresby
DD Craven firing at Port Moresby
DD Ralph Talbot firing at Port Moresby
DD Mugford firing at Port Moresby
DD Bagley firing at Port Moresby


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-15-II Babs: 1 damaged
C5M2 Babs: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Detroit
CL Raleigh
DD Stuart
DD Hull
DD Dewey
DD Farragut
DD Tucker
DD Reid

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 8
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1

CL Detroit firing at Port Moresby
CL Raleigh firing at Port Moresby
DD Stuart firing at Port Moresby
DD Hull firing at Port Moresby
DD Dewey firing at Port Moresby
DD Farragut firing at Port Moresby
DD Tucker firing at Port Moresby
DD Reid firing at Port Moresby

Losses are minimal.

So he sent his Carrier cover to bombard PM.
As result RADM Shimmamoto funded his CVTF unguarded at morning.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Cooktown at 95,135, Range 26,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 17 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 14 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 10 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 12 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 3
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Nachi
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 10
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Arashio, Shell hits 4
DD Natsugumo
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 2
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
DD Arare, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
CV Hornet, Shell hits 38, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CV Wasp, Shell hits 2
CA Portland, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Indianapolis
CA Northampton
CLAA Atlanta, Shell hits 1, on fire
CLAA San Diego, Shell hits 6, on fire
CLAA San Juan, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Aaron Ward, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Laffey
DD Duncan, Shell hits 1
DD Woodworth
DD Bancroft, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Sims, Shell hits 2
DD Mustin, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Russell, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 1
DD Walke, Shell hits 1
DD Morris
DD Aylwin, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 26,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CV Hornet at 26,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Hornet at 26,000 yards
CA Northampton engages CA Ashigara at 26,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Ashigara at 26,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CLAA San Juan at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 24,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 24,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Hornet at 24,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Northampton at 24,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages CA Ashigara at 24,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages DD Mustin at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 20,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 20,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Yorktown at 20,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CV Hornet at 20,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Indianapolis at 20,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Mustin at 20,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages CA Ashigara at 20,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Bancroft at 20,000 yards
DD Bancroft engages DD Natsugumo at 20,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Mustin at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 17,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Hornet at 17,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Northampton at 17,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages DD Kasumi at 17,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Arare at 17,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Duncan at 17,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages DD Minegumo at 17,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Yamagumo at 17,000 yards
DD Monaghan engages DD Minegumo at 17,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Aylwin at 17,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Mustin at 17,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Walke at 17,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Yamagumo at 17,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Mustin at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Wasp at 16,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CV Hornet at 16,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CLAA San Juan at 16,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Kasumi at 16,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CA Portland at 16,000 yards
DD Bancroft engages DD Asagumo at 16,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Ashigara at 16,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Duncan at 16,000 yards
DD Monaghan engages DD Kasumi at 16,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Aylwin at 16,000 yards
DD Monaghan engages DD Hamakaze at 16,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Hamakaze at 16,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Bancroft at 16,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Duncan at 16,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Laffey at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 15,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 15,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Yorktown at 15,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CV Hornet at 15,000 yards
DD Monaghan engages DD Kasumi at 15,000 yards
DD Arare engages CA Portland at 15,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CLAA San Juan at 15,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Aylwin at 15,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Russell at 15,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Monaghan at 15,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Aylwin at 15,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Morris at 15,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Hamakaze at 15,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Minegumo at 15,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Mustin at 15,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Bancroft at 15,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Woodworth at 15,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Laffey at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Wasp at 13,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CV Hornet at 13,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Hornet at 13,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CLAA San Juan at 13,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Indianapolis at 13,000 yards
DD Aylwin engages DD Arare at 13,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CLAA San Juan at 13,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Monaghan at 13,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Walke at 13,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Monaghan at 13,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Laffey at 13,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Morris at 13,000 yards
DD O'Brien engages DD Hamakaze at 13,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Russell at 13,000 yards
DD Mustin engages DD Minegumo at 13,000 yards
DD Laffey engages DD Hamakaze at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 10,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Hornet at 10,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CV Hornet at 10,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages CA Ashigara at 10,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Duncan at 10,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages CLAA San Juan at 10,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Aylwin at 10,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Russell at 10,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Monaghan at 10,000 yards
DD Aylwin engages DD Yamagumo at 10,000 yards
DD Monaghan engages DD Hamakaze at 10,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD O'Brien at 10,000 yards
DD Bancroft engages DD Arashio at 10,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Aaron Ward at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Wasp at 6,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CV Hornet at 6,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Hornet at 6,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Northampton at 6,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Monaghan at 6,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Aaron Ward at 6,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Monaghan at 6,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Ashigara at 6,000 yards
DD Mustin engages DD Yamagumo at 6,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Monaghan at 6,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Aylwin at 6,000 yards
DD Bancroft engages DD Hamakaze at 6,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Walke at 6,000 yards
DD Mustin engages DD Minegumo at 6,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Yamagumo at 6,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Bancroft at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 10,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Haguro at 10,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CV Hornet at 10,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages CA Ashigara at 10,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Bancroft at 10,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Bancroft at 10,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CLAA San Diego at 10,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Mustin at 10,000 yards
DD Monaghan sunk by DD Natsugumo at 10,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Aylwin at 10,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Walke at 10,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Walke at 10,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Mustin at 10,000 yards
DD Bancroft engages DD Natsugumo at 10,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Woodworth at 10,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Duncan at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Hornet at 12,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CV Hornet at 12,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CV Yorktown at 12,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CV Hornet at 12,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Laffey at 12,000 yards
DD Aaron Ward engages DD Arare at 12,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CLAA San Juan at 12,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CLAA San Diego at 12,000 yards
CLAA Atlanta engages CA Ashigara at 12,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Aylwin at 12,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Minegumo at 12,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Aylwin at 12,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD O'Brien at 12,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Russell at 12,000 yards
DD Mustin engages DD Arashio at 12,000 yards
DD Bancroft engages DD Asagumo at 12,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Woodworth at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Nachi engages CV Hornet at 11,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Hornet at 11,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Northampton at 11,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CA Indianapolis at 11,000 yards
CA Portland engages CA Ashigara at 11,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DD Bancroft at 11,000 yards
CLAA Atlanta engages CA Ashigara at 11,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Mustin at 11,000 yards
DD Morris engages DD Arashio at 11,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD Walke at 11,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Kasumi at 11,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Mustin at 11,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Sims at 11,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Bancroft at 11,000 yards
DD Arare engages DD Woodworth at 11,000 yards
DD Yamagumo engages DD Aaron Ward at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Hornet at 10,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CV Hornet at 10,000 yards
DD Mustin engages DD Arare at 10,000 yards
CLAA San Juan engages DD Asagumo at 10,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Ashigara at 10,000 yards
CLAA Atlanta engages CA Ashigara at 10,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Aylwin at 10,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Morris at 10,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Walke at 10,000 yards
DD Hamakaze engages DD O'Brien at 10,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Asagumo at 10,000 yards
DD Mustin engages DD Minegumo at 10,000 yards
DD Sims engages DD Asagumo at 10,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Woodworth at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CV Wasp , CV Hornet , CV Yorktown screened from combat
- escorted by DD Aylwin , DD Morris , DD Walke ,
DD O'Brien , DD Russell , DD Mustin ,
DD Sims , DD Bancroft , DD Woodworth ,
DD Duncan , DD Laffey
Ammo storage explosion on CV Hornet
CV Hornet sunk by CA Nachi at 6,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CLAA San Juan at 6,000 yards
DD Kasumi engages DD Aaron Ward at 6,000 yards
CLAA Atlanta engages DD Arare at 6,000 yards
DD Minegumo engages DD Aaron Ward at 6,000 yards
DD Aaron Ward engages DD Yamagumo at 6,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Aaron Ward at 6,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Aaron Ward at 6,000 yards
DD Aaron Ward engages DD Hamakaze at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CV Wasp , CV Yorktown screened from combat
- escorted by DD Aylwin , DD Morris , DD Walke ,
DD O'Brien , DD Russell , DD Mustin ,
DD Sims , DD Bancroft , DD Woodworth ,
DD Duncan , DD Laffey , DD Aaron Ward
CLAA San Diego engages CA Ashigara at 5,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CA Indianapolis at 5,000 yards
CA Haguro engages CV Yorktown at 5,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CV Yorktown at 5,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages CA Haguro at 5,000 yards
CA Myoko engages CLAA Atlanta at 5,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages DD Asagumo at 5,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Minegumo at 5,000 yards
CA Indianapolis engages DD Natsugumo at 5,000 yards
CLAA San Diego engages DD Arashio at 5,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Hamakaze at 5,000 yards
Task forces break off...


Then time for KB comes ...

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,137

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
A6M5 Zero x 69
B5N2 Kate x 70
D3A1 Val x 89

Allied aircraft
no flights


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 8 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 24 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 22 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 13 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis, Bomb hits 3
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CLAA San Diego, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Bancroft, on fire
CLAA San Juan, on fire
DD Laffey, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Woodworth
CA Portland, on fire
CLAA Atlanta, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD O'Brien, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sims
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
DD Morris, Bomb hits 1
DD Aaron Ward, heavy fires
DD Mustin, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Fuel storage explosion on CV Wasp
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Yorktown
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CLAA Atlanta
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Wasp
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Mustin



And his response ...


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 97,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 58
A6M5 Zero x 100

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
SBD-3 Dauntless x 34
TBF-1 Avenger x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 8 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 22 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Hiryu
CV Akagi

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers

Then lets bomb something ...

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 93,139

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
D3A1 Val x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Raleigh, Bomb hits 1
CL Detroit, Bomb hits 1
DD Stuart, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 92,139

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
B5N2 Kate x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis
DD Ralph Talbot, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 93,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
D3A1 Val x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Henley, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Dunlap, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Dunlap
Massive explosion on DD Dunlap


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,137

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
A6M5 Zero x 51
B5N2 Kate x 50
D3A1 Val x 84

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Aaron Ward, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
CLAA Atlanta, on fire
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Portland
DD Walke, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Woodworth
CLAA San Diego, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Sims
DD O'Brien, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Aylwin, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Bancroft
DD Morris, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Indianapolis, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA San Juan, on fire
DD Duncan

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 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 CV Yorktown
Magazine explodes on DD Aaron Ward
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Aaron Ward
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied CLAA
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Walke
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Aylwin


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 93,139

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 20
D3A1 Val x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Hull, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Reid
CL Raleigh

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Detroit
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hull


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 92,139

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 93,133

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
D3A1 Val x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Henley, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Henley


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 95,137

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 15

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Sims
DD O'Brien, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Morris, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CLAA San Diego, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Fuel storage explosion on CV Yorktown


Day 5:
is coming ...

[Cribtop]

Great Googlie Mooglie! [&o]

In other words, Banzai!

[desicat]

Wow!

[Cap Mandrake]

Zounds! That is painful to read for an AFB.

His surface ecorts for the CV's were very capable but they had trouble getting firing solutions and the task force was too large and clumsy.

I would say the surprise was complete. Damned impressive your surface group managed to end up in a daytime battle with his CV's. Did you pick the right hex or did they react? Also a damned impressive and quite elaborate trap.

I take it this was around August '42?

[MrKane]

Yes it is 20 Aug 42. Both my SCTF got orders to take course to his current position by the waypoint 6 hex south of it. CVTS speed was 6 hex per turn due damaged Hornet. Main problem for Allies was Hornet speed. So generally speaking he comes to me. His CVTF was trying break off, but due Hornet speed it fail, until my ships run out of ammo.

[Cap Mandrake]

Interesting demonstration of why an even lightly to moderately damaged ship in a task force can be a liability.

Also a good demonstration of why a surface group escorting CV's is a good idea if you have the resources and there is any chance of enemy SCTF's closing range. Also, grouping all the CV's in that huge TF (22 ships) didn't turn out so well and is of marginal value for AAA fire.

[Canoerebel]

Hello, Mr. Kane.  Good job on the trap.  I'm sure GreyJoy is down in the dumps over this.
 
By the way, my wife and youngest son are in Poland right now.  They arrived yesterday for visits to Warsaw, Plock and Lodz.
 

[Cap Mandrake]

Also, that was an absolutely Death Star CAP over the Jap carriers.

You completley obliterated his well coordinated strike with 27 F4F's, 34 SBD's and 14 TBF.

Poor GreyJoy probably needed a half bottle of Chianti after that.

[JeffroK]

JFB dream version of the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Well done!!!!

[MrKane]

Thanks.

Cap Mandrake: I am sure he has bottle of Chianti right now. He is attending weeding party tonight.

Canoerebel: Hope they will like Poland and enjoy visit.

I am not good artist by here situation map.

[JeffroK]

Lots of zig-zagging [:D]

[Encircled]

You don't, ever, ever, ever put carriers with that amount of sea room.

However tempting the prize, if you've not got multiple escape routes, you have problems

[JocMeister]

[morejeffs]

(Just a note, I am also playing Mr. McKane who is an excellent opponent).

Remind me not do to what greyjoy did!!

[morejeffs]

And congratulations!!

[ny59giants]

After trying to teach John 3rd about AE mechanics by playing G'canal scenario years ago, I learned to have a good SC TF with my Allied CVs. I lost two with a third CV heavily damaged as a series of SC TF got to my CVs. This is another example of why I want Force Z to survive. At least the two big guys.

[Chickenboy]

Nice shootin' Tex. Can't wait to read GreyJoy's mea culpa too. [8D]

[witpqs]

BTW, MrKane, your written English is plenty good. If you would like to go with the AAR I'm sure lots of us would enjoy reading it.

[witpqs]

BTW, check out the free program paint.net (found at http://www.getpaint.net/) for editing map screen captures. It makes doing all the basic stuff like adding arrows and text really easy (just add them in a different layer from the map, then merge the layers when you are ready to save the file for posting). Just ask if you need help getting started with it.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: JeffK

Lots of zig-zagging [:D]

[:D][:D] Indeed! Mr. Kane, you might want to cut down on the espresso a bit. [:)]