Into the Bowels of The Dragon's Lair

[RGIJN]

much to our surprise the enemy sent a DD force to Lunga for some bombardment reason. They did zero damage but took some punishment from mines & bombs.

Off Irau the fleets clashed again. Many IJN DDs sunk, but the allied naval units were badly mauled as well. In the daylight KB joined the action with fierce air attacks. At least two BBs and several other vessels were sent to the bottom.
On the shore the land battle is a stalemate, with two equal forces in strenght (about 30K troops each). But we guess the enemy will have some difficulties to reinforce his LCUs, while we should be able to do so.

Stay tuned!



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/01/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 19,3

Japanese Ships
AP Ceylon Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tunny


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
DD Shikinami

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 1
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 2
CL Kuma, Shell hits 1
CL Tama, Shell hits 2
DD Takanami, Shell hits 2
DD Suzunami, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Kasumi
DD Isonami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Uranami, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 5, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Foote
DD Spence
DD Anthony
DD Thatcher
DD Daly, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Luce, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Claxton, Shell hits 1
DD Dyson
DD Sigourney, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Chauncey, Shell hits 1
DD Calahan
DD Fullam
DD Bennett
DD Hudson
DD Braine, Shell hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 1
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Kuma
CL Tama, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Takanami
DD Kasumi, Shell hits 1
DD Isonami, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Uranami, and is sunk
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 1
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Colorado
BB Nevada, Shell hits 1
BB Pennsylvania
BB Idaho
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 2
BB Massachusetts
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 1
CA Salt Lake City
CA Baltimore
CA Boston, Shell hits 1
DD Radford
DD Jenkins
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
DD Shimakaze
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Maikaze
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Tanikaze

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 1
BB Nevada, Shell hits 5
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Idaho, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 4
BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 4
CA Pensacola
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 1
CA Baltimore, Shell hits 2
CA Boston, Shell hits 2
DD Radford
DD Jenkins
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Takao, Shell hits 2
CA Atago
CA Maya, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Chokai, Shell hits 6
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 42, and is sunk
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 22, on fire, heavy damage
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Nevada, Shell hits 6
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 2, on fire
BB Idaho, Shell hits 6, on fire
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 3
BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 4
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 3
CA Salt Lake City
CA Baltimore, Shell hits 1
CA Boston, Shell hits 1
DD Radford
DD Jenkins, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Shell hits 1
CA Mogami, Shell hits 2
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Kuma, Shell hits 1
CL Tama, on fire, heavy damage
DD Takanami, Shell hits 3
DD Kasumi, Shell hits 3
DD Isonami, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami, and is sunk
DD Sazanami, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Foote
DD Spence
DD Anthony
DD Thatcher
DD Daly, on fire
DD Luce, on fire
DD Claxton
DD Dyson
DD Sigourney, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Chauncey
DD Calahan
DD Fullam
DD Bennett
DD Hudson, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Braine


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen x 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 25


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 19,3

Allied Ships
SS Tunny


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 39,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 31
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20

Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 9

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 11 destroyed

LT E.Ikeda of F2/1st Daitai is credited with kill number 8


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,44


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 15
SBD Dauntless x 7


no losses

Japanese Ships
CL Tama, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,44

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete x 3 damaged

Allied Ships
LST 472, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
LST 463
LST 399, Bomb hits 1
LST 466


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,44

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete x 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete x 5 damaged

Allied Ships
LST 457
APD Sands
LST 466
LST 459


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,44

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
LST 399
LST 472, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,44

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Sands
LST 459
LST 463

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,49

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
D3A Val x 94
B5N Kate x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 3 damaged
B5N Kate x 3 destroyed
B5N Kate x 13 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Laffey, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wilkes, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Brownson
DD Bache, Bomb hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Bush, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Terry, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Eaton, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Monssen
DD Conway, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Swanson, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ammen
DD Grayson
DD Philip, Bomb hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,49

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D3A Val x 24
B5N Kate x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 6 damaged
B5N Kate x 10 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Buchanan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Conway, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Terry, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ammen
DD Monssen
DD Meredith, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,47

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 19
B5N Kate x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 11 damaged
B5N Kate x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 15 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Radford, Bomb hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 28
B-25J Mitchell x 90


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 47

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 70



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Wau , at 8,35

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 19
Ki-48 Lily x 19

no losses

Runway hits 5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 3


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged

Runway hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 18
TBF Avenger x 8


Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 3 damaged

Runway hits 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Irau , at 42,43


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 30
B-17E Fortress x 34
PB4Y Liberator x 27
B-24D Liberator x 51


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 91
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 95


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,44


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 4
TBF Avenger x 4


no losses

Japanese Ships
CL Tama, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,44

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete x 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Sands, Bomb hits 2, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,46

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
D3A Val x 22
B5N Kate x 3
E13A1 Jake x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 15 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged
E13A1 Jake x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Patterson, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Ellet
DD Jarvis, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Walke
DD Farenholt, Bomb hits 2, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,46

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 18
B5N Kate x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 21 damaged
B5N Kate x 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Lansdowne, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Walke
DD Jarvis, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Helm


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,46

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
B5N Kate x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 10 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Farenholt, on fire
DD Jarvis, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,44

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 23

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 14 destroyed
D3A Val x 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat x 1 damaged

LTJG E.Ward of VF-26 is credited with kill number 4

Allied Ships
CVL Monterey, Bomb hits 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 14

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6

no losses

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Phobos, heavy damage
AK Bootes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Zaurak, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 40,44

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 9

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 41,49

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Meredith, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wilkes, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,47

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Radford


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 26847 troops, 367 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 28946 troops, 338 guns, 9 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 5

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 35


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 26448 troops, 338 guns, 9 vehicles

Defending force 28379 troops, 383 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 40


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

[RGIJN]

both battlewagons - IDAHO & PENNSYLVANIA - were reported sunk this afternoon. CVL MONTEREY received two bomb hits as well, further diminishing the already weak US carrier fleet.

[RGIJN]

next day...

Enemy LBA joins the still fierce action..





AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/02/43

Weather: Clear

Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 50
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 16

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 25
B-17E Fortress x 28
PB4Y Liberator x 16
B-24D Liberator x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 6 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 9 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 8 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

CPT M. Moore of 40th FS is credited with kill number 2

Japanese Ships
AP Kensho Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Katsuragisan Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kembu Maru, Bomb hits 2
AP Kashi Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kaika Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Kaito Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kamoi Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Koshu Maru #2, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kyosei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 244
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 36
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 21
TBF Avenger x 8
P-38G Lightning x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 7 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 2 damaged
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 7 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 5 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 4 damaged

MAJ G. Britt of VMF-214 is credited with kill number 8

Japanese Ships
CL Natori, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Fuso


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator x 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 1
CL Natori, on fire
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 2



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
A6M3 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 6

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Murakumo
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,47

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 10

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Chicot, Bomb hits 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,47

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 10

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Chicot, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,48

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 13

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Menkar, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arkab


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,46

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M3 Zero x 3
D3A Val x 20
G3M Nell x 19
E7K2 Alf x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 23
Ki-48 Lily x 61
Ki-49 Helen x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
LST 463, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
LST 459, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LST 457, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD Sands, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
LST 399, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
LST 462, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
LST 466, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
LCI 66


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,45

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 62
A6M3 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 58

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Zaurak, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AK Phobos, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
AK Megrez, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,51

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 48
B5N Kate x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Conway, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Wilkes, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Eaton, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Meredith, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Buchanan, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Terry, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,51

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 5

no losses

Allied Ships
DD Terry, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,51

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 8
B5N Kate x 9
E13A1 Jake x 3

no losses

Allied Ships
DD Terry, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,51

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 18
B5N Kate x 11

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,51

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 3

no losses

Allied Ships
DD Meredith, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42


Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 28
B-25J Mitchell x 96


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 59

Airbase hits 9
Runway hits 91


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Wau , at 8,35

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 19
Ki-48 Lily x 25

no losses

Runway hits 6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 44
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 19
TBF Avenger x 3
P-38G Lightning x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 8 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 2 destroyed
TBF Avenger x 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 3 damaged

MAJ G. Britt of VMF-214 is credited with kill number 9

CPO K. Yanagiya of F1/6th Daitai is KILLED

Japanese Ships
DD Amagiri


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15
B-17E Fortress x 5
PB4Y Liberator x 6
B-24D Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 2 damaged
PB4Y Liberator x 6 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 3
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 1, on fire



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4
B-24D Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator x 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo
CL Jintsu
DD Matsukaze
DD Kagero


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,48

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 10

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,46

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 9

no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,46

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
A6M3 Zero x 7
D3A Val x 25
G3M Nell x 16
E7K2 Alf x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 21
Ki-48 Lily x 43
Ki-49 Helen x 5

no losses

Allied Ships
LST 457, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
LST 462, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
LST 466, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
LST 463, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
LST 399, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
APD Sands, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 43,45

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
A6M3 Zero x 16
D3A Val x 8

no losses

Allied Ships
AK Megrez, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,51

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 119
B5N Kate x 71
E13A1 Jake x 3

no losses

Allied Ships
DD Terry, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 27414 troops, 367 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 28951 troops, 338 guns, 9 vehicles



LTJG A.Kamisaka of F1/6th Daitai is credited with kill number 2

LCDR G.Minami of F1/252nd Daitai bails out and is RESCUED

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 40


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 26442 troops, 338 guns, 9 vehicles

Defending force 34381 troops, 424 guns, 10 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
Men lost 4


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

[RGIJN]

the reinforcements we were able to bring in (several additional RGTs) begin to have some impact...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37222 troops, 445 guns, 28 vehicles

Defending force 26999 troops, 334 guns, 8 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 235
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 791
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25183 troops, 332 guns, 8 vehicles

Defending force 49335 troops, 571 guns, 82 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 5)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 128
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 774

[RGIJN]

seems the defense of Irau is successful again...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 49709 troops, 540 guns, 152 vehicles

Defending force 24689 troops, 327 guns, 8 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 568

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 19978
Guns lost 211
Vehicles lost 5


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

[RGIJN]

all the enemy attackers are gone!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 50036 troops, 539 guns, 152 vehicles

Defending force 9568 troops, 137 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 0)



CPO W.Tokuda of F2/6th Daitai is KILLED
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 207

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 4880
Guns lost 175


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

[Miller]

Has he anything left to attack with[&:]

[RGIJN]

according to David, there are no more INF units in the SOPAC area... they are all gone. And due to the terrible AP/AK losses he suffered so far, it seems there is a bold lack of supply as well on his bases, since most of the otherwise lethal Allied LBA is grounded.

Sounds like I´m gonna try an AV invasion as late as Autumn 1943.........!

[RGIJN]

never before attacked Luganville in mid-Oct 1943... Okay, just a small raid, but still shows the overall situation.






AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/13/43

Weather: Overcast

Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese Ships
DD Hokaze
DD Nokaze

Allied Ships
SS Trout, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Luganville , at 53,53

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 42
B5N Kate x 48

Allied aircraft

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
no losses

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 39

Attacking Level Bombers:
12 x B5N Kate at 8000 feet
12 x B5N Kate at 6000 feet
11 x B5N Kate at 6000 feet
13 x B5N Kate at 5000 feet

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

[RGIJN]

WOW, the remaining US Carriers (probably 2) really made it undetected very close to Truk, sinking a crippled DD there.

Very very long ago I saw Allied ships that far north....

[a1981stingray]

the last of the Allied CVs loaded with Corsairs and Hellcats make a final stand 300 miles SW of Truk as the IJN armada blocks the retreat of the Allied Fleet. This late in the game Oct 1943 who knows what may happen.... I can only hope to score a few torps into some enemy CVs.... I forgot to mention that the CV Enterprise was fully repaired and is the last of the big fleet carriers in the theater... I can only hope this carrier survives the battle...

[RGIJN]

last few turns were quite bloody. Lost hundreds of A/C against the tough US CAP (Corsairs and Hellcats), but managed to land some critical hits on the enemy carriers. CVL MONTEREY is reported sunk already and BUNKER HILL & ENTERPRISE are badly damaged, along with some BBs and other vessels.




Betties from Rabaul took off to deliver some fishes into the intruders

[RGIJN]

the remnants of the allied fleet still have a long, long path all the way thru very hostile waters....

[RGIJN]

dark days for the Allies...

not bothering some decent a/c losses we´re still pounding the enemy fleet on their retreat.



this particular turn was especially costly for them...

[RGIJN]

unfortunately, KB is very low on fuel now, so at least they have to quit the chase [:(]

But Lunga ist still in range...

[RGIJN]

the recent action added a good number of allied ships to the loss list....


looks juicy eh[;)]

[RGIJN]

after a bloody war and alot of cruel slaughter the enemy is down on his knees now. Due to the heavy ship losses (entire fleet gone, well over 100 transports) he isn´t able to supply his remaining bases anymore.

Thus, IGHQ decided to expand south now.......


Recently we sent the proud Yazawa Detachment towards Cooktown.... it fell today with the untold number of 480 aircraft captured!!!! (mostly B25, P38 and P47 type)


Cairns is already selected as next target in the row.


Be aware of the date of this undertaking: End of November 1943!!!!




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/29/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Ground combat at Cooktown

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13059 troops, 158 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 10550 troops, 0 guns, 18 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Cooktown base !!!

[RGIJN]

took Cairns as well... Early December 1943.



Points: 27400 vs. 9250.......

[RGIJN]

BANZAI!!!

[RGIJN]

my Imperial forces earned the biggest victory I´ve ever had in my entire UV career...

--------------------------------
27447 vs. 9500 points
--------------------------------

final stats:

A/C lost: 5160 (IJ) vs. 4737 (Allied)


IJN Ships lost (132 total, 952 points):

cruisers ...... 7
DDs ........... 23
subs .......... 12
transports .... 64


Allied Ships lost (441 total, 9,176 points!)

CVs ............ 9
CVLs ........... 5
CVEs ........... 4
BBs ............ 9
cruisers ....... 28
DDs ............ 70
MSWs ........... 21 (all in the game)
Subs ........... 31
transports ..... 151 (David had just barely a dozen left to play with at the end)