castor troy
Posts: 14330
Joined: 8/23/2004 From: Austria Status: offline
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 11, 43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Brunei at 64,85 Japanese Ships DD Satsuki DD Minazuki Allied Ships SS Trout, hits 1 SS Trout is located by DD Satsuki Trout diving deep .... DD Minazuki fails to find sub and abandons search DD Satsuki fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Satsuki fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Satsuki fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Satsuki fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Satsuki attacking submerged sub .... DD Satsuki fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Tanegashima at 103,66 Japanese Ships TK Okuni Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Akikaze Allied Ships SS Tunny SS Tunny launches 6 torpedoes at TK Okuni Maru DD Akikaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Akikaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Akikaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Akikaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Akikaze fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub the day starts off very well when Tunny puts a torp into a tanker... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Tanegashima at 103,66 Japanese Ships TK Okuni Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Sawakaze Allied Ships SS Growler SS Growler launches 4 torpedoes at TK Okuni Maru Growler diving deep .... DD Sawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Sawakaze attacking submerged sub .... SS Growler eludes ASW attack from DD Sawakaze DD Sawakaze cannot establish contact with SS Growler SS Growler eludes DD Sawakaze by diving deep DD Sawakaze cannot establish contact with SS Growler DD Sawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Sawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Sawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub Then Growler decides to attack this burning tanker again in the same hex, sinking it for sure... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Daito Shoto at 103,68 Japanese Ships xAK Tateisi Maru PB Tonon Maru Allied Ships SS Sealion SS Sealion is sighted by escort Sealion diving deep .... PB Tonon Maru fails to find sub, continues to search... PB Tonon Maru attacking submerged sub .... PB Tonon Maru fails to find sub, continues to search... PB Tonon Maru fails to find sub, continues to search... PB Tonon Maru attacking submerged sub .... SS Sealion eludes ASW attack from PB Tonon Maru PB Tonon Maru cannot reach attack position over SS Sealion SS Sealion eludes ASW attack from PB Tonon Maru Escort abandons search for sub -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Daito Shoto at 103,68 Japanese Ships xAK Tateisi Maru PB Tonon Maru Allied Ships SS Sealion SS Sealion launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Tateisi Maru Sealion diving deep .... PB Tonon Maru fails to find sub, continues to search... PB Tonon Maru fails to find sub, continues to search... PB Tonon Maru attacking submerged sub .... PB Tonon Maru loses contact with SS Sealion PB Tonon Maru loses contact with SS Sealion PB Tonon Maru fails to find sub, continues to search... PB Tonon Maru fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Nago at 95,62 Japanese Ships SC Ch 38, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage PB Hitora Maru SC Ch 24 TK Ceram Maru DD Tatsukaze Allied Ships SS Haddo SS Haddo launches 6 torpedoes at SC Ch 38 Haddo diving deep .... DD Tatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Tatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Tatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Tatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Tatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub also a subchaser is obliberated during the night... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Brunei at 64,85 Japanese Ships DD Uzuki DD Minazuki Allied Ships SS Trout SS Trout launches 4 torpedoes at DD Uzuki DD Minazuki fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Minazuki attacking submerged sub .... DD Minazuki is out of ASW ammo DD Minazuki is out of ASW ammo DD Minazuki is out of ASW ammo DD Minazuki is out of ASW ammo DD Minazuki is out of ASW ammo DD Minazuki fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Minazuki fails to find sub, continues to search... DD Minazuki fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Saishu To at 99,56 Japanese Ships xAKL Bunzan Maru SC CHa-44 Allied Ships SS Herring Captain of SS Herring elects not to launch torpedoes at this target Herring diving deep .... SC CHa-44 fails to find sub, continues to search... SC CHa-44 fails to find sub, continues to search... SC CHa-44 fails to find sub, continues to search... SC CHa-44 fails to find sub, continues to search... SC CHa-44 fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Vinh , at 65,59 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 41,750 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 19 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 19 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 36750 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Vinh , at 65,59 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 38,500 feet. Estimated time to target is 7 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 17 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 17 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Babo , at 83,111 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 11 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 25 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 8 destroyed Aircraft Attacking: 15 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet CAP engaged: 253 Ku S-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 36750 , scrambling fighters to 36000. Raid is overhead sent some Lightnings to sweep Babo, to my surprise the enemy has put up Cap here... I´ve thought he would only put some bombers and escorts into Babo and Biak to attack our carriers or the amphib TF at Vanimo... the Zeroes had no chance at all against the diving Lightnings... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Biak , at 87,110 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 7 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 2 Allied aircraft P-38G Lightning x 25 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed Aircraft Attacking: 25 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 39000 feet * CAP engaged: 202 Ku S-1 Det A with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 38500 Raid is overhead the second squadron was set to sweep Biak, we also meet some Zekes here... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Vanimo , at 93,117 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 42,500 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 12 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 6 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 38500 feet 6 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 38500 feet then a dozen Zekes from Biak show up on a sweep over Vanimo but all our land based fighters here have been set to LRCAP the fleet... this could turn out as a problem if the enemy attacks our transports... we also got this very interesting message popping up: Carrier support unable to supply air cover -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- and after having seen at least two dozen messages of Japanese aircraft spotting our fleet I knew something would happen today... and here the real party begins... ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! Man your aircraft! ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,116 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 41 minutes ship based radar WORKS! Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 30 A6M5 Zero x 101 B5N2 Kate x 17 B6N1 Jill x 63 D4Y1 Judy x 132 Allied aircraft Sea Hurricane Ib x 17 P-40K Warhawk x 24 F6F-3 Hellcat x 401 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 7 destroyed A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged B6N1 Jill: 34 destroyed, 15 damaged D4Y1 Judy: 73 destroyed, 47 damaged Allied aircraft losses Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed Allied Ships CVL Independence CV Wasp CA Vincennes CV Essex, Bomb hits 1 FOW BB Massachusetts, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage CV Saratoga CV Hornet CA Indianapolis BB Indiana, Bomb hits 1 DD DeHaven CV Bunker Hill, Torpedo hits 1 CA New Orleans BB Washington CA Chester CA Houston Aircraft Attacking: 7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 6 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 1 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 1 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 5 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 10000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 4 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb 7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 1 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 6 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 10000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb 4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (9 airborne, 20 on standby, 7 scrambling) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes 20 planes vectored on to bombers VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 20 on standby, 7 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes 18 planes vectored on to bombers VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 20 on standby, 7 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes 23 planes vectored on to bombers VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 20 on standby, 7 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes 18 planes vectored on to bombers VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 20 on standby, 7 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes 27 planes vectored on to bombers VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 20 on standby, 7 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes 20 planes vectored on to bombers VF-71 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 6 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes 12 planes vectored on to bombers VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 12 on standby, 4 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes 14 planes vectored on to bombers No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 1 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes 5 planes vectored on to bombers No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 4 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes 15 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 4 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes 9 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 4 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes 5 planes vectored on to bombers VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 4 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes 13 planes vectored on to bombers VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 6 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes 17 planes vectored on to bombers VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 15 on standby, 6 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes 7 planes vectored on to bombers 49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes 49th FG/9th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes 35th FG/41st FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers as expected we run into the next carrier clash today... the Japanese are the ones to start the party with a 343 aircraft strike in the first wave, which is by far not comparable to the 505 aircraft wave that broke our neck in our first carrier engagement 8 months ago. Our radar picks up the strike early enough and no less than 442 fighters meet the incoming enemy strike. Unlike last time we now field 400 Hellcats instead of 300 Wildcats, at this point I could only hope that they would do seriously better. The engagement starts off with the Hellcats diving on the enemy fighters and that´s what is happening during the whole engagement. It only was Hellcat diving on A6M5, Hellcat diving on A6M3a... We took out a rather small number of fighters but the escorts were left alone quite quickly and then the first bombers were targeted. 232 fighters were reported to be vectored on to bombers, would be interesting if the 210 fighters left actually also attempt to engage the bombers or if they only would fight the fighters because if so, then it´s pretty much a joke as this would mean halve of our fighters managed to down only some three dozen enemy fighters. It was then the time to start getting nervous while never knowing if the bomber that has just been shot down would be the last one before the enemy bombers start their bomb runs... in the end 94 (if I have counted right) of the bombers made it through my Cap, means 118 were shot down before reaching the ships (44.33% attacked the ships). This was of course the moment when I started thinking "oh my good, my fleet is going to be obliberated again, what more can I do..." but unlike during the last carrier engagement, this time the majority of the bombers were Judies and only 80 torpedo bombers were coming in in this wave (of which 17 were Kates on extended range dropping bombs). While I would rate a dive bomber far more dangerous to an undamaged ship in real life, in AE (and WITP of course) it´s the torpedo bomber that is the all killing machine that got no problem to hit an undamaged ship moving at full speed that is bristling with AA weapons. The fact that there were still Kates on the enemy carries is an interesting one, looks like there weren´t enough Jills available yet. It was nevertheless a pain to watch the bombers attacking my ships and it felt like it would never end even though there were "only" 94 bombers. Flak was, well, not what you would expect from these kind of Allied TFs in 8/43. Hard to say how much it effected bombing accuracy (with such a low hit rate you could say it affected accuracy a lot), I´m convinced that we were mostly saved by the bad weather. No severe storms or thunderstorms but moderate rain and this can already be seen as bad weather for sure. At the end of this wave we had one carrier bombed and one torpedoed (one bomb hit turned out to be FOW), a modern BB took two torps that caused heavy damage and another BB was hit a non penetrating bomb from a Kate. Now if you look at the bombers that actually made it through our fighters then it were again the torpedo bombers that did the damage. The Judies of this wave in fact didn´t inflict ANY damage. And that´s why IMO the torpedo bombers are what makes KB so much more dangerous than the Allied counterparts. I was absolutely amazed not to see more torp bombers in the first wave, there were more than twice the number of torp bombers in the engagement 8 months ago. But it´s not over yet... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,116 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 40 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 56 B5N2 Kate x 10 B6N1 Jill x 31 D4Y1 Judy x 8 Allied aircraft Sea Hurricane Ib x 15 P-40K Warhawk x 17 F6F-3 Hellcat x 362 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 15 destroyed B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged B6N1 Jill: 16 destroyed, 5 damaged D4Y1 Judy: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed Allied Ships CVL Independence CV Hornet BB Massachusetts, heavy damage CV Saratoga BB Washington Aircraft Attacking: 2 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 4 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 1 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 20 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes 27 planes vectored on to bombers VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 3 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 11 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes 32 planes vectored on to bombers VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (9 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. 8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 10 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes 30 planes vectored on to bombers VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 22 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 63 minutes 25 planes vectored on to bombers VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 23 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes 20 planes vectored on to bombers VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. 12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes 22 planes vectored on to bombers VF-71 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 4 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes 17 planes vectored on to bombers No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes 16 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes 17 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes 13 planes vectored on to bombers VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 9 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes 15 planes vectored on to bombers VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes 8 planes vectored on to bombers VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 4 on standby, 2 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes 19 planes vectored on to bombers 49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 5000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes 49th FG/9th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 7000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers 35th FG/41st FS with P-40K Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead 3 planes vectored on to bombers 15th FG/72nd FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes Here comes the follow on wave. 343 aircraft in the first wave are followed by another 105 in the second one. This is more what I would think is realistic compared to the single 505 aircraft strike in Jannuary. But it also makes me wonder why so "few" aircraft attacked my fleet. In total the enemy launches 408 aircraft in the morning strike which is nearly a hundred less than in Jannuary. Granted, we´ve sunk the "crappy" Hiyo with her 50 aircraft but by now the enemy should have received some other carriers I guess. Could be that not all are kept together (which is a mistake IMO) or that some are undergoing upgrades. Not having looked at the Japanese side I have no clue when the upgrades take place. Unlike during the first wave I was quite confident when this one showed up, still meeting nearly 400 fighters on Cap, the first wave nearly hasn´t reduced our Cap strenght at all. It was the usal "Hellcat dives on A6M5" and the enemy fighters had not even a slight chance while being on escort and dived on. This seems to be too much again. What disappointed me was the fact that out of 250 land based P-40K we get only two dozen over the fleet at best. Being just 45 miles off the coast I can´t see why it should be that hard to send some more fighters but as we know, LRCAP over carriers is supposed not to work that well. What irks me in this respect is the fact that if you don´t have carriers in your fleet and set 250 fighters on LRCAP one hex then you are probably going to see a hundred (if not more) fighters over your battlewaggons for example. Is it really that much a difference when you suddenly have carriers in a 2025 square mile hex? Anyway, we were confident to obliberate this rather small strike but that´s not what has happened. 9 out of 39 bombers (23.07%) made it through our fighters and made their attack runs but all of them failed to score a hit... phewww... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Vinh , at 65,59 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-21-IIb Sally x 48 Ki-48-IIa Lily x 21 Ki-49-IIa Helen x 47 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 damaged Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged Allied ground losses: 14 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Airbase hits 10 Airbase supply hits 8 Runway hits 79 Aircraft Attacking: 24 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 6000 feet * Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb 23 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet * Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb 24 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 6000 feet * Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb 21 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet * Ground Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb 24 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet * Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ... Also attacking Vinh ... Also attacking 85th Chinese Corps ... Also attacking Vinh ... Also attacking 7th Construction Regiment ... Also attacking Vinh ... Also attacking 25th Group Army ... Also attacking Vinh ... Also attacking 7th Construction Regiment ... Also attacking Vinh ... Also attacking 7th Construction Regiment ... Also attacking Vinh ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Vinh , at 65,59 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 41,500 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 No Japanese losses Aircraft Attacking: 2 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar sweeping at 38500 feet * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,108 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 13 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 19 A6M5 Zero x 69 Allied aircraft PB4Y-1 Liberator x 10 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged Japanese Ships CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 1 CV Akagi CVE Hosho Aircraft Attacking: 6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 3000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 3000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 2000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes Hiryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 38500. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 3000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 38500. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 38500. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 38500. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes Zuiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 38500. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 36750. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes Taiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 38500. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes Taiyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 5000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes Unyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 7000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes Chuyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 36750. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes if you wonder why the next attack isn´t coming from our carriers, well, I have deliberately set my carriers to react 0 and that´s exactly what they´ve done. They stayed in place, means they were 8 hexes away from KB and everything on my carriers was set to range 7. So the first wave that is attacking KB is a single squadron of USN heavy bombers. It is of course a very good idea not to attack in bigger groups. Oh well, let´s see this as a kind of sneak attack to break through Cap more easily. I was more than surprised to see only 88 enemy fighters on Cap, I would say it can´t be much more pathetic. Imagine what would have happened if my carriers would be one hex closer, 88 enemy fighters wouldn´t even be able to stop a big wave of unescorted bombers. Same goes for my heavy bombers. They were shot up badly but managed to break through to the ships and one 500lb bomb actually hits one of the enemy´s CVEs. Ok, so there are also CVEs. But in total a rather small number of aircraft. Let´s see what we can identify. We have: Akagi 72 Kaga 72 Soryu 60 Hiryu 60 Shokaku 72 Zuikaku 72 Ryujo 40 Junyo 50 Shoho 30 Zuiho 30 Hosho 12? Taiho 80? Taiyo 30 Unyo 30 Chuyo 30 WOW! Is there any other carrier that wasn´t here? Except Hiyo that was sunk 8 months ago it seems we have faced everything that we could face. Boahh... Now if the carriers and the numbers above are nearly correct than we would have faced a total of around 740 carrier based aircraft which is nearly a hundred more than we field! With the first two waves and the Cap we count 448+88 aircraft, makes a total of 536. Around a dozen bomber on search were shot down during the search phase, makes it at best some 560-570 aircraft on KB (if we think about one or two dozen damaged). I guess a realistic number would be 550-560 aircraft that were on KB when Rainer decided to attack. This would mean nearly 200 aircraft less than we count if look at the identified carrier fighter units and assume every carrier actually is here. So this means either some units completely failed to launch or missed our fleet or the enemy has some of his carriers elsewhere (for upgrade for example) and is using those fighter units on other carriers. I really wouldn´t want to think about what could be happen if the enemy would really have 740 carrier based aircraft here and the weather would be "clear sky". Guess that would mean say good bye to our fleet. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 54th Division, at 76,124 (Darwin) Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 5 minutes Allied aircraft PV-1 Ventura x 71 Allied aircraft losses PV-1 Ventura: 1 destroyed Japanese ground losses: 12 casualties reported Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 12 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 10000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 12 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 10000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 12 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 10000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 11 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 10000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 12 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 10000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 12 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 10000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb Also attacking 8th Tank Regiment ... Also attacking 16th Division ... Also attacking 21st Div /1 ... Also attacking 5th Div /1 ... Also attacking 16th Army /1 ... Also attacking 54th Division ... Also attacking 16th Division ... Also attacking 5th Div /1 ... Also attacking 16th Division ... Also attacking 54th Division ... Also attacking 16th Division ... Also attacking 5th Div /1 ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 4th Division, at 106,125 (Rabaul) Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 5 minutes Allied aircraft B-25D1 Mitchell x 32 No Allied losses Aircraft Attacking: 16 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 16 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 4th Division, at 106,125 (Rabaul) Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Allied aircraft B-25D1 Mitchell x 12 No Allied losses Aircraft Attacking: 12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 4th Division, at 106,125 (Rabaul) Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes Allied aircraft B-25D1 Mitchell x 32 Allied aircraft losses B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged Japanese ground losses: 12 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 16 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 16 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,108 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 41 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 14 A6M5 Zero x 57 Allied aircraft B-24D Liberator x 12 B-24D1 Liberator x 15 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged B-24D1 Liberator: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged Japanese Ships BB Yamashiro CVL Shoho CVL Ryuho CV Zuikaku BB Yamato CVL Ryujo Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb 5 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb 6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb 6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet * Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes Hiryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes Zuiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes Taiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes Taiyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes Unyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes Chuyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 36000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes then two of the USAAF heavy bomber squadrons arrive over KB to dump their bombs into the ocean. These aren´t trained nav bomb squadrons, their primary task is ground attack. If you wonder why I still set them to nav attack, this is simply answered. I use them as long range fighters. Without the dive, no Allied fighter is as good as a heavy bomber to take out (means damage) enemy fighters. As you can see, the dozen PB4Y-1 already reduced the Cap by 17 Zekes and this bomber wave reduced the Cap even more. The bombers really take a beating here, an unexpected bloody toll to be honest. The fact that my carriers aren´t in range makes these losses an unneccessary pity though as we don´t launch 1E bombers anyway. The enemy ships don´t have to fear USAAF heavy bombers bombing from 10000ft, it would only be luck to score a hit. But these strikes deplete the enemy´s Cap and the enemy´s flak ammo. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,108 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 41 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 7 A6M5 Zero x 32 Allied aircraft B-24D Liberator x 6 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged Japanese Ships CVL Zuiho CVL Ryujo Aircraft Attacking: 6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes Hiryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes Zuiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes Taiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes Taiyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes Chuyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes Unyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes what makes all this worse is of course the fact that my bombers launch in bits an pieces, for what reason ever. But if you look at the enemy´s Cap, it´s already reduced to a pitiful number of only 39 fighters. And this only because of two heavy bomber "sweeps" with not really impressing numbers. Pretty much a joke that all my USN heavies fail to engage in numbers... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 4th Division, at 106,125 (Rabaul) Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Allied aircraft B-25D1 Mitchell x 12 Allied aircraft losses B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 7 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 4th Division, at 106,125 (Rabaul) Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes Allied aircraft B-26 Marauder x 24 Allied aircraft losses B-26 Marauder: 4 damaged Japanese ground losses: 6 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 12 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 12 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,116 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 9 minutes Japanese aircraft B6N1 Jill x 13 Allied aircraft Sea Hurricane Ib x 10 P-40K Warhawk x 11 F6F-3 Hellcat x 294 Japanese aircraft losses B6N1 Jill: 4 destroyed CAP engaged: VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (28 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 28 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (27 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 27 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) 19 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (18 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 18 plane(s) intercepting now. 13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 10 plane(s) intercepting now. 16 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 86 minutes VF-71 with F6F-3 Hellcat (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 14 plane(s) intercepting now. 6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 13 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 14 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 12 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 7000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 16 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 17 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes 49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes 49th FG/9th FS with P-40K Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Raid is overhead 35th FG/41st FS with P-40K Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead 15th FG/72nd FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes 318th FG/73rd FS with P-40K Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead 80th FG/90th FS with P-40K Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (17 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 17 plane(s) intercepting now. 6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes here comes a lost wave of Jills that is coming in totally unescorted... easy pray for our Cap... makes it 550 enemy aircraft in total that were engaged during the morning... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,108 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 9 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 4 A6M5 Zero x 27 Allied aircraft PB4Y-1 Liberator x 4 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged Japanese Ships CVL Shoho Aircraft Attacking: 3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes Hiryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Zuiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Taiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes Taiyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Raid is overhead Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Raid is overhead Unyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Raid is overhead Chuyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Raid is overhead doesn´t make sense to see 4 bombers coming in... but look at the enemy´s Cap... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,108 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 3 A6M5 Zero x 22 Allied aircraft PB4Y-1 Liberator x 4 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 damaged Japanese Ships BB Yamashiro Aircraft Attacking: 4 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 38500. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Hiryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Zuiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Taiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 4000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes Taiyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Raid is overhead Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Raid is overhead Unyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,108 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 3 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 1 A6M5 Zero x 19 Allied aircraft B-24D Liberator x 6 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged Japanese Ships BB Fuso CVE Unyo Aircraft Attacking: 5 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Hiryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Zuiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Taiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Unyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Raid is overhead only 20 enemy fighters left when the last wave of bombers goes in... if I would be the Japanese, I would really stay away from any Allied airbase... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Selaroe , at 78,118 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 39,450 feet. Estimated time to target is 9 minutes Japanese aircraft J2M2 Jack x 35 Allied aircraft P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 20 F4U-1 Corsair x 16 Japanese aircraft losses J2M2 Jack: 15 destroyed CAP engaged: VMF-216 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 36000 and 36800. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes VMF-222 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 36800 , scrambling fighters between 34000 and 36800. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes 347th FG/68th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters to 42000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes 347th FG/339th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 42000 , scrambling fighters between 35000 and 40000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes now this was an interesting one too, the enemy used his Jacks for the first time to sweep one of our Capped bases and really good a bloody nose... if you were used to the Corsair being a killer in WITP, the P-47 in AE is at least twice as good... while the Jacks were flying higher than the Corsairs, the Jacks were shot to pieces by the Thunderbolts... still a couple of kills went to the Corsair but the whole enemy unit was obliberated by the Thunderbolts, scoring an unbelievable 36:0 in this engagement as none of the Corsairs or Thunderbolts were lost... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- and then the afternoon... Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,116 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 41 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 14 A6M5 Zero x 80 B5N2 Kate x 2 B6N1 Jill x 45 D4Y1 Judy x 35 Allied aircraft Sea Hurricane Ib x 14 P-40K Warhawk x 23 F6F-3 Hellcat x 391 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged B6N1 Jill: 17 destroyed, 9 damaged D4Y1 Judy: 17 destroyed, 10 damaged Allied aircraft losses Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed Allied Ships CV Bunker Hill CV Victorious CVE Barnes, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires CV Saratoga CV Hornet CV Wasp CVL Independence CV Essex BB Washington, Torpedo hits 2 one FOW BB Indiana Aircraft Attacking: 2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 10000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb 7 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 2 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 2 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet * Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb 6 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (8 airborne, 16 on standby, 4 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes 25 planes vectored on to bombers VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 18 on standby, 7 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes 21 planes vectored on to bombers VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 20 on standby, 7 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes 20 planes vectored on to bombers VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 20 on standby, 7 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes 28 planes vectored on to bombers VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (8 airborne, 20 on standby, 7 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes 30 planes vectored on to bombers VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 20 on standby, 7 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes 31 planes vectored on to bombers VF-71 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 16 on standby, 6 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes 18 planes vectored on to bombers VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 3 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes 9 planes vectored on to bombers No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 1 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 4 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes 16 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 4 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes 17 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 3 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes 7 planes vectored on to bombers VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 4 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes 9 planes vectored on to bombers VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 5 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes 15 planes vectored on to bombers VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 6 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes 13 planes vectored on to bombers 49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Raid is overhead 4 planes vectored on to bombers 49th FG/9th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes 35th FG/41st FS with P-40K Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Raid is overhead after taking a beating in the morning, the IJNAF also shows up in the afternoon... due to not really having suffered that many fighters shot down, KB is still able to send nearly a hundred fighters to escort the first afternoon wave... the bombers took a beating in the morning and so we only face 82 of them but the higher number of fighters manage to distract our fighters and 26 bombers manage to get through the Cap. Clear sky above our ships made me really fear every single bomber and I was really taking a deep breath after we "only" took two bomb hits on an escort carrier and thank god only one torp hit on another modern BB... we nearly have put up the same number of fighters on Cap as in the morning but the times of a bullet prove defense are long gone... good work indeed and huge step forward from WITP... guess in WITP my Cap would have easily obliberated every strike... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,116 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 41 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 11 B6N1 Jill x 6 D4Y1 Judy x 5 Allied aircraft Sea Hurricane Ib x 10 P-40K Warhawk x 16 F6F-3 Hellcat x 371 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 6 destroyed B6N1 Jill: 2 destroyed D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed Allied Ships CV Bunker Hill Aircraft Attacking: 1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (13 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 13 plane(s) intercepting now. 5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 71 minutes 9 planes vectored on to bombers VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 8 on standby, 7 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes 15 planes vectored on to bombers VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes 11 planes vectored on to bombers VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 16 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes 7 planes vectored on to bombers VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (10 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 10 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 15 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes 13 planes vectored on to bombers VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. 12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 12 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes 18 planes vectored on to bombers VF-71 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. 7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes 14 planes vectored on to bombers No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.898 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (1 airborne, 1 on standby, 1 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes 7 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 12 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes 9 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes 7 planes vectored on to bombers VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 19 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes 10 planes vectored on to bombers 49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes 49th FG/9th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 65 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers 35th FG/41st FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes a second small wave and one of the Judies manages to drop a bomb but misses... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,116 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 40 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 24 B6N1 Jill x 29 D4Y1 Judy x 13 Allied aircraft Sea Hurricane Ib x 8 P-40K Warhawk x 9 F6F-3 Hellcat x 300 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 12 destroyed B6N1 Jill: 10 destroyed D4Y1 Judy: 7 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed CAP engaged: VF-2 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 18 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes 15 planes vectored on to bombers VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (8 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes 12 planes vectored on to bombers VF-42 with F6F-3 Hellcat (8 airborne, 8 on standby, 3 scrambling) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes 6 planes vectored on to bombers VF-8 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes 13 planes vectored on to bombers VF-9 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 18000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes 13 planes vectored on to bombers VF-18 with F6F-3 Hellcat (8 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 17 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes VF-71 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes 9 planes vectored on to bombers VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.882 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers No.896 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes 7 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-33 with F6F-3 Hellcat (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 14 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers VC(F)-41 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 4 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes 5 planes vectored on to bombers VRF-2F with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 19000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes 5 planes vectored on to bombers VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. 5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes 10 planes vectored on to bombers 49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Raid is overhead 3 planes vectored on to bombers 49th FG/9th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers 35th FG/41st FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 7000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers 15th FG/72nd FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes 318th FG/73rd FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 10000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes another 66 enemy aircraft are then spotted and engaged, the Hellcats are now reduced by about a hundred... morale within the enemy bomber units is totally pummeled now though and those that aren´t shot down turn back with none of them breaking through to the ships... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,108 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 13 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 10 A6M5 Zero x 51 Allied aircraft PB4Y-1 Liberator x 20 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses PB4Y-1 Liberator: 4 destroyed, 9 damaged Japanese Ships BB Mutsu CV Akagi CVL Zuiho CV Taiho CVL Shoho Aircraft Attacking: 3 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb 4 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb 4 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb 5 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 38500. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 38500. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes Soryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 38500. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes Hiryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 6000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 38500. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Zuiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Raid is overhead Taiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 5000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes Taiyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes Unyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Raid is overhead Chuyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 36750. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes while KB´s Cap was totally depleted at the end of the morning, we meet 61 fighters in the afternoon again... this time two of the USN squadrons flew together but again being shot up by Cap and flak... the weather making it even worse, all 16 bombers that engaged the ships missed... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,108 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 41 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 2 A6M5 Zero x 18 Allied aircraft B-24D Liberator x 12 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged Japanese Ships CV Kaga CV Hiryu CVL Ryujo CVE Unyo Aircraft Attacking: 6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb 6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes Kaga-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes Hiryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (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 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes Chuyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes Taiho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes also the USAAF shows up in the afternoon... for no result... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 93,108 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 41 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 1 A6M5 Zero x 12 Allied aircraft B-24D1 Liberator x 6 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged Japanese Ships CVL Ryujo CVL Shoho Aircraft Attacking: 6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Raid is overhead Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 13000 Raid is overhead Hiryu-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 16000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes and that´s it... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Vinh , at 65,59 Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-49-IIa Helen x 20 No Japanese losses Allied ground losses: 7 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 6 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 47 Aircraft Attacking: 20 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Babo , at 83,111 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M3a Zero x 8 Allied aircraft B-24D1 Liberator x 27 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged Airbase hits 3 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 14 Aircraft Attacking: 9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb 11 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb 7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 253 Ku S-1 with A6M3a Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 36750 , scrambling fighters to 36000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes we then bomb Babo as we´ve thought we would catch some Betties or Nells here... only Zeroes left that weren´t shot down by our P-38 in the morning... weather is what make the hit rate pathetic once more... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Babo , at 83,111 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 14 minutes Allied aircraft B-24D1 Liberator x 7 No Allied losses Airbase hits 1 Runway hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Babo , at 83,111 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 8 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2-N Rufe x 4 Allied aircraft B-24D1 Liberator x 10 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed on ground Allied aircraft losses B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged Runway hits 4 Aircraft Attacking: 10 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 801 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 12000 Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Biak , at 87,110 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 13 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 1 Allied aircraft B-24D1 Liberator x 11 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 1 damaged Ki-57-I Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground Allied aircraft losses B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 5 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 8 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 202 Ku S-1 Det A with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 38500 Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Biak , at 87,110 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 7 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 1 Allied aircraft B-24D1 Liberator x 13 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 4 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 1 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 10 Aircraft Attacking: 13 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 202 Ku S-1 Det A with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 38500 Raid is overhead same at Biak, no bombers on the ground and bad weather... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Biak , at 87,110 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 1 Allied aircraft B-24D1 Liberator x 14 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 1 damaged A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground Allied aircraft losses B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged Japanese ground losses: 4 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Airbase hits 10 Runway hits 19 Aircraft Attacking: 14 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 202 Ku S-1 Det A with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 38500 Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Biak , at 87,110 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 7 minutes Japanese aircraft no flights Allied aircraft B-24D1 Liberator x 16 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 23 Aircraft Attacking: 16 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Saishu To at 99,56 Japanese Ships SC CHa-44 Allied Ships SS Flying Fish SS Flying Fish is sighted by escort SC CHa-44 fails to find sub, continues to search... SC CHa-44 fails to find sub, continues to search... SC CHa-44 fails to find sub, continues to search... SC CHa-44 fails to find sub, continues to search... SC CHa-44 fails to find sub, continues to search... Escort abandons search for sub -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Darwin (76,124) Allied Deliberate attack Attacking force 82541 troops, 1815 guns, 1959 vehicles, Assault Value = 3346 Defending force 23634 troops, 240 guns, 469 vehicles, Assault Value = 554 Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4 Allied adjusted assault: 2724 Japanese adjusted defense: 254 Allied assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 4) Allied forces CAPTURE Darwin !!! Combat modifiers Defender: forts(+) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 3137 casualties reported Squads: 55 destroyed, 146 disabled Non Combat: 273 destroyed, 220 disabled Engineers: 75 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 127 (127 destroyed, 0 disabled) Vehicles lost 397 (397 destroyed, 0 disabled) Allied ground losses: 1027 casualties reported Squads: 6 destroyed, 71 disabled Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 181 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled Vehicles lost 99 (11 destroyed, 88 disabled) Assaulting units: 2nd USMC Tank Battalion 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion 2nd Australian Division 2/6th Armoured Regiment 1st Australian Division 2/11th Armoured Car Battalion 632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion 193rd Tank Battalion 754th Tank Battalion 13th Australian Brigade 1st USMC Tank Battalion 2/4th Armoured Regiment 767th Tank Battalion 3rd Marine Division 627th Tank Destroyer Battalion 1st USMC Corps Tank Battalion 2/7th Armoured Regiment 5th Australian Division 3rd Australian Division 4th Armoured Brigade 1st Motor Brigade 1st Marine Division 762nd Tank Battalion 2nd Marine Division 4th Australian Division 3rd Motor Brigade 2/8th Armoured Regiment 30th Australian Brigade 131st Field Artillery Battalion 183rd Field Artillery Regiment 249th Field Artillery Battalion 16th RAAF Base Force 147th Field Artillery Regiment 1st Medium Regiment 94th Coast AA Regiment 503rd Coast AA Regiment I Australian Corps 2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion 2nd RAN Base Force 134th Field Artillery Battalion 10th RAAF Base Force 223rd Field Artillery Battalion II Australian Corps 148th Field Artillery Battalion 96th Coast AA Regiment 2/16th Field Regiment 4th Field Artillery Battalion 216th Coast AA Regiment 181st Field Artillery Regiment 2nd KNIL AA Battalion 70th Coast AA Regiment 30th Field Artillery Regiment 198th Field Artillery Battalion 1st Australian Army 197th Coast AA Regiment 1st RAN Base Force 225th Field Artillery Battalion 205th Field Artillery Battalion 2nd Australian Army 198th Coast AA Regiment III Australian Corps 1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion 188th Field Artillery Regiment 168th Field Artillery Regiment 154th FA Bn 97th Field Artillery Battalion 2nd RAAF M/W Sqn 114th USAAF Base Force 226th Field Artillery Battalion 13th Australian Hvy AA Regiment Defending units: 54th Division 21st Div /1 16th Division 14th Tank Regiment 8th Tank Regiment 5th Div /1 11th JAAF Base Force 40th JNAF AF Unit /1 16th AA Regiment 16th Army /1 we finally liberate Darwin! Hurrey! While I´m not sure what I should think about the carrier engagement of today, this surely was a long needed and important victory. With Darwin we have now the needed staging base to really threat the SRA. More about the carrier engagement in the following posts.
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< Message edited by castor troy -- 10/8/2010 2:20:01 PM >
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