wneumann
Posts: 3768
Joined: 11/1/2005 From: just beyond the outskirts of Margaritaville Status: offline
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Summary of Operations 12/17/44 Southwest Pacific: Current status of Buna base – 161K supply and 2800 fuel on hand, airfield fully operational (no runway or service damage), port damage 49. Allied amphibious transport unloaded supply cargo into Buna base. Construction activity to expand current size 7(6) airfield at Buna is now underway. 2433 operational AV (total) in Allied LCU at Buna. Ground attack air strikes against Japanese LCU remaining in Buna base hex by Allied 2E and 4E bombers, also bombardment attack by Allied ground forces. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 104th Division, at 99,129 (Buna) Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 12 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4 Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 8 Ki-84a Frank x 16 Allied aircraft A-20G Havoc x 40 B-25J1 Mitchell x 16 F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 F6F-3 Hellcat x 13 F6F-5 Hellcat x 10 Japanese aircraft losses N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged B-25J1 Mitchell: 1 damaged F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed Japanese ground losses: 12 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 12 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb 11 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb 16 x B-25J1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb 16 x A-20G Havoc bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K2-J George (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 4000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 4000. Raid is overhead S-303 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 35000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 35000. Raid is overhead 48th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (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 1000, scrambling fighters to 6000. Raid is overhead 72nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000. Raid is overhead 73rd Sentai with Ki-61-II KAI Tony (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 8000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 8000. Raid is overhead 52nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000. Raid is overhead Also attacking 1st Naval Const Bn /1 ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 13th Division, at 99,129 (Buna) Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 8 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3 Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 9 Ki-84a Frank x 15 Allied aircraft B-29-1 Superfort x 45 P-38L Lightning x 15 F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 F6F-3 Hellcat x 9 F6F-5 Hellcat x 7 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-29-1 Superfort: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 53 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 10 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb 10 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb 9 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb 3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb 3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb 10 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 52nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes 73rd Sentai with Ki-61-II KAI Tony (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 8000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes S-303 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 35000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 26990. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes 48th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (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 1000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes 72nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes 3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K2-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 4000, scrambling fighters to 9000. Raid is overhead Also attacking 1st Guards Division ... Also attacking 22nd Division ... Also attacking 116th Division ... Also attacking 47th Division ... Also attacking 41st Division ... Also attacking 2nd Naval Const Bn /2 ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 22nd Division, at 99,129 (Buna) Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 6 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1 Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 7 Ki-84a Frank x 16 Allied aircraft B-29-1 Superfort x 7 P-38L Lightning x 15 F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 F6F-3 Hellcat x 15 F6F-5 Hellcat x 9 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed Japanese ground losses: 21 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 72nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes S-303 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 35000, scrambling fighters to 18980. Raid is overhead 52nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes 73rd Sentai with Ki-61-II KAI Tony (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 7 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 8000, scrambling fighters to 10000. Raid is overhead 3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K2-J George (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 4000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes 48th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (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 1000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 116th Division, at 99,129 (Buna) Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 6 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1 Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 4 Ki-84a Frank x 13 Allied aircraft B-29-1 Superfort x 7 P-38L Lightning x 15 F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 F6F-3 Hellcat x 11 F6F-5 Hellcat x 12 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-29-1 Superfort: 4 damaged F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed Japanese ground losses: 16 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet Ground Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: S-303 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (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 35000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes 52nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 73 minutes 72nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes 73rd Sentai with Ki-61-II KAI Tony (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 8000, scrambling fighters between 5000 and 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes 3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K2-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 4000, scrambling fighters to 10000. Raid is overhead 48th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (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 1000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 64th Division, at 99,129 (Buna) Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 6 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1 Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 3 Ki-84a Frank x 10 Allied aircraft B-29-1 Superfort x 30 P-38L Lightning x 15 F6F-3 Hellcat x 11 F6F-5 Hellcat x 9 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed Japanese ground losses: 5 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 10 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet * Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb 10 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet * Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb 10 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet * Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: S-303 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (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 35000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 58 minutes 52nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes 72nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters between 3000 and 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes 73rd Sentai with Ki-61-II KAI Tony (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 8000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 8000. Raid is overhead 3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K2-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 4000, scrambling fighters to 10000. Raid is overhead 48th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (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 1000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes Also attacking 109th Division ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 64th Division, at 99,129 (Buna) Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 3 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 4 Ki-84a Frank x 6 Allied aircraft B-29-1 Superfort x 10 P-38L Lightning x 15 F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 F6F-3 Hellcat x 7 F6F-5 Hellcat x 4 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-29-1 Superfort: 1 damaged F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed Aircraft Attacking: 10 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet * Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: S-303 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (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 35000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes 52nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 89 minutes 3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K2-J George (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 4000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes 72nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (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 9000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 144th Infantry Regiment, at 99,129 (Buna) Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 4 Ki-84a Frank x 4 Allied aircraft B-29-1 Superfort x 40 P-38L Lightning x 15 F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 F6F-3 Hellcat x 8 F6F-5 Hellcat x 8 Japanese aircraft losses N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 84 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 10 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet * Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb 10 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet * Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb 10 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet * Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb 10 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 8000 feet * Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: S-303 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 35000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes 52nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes 3rd Ku S-1/C with N1K2-J George (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 4000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes 72nd Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 9000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Raid is overhead Also attacking 13th Division ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Buna (99,129) Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 77782 troops, 1802 guns, 2037 vehicles, Assault Value = 2430 Defending force 82238 troops, 582 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 1669 Japanese ground losses: 430 casualties reported Squads: 22 destroyed, 37 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled Allied ground losses: 106 casualties reported Squads: 8 destroyed, 5 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled) Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled) Assaulting units: 81st Infantry Division I Corps Cmbt Engineer Regiment 1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division 2/6th Armoured Regiment 754th Tank Battalion 632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion 32nd Infantry Division 1st Marine Division 193rd Tank Battalion 31st Infantry Division 43rd Infantry Division 4th Armoured Brigade 2/4th Armoured Regiment 627th Tank Destroyer Battalion Americal Infantry Division 9th Australian Division 2nd RAA Jungle Regiment 102nd Combat Engineer Regiment 168th Field Artillery Regiment 2nd Medium Regiment 2/13th Field Regiment 9th RAAF Base Force 155th USA Base Force 189th USAAF Base Force 165th Field Artillery Battalion 181st Field Artillery Regiment 134th Field Artillery Battalion 2/9th Field Regiment 163rd USA Base Force 857th Engineer Aviation Battalion 1st Medium Regiment Clark Field USAAF Base Force I Australian Corps 2/11th Field Regiment 150th USA Base Force 205th Field Artillery Battalion 6th RAAF Base Force 82nd Mortar Battalion 97th Field Artillery Battalion 863rd Engineer Aviation Battalion 11th RAAF M/W Sqn Defending units: 38th Division 13th Division 109th Division 47th Division 1st Guards Division 22nd Division 104th Division 64th Division 41st Division 70th Ind.Mixed Bde /1 116th Division 42nd Div /2 62nd Construction Battalion 14th Naval Construction Battalion 13th Ind.Mixed Rgt /1 44th IMB Artillery Battalion 144th Infantry Regiment 7th Base Force 102nd Machine Cannon AA Battalion 2nd Naval Const Bn /2 3rd Cavalry Brigade 1st Hvy.Artillery Rgt /10 3rd Naval Construction Battalion 1st Naval Const Bn /1 8th Base Force 31st Army 17th Naval Construction Battalion 62nd Nav Gd /1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese LBA night bombing attacks against Buna airfield, no reported damage to airfield facilities. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms (14% moonlight) Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 33 minutes Japanese aircraft B5N2 Kate x 21 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 21 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Raid spotted at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 26 minutes Japanese aircraft B6N2a Jill x 7 Japanese aircraft losses B6N2a Jill: 1 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 7 x B6N2a Jill bombing from 5000 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 7 minutes Japanese aircraft B6N2a Jill x 11 Japanese aircraft losses B6N2a Jill: 3 damaged Runway hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x B6N2a Jill bombing from 5000 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 3 minutes Japanese aircraft B6N2a Jill x 6 Japanese aircraft losses B6N2a Jill: 2 damaged Runway hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 6 x B6N2a Jill bombing from 5000 feet Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AAR’s of Japanese daylight LBA fighter sweeps and ground attack bombing raids against Allied LCU in Buna follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 18 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 20 F4F-4 Wildcat x 10 F6F-3 Hellcat x 71 F6F-5 Hellcat x 53 Japanese aircraft losses N1K2-J George: 5 destroyed No Allied losses CAP engaged: VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes VF-13 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes VF-71 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes VF-25 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes VF-27 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes VF-28 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-84a Frank x 34 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 20 F4F-4 Wildcat x 9 F6F-3 Hellcat x 64 F6F-5 Hellcat x 47 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-84a Frank: 7 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed Aircraft Attacking: 7 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 9000 feet CAP engaged: VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 16900 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes VF-13 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes VF-71 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes VF-25 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes VF-27 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes VF-28 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 9000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes 475th FG/432nd FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 20 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 30000, scrambling fighters to 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 23 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 9 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 20 F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 F6F-3 Hellcat x 43 F6F-5 Hellcat x 33 Japanese aircraft losses N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed CAP engaged: VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 between 10000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 11000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 9900 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes VF-13 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes VF-71 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 between 8000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 between 13000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes VF-27 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes VF-28 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes 475th FG/432nd FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 20 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 30000, scrambling fighters to 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes VF-25 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 189th USAAF Base Force, at 99,129 (Buna) Raid detected at 168 NM, estimated altitude 41,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 50 minutes Japanese aircraft N1K2-J George x 12 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 20 F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 F6F-3 Hellcat x 44 F6F-5 Hellcat x 31 Japanese aircraft losses N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed CAP engaged: VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 23000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes VF-29 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 24000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 23000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 11000 and 24000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 7000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 25000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes VF-13 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 27000 and 38800. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes VF-71 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 37300. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 16000 and 35000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 13000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes VF-28 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 14000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes 475th FG/432nd FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 20 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 30000, scrambling fighters to 6000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 25000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 20 F4F-4 Wildcat x 9 F6F-3 Hellcat x 53 F6F-5 Hellcat x 30 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed CAP engaged: VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 22000. Raid is overhead VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 28000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15060. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 7000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 37300. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes VF-13 with F6F-5 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 28000. Raid is overhead VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 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 29 minutes VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 16060. Raid is overhead VF-71 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20 minutes VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 35000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 1000 and 15700. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 19000. Raid is overhead VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead VF-29 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 38800. Raid is overhead VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 24000. Raid is overhead 475th FG/432nd FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 20 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 30000, scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 34000. Raid is overhead VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 24 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 29 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-84a Frank x 10 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 20 F4F-4 Wildcat x 7 F6F-3 Hellcat x 38 F6F-5 Hellcat x 27 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed CAP engaged: VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 3000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 1000 and 28000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 between 2000 and 3000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 7000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 4 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 26 minutes VF-13 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 2000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 16060. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes VF-71 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 3000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 3000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 5000. Raid is overhead VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 2000. Raid is overhead VF-29 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 38800. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 3000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes 475th FG/432nd FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 20 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 30000, scrambling fighters to 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 15 F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 F6F-3 Hellcat x 27 F6F-5 Hellcat x 22 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed CAP engaged: VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 25020. Raid is overhead VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 3000. Raid is overhead VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 38800. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes VF-13 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 3000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 6000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes VF-71 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 10000. Raid is overhead VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 12000. Raid is overhead VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes VF-29 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 11000. Raid is overhead 475th FG/432nd FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 30000, scrambling fighters to 15000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16900. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 6000 and 7000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 3000. Raid is overhead VF-25 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 5000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 11270. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 5000. Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 8 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-84a Frank x 26 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 15 F4F-4 Wildcat x 5 F6F-3 Hellcat x 15 F6F-5 Hellcat x 13 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-84a Frank: 6 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed CAP engaged: VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Raid is overhead VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 6000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes VF-13 with F6F-5 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 14000. Raid is overhead VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 6000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes VF-29 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 6000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes 475th FG/432nd FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 15 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 30000, scrambling fighters to 5000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 23000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 6000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes VF-25 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 5000. Raid is overhead VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 11000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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, scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 13000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on Buna, at 99,129 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 13 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 24 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 18 F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 F6F-3 Hellcat x 14 F6F-5 Hellcat x 14 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-61-II KAI Tony: 6 destroyed No Allied losses CAP engaged: VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes VF-28 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes 475th FG/432nd FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 18 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 30000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 30000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese LBA launch naval attack air strikes against Allied surface combat TF and amphibious supply transport operating in Buna base hex. AAR’s follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on TF, at Buna 99,129 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms (14% moonlight) Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 7 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak Allied Ships BB Maryland BB Mississippi Aircraft Attacking: 7 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on TF, at Buna 99,129 Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 8 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak Allied Ships CA Canberra BB Pennsylvania Aircraft Attacking: 7 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, at Buna 99,129 Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 40 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 9 D3A2 Val x 28 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 20 F4F-4 Wildcat x 10 F6F-3 Hellcat x 61 F6F-5 Hellcat x 34 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed D3A2 Val: 18 destroyed No Allied losses Allied Ships LST-22 Aircraft Attacking: 2 x D3A2 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb CAP engaged: VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 25000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 37000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 14000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 25000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 27000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes 8 planes vectored on to bombers VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 21000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes 8 planes vectored on to bombers VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) (4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 27000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes 7 planes vectored on to bombers VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 22000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes 5 planes vectored on to bombers VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 20000 and 27000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes 10 planes vectored on to bombers VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 24020 and 28000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 24000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers VF-13 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 28000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 25000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-71 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 19000. Raid is overhead 1 planes vectored on to bombers VF-29 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 23000 and 38800. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes 5 planes vectored on to bombers VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 24000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes 4 planes vectored on to bombers 475th FG/432nd FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 20 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 30000, scrambling fighters to 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes 20 planes vectored on to bombers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, at Buna 99,129 Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 20 F4F-4 Wildcat x 8 F6F-3 Hellcat x 45 F6F-5 Hellcat x 28 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed No Allied losses CAP engaged: VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 5 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000 Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 4000 and 28000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 3000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes VF-11 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 7000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 3000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes VF-13 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 2000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes VF-18 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 16060. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes VF-71 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 12000. Raid is overhead VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 2000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 1000 and 15700. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 19000. Raid is overhead VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 2000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes VF-29 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 38800. Raid is overhead VF-30 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 2000 and 24000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes 475th FG/432nd FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 20 scrambling) Group patrol altitude is 30000, scrambling fighters to 1000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 8 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 34000. Raid is overhead VF-22 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 10 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, at Buna 99,129 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 43 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 3 D3A2 Val x 2 Allied aircraft P-38L Lightning x 18 F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 F6F-3 Hellcat x 14 F6F-5 Hellcat x 20 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed No Allied losses CAP engaged: VF-6 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead VF-13 with F6F-5 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead VF-71 with F6F-5 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-3 with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 9000. Raid is overhead VF-42 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (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 8270. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes VF-10 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters to 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes VF-16 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes 1 planes vectored on to bombers VF-80 with F6F-5 Hellcat (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 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-23 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters to 9000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-24 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes 3 planes vectored on to bombers VF-26 with F6F-3 Hellcat (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 7000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes 2 planes vectored on to bombers VF-28 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 20000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000. Raid is overhead 3 planes vectored on to bombers 475th FG/432nd FS with P-38L Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 30000, scrambling fighters to 7000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes 18 planes vectored on to bombers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- US Main Carrier force now operating in sea area off Buna and Lae, some CAP fighters from Carrier force operating in air-to-air combat over Buna base hex (above). Japanese LBA naval attack strike occurred during night movement of Main Carrier force from sea area off Rabaul to daylight position in area off Buna and Lae. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,128 (SE of Rabaul during overnight sea movement of Main Carrier force to position off Buna) Weather in hex: Light cloud (14% moonlight) Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 8 minutes Japanese aircraft G4M3a Betty x 4 Japanese aircraft losses G4M3a Betty: 2 damaged G4M3a Betty: 1 destroyed by flak Allied Ships BB New Jersey Aircraft Attacking: 3 x G4M3a Betty bombing from 6000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Madang at 98,123 (adjacent hex E of Madang) Weather in hex: Clear sky Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 19 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M5 Zero x 11 N1K2-J George x 9 Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3 Ki-84a Frank x 12 Allied aircraft F6F-3 Hellcat x 33 F6F-5 Hellcat x 16 SB2C-1C Helldiver x 17 Japanese aircraft losses A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed Allied aircraft losses F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 damaged Japanese Ships CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Arashi, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 13 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb 4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb CAP engaged: 302 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 8000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes S-308 Hikotai with A6M5 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 5000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes 87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 9 plane(s) intercepting now. 0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 7000, scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes 71st I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 1000, scrambling fighters to 9000. Raid is overhead Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Kinugasa -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Targeting of some Allied 2E & 4E bombers previously employed against Buna port and airfield facilities now switching to night bombing attack against Lae airfield. Most Allied LBA bomber squadrons in NE Australia now standing down to recover pilot fatigue and/or disabled planes before re-employment against new targets. Plans also underway to transfer some Allied bombers in NE Australia to airfields in eastern New Guinea. Combat Events report entries and AAR’s follow. 6 x 90th BG/321st BS B-24J Liberator stray due to night 4 x 38th BG/405th BS B-25H Mitchell stray due to night 6 x 345th BG/501st BS B-25H Mitchell stray due to night 4 x 38th BG/823rd BS B-17F Fortress stray due to night 5 x 38th BG/405th BS B-25H Mitchell stray due to night 5 x 38th BG/823rd BS B-17F Fortress stray due to night -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Lae, at 99,126 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud (14% moonlight) Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 3 Allied aircraft B-25H Mitchell x 9 No Japanese losses No Allied losses Aircraft Attacking: 9 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet * Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 902 Ku T-3 with E13A1 Jake (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling) 2 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 100, scrambling fighters to 8000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Lae, at 99,126 Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 3 Allied aircraft B-25H Mitchell x 5 No Japanese losses No Allied losses Runway hits 1 Aircraft Attacking: 5 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 902 Ku T-3 with E13A1 Jake (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 100, scrambling fighters to 9000. Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Lae, at 99,126 Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 3 Allied aircraft B-24J Liberator x 4 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged Airbase hits 1 Runway hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 902 Ku T-3 with E13A1 Jake (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 100, scrambling fighters to 8000. Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Lae, at 99,126 Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 3 Allied aircraft B-25H Mitchell x 4 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-25H Mitchell: 1 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 902 Ku T-3 with E13A1 Jake (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 100, scrambling fighters to 8000. Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Lae, at 99,126 Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 4 minutes Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 3 Allied aircraft B-25H Mitchell x 6 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-61-II KAI Tony: 1 destroyed on ground No Allied losses Runway hits 4 Aircraft Attacking: 6 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 902 Ku T-3 with E13A1 Jake (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 100, scrambling fighters to 8000. Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Lae, at 99,126 Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 6 minutes Japanese aircraft E13A1 Jake x 3 Allied aircraft B-17F Fortress x 5 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 5 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 8000 feet Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 902 Ku T-3 with E13A1 Jake (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 3 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 100, scrambling fighters to 8000. Raid is overhead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 531K supply and 94K fuel on hand in Milne Bay. Current status of Port Moresby base – 1.27 million supply and 155K fuel on hand (unchanged). Current status of Terapo base – 226K supply and 10K fuel on hand (unchanged). Summary of this game turn’s reported aircraft losses over all locations in SW Pacific theatre operations area including Rabaul. Japanese planes reported destroyed (189 planes total) • 32 Ki-84 Frank (27 air-to-air, 5 ops) • 11 Ki-61 Tony (9 air-to-air, 1 on the ground, 1 ops) • 22 Ki-44 Tojo (all air-to-air) • 33 N1K2-J George (32 air-to-air, 1 ops) • 16 A6M5 Zero (all air-to-air) • 13 D4Y3 Judy (all air-to-air) • 37 D3A2 Val (all air-to-air) • 4 G4M3a Betty (all flak) • 1 G4M2a Betty (air-to-air) • 3 G4M1 Betty (2 flak, 1 ops) • 3 Ki-57 Topsy (all flak) – transport planes on airlift to Jap LCU in Buna base hex • 5 Ki-49 KAI Helen (all flak) – transport planes on airlift to Jap LCU in Buna base hex • 4 H6K4-L Mavis (all ops) – transport planes on airlift to Jap LCU in Buna base hex • 1 E14Y1 Glen (air-to-air) • 4 E13A1 Jake (all on the ground) Allied planes reported destroyed (61 planes total) • 57 F6F Hellcat (41 air-to-air, 16 ops) • 4 B-29 Superfort (2 air-to-air, 2 ops) Detected status of Jap base at Lae – 71 aircraft (46 fighters, 22 bombers), airfield damage 1, 11 Jap LCU, no visible Jap TF. Detected base status at Wau – unidentified Jap planes based on airfield, 9 Jap LCU. Detected base status at Salamaua – 6 Jap LCU. Detected base status at Rabaul – 201 aircraft (128 fighters, 16 bombers, 57 other planes probably transport), 2 Jap TF (12 ships total), 3 ships in port (1 PG, 2 xAKL), 40 Jap LCU (+2 from last report), defensive minefield visible on map. Detected status of Jap base at Lihir – 27 aircraft (all fighters), no visible Jap TF or LCU.
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