Attack Condor
Posts: 425
Joined: 12/27/2002
From: Chicago
Status: offline
|
December 17, 1942
Weather: Overcast
Quark’s forces sail into TV harbor. No less than 8 MSWs sweep a path clear for him. He unleashes his battleships to bombard the base, but all damage is repaired by morning.
Daylight leads to one of the bloodiest days of air combat to date. Almost 150 planes are destroyed. Most of them are the P-39s and P-40s, but also among the carnage are 33 of Quarks fighters. That has to hurt. As expected, he sent LRCAP over TV, and they took a toll on the planes returning. The [I]Lightnings[/I] perform well, and have an even money chance against the [I]Zeroes[/I].
Quark sent his carrier dive bombers to TV and attacked my ground troops. I don’t know what he is trying to accomplish there, but he sent half his fighters as escort. Fine with me.
The naval attacks did manage to score a pair of 1000 lb bomb hits – one each on [I]Shokaku[/I] and [I]Zuiho[/I].
Also as expected, Quark has Cairns, and has already based planes on it. Time to switch tactics on him again.
All level bombers from CT, TV, and RH now turn their attention to Cairns. All FBs are set to Naval Attack at 100 feet, while the SBDs are set to stand down. All fighters CAP TV.
I’m going to roll the dice again and try to send the artillery unit in via FT tonight. If Quark sends his BBs in again, it may get ugly, but I want the guns on the ground. Also en route is a FT TF from Noumea carrying the SeaBees. Temporary destination is RH, but TV is their ultimate goal.
[I]North Carolina[/I] is two days away from being a threat to Quark, but she sails on westward. If the DDs survive the run into TV, they’ll join up with the battleship.
In the Solomons, unloading at Kourouratopo continues. A large BF (AS = 120) is also there, and should be ready to handle planes tomorrow. The airfield is only a level 2, but the SeaBees should ramp that up soon enough.
[I]South Dakota[/I] makes another raid on Irau, this time with DMS support. Quark has had a FT TF land there every couple of days. This will have to be the last raid for a few days. The BB TF fuel is down to 98.
Back in Oz, I have decided to send the 7th division from RH and, if necessary, the 6th from Brisbane. I’ll fly them in if necessary. This will leave them without their heavy weapons, but if I can hang on to TV, perhaps there is still hope. I can’t worry about feints anymore. It’s pure, simple numbers now. I hope I have enough.
The report:
[I] AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/16/42
Weather: Rain
Sub attack near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese Ships
DD Akitsuki
DD Kamikaze
Allied Ships
SS Greenling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Gili Gili at 17,42
Japanese Ships
AG 354, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Grayback
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
CA Tone
CA Takao
CA Atago
CL Kinu
DD Yamagumo
DD Yudachi
DD Harusame
DD Nagatsuki
Allied Ships
PT 38, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
PT 48, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
PT 110
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
CA Tone
CA Takao
CA Atago
CL Kinu
DD Yamagumo
DD Yudachi
DD Harusame
DD Nagatsuki
Allied Ships
PT 110, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Townsville, at 10,62
Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Townsville, at 10,62
Allied aircraft
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tulagi at 38,39
Japanese Ships
AG 356, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 40,41
Allied Ships
SS Trout
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 1st Aus Motorised Brigade, at 10,62
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A Val x 74
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 8 damaged
Allied ground losses:
Men lost 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48
A6M3 Zero x 13
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Kaihei Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
A6M3 Zero x 13
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 10
B-24D Liberator x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged
LT K. Notomi of EIII-1 Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,59
Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 3
P-38G Lightning x 3
A-20B Boston x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 3
B-26B Marauder x 6
A-20B Havoc x 3
Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Teizui Maru
MSW Toshi Maru #2
CL Naka, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Tokai Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x A-20B Boston at 10000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,59
Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 20
Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Tatsuta Maru
AP Tokai Maru
AP Kirishima Maru
DD Oite
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
A6M3 Zero x 11
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 14
Hudson x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 45
P-38G Lightning x 10
B-26B Marauder x 24
B-17E Fortress x 3
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 4 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 5 damaged
Hudson x 2 destroyed
Hudson x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 18 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 5 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 5 damaged
PO2 K.Ikeda of EI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 6
LCDR U.Handa of AI-1 Daitai bails out and is CAPTURED
Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL Shoho
CV Akagi
CV Hiyo
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Hudson at 10000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x Hudson at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 4
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD Dauntless x 8
Hudson x 8
Beaufighter VIC x 21
P-39D Airacobra x 15
P-40E Kittyhawk x 33
P-40E Warhawk x 53
P-38G Lightning x 11
A-20B Boston x 6
B-25D Mitchell x 5
B-26B Marauder x 4
B-17E Fortress x 9
A-20B Havoc x 8
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 6 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 7 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
Hudson x 1 damaged
Beaufighter VIC x 9 destroyed
Beaufighter VIC x 6 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 5 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 3 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 14 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 16 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 7 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 2 damaged
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 1 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged
LTJG L.Banno of BI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 8
Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, on fire
CVL Shoho
CV Kaga
CV Hiyo
CV Akagi
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
4 x A-20B Boston at 10000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
4 x Hudson at 10000 feet
4 x Hudson at 10000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 10000 feet
1 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 13,54
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 3
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
A6M3 Zero x 12
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 19
B-24D Liberator x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 3 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 6 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged
CPT P. Brown of 36th FS bails out WOUNDED and is RESCUED
Japanese Ships
AP Brazil Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
7 x B-24D Liberator at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,59
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 13
Hudson x 12
A-20B Boston x 9
B-25D Mitchell x 6
B-26B Marauder x 10
B-17E Fortress x 9
A-20B Havoc x 9
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Shirayuki, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Naka, on fire
AP Teizui Maru
AP Aki Maru
DD Fubuki
DD Yayoi
AP Kumagawa Maru
DD Oite
AP Nagara Maru
DD Murakumo
AP Kirishima Maru
AP Syoka Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x A-20B Boston at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x Hudson at 10000 feet
4 x A-20B Boston at 10000 feet
3 x A-20B Boston at 10000 feet
4 x Hudson at 10000 feet
3 x Hudson at 10000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
1 x A-20B Havoc at 10000 feet
2 x Hudson at 10000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 11,59
Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 40
no losses
Japanese Ships
DD Shirayuki, on fire, heavy damage
CL Naka, on fire
DD Murakumo
DD Yayoi
AP Tokai Maru
AP Nagara Maru
AP Aki Maru
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
1 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
A6M3 Zero x 4
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6
Hudson x 6
Beaufighter VIC x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 10
P-40E Kittyhawk x 19
P-40E Warhawk x 36
P-38G Lightning x 18
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 6 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged
Hudson x 2 damaged
Beaufighter VIC x 2 destroyed
Beaufighter VIC x 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 6 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk x 8 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk x 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 1 damaged
ENS L.Bando of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 8
SLDR G.Middelton of No. 75 Sqn RAAF is KILLED
Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho
CV Shokaku, on fire
Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x Hudson at 10000 feet
2 x Hudson at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,57
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3 Zero x 2
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 14
B-17E Fortress x 3
no losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 4 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra x 1 damaged
ENS L.Bando of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 9
Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho
Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cairns
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 1481 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 65 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Cairns base !!!
LTJG R.Ohara of DI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/I]
_____________________________
"Shouldn't we be leading the shark into shore...instead him leading us out to sea?"
|
Printable Version
- 
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread