RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM

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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945 >> After Action Reports >> RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM

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RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 12/17/2004 7:50:33 AM

racndoc

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Joined: 10/29/2004
From: Newport Coast, California
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SITUATION REPORT: June 15th, 1942

Other than Japanese mopping up operations in Sumatra the fronts seem to have stabilized across the Pacific. With the massive LCU and naval reinforcements received the last 2 days and those on the way in the next 2 weeks Allied Command feels better about holding the line where it is currently drawn. Spitfires have been filling out our fighter groups in SE Asia since the beginning of June and Admiral King has informed CINCPAC that the new TBF Avenger should be replacing our obsolete TBDs in about 2 weeks. Today we just received our 1st fast BB and 2 new CLAA escorts in SF. The 5 Pearl Harbor BBs that survived have all been refitted, repaired and returned to active duty. BB Ramilles and BB Resolution have left the war zone and are on their way to drydock to repair the damage suffered at Port Derby.

In Burma we garrisoned Rangoon with 13th Indian and 16th Indian Brigades and 2 RAF Aviation support groups. Rangoon held out for over 2 weeks against daily IJA assaults. Just as the fortress started breaking down and the fall of Rangoon was imminent an evacuation transport TF that was left in harbor loaded up most of 13th and 16th Brigades overnight. The next day Rangoon fell as the evacuation TF sailed toward Diamond Harbor. Unfortunately the Japanese staged in Zeros and Bettys the next AM and that afternoon our transport TF was hit pretty hard losing quite a few troops of 16th Brigade at sea. SEAC has now drawn a line in the sand at Mandalay in order to keep the Burma Road open and WILL hold, God and the King's troops/bombers willing.

The Allied commands have started on the long road back to Toyko with minor advances as follows:

SW PAC has started building a base in southern NG at Merauke;
South PAC has built up New Caledonia and the Hebrides for future offensive operations;
Central PAC has built up the Gilberts.
Bomber Command(11th AF) reduced Amboina oil output from 51 to 2 and has redeployed for future operations.

Most importantly, some of our best leaders that have been MIA the last few months have been reporting back to active duty.

(in reply to Bison Frontier)

Post #: 61

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 12/21/2004 7:21:53 AM

Bison Frontier

Posts: 54
Joined: 10/24/2004
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June 14th to July 5th, 1942

For the first six months of the war, our main priority was to secure the resource-rich regions of Malaya, Philippines, the East Indies and Burma. This has now been largely accomplished, with our main striking forces (land, air, sea) virtually intact. In the process of trying to stop/slow our military juggernaut, the enemy sustained extremely heavy losses and still had to concede defeat in these areas.

Having seized these strategic cities, our next phase will be one of consolidation and
selective expansion, especially where opportunity arises. Several outposts that were bypassed in the initial phase of operations may now be taken at our leisure. All across Asia and the western Pacific, our engineers and support troops are hard at work constructing a defensive perimeter that the enemy will never succeed in breaching, the better to ensure that he will never return to force his imperialistic ways on the recently liberated peoples of Asia. Co-prosperity for all, that's how we shall proceed from here, with the small caveat that JAPAN shall be the main and dominant partner in the entire happy arrangement of course

Our selective expansion during this period proceeded smoothly and included the taking of Bulla (on June 21st, where 5,300 Allied prisoners were taken), Sorong (June 22nd), Bankha (June 27th, 5 Catalinas destroyed at the airbase), Toboali (June 28th), Kai Island (June 29th), Babo (July 1st) and Sabang (July 3rd).

During this period, the enemy attempted to relieve the almost intolerable pressure our air forces were exerting from Port Moresby. Their attempts to build up the (poorly-sited) bases of Merauke and Thursday Island proved costly, with another three transports being sunk by Bettys from Moresby between June 16th and June 18th. Our intel reports that during that the enemy received large air reinforcements throughout May and June, including many heavy bomber groups. These were all deviously gathered at Cooktown in northeastern Australia for a big concentrated blow at Port Moresby.

Starting on June 20th, the enemy unleashed almost 300 bombers (mostly "heavies") at Moresby. Our small CAP of only about 40-50 Zeros fought grimly but sheer numbers made their task impossible. Within two days, the airbase at Moresby had become too damaged for ops, so our fighters and bombers relocated to Lae and Buna. From June 20th to July 5th, our fighters shot down/damaged over 140 enemy aircraft, mostly B-17Es over Moresby. The enemy did succeed in wrecking (temporarily) our airbase, and about 50 of our planes were destroyed on the ground. Two damaged transports were also sunk in port, but these are all relatively minor setbacks when compared to our gains elsewhere.

< Message edited by Bison Frontier -- 12/21/2004 5:24:57 AM >

(in reply to racndoc)

Post #: 62

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 12/21/2004 8:29:26 AM

racndoc

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From: Newport Coast, California
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SITUATION REPORT: July 5th, 1942

The Reduction of Port Moresby

Since its capture by Japan in early January, 1942, Port Moresby has not only cut the Allied Pacific Theatre of Operations in two but has posed as a dagger aimed at the soft underbelly of Australia. Allied recon has identified 21 seperate IJA LCUs in Port Moresby so while the Allies may never have enough land forces to retake it they decided to 1st neutralize and then isolate PM.

Allied planning and operations to neutralize PM began in late January. Engineers were sent to Cookstown and the airfield was slowly enlarged until it reached its maximum operational limit of 300AC. An airstrip was built at Merauke for the sole purpose of providing fighter coverage for the construction of a forward airbase at Thursday Island. Over a dozen Allied APDs, AKs, and APs were lost to Bettys based at PM during this operation. Thursday Island became operational mid June and as soon as Bomber Command relocated to Cooktown the great offensive could start.

On June 20th nearly 300 heavies from Cooktown escorted by Kittyhawks from Thursday started pounding PM. Over 100 Bettys and Mavis were destroyed on the ground before bad weather intervened and allowed the remaining Japanese AC to be evacuated. The port and its shipping was also worked over as Japan has basically evacuated both the port and the airbase there.

Meanwhile, recon in the Marshalls showed a massive Japanese buildup in progress so more Allied troops were rushed to the Gilberts covered by heavy air combat and surface TFs. The stage was being set for a massive confrontation between the IJN and the USN.

(in reply to Bison Frontier)

Post #: 63

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 12/21/2004 12:15:21 PM

Bison Frontier

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Joined: 10/24/2004
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July 6th to 11th, 1942

After providing cover for the operations against Bulla and Sorong, Kido Butai refueled at Truk. During late June, our great naval base at Truk was abuzz with organized activity as the largest concentration of ships since Jutland assembled for Operation Sho-II, the taking of the Gilberts chain of islands, and the destruction of the US Pacific Fleet, should they have the temerity to interfere with our plans.

Throughout this time, smaller amphibious task forces had been bringing support forces and supplies to our outposts in the Marshalls. Jaluit, Maloelap, Kwajalein and Mili all received fresh searchplane, Zero, Betty and various other air squadrons.

On July 1st, Kido Butai (8 fleet carriers, 3 light carriers, 2 battleships, 3 heavy cruisers, and numerous other supporting vessels) sailed from Truk harbor. A day later, this formidable massing of naval airpower rendezvoused with Raizo Tanaka's battleship TF (BBs Nagato, Ise, Mutsu, Hyuga, 9 heavy cruisers, 7 light cruisers and 5 destroyers) and a supporting cruiser squadron of 4 heavy cruisers and 5 destroyers southeast of Truk. Some 120 miles behind came the vast amphibious forces carrying over 60,000 troops for the Gilberts operation. These fine ships, representing the cream of the Imperial Japanese Navy - a force which had never(!) experienced defeat in war - plowed confidently through choppy waters towards Tarawa. Whether or not the USN showed up in the Gilberts was immaterial - our victory was assured either way.

Then on July 6th, searchplanes from Mili spotted what appeared to be an enemy carrier force to the east of Mili, bearing southwest at approximately 25 knots. More sightings were made on July 7th, including BOTH capital ships and transports near Tarawa and Apamama. (Note: The enemy had been busily building up and fortifying his bases in the Gilberts since June). On July 7th, submarine I-16 scored a remarkable victory when it attacked CA Pensacola off Makin Island, touching off the magazine. The unhappy ship blew up and sank almost immediately. I-16 also hit DD Bagley with a torpedo, leaving that ship foundering badly.

Finally on July 8th, IJN and USN carriers clashed for the first time west of Tarawa. Our forces had been on full alert since the enemy carriers were sighted on July 6th. In the event, the enemy attacked first. Dauntless dive-bombers and Devastator torpedo planes, with a large escort of F4F-4s from least four enemy carriers (possibly five) attacked Kido Butai. Our Zero fighters were ready and waiting. Wave after wave of enemy planes was methodically decimated. My preliminary estimate puts enemy aircraft losses at 36 Wildcats, 166 SBDs and 73 TBDs. We lost fewer than 15 Zeros in the process. Not a single enemy plane survived to drop bombs or launch torpedoes at our ships.

When it came to our turn to counterattack however, the weather intervened, and we were only able to launch about half our Val dive-bombers and fewer than twenty Kates. Despite fierce enemy fighter opposition and even fiercer anti-aircraft fire, our planes succeeded in hitting BB North Carolina with 2 bombs and carriers Hornet and Yorktown with a bomb each. Not quite enough to disable them, but better than nothing.

Kido Butai was raring to resume the battle the next day (July 9th), but the enemy carriers, having lost virtually all their dive-bombers and torpedo aircraft, had already (prudently) turned tail and were making all speed for Hawaii; the other enemy taskforces had also fled the scene. Enemy air did manage to sink DD Isonami on July 8th, and our Bettys from the Marshalls sank a tanker and DD Bagley at Tarawa on July 9th.

Overall, the results were less than we had hoped for, even anti-climactic, but our main objective - moving on the Gilberts - would still be accomplished. In fact, the entire operation would now prove far easier to implement, with the USN's elite attack squadrons suffering such a savage mangling, and the subsequent withdrawal of all their battleworthy naval vessels from the battle zone. Consequently, naval and air supremacy in the Gilberts immediately passed over to Japan, a supremacy which we are confident will not be challenged anytime soon.

Hakko ichiu!

< Message edited by Bison Frontier -- 12/21/2004 1:07:41 PM >

(in reply to racndoc)

Post #: 64

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 12/23/2004 5:05:34 PM

Bison Frontier

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Joined: 10/24/2004
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July 12th to 15th, 1942

Having crushed USN carrier-based airpower on July 8th, Kido Butai took up positions E/SE of Tarawa to cover our landings there. On July 13th to 14th, our amphibious forces began unloading troops at Tarawa. Unfortunately, Tarawa would not be a cakewalk despite our highly motivated and superbly trained troops. The cunning enemy had sowed the area with countless hundreds of mines, and prepared extremely strong coastal defenses. Also on Tarawa was the entire 37th US Infantry Division, engineering troops, Marines, SeaBees, part of the 27th US Infantry Division and supporting forces amounting to some 30,000 men, dug-in and making excellent use of the terrain (superbly suited for defense) Offshore, Admiral Tanaka's battleship TF provided excellent bombardment support during this time, inflicting over 3,000 Allied casualties and destroying an estimated 52 guns and 19 vehicles.

Also, our intel was mistaken on the enemy's intentions in the south Pacific. Even while the USN carriers retreated to replace their grievous losses (almost 300 aircraft and accompanying aircrews), the Allies would apparently draw "a line in the atolls", where the defense of the Gilberts, especially Tarawa, was involved. All available naval vessels and aircraft would be hurled into its defense in the days to come...

On July 15th, powerful enemy surface units (including most of the battleships damaged but salvaged at Pearl Harbor) suddenly reappeared in force, engaging our naval units at Tarawa in a fierce surface battle. As most of our transports were busily unloading troops and supplies, and our supporting capital ships were engrossed with bombarding Tarawa�s defenses, the enemy managed to gain tactical surprise at sea and made the most of his radar-equipped ships. After the gunfire and torpedo trails had subsided, enemy destroyers Morris and Anderson had been sunk, another destroyer (Mustin) was severely damaged, heavy cruisers New Orleans and Minneapolis were on fire and gravely damaged; battleships Idaho, West Virginia and Maryland had also taken numerous hits and were also aflame. Our sole loss was CA Takao, but battleships Mutsu and Hyuga also took a battering from enemy shells and torpedoes (they had also come under heavy air attack by enemy LBA from Tarawa).

Our transports, some of which also came under heavy fire, were forced to suspend the landings and make a temporary withdrawal to the west. Loath as they were to abandon our badly outnumbered troops already on Tarawa, they had little choice in this instance, as searchplanes spotted even more enemy capital ships headed towards Tarawa. Despite heavy bombardment, Tarawa's rugged, uneven terrain shielded the airbase from the worst effects of our bombardment and the enemy was not slow in bringing in large numbers of fighters, bombers and other aircraft to harass our forces...

Farther east, Kido Butai wreaked havoc among Allied shipping, sinking destroyers Drayton, Gridley, Blue and crippling DD Dunlap. Kido Butai also hit battleships New Mexico (2 bomb and 6 torpedo hits) and Tennessee (4 bomb and 7 torpedo hits). New Mexico sank almost immediately but Tennessee somehow managed to limp to Tarawa. Her final demise, however cannot be far off.

Major combat vessels confirmed sunk since the battle for the Gilberts began (July 7th) through to July 15th

Allied: 1 BB (New Mexico), 1 CA (Pensacola), 6 DD
Japan: 1 CA (Takao), 1 DD

< Message edited by Bison Frontier -- 12/23/2004 5:04:54 PM >

(in reply to Bison Frontier)

Post #: 65

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 12/25/2004 1:37:04 PM

AdmFletcher

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SITUATION REPORT: Reshaping Pacific Theater History

In this campaign it looks like the Japs under Adm Nagumot have the upper edge in the Pacific relative to their historical performance.. maybe even Christmas in California in 1944.

I once played a game called Pacific Theater of Operations by Koei. In that game you can play the Yanks and in the Pearl Harbor scenario you can take your BBs and sail out to Tokyo, give those Tokyoyos some bombastic entertainment and claim victory even BEFORE the Nippys fleet (played by the computer of course) reached Pearl Harbor.

The Yahut related plan blows. Instead this is a great center for the exchange of ideas and battle updates prior to the real February offensive.

Yankee doodle came to town riding on his pony... stuck a feather on his cap and said "NipponGoGo... NOT!"

(in reply to Bison Frontier)

Post #: 66

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 12/27/2004 3:35:20 PM

Bison Frontier

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Joined: 10/24/2004
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Situation update July 16th to 17th, 1942

The battle for the strategic atoll of Tarawa continued into mid-July. Despite heavy losses, the enemy refused to toss in the towel there. After more than six months of war, we understand that the hitherto lethargic US industrial base has been ramped up to produce the weapons of war on an ever burgeoning scale, including many newer, improved designs. The enemy can therefore afford to replace lost aircraft, ships, guns etc much more easily than we can. It is therefore imperative that we continue to inflict unaccceptably high losses on him that he may tire of this conflict and agree to peace talks.

On July 16th, Kido Butai airgroups hit enemy shipping around Tarawa, fighting their way past heavy enemy CAP to sink DD Stack and damage the following ships: DD Farragut (1 torp hit), BB Mississippi (1 bomb, 1 torp hit), BB Colorado (1 bomb, 3 torp hits). Kido Butai also encountered a large enemy destroyer flotilla east of Tarawa. In the fierce surface action that ensued, Allied destroyers Meredith, Gwin, Grayson, Aaron Ward, Buchanan, Russell, O�Brien, Walke, Hull and Allen were left sinking while our Kido Butai suffered moderate damage to destroyers Uzuki and Asanagi. Our heavy cruiser Haguro also took several light-caliber hits but nothing serious.

The next day (July 17th) saw further heavy battles around Tarawa. Zero fighters from Mili airbase (480 miles north of Tarawa) streaked south to engage the enemy fighters tenaciously defending Tarawa. Over 50 enemy fighters (P-40Bs, P-39Ds and F4F-4s) were shot down, clearing the way for another series of spectacular naval strikes by Kido Butai. The damage report:

BB Colorado � 3 torpedo hits
BB Idaho � 1 bomb, 5 torpedo hits
BB Maryland � 2 bomb, 4 torpedo hits
BB Mississippi � 2 bomb, 5 torpedo hits
BB West Virginia � 2 bomb, 3 torpedo hits
CL Honolulu- 2 torpedo hits

Our Kate pilots report that enemy battleships Idaho and Maryland were left sinking, and all the other battleships well nigh crippled. We also received confirmation that BB Tennessee and CA Minneapolis also sank on July 17th (from earlier attacks).

Sadly, the IJN also lost battleship Mutsu � our troops took Makin on July 17th � but the badly battered Mutsu was unable to make port at Makin, turned turtle and sank shortly before dusk.

Major combat vessels confirmed sunk since the battle for the Gilberts began (July 7th) through to July 17th

Allied: 4 BB (New Mexico, Idaho, Maryland, Tennessee), 2 CA (Pensacola, Minneapolis), 17 DD

Japan: 1 BB (Mutsu), 1 CA (Takao), 1 DD

< Message edited by Bison Frontier -- 12/27/2004 1:35:40 PM >

(in reply to AdmFletcher)

Post #: 67

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 12/27/2004 8:51:26 PM

Alikchi2

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Joined: 5/14/2004
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quote:

llied: 4 BB (New Mexico, Idaho, Maryland, Tennessee), 2 CA (Pensacola, Minneapolis), 17 DD

What is this, the Death Ride of the Battleships?

< Message edited by Alikchi -- 12/28/2004 12:51:35 AM >

(in reply to Bison Frontier)

Post #: 68

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 12/27/2004 9:24:47 PM

Capt. Harlock

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From: Los Angeles
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Well, the Japanese are doing a whale of a job inflicting losses in the air and at sea. But how is the land battle going?

_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 69

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/14/2005 9:18:00 AM

racndoc

Posts: 2519
Joined: 10/29/2004
From: Newport Coast, California
Status: offline

I apologize for not posting over the last 3 weeks. We were doing 6-8 turns per day around xmas and then I was on vacation over New Years. We will try to catch up over the next few days.

SITUATION REPORT: 8-24-42 The Gilberts Campaign

The situation has calmed down now in the Gilbert and Marshall Is. after 7 weeks of brutal air/land/sea combat that has far eclipsed anything seen at Guadalcanal in RL. The IJN has withdrawn to Kwajalein and beyond with 70k US and 60k IJA locked in a stalemate on Tarawa. What began as a battle of opposing navies has at last transformed into a battle of opposing air forces and with the US massing 500 AC at Apamama, 300 AC at Tarawa and 200 AC at Baker Is. the sea lanes in the Gilberts are firmly in Allied control.
After 3 major carrier vs carrier battles and 3 major BB vs BB battles and inummerable smaller engagements the losses look like this:

Ship Losses

Allied: 11 BB, 8 CA, 5 CL, 1 CLAA, 52 DD, 16 MSW, 17 SS, 4 PG, 2 ML, 2 PC, 8 TK, 2 AO, 3 AVD, 9 DMS, 3 DM, 1 MLE, 3 APD, 32 PT, 23 AP, 72 AK

Japan: 2 CS, 3 BB, 4 CA, 7 CL, 62 DD, 37 MSW, 30 SS, 19 PG, 5 ML, 17 PC, 10 TK, 2 AO, 83 AP, 90 AK.

Aircraft Losses>100 planes

Allied: 354 F4F Wildcat, 277 P-39, 271 P-40B, 275 P-40E, 175 Kittyhawk, 102 Demon, 135 Brewster, 246 B-17, 200 B-25, 182 Beaufort, 183 Hudson, 457 SBD, 125 TBD

Japan: 916 A6M2 Zero, 199 A6M3 Zero, 428 Kate, 341 Val, 162 Jake, 351 Betty

Details on campaign to follow.

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)

Post #: 70

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/14/2005 5:44:55 PM

Bison Frontier

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Joined: 10/24/2004
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Situation update July 18th to 31st, 1942

Throughout the rest of July, the enemy continued to literally commit "tons of steel" into the battles for the Gilberts chain. Making the most of his industrial might - one must remember that the American economic potential is after all almost TEN times greater than that of Japan(!) - hundreds of combat aircraft and dozens of new naval vessels of all types continued to pour into Tarawa, Apamama and Baker.

Despite getting their airgroups severely mauled in their first encounter with Kido Butai, the US carriers quickly replenished these groups with their ample stocks of planes and pilots and returned for a rematch on July 18th. Distracted by its operations against the numerous enemy surface vessels near Tarawa, Kido Butai was sadly caught wrong-footed by the sudden reappearance of the USN carriers. This time, sufficient enemy aircraft got through to hit Akagi with one bomb, Kaga and BB Haruna with 2 bombs each. Minor damage that a short stint in our fine shipyards will redress, but nevertheless an annoyance for the proud ships and crews of Kido Butai. In the process, our Zeros also shot down over 200 aircraft, including 100 SBDs, 54 F4F-4s and 35 TBDs. Unfortunately, our own carriers and airgroups had nearly exhausted their fuel and ammunition (having operated continuously since early July) and were not in a position to mount any substantial counterattack against the enemy, who promptly fled the scene after a Pyrrhic victory.

From July 18th to 19th, our Bettys from the Marshalls sank CL Hobart, DMS Hopkins and Hovey, 3 transports. Also on July 19th, after largely defeating the second USN carrier strike, Kido Butai (while retiring to Jaluit to refuel) unleashed a limited backhand blow against the enemy, sinking DDs Helm and Mugford, and 4 transports.

Many badly damaged ships continued to sink from damage sustained in earlier battles. DD Dunlap sank on July 18th, DD Mustin on July 19th. On July 20th, crippled enemy battleships Mississippi and West Virginia (badly hit earlier by Kido Butai airstrikes) turned turtle and slid beneath the waves, CA New Orleans sank on July 27th, and on July 28th, after suffering over TWENTY bomb hits from enemy LBA in addition to earlier damage from the first surface action on July 15th, our valiant battleship Hyuga finally succumbed at Makin. Before Hyuga went down, our Zeros providing LRCAP from Mili shot down another fifty enemy aircraft over Makin.

On July 30th and 31st, the opposing surface fleets clashed yet again at Tarawa. Our surface forces now included the gargantuan battlewagon Yamato, recently arrived from Osaka, but most of the other ships had been fighting and/or sailing continuously since early July and were low on endurance. As it turned out, an overzealous destroyer commander on our side decided not to wait for our battleships to arrive, and charged headlong against the throng of enemy ships at Tarawa. Despite this inauspicious start, our outgunned and outnumbered destroyers succeeded in sinking the new battleship North Carolina and badly damaged the older BB Arizona, CA Portland and CL Concord. DD Dale was also sunk. Another 6 enemy destroyers and a transport were sunk shortly after. CL Concord also sank on July 31st. Our own losses were the light cruiser Sendai and seventeen destroyers - most of which were lost due to the (in retrospect) reckless actions of our overeager destroyer commander. Heavy cruisers Suzuya and Kinugasa were also badly hit by enemy air and naval attacks.

Despite our great successes at sea, the enemy calmly committed ever greater numbers of reinforcements and replacement planes and land forces to Tarawa and Apamama. At most times, his LBA in theater outnumbered our own by a factor of 5 to 1 or more! Also, our own LBA labored under the geographical handicap of having the nearest operable airbase at Mili, 480 miles from Tarawa, making it very difficult for our fighters to properly cover our naval forces. It quickly proved near impossible for our amphibious forces to land sufficient troops to capture the wretched atoll of Tarawa, which by now also bristled with over a thousand coastal guns that fired at anything that moved, including land crabs!

Major combat vessels confirmed sunk since the battle for the Gilberts began (July 7th) through to July 31st

Allied: 7 BB (New Mexico, Idaho, Maryland, Tennessee, Mississippi, West Virginia, North Carolina), 3 CA (Pensacola, Minneapolis, New Orleans), 2 CL (Hobart, Concord), 28 DD, 2 DMS

Japan: 2 BB (Mutsu, Hyuga), 1 CA (Takao), 1 CL (Sendai), 18 DD

< Message edited by Bison Frontier -- 1/14/2005 3:54:27 PM >

(in reply to racndoc)

Post #: 71

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 4:27:16 AM

racndoc

Posts: 2519
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From: Newport Coast, California
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SITUATION REPORT: 7-6-42 The Gilberts Campaign: An Overview

This campaign is most interesting in that it is a "Meeting Engagement" between 2 Navies that were on full offensive mode and were unaware of the other sides intentions. The IJN had massed in Truk and the Marshalls and was planning on occupying the Gilberts in general and Tarawa in particular. The USN had been developing the airfields in the Gilberts for a planned late August offensive into the Marshalls. Fully 95% plus of both navies were involved in the titanic struggle.

Over the past few months the Allies had constructed a Level 5 airbase at Tarawa and Canton and Level 4 airbases at Apamama and Baker. The USN CVs were in port in June to upgrade weapons systems but 7 BBs, 12 CAs,10 CLs and 30 DDs were sent ahead with the transports to make preparations for offensive operations.

There had been almost no Japanese action in the Marshalls since the start of the war. Things changed in that area however in June of 1942 as the Japanese occupied Jaluit and Kwajalein and with hordes of transports and AC showing up daily it looked as if an invasion of unoccupied Makin was imminent. The Allies made the decision to reinforce Tarawa and Apamama and occupy Makin before the IJA could. Unfortunately even though the airbases were constructed and the AC were available, there was a shortage of aviation personnel. ALL available aviation formations were rushed to the Gilberts as soon as they arrived at SF but as of 7-6-42 only 1 aviation eng. with 30 AC support was present in Tarawa and 1 on Baker.

(in reply to Bison Frontier)

Post #: 72

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 4:34:31 AM

racndoc

Posts: 2519
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From: Newport Coast, California
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SITUATION REPORT: 7-6-42 The Gilberts Campaign:Preliminaries

USN surface and transport TFs were racing north from Canton to reinforce Tarawa, Apamama and occupy Makin. 2 CV TFs with 5 CVs were speeding down from Pearl to cover the reinforcement operation in case the IJN came to play. The IJN had sent scouting subs south and east of Tarawa and found CA Pensacola only to sink her with 1 torpedo and the accompanying magazine explosion.....the 3rd CA the Allies had lost so far this war from a one hit wonder mag explosion.

(in reply to racndoc)

Post #: 73

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 4:59:34 AM

racndoc

Posts: 2519
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From: Newport Coast, California
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SITUATION REPORT 7-7-42: The Gilberts Campaign: The Battle of the Western Gilberts

The day started off with routine USN transport TFs offloading at Tarawa and Apamama. With a transport TF one day away from Makin the 2 USN CV TFs were placed on station on Makin to both cover the transports and attempt to hit an IJN transport TF that was unloading at Milli. Bettys were swarming around the area so CAP was placed at 90%. That AM PBYs spotted IJN CVs 250 mi nw of Tarawa. Admiral Spruance had been ordered to intercept all TFs within 300 mi so the US CVs closed during the day. A major strike was launched with 15 F4F, 175 SBD and 75 TBD. This however was no ordinary IJN CV TF. This was the KB, the Imperial Death Star, Bigfoot, the Big Kahuna etc, etc with 8 CVs, 3 CVLs and over 200 Zeros at 90% CAP. The brave US air armada of 265 planes disappeared off the radar screen. All were lost into the Black Hole of the KB...never to return. The IJN lost 160 Vals and Zeros on their counterstrike with no damage to USN CVs.Here 2 rival carrier groups with 13 CVs, 3 CVLs and over 1000 AC face off with over 420 AC killed and no ship damage. This would come to be known as the Tarawa Turkey Shoot.

(in reply to racndoc)

Post #: 74

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 5:07:10 AM

racndoc

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From: Newport Coast, California
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SITUATION REPORT: 7-8-42 The Gilberts Campaign

With total USN CV SBD and TBD strength of 6 AC, Admiral Spruance was compelled to retreat towards Pearl to replenish his carrier airgroups. The IJN with its intact Zero and Kate airgroups now had complete control of the air and sea in the Marshalls and the Gilberts. CINCPAC reluctantly gave the order for all surface units to withdraw at highest speed immediately from the Gilberts. For the transport TFs that were already committed it was even worse......the transport TFs were disbanded and it was every ship for themselves.

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Post #: 75

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 5:16:58 AM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: 7-9-42 The Gilberts Campaign

A massive IJN transport TF is spotted 150 mi nw of Tarawa steaming slowly towards that beleagured atoll. Now the entire strategic situation had changed....there was no longer a possibility of future offensive operations into the Marshalls, it was a question now of even holding on to the Gilberts. CINCPAC countermanded the previous days directive and ordered all surface TFs back to Tarawa. The 1st Marine Div which was to have spearheaded the invasion of the Marshalls was loaded up at Canton and rushed north to Tarawa. The US CVs were ordered to Palmyra at full speed to take on whatever AC and pilot replacements that were available. The CV F4F airgroups were relatively intact so 2 squadrons were flown off Sara and Enterprise to Baker to help provide aircover while the CVs were away.

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Post #: 76

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 5:40:22 AM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: 7-10-42 The Gilberts Campaign: Invasion of Tarawa

IJN assault transports started offloading troops early in the AM. A huge IJN surface TF of 4 BB, 9 CA, 7 CL, and 2 DD arrived at Tarawa that AM and the resulting bombardment thoroughly disrupted the defenders. 20,000 fanatical Japs invaded Tarawa that 1st day and delivered a shock attack just before dark. The IJN command was shocked to find 29,000 entrenched defenders on the atoll and their banzai attack was easily repulsed with heavy losses.

CINCPAC made a final decision. The Allies had retreated enough this war. The troops on Tarawa would not be abandoned. ALL naval and air assets in the Pacific would be used to support the brave defenders of that god forsaken atoll. Transport TFs carrying toops, planes, and materiel in transit to Noumea and Brisbane were re-routed to Canton. Even now, 2 USN BB TFs were making there way towards Tarawa....one coming north with 5 BBs from Canton and the other speeding west from Baker with 2 BBs.

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Post #: 77

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 6:02:53 AM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: 7-15-42 The Gilberts Campaign: !st Naval Battle of Tarawa

The 1st Marine Div was offloaded at Tarawa along with more aviation engineers. Tarawa could now support about 110 AC although nearly 200 AC were stationed there. Covering the transport TF was a surface TF with BBs Maryland, Colorado,West Virginia, Idaho, Mississippi and 5 CAs. Another surface TF with BBs Tennesee and New Mexico, 1 CA and 5 CL had been sent at full speed to bombard Tarawa but unexplicably fell 50 mi short of their objective as dawn arrived. The 5 BB TF was covered by Tarawa based CAP but the 2 BB force was exposed and subjected to the full fury of the KB. BB New Mexico was sunk along with 3 DDs and Tennesee was damaged. Meanwhile at Tarawa, the 5 BB TF faced off against an IJN force with BBs Nagato, Mutsu, Ise and Hyuga. CA Takao was sunk outright and Mutsu, Hyuga and CAs Minneapolis and New Orleans were heavily damaged. Most importantly, the IJN was obliged to retreat from the immediate vicinity of Tarawa and the USN BBs were left in full control of that islands waters. IJN transport TFs came under fire and 13 transports were sunk sending thousands of "SONS OF HEAVEN" to the wrong address. The USN BBs then bombarded IJA forces on Tarawa and the US land forces counterattacked at 3:1 odds killing many IJA.

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Post #: 78

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 6:41:37 AM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: 7-16-42 The Gilberts Campaign

Marines and supplies were pouring into Tarawa. The Allies had control of the air and the sea immediately around Tarawa but the the BBs had to stay to both guard the USN transports and interdict the IJN transports. BB Tennesee and CA San Francisco were incorporated into the 5 BB TF and another 5 CA TF arrived to help bombard the IJA troops. 20 PTs were staged into Tarawa from Canton and Baker. Apamama at this time had a 250 AC capability but as of yet no aviation engineers were present. In route, the 72nd AV Reg and 5th AF were heading towards Apamama and the 52 Av Reg and 7th AF were heading towards Tarawa. Once these units arrived the Allies could put 500-1000 AC in the air but for the present they struggled to get 100 AC airborne on any given day.

Meanwhile, the 5 USN CVs had reloaded at Palmyra and were steaming at full speed towards Tarawa. The surface forces had to hold!

KB threw everything they had at the USN BBs....... 1st strike: 42 Zeros, 12 Vals, 115 Kates against US CAP 0f 47 F4F, 28 P-39D, 38 P-40B. Losses reported were 94 Zeros, 5 Vals, 135 Kates destroyed and 45 Kates damaged vs 17 F4F, 13 P-39, and 17 P-40. One torpedo was put in DD Farragut.

That PM, 40 Zeros, 63 Kates, and 8 Vals attacked 25 F4F, 12 P-39, and 22 P-40. Losses were 47 Zeros, 6 Vals, 44 Kates plus 28 damaged Kates vs 25 F4F, 8 P-39, and 9 P-40. Hits on BBs recorded were Mississippi 1 bomb and 1 torpedo, Colorado 1 Bomb and 3 torpedo, DD Russell 1 torpedo and DD Stack 1 bomb.

These were acceptable Naval losses; IJA units were bombarded and attacked again with heavy losses. If the surface forces can hold for 2 more days the US CVs will arrive to attack a heavily attritioned KB. The key here is to kill IJN Zeros.

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Post #: 79

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 7:06:10 AM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: 7-17-42 The Gilberts Campaign

The Japanese sent their land based Zeros in the Marshalls on a fighter sweep over Tarawa......47 Zeros against 58 Allied CAP. 39 Zeros killed vs 48 dead Allied AC. Now KB sends 47 Zeros, 25 Vals and 103 Kates against 37 Allied CAP. Losses were 6 Vals and 18 Kates killed with 68 Kates damaged. The results on the BBs were catastrophic: Colorado 2 torpedoes, Idaho 1 torpedo, Maryland 2 bombs 4 torpedoes, Mississippi 5 torpedoes, Tennesee 2 torpedoes, West Virginia 1 bomb 2 torpedoes, CL Honolulu 2 torpedoes. US bombers score 1 hit each on BB Mutsu and Hyuga.

PM: IJN sends 45 Zeros, 14 Vals, 44 Kates against US CAP of 10 fighters......kills 4 Zeros and 9 Kates with 20 damaged Kates. BBs hit : Maryland 1 torpedo, Mississippi 1 bomb, Colorado 1 torpedo, Idaho 1 bomb 3 torpedo, West Virginia 1 bomb 1 torpedo. Maryland, Tennesee and Idaho sink. BB Mutsu sinks. Allied CAP over Tarawa obliterated.
All BBs forced to retreat towards Canton even though all are taking on water. This was worse than Pearl Harbor. The US CVs will be in range tomorrow.....if only the KB stays in position for 1 more day.

Meanwhile, Allied troops attack IJA forces on Tarawa at 29:1 odds.....kill a couple thousand but no surrender or retreat.

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Post #: 80

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 7:25:43 AM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: 7-18-42 The Gilberts Campaign: Battle of the Eastern Gilberts

JUDGEMENT DAY

The fully replenished US CVs arrived in the AM and launched a huge strike with 25 F4F and 159 SBD against the depleted KB CAP of 75 Zeros. 102 SBDs survived CAP to launch a devastating strike agaist KB:

CVL Zuiho 1000 lb bomb...penetrating....fuel storage explosion....heavy damage
CV Zuikaku 2 1000 lb bomb.....penetrating...ammo storage explosion
CV Akagi 1000 lb bomb penetrating
CVL Shoho 2 1000 lb bomb penetrating
CV Shokaku 2 1000 lb bomb penetrating
CV Kaga 3 1000 lb bomb penetrating.....heavy damage

PM
LBA hit KB with 12 SBD, 11 A-20, 15 B-25, and 21 TBD against 44 Zero CAP:

CV Kaga 2 torpedoes.

A huge victory bigger than RL Midway. The sacrifice of the BBs had been justified,

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Post #: 81

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 5:42:18 PM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: 7-18-42(Evening) The Gilberts Campaign

CINCPAC was estatic as he read through the days combat reports. Admiral Nimitz requested further information on that afternoons LBA srike on KB......he wanted to know how serious the torpedo hits were on the Kaga.

The new reports from the Gilberts astounded him! In the AM strike, only 69 SBD survived CAP instead of the 102 that was previously reported. The only hits confirmed now were 2 hits on BB Haruna, 2 hits Kaga and 1 hit Akagi.....of these 5 hits only 1 penetrated and that was on Kaga. Further .....there was NO PM LBA strike on KB....they worked over the transport TFs instead. There was however an unescorted PM strike of 50+ SBDs and they were butchered to a plane. And the TBFs had gone in piecemeal throughout the day and were obliterated.

Now the USN CVs were again denuded of bombers and were forced to retreat towards Palmyra to rebuild their bomber complements. What had previously been regarded as a stunning victory was only another hollow defeat.

How could the battle reports have been so different? How could the 1st report have been so inaccurate? How could the 2nd report have been so minimal....69 SBDs ...a RL sized Midway strike package scoring only 3 hits on the CVs of which only one penetrated the deck? The attrition of KB aircraft and the sacrifice of the BBs had all been in vain.

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Post #: 82

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 6:25:13 PM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: Late July, 1942 The Gilberts Campaign

USN BBs and CV air had been defeated. But the brave defenders of Tarawa were unbowed and had to be supported. CAP over Tarawa had been primarily provided by P-40Bs, P-39s , and Marine F4F squadrons. But the P-40s had yet to recover their losses from the drubbing they took at the hand of KB in the DEI back in April 1942. The losses they took over Tarawa couldnt be replaced. With CAP severely compromised all surface forces had to be withdrawn. The damaged BBs tried to make it back to Canton but all sank on the way except for BB Colorado(now in LA undergoing repairs and will be out of the war for several months). Kittyhawks and new Marine F4F squadrons were rushed to the Gilberts. A load of Hurricanes was actually boated in to Tarawa under hostile fire.

Meanwhile the Japanese had captured Makin (only 100 mi from Tarawa) and dropped off 25 LCUs there and was preparing it as a forward base to stage transport and surface TFs into Tarawa. Allied intelligence believes that KB had to temporarily withdraw to rebuild its own air formations. The IJA continued their daily assaults with their fresh arrivals on Tarawa but the desperate defenders managed to hang on to the airfield there.

The USN was down to its last 3 BBs....Arizona, Pennsylvania and brand new fast BB North Carolina. Two surface TFs were put together around the BBs and CAs and sent to escort more transport TFs carrying arty and armor formations and more elite Marines and of course supplies to reinforce Tarawa. CAP over Tarawa was again restored with the new plane types. The USN once again commanded the sea around the island. Even with 2 powerful surface TFs and 2 PT TFs and Marine SBDs protecting Tarawa the IJN continued to reinforce Tarawa with unprotected transports in a "Chinese Hordes" strategy. The Allies could sink 30 transports in a day as long as another 50 made it through.

2nd Naval Battle of Tarawa

Allied intell showed an IJN TF with 3 BBs and 7 CAs forming up on Makin. The 2 US surface TFs were combined with a total of 3 BBs and 11 CAs. In the ensuing melee the IJN got surprise(as they ALWAYS do) 1 US CA was sunk along with BB North Carolina(sunk by 14" shells no less). BB Arizona and CA Portland were reduced to floating hulks with 99% and 98% damage respectively but were able to anchor in the newly opened size 3 naval base at Tarawa and avoid sinking for the time being. Several other USN CAs were heavily damaged all at the cost of 1 IJN CA sunk. Remarkably BB Pennsylvania was unscathed and became the last USN BB operational in the Pacific.

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Post #: 83

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 7:25:33 PM

String

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expendable indeed..

Jesus christ.. if this continues the allies are going to lose the war..

edit: oh and could you post current ship losses?

< Message edited by String -- 1/15/2005 12:27:33 PM >

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Post #: 84

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 7:45:32 PM

racndoc

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String.....Ship and plane losses for both sides as of 8-24-42 were listed in a post halfway down page 3 of this thread.

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Post #: 85

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 8:11:12 PM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: Early August, 1942 The Gilberts Campaign

Both the USN and the IJN were compelled to withdraw their damaged ships from the waters around Tarawa. BB Pennsylvania and the CAs were put on patrol 300 mi south of Tarawa to intervene if absolutely necessary. Apamama was still not operational and Tarawa could service only 115 AC but the aviation regiments were still on the way.

The USN CV TF again rushed into action off Apamama to attempt to interdict the IJN transports. CINCPAC did not want to risk a fight with KB at this critical time so the airgroups were ordered to only attack targets within a 100 mi radius. Unfortunately, CINCPAC forgot that TF commander Admiral Spruance had been left with standing orders to engage any IJN TFs within 300 mi. When KB showed up the USN CV TF reated by moving 100 mi north to attack. This time the planes really went in piecemeal with the fighters escorting 15 TBF and the 150 SDBs unescorted. Needless to say no hits were scored but surprisingly many of the SBDs and TBFs survived. Still Admiral Spruance felt compelled to retreat yet a 3rd time to replenish his air groups.

< Message edited by AdmSpruance -- 1/16/2005 2:11:44 AM >

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Post #: 86

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 8:29:34 PM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: 8-10-42 The Gilberts Campaign

The long bloody battle of the Gilberts was about to reach its horrific climax. A large transport TF with 72nd Aviation Regiment and 5th AF was scheduled to reach Apamama tonight. Another large transport TF with the 112th Calvary Regiment was scheduled to reach Tarawa also tonight and a 2nd transport TF carrying 52nd Aviation Regiment and 7th AF was scheduled to reach Tarawa tomorrow night. Intell reported a massive IJN TF with 5 BB and several CA forming up on Makin and poised to bombard Tarawa tonight. BB Pennsylvania and the CAs could not be committed against this size force. A ragtag force of some DDs, PGs, and MSWs was formed up to help protect the transports that would be arriving at Tarawa. Also 2 PT TFs were stationed off the island. Finally, the floating hulks of BB Arizona and CA Portland were towed by tugs out of the harbor to meet their destiny.....maybe they could get a shot off before sliding beneath the waves.

THEY WERE EXPENDABLE.

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Post #: 87

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 8:41:27 PM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: 8-11-42 The Gilberts Campaign

The Apamama TF got through and offloaded the 72nd Av Reg and 5th AF. Apamama with a size 5 airfield was now fully operational and 500 AC were immediately flown in and assigned naval bombing duty. The IJN BB force did sortie to Tarawa overnight but the Allied screen did its job.....BB Arizona and CA Portland were sunk as were several PTs, MSWs and other auxilliary ships but the transports got through. Now the IJN BB TF rested at port on Makin refueling and waiting for tonights festivities. The Gilberts Campaign would hinge on whether or not the aviation troop TF could land at Tarawa tonight.

The US CV TF had reloaded and was rushing back to the battle.

< Message edited by AdmSpruance -- 1/16/2005 2:13:02 AM >

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Post #: 88

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 8:49:43 PM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: 8-12-42 The Gilberts Campaign

The IJN BB TF did not sortie last night. Radio intercepts show confusion on the part of high ranking IJN commanders as to why the BBs stayed in port. But the transports with 52nd Av Reg and 7th AF made it through to Tarawa and are currently offloading. 250 AC are immediately flown in to Tarawa and now with the arrival of the USN CV TF we would throw 1200 AC at KB tomorrow. Payback time.

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Post #: 89

RE: THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Nagumo vs Spruance PBEM - 1/15/2005 9:06:07 PM

racndoc

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SITUATION REPORT: 8-13-42 The Gilberts Campaign

Unfortunately KB withdrew out of range but the BB TF and all the transport TFs within 150 mi of Tarawa were plastered by 1200 AC. DDs, PGs, PCs, MSWs, AKs, APs, TKs were sunk by dozens. Initially Allied AC scored 4 hits BB Yamato, 5 hits BB Ise and 5 hits BB Kongo but over a 3 day running air battle they would suffer 18 bomb hits BB Yamato, 30 bomb hits BB Ise, 22 bomb hits BB Kongo, 5 hits CA Chikuma, 1 bomb hit CA Kako, 4 bomb hits CA Tone, 1 bomb hit CA Aoba, and 2 bomb hits CA Mikuma.

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Post #: 90