RE: The Battle of the Gilberts - A Dark Day

RE: The Battle of the Gilberts - A Dark Day (Full Version)

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Alfred -> RE: The Battle of the Gilberts - A Dark Day (8/26/2009 8:47:37 AM)
Just thought I would reinforce your determination to continue this AAR by sticking my head above the parapet and informing you I remain an eager reader. Alfred

cantona2 -> RE: The Battle of the Gilberts - A Dark Day (8/26/2009 4:40:16 PM)
Thanks Alfred

cantona2 -> Thor's Hammer - A Post Script (8/30/2009 12:35:16 PM)
Department of the Navy Press Release Today, 29th March 1943, a battle group led by the battleship Indiana engaged and sunk the Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Haruna and her escorts in the atoll of Majuro. In a daring night sortie she infiltrated the Japanese defence perimieter and engaged enemy ships on three occasions. A transport, one destroyer, two patrol boats and the Haruna were sunk on these ocassions. Two cruisers and two more destroyers were left heavily damaged. Damage to our ships has been negligible. A Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to the Indiana for this action. [image]local://upfiles/25083/7EACB1EB83A443EEA2242E9AE1138276.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: Thor's Hammer - A Post Script (8/30/2009 12:36:16 PM)
The results of the Naval actions of Majuro [image]local://upfiles/25083/E1555FBB52EB4AA0B1327637D4751256.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: Thor's Hammer - A Post Script (8/30/2009 12:38:38 PM)
The three actions the Indiana was involved in the night of 28/29th March 1943. ------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Majuro at 84,88 Japanese Ships AK Akagane Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk Allied Ships BB Indiana CA Louisville CA New Orleans CL St. Louis DD Morris DD Bagley -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Majuro at 84,88 Japanese Ships BB Haruna, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage *confirmed sunk later in the day* CL Tenryu, Shell hits 3, on fire CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Shinonome, Shell hits 28, and is sunk DD Ayanami, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage DD Oboro DD Hokaze, Shell hits 1, on fire Allied Ships BB Indiana CA Louisville, Shell hits 1 CA New Orleans, Shell hits 3 CL St. Louis DD Morris, Shell hits 2, on fire DD Bagley, Shell hits 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Time Surface Combat, near Majuro at 84,88 Japanese Ships PG Zuiko Maru, Shell hits 13, and is sunk PC Fumi Maru, Shell hits 1 PC Seki Maru #2, Shell hits 8, and is sunk PC Takunan Maru #6, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage AP Gyoko Maru, Shell hits 1 AP Sanura Maru Allied Ships BB Indiana, Shell hits 4 CA Louisville CA New Orleans CL St. Louis DD Morris, on fire DD Bagley ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USS Indiana steaming back to Abemama [image]local://upfiles/25083/A143F4DA18E34C12BA39BB9766CD8F8B.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: Thor's Hammer - A Post Script (9/7/2009 1:51:45 PM)
Order of Battle for Operation Shorthop - The Invasion of Merauke Australian I Corps spearhead force. Australian 1st Division 3rd Australian Tank Battalion 45th SeeBees Merauke Force garrison force 197th US RCT 15th SeeBees 73rd US Base Force Follow up Forces 6th Airfield Squadron. Air OOB Thursday Island No.84 RAAF Sqaudron Boomerang II VMSB-142 SBC-3 Dauntless 17th Photo- Recon CW-22 Falcon will be replaced by VMF-112 F4U-1 Corsair when landings start Portland Roads VMF-223 F4U-1 Corsair No.23 RAAF Squadron Vengeance I VB-101 PB4Y Liberator 17th Bombardment A20G Havoc 90th Bombardment B-25c Mitchell No.33 RAAF Squadron Empire Flying Boat GVT-7 Catalina I Coen 400th Bombardment B-24D Liberator 319th Bombardment B-24D Liberator 64th Bombardment B-17 Flying Fortress 72nd Bombardment B-17 Flying Fortress 331st Fighter P-38G Lightning 333rd Fighter P-38G Lightning In addition the US 5th Air Force's long range bombing wing with over 100 four engined bombers is operating out of Cairns and has just closed down Lae. Its planes will support Shorthop as well. There are about 200 fighters in reserve at Townsville, Cooktown and Cairns. This operation will be entirely covered by land based aircraft as the only carrier in Australian waters is the CVL Hermes at Sydney.

cantona2 -> RE: Thor's Hammer - A Post Script (9/10/2009 11:35:46 AM)
Update to Shorthop A second avaition support unit is being lifted into Thursday Island to be able to provide support for three fighter units once the landings commence. Squadrons out of Darwin have reported engaging several Japanese battleships at Amboina, could Shorthop be compromised? Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 40,74 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8 Allied aircraft B-24D Liberator x 21 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged Japanese Ships BB Fuso BB Ise, Bomb hits 5 BB Hyuga ------- Day Air attack on TF, near Amboina at 40,74 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8 Allied aircraft B-24D Liberator x 8 No Japanese losses Allied aircraft losses B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged Japanese Ships BB Fuso BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 3 Aircraft Attacking: 5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet 3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet Dobodura also seems to have been abandonded by enemy air forces and recon suggests he is concentrating at Lae.

cantona2 -> Shorthop (9/19/2009 12:46:33 PM)
Operation Shorthop is now well and truly underway. The main invasion fleets are already past Cairns and have entered the protective fighter umbrella being provided by 96 Corsairs and Lightnings based at Coen and Portland Roads. If the Jap wants to send his bombers over they are more than welcome! So far all task forces have escaped detection. Its estimated that the initial landings at Merauke will begin in three days time. Picket submarines lie in wait along the Arafura Sea and the Bay of Carpentaria should surface units sally, though to be honest the strength of my LBA here should be deterrent enough! Diversionary attacks and probes against Akyab and the Irawaddy line are being carried out and the bulk of the IJAAF is concentrated in China. [image]local://upfiles/25083/3ADA5A6483FC4E19ABB808053E2B5B19.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: Shorthop (9/21/2009 5:42:22 PM)
D-Day minus 1. All task forces report being 24 hours of making landfall at Merauke having just cleared the Torres Straits. This is where their luck run out. After an undetected approach up the coast of Australia the ships of Shorthop were spotted by an Emily flying from somewhere in New Guinea. At 16:23 several formations of Japanese planes appeared over the task forces and were immediately engaged by the covering CAP fighters. Despite their best efforts, which were not really that good, two ships were struck by torpedoes. One was sunk (AK Kwangtung) and one carrying part of the the 15th Naval Construction Battalion was hit but will still make her way to Merauke though on her own. In order to bolster the ineffective CAP, only one enemy plane was shot down, two squadrons of Corsairs have been transferred to Thursday Island while the bombers and dive bombers there have been withdrawn. Likewise the heavies at Coen and Cairns will hit Wewak and Lae respectively tomorrow to try and disrupt enemy take offs as much as possible. [image]local://upfiles/25083/83F164C8371A4B1EBFAF34F65C125F4C.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: Shorthop (9/22/2009 10:01:16 AM)
Combat reports from D-Day. A very disappointing day for the Corsair! More detailed AAR later. I am wondering with longer ranges, can he keep it up? Day Air attack on Lae , at 56,90 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 16 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9 Allied aircraft PBY Catalina x 2 PB4Y Liberator x 6 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 5 damaged Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 1 destroyed G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed Allied aircraft losses PBY Catalina: 1 damaged PB4Y Liberator: 3 damaged Airbase hits 1 Runway hits 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Lae , at 56,90 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 16 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 46 B-24D Liberator x 21 Japanese aircraft losses A6M3 Zero: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 5 destroyed G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 12 damaged B-24D Liberator: 7 damaged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 49,88 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 23 A6M3 Zero x 24 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 31 Ki-21-II Sally x 11 Allied aircraft F4U-1 Corsair x 13 Kittyhawk I x 7 P-40E Warhawk x 8 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged Ki-21-II Sally: 10 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged Kittyhawk I: 4 destroyed P-40E Warhawk: 12 destroyed Allied Ships AP Duntroon DD Buchanan, Bomb hits 1, on fire AP Westralia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 49,88 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 23 G4M1 Betty x 20 Ki-49 Helen x 11 Allied aircraft F4U-1 Corsair x 13 Kittyhawk I x 5 P-40E Warhawk x 3 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed G4M1 Betty: 11 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4U-1 Corsair: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged Kittyhawk I: 9 destroyed P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed Allied Ships LST LST-450 LST LST-449 LST LST-451, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage LST LST-452 AK Elihu Thomson, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage LST LST-447, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 49,88 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 22 A6M3a Zero x 20 G4M1 Betty x 11 Allied aircraft F4U-1 Corsair x 12 Kittyhawk I x 1 P-40E Warhawk x 2 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4U-1 Corsair: 17 destroyed Kittyhawk I: 1 damaged P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed Allied Ships AK Adelong, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 49,88 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 41 A6M3 Zero x 17 A6M3a Zero x 23 G4M1 Betty x 22 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9 Ki-21-II Sally x 11 Ki-49 Helen x 12 Allied aircraft F4U-1 Corsair x 2 Kittyhawk I x 1 P-40E Warhawk x 2 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged Ki-21-II Sally: 2 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed Allied Ships AP Bloemfontein, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AP Empire Trooper AP Lew Wallace, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage AP Raranga AP Crescent City, Torpedo hits 1 AP Empire Pride, Torpedo hits 1, on fire AK Starr King AP Westralia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 49,88 Japanese aircraft A6M3 Zero x 9 G4M1 Betty x 2 Allied aircraft F4U-1 Corsair x 1 Japanese aircraft losses G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed Allied Ships AK Asphalion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 49,88 Japanese aircraft G4M1 Betty x 14 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Asphalion AK Empire Hartebeeste

cantona2 -> RE: Shorthop (9/22/2009 4:33:01 PM)
D-Day Shorthop transports hit the beaches and the 15th SeeBees run ashore establishing the initial beachhead. That was the only pert of the operation that run smoothly on day 1. A day of intenese air battles began with an attack on Wewak by aircraft based at Coen. The raid arrived over the target at approximately 10am, braved the CAP and delivered their loads on the runways. [img]http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/8821/witpmerk1.jpg[/img] Half an hour later the heavies from Cooktown arrived over Lae, a target very familiar to these pilots and after their, now customary, dance with the Nakajima's managed to get several of the enemy's fighters on the ground. [img]http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8091/witpmerk2.jpg[/img] The most intensive battles however were to be fought over Merauke itself as the Japanese air force tried its best to sink all the transports approaching the beaches. Corsairs, Kittyhawks and Warhawks put up a desperate fight that saw the Marine pilots take a beating. A progressive view of the lessening CAP over Merauke. [img]http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/6982/witpmerk3.jpg[/img] [img]http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7513/witpmerk4.jpg[/img] [img]http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/815/witpmerk5.jpg[/img] [img]http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1103/witpmerk6.jpg[/img]

cantona2 -> RE: Shorthop (9/22/2009 4:34:38 PM)
A summary of losses for the day. Tomorrow battle hardend P-38's of the USAAF will be flying over Merauke and hopinf the Jap decides to come over again! [image]local://upfiles/25083/69AC236B53A047E49C55746BB8786401.jpg[/image]

gladiatt -> RE: Shorthop (9/23/2009 8:26:26 AM)
Just a litlle pop'in to say that you keep readers [:)]

cantona2 -> RE: Shorthop (9/23/2009 11:43:53 AM)
Thanks gladiatt and any other readaars! Update later today. As a snippet, CAP performs much better today. Main attack forces land at Merauke. BB Valiant takes two Judy launched torps. Less intensity from IJAF today. Maybe ops losses and exhaustion are taking thier toll.

Local Yokel -> RE: Shorthop (9/23/2009 12:21:01 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: gladiatt Just a litlle pop'in to say that you keep readers [:)] Ditto! This is highly entertaining stuff, and a very interesting comparison with our game (the dates of both must now be very close). Those are long haul flights the Japanese are having to make across New Guinea, so I would guess their fatigue levels are probably rising quite fast. Flight times between Northern Malaya and Sabang/the Andamans are quite a bit shorter [;)]

cantona2 -> RE: Shorthop (9/23/2009 3:04:58 PM)
Thanks for the comments John.

cantona2 -> RE: Shorthop (9/24/2009 3:35:47 PM)
D-Day +1 The 1st Austrlaian Division makes its operational bow by storming the beaches of Merauke and reinforcing the 15th SeeBees holding the beachhead perimeter. THe US 197th RCT also accompanies the aussie squaddies. Overhead the P-38's of the USAAF drone menacingly awaiting the arrival of the IJAF. They are not putting up a fight today. maybe the exertions yesterday have caused their squadrons to be over exhausted. The only notable air action over Merauke today has been the slughter of Japanese transport planes that were flying into the base unescorted and into the cannons of the P-38's. The 331st Pursuit Sqaudron recorded its 87th kill of the war. Instead Thursday Island is the target as Japanese army bombers target, and fail to interrupt the CAP missions being based from there. The landings carry on unpeterurbed and the assault orders for tomorrow are given. [image]local://upfiles/25083/C5B958D2A45E4537BF3E788A6346972E.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: Shorthop (9/24/2009 3:39:32 PM)
A second dimension to the Battle of Meruake is playing itslef out to the north of Portland Roads. The CVL Hermes is providing the only carrier borne planes in this operation. So far she has not had to bring her torpedo bombers into action and carried out a rais on Port Moresby's airfield yesterday. Unfortunately her task. force was spotted by B6N2 bombers. A sqaudron launched an attack and hit the BB Valiant with two torpedoes. True to her name her flak gunners brought down three enemy planes dispute the blows. The ship herself is only lightly damaged and a destroyer has been detached from the Hermes escort to shield the Valiant as she makes her way to Brisbane for emergency repairs. The Hermes will also reitre as it is now clear that the IJN will not sally to protect Merauke. [image]local://upfiles/25083/219BDEA355DC4642B9E27FF2A48FD8CD.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> Shorthop (9/24/2009 5:03:28 PM)
D-Day+2 Today the Japanese Air Force returned to Merauke with renewed vigour. A mass of planes from Wewak, Hollandia and Medan struck at the shipping unloading men and supplies at Merauke. In the air to meet them were the 9th Pursuit and 331st Pursuit Squadrons and the N0.75 RAAF Squadron. In running battles that lasted the whole morning the allied pilots shot down 50 enemy planes for 20 losses on thier own side. Only 5 ships were hit, the largest hit by a 100lb bomb on an empty transport. It felt to the Allied pilots that the Japs were putting in a maximum effort as even the Zeroes were armed with bombs under their fuesalges, hindering their maneouverability. The 331st reported its 99th confirmed kill, an A6M3a. [img]http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7641/witpmerk10.jpg[/img] Despite the efforst of the Japanese air forces the bulk of the 1st Australian Division was ashore and very qucikly brushed aside the light Japanese garrison, whose remnants fled into the jungle and were being persued by Australian foot patrols. By nightfall a squadron of Boomerangs and a second one of Kittyhawks stood on the Merauke airstrip. Poignant that Australian pilots would be the first to fly from the recently liberated base. [img]http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6439/witpmerk11.jpg[/img] Aussie artillery targetting the last Japanese resistance on Merauke. [img]http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/2539/1fb9d212b6426b34landing.jpg[/img]

cantona2 -> Burma (10/4/2009 11:03:50 AM)
Game is now at 6th May 1943 and attention now shifts to Burma. Indian III Corps has begun to reach Akyab after rolling through the blocking force on the road leading from Cox's Bazaar. Burma has been characterized off late by an intensive effort by the Japanese fighter arm, navy and army. Its a throw back to late 1942 and for a few days the Libs and Forts were grounded. Yet P-38's and newly arrived Spitfires have made the Japanese bull retract his horns. That and brave night time raids by Beaufighters out of Chittagong that have been constantly harrassing Magwe for weeks now. On the ground British units continue to move down the coastal road to Akyab. The 3rd Carabiners Regiment has been given orders to carry out a flanking maneouver to cut Akyab off while the main body of III Corps assaults the town. Already 16th Chindit Brigade had reached the outskirts and is preparing to lay down an initial bombardment. [image]local://upfiles/25083/40B06CCE5ECC4955A3583179C5A90415.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: Burma (10/11/2009 10:51:50 AM)
After two days of assaults Akyab has been recaptured by the 14th Indian Division and assorted Gurhka and Indian Brigades. Another decently sized airfeild now comes into play as the assault on the strong Jap line on the Irrawady begins. In China Changsha has seen a withdrawal of the massive Japanese force besieging it. USN subamrines have also reported a large number of AP sightings aroung Shanghai and have engaged 3 successfully. Is the IJHQ redploying its forces? [image]local://upfiles/25083/57C43C9322CF49C183CAFB347074F714.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: Burma (11/9/2009 8:04:51 PM)
Hightime for an update. Its been very quiet of late as the forces for Operation Retribution have been gathering. Whats left of the Pacific carrier force will be spearheading a 4 Division attack on the Solomon Islands. The veteran Yorktown, along with the Royal Navy Victorious and the new Essex will provide the main fleet flight decks. A further 3 light carriers and 6 escort carriers will also aid the larger carriers. The Santa Cruz Islands all host fighter strips capable of putting P-38's over the southern Solomons while B-24's from Efate, Lugnaville and Koumac will bomb Japanese positions on Lunga. It is expected that the Japanese carrier force, not seen since their victory in the Gilberts and known to have been hurt, will sally. Attention must also be paid to the airfields at Munda and Shortlands. 25 submarines will also be deployed in recon and hunter roles. Intercepts of Japanese communications suggest that the enemy expects an attack at Timor or a continuation of operations in Burma. The 14th Indian Division has pushed its lines forward 60 miles south of Akyab in order to further reinforce this belief. As Retribution approaches the air attacks on Timor will increase and so will the arial pressur on Port Moresby in order to further confuse the enemy. 3 divisions will make an immediate landfall on Lunga while subsiduary landings will be made on Tulagi and Tassafaronga. One division will be held as a floating reserve and be deployed accordingly. A further two infantry regiments will also accompany the main landing forces as well as assault engineers, support troops and See Bees. [image]local://upfiles/25083/D66CE3DBC2C942F58D6F00C523196E95.jpg[/image]

Jones944 -> RE: Burma (11/23/2009 4:19:35 PM)
Update! Please!

cantona2 -> RE: Burma (11/23/2009 5:28:16 PM)
Update coming soon, promise. Americal has hit lunga but i made the school boy error of not capping the Essex. She got hit by Sallys but still in the fight!

cantona2 -> Operation Wasp (11/24/2009 6:24:17 PM)
War Diary - South Pacific Command June 25th 1943 Operation Wasp D-Day +1 Initial beach landings carried out by spearhead from Americal Division under heavy fire from beach and coastal defences. Small beachhead consolidated by nightfall. Main invasion body begun landing at 03:00 this morning. Still under fire but this time under the protective guns of TF 172 that plastered the enemy positions on Lunga as the 3rd Marines and the 1st Cavalry landed. aval bombardment of Lunga, at 67,101 - Coastal Guns Fire Back! Japanese aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed 55 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Allied Ships CA Wichita, Shell hits 13 CA Vincennes BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 13 BB Tennessee BB California BB Pennsylvania Japanese ground losses: 334 casualties reported Guns lost 8 Airbase hits 3 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 8 Port hits 5 Port supply hits 14 Minesweeping Task Force 1082 reported presence of defensive laid minefield and clearing operations begun at 03:45. As yet no ships report impacts from mines. Landings continued all morning as Americal Division expanded beachhead for support troops and two artillery battalions. Aerial attacks begun at o9:15 but targetted the enemy airfiled at Munda further north, this attack was supported by an attack by B-24's from Cooktown on Woodwark Island. VB-101, VB-103 and VMD-154 (PB4Y's) all hit Munda without loss. [img]http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6895/witpsols1.jpg[/img] Japanese positions on Lunga themselves were targetted at around 11:34 by B-17 Fortresses and Liberators from Lugnaville. 38 bombers attacked in four waves over 25 minutes dropping high explosive ordinace before turning back without loss. Maximum effort is being asked from the pilots. 63rd Bombardment (B-17) joined 320th, 321st and 372nd (B-24) Bombardment Squadrons over Lunga. [img]http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1512/witpsolos2.jpg[/img] The Japanese response came in the form of Ki-21's escorted by Ki-43 II's. A bloody and lengthy battle was fought by the enemy fighters and our own with 20 aircraft on both sides being reported shot down. 330th Fighter Squadron (P-38G) and 48th Fighter Squadron (P-38F) operating from the newly established fighter base at Ndeni flew LRCAP while the Wildcats of VCF-21 (CVE Nassau), VCF-31 (CVE Altamaha) and VF-60 (CVE Suwannee)provided the close in support. No ships were hit and it seemed the Navy learnt the lesson yesterday when the CV Essex was damaged by Ki-21's. CV's Yorktown, Victorious and a damaged Essex and CVL's Bellau Wood, Princeton, Independence, Cowpens and Hermes stand-by should the IJN carriers sortie. As of yet no reports of enemy surface or carrier units have been received from picket subs around Truk, Rabaul or the Solomon Sea. [img]http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/1296/witpsols3.jpg[/img] By sunset the main elements of three divisions were ashore, along with support troops and artillery. Engineers and See Bee units were unloading tomorrow and an advance element of the US XI Corps was directing the battle straight from the beaches. [img]http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/6733/witpsols4.jpg[/img] Ground combat at Lunga Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 8637 troops, 50 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 225 Defending force 22769 troops, 276 guns, 43 vehicles, Assault Value = 888 Allied ground losses: 6 casualties reported By nightfall news had been received by SOPAC Command at Noumea that the 46th Naval Construction Battlaion had successfully occupied the empty Japanese base at Taktaka on the right flank of the attack. Two more See Bee Units were enroute to an empty Tassafaronga to seal off any escape from Lunga. The main priority for tomorrow is to finish unloading the assault units and start escorting supply ships into Lunga. Three BB TF's remain on station to guard against an enemy sortie.

cantona2 -> RE: Operation Wasp (11/24/2009 6:30:43 PM)
Synopsis of the Battle so far: It seems that I have achieved operational surprise as the enemy was not expecting a landing at Lunga. THe recent moves in Burma along with the attack and consequent raiding from Merauke was intended to further thicken the fog of war and divert Japanese attention elsewhere. For the time being he has been caught flat footed but now the cat is out of the bag I expect an instant reaction. His carriers will surely sortie and he at least outnumbers my fleet decks by 2-1. I have a plethora of small carriers that can bring something to the battle but I am really relying on my veteran sqaudrons of PB4Y's to damage his carriers as well as a veteran sub force deployed enforce. Hopefully he Goddess of Luck will shine over our side in this battle! [image]local://upfiles/25083/95D359B7BF3F4C4987DE36A2D1195A07.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: Operation Wasp (12/2/2009 4:35:43 PM)
Extract from 'Gudalcanal '43', by Captain Reynolds RN (ret). "...the carnage wrecked on the Liberty ships by the shore gunners was immense. Fortunately the docks at Portland were churning them out faster that the Japs could sink them and handy reserves of ships at Sydney and Abemama were standing by. The early part of the battle came to ahead the night of July 4th, a poignant day for our American allies. A cruiser led IJN force stole into the harbour at Lunga the night of the 3/4th July. It silently stole past the burning and sinking hulks of the landing force, shilouetted by the fighting and bursts from the shore. Unbeknownst to the Japanese Admiral a task force headed by the battleships Nevada and Oklahoma had taken station at Lunga, relieving the Colorado task force. Radar once again proved crucial as we landed the first blows on the enemy ships. Two quick and rough engagements followed which saw two destroyers aside lost and the Nevada take two Long Lances, she made it though. The Japanese cruisers, on the other hand, fared off badly as the heavy guns on the Oklahoma and the Nevada tore through their belt armour. The Mikuma fared off the worst and was later caught heading north by the strike wing of the Yorktown and sunk. This venerable and battered carrier, wounded veteran of the Battle of the Gilberts, took a bomb from a Sally later in the day, to add to a submarine fired torpedo she had already suffered. Yet she stayed in the line battered but never beaten or broken. The 4th July also saw the first signs on land that the Marines were starting to win the battle..."

cantona2 -> RE: Operation Wasp (12/2/2009 4:37:33 PM)
FROM: CINPAC, PEARL HARBOUR TO: MGEN HALL, O/C XI CORPS, LUNGA, GUADALCANAL SUBJECT: BATTLE OF LUNGA HALL, NAVY AND AIRFORCE HAVE KEPT YOUR FORCES FIGHTING AT A GREAT COST. GET THE JOB DONE! CINPAC

cantona2 -> RE: Operation Wasp (12/5/2009 9:12:24 AM)
After all the noise, chaos and blood of war comes the unearthly quiet that follows a battle. Veterans of Majuro would know what I mean but the ones of Lunga did not have the bitter taste of defeat, rather the hard won, yet somewhat empty, feel of victory. The lessons of the Gilberts had been learnt. This was a full on operation, using concentrated force and combined arms. As expected the Japs had fought hard, and still they fought in the jungle, but Lunga was in American hands and Marine Wildcats and Dauntlesses flew from its patched up fields. War torn American flag raised on Lunga, July 9th 1943 by Trooper J.G.Green, 1st US Cavalry Division. [image]local://upfiles/25083/805535DD4323473F92CBDDD03A80A769.jpg[/image]

cantona2 -> RE: Operation Wasp (12/5/2009 12:41:53 PM)
CV-5 USS Yorktown Battle Honours Operation Rapier 1942 Battle of Tarawa 1942 Battle of the Gilberts 1942 Gudalcanal 1943 So far she has been hit by two aerial torpedoes, Gilberts and Lunga, a submarine, Lunga, and a 250lb bomb off a Sally. Her motto after Lunga 'Bowed but never beaten' CV Yorktown [img]http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/5082/cv5a.jpg[/img] Nursing damage during the Battle of Lunga [img]http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/9126/g312018u.jpg[/img]

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