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LoBaron -> RE: Re: (5/27/2011 9:41:53 AM)
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Dec 22, 42:
The battle of Ontang Java
No combat materialised until afternoon Dec 20th, but then
the fireworks began.
After a small strike from Ndeni B24s which did not deal any damage
the carrier strike arrived, putting bombs on the decks of the major
surface combat vessels protecting the Japanese transports.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,131
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
SBD-3 Dauntless x 97
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 6, on fire
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CA Haguro
BB Fuso
DD Teruzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Naganami
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Makigumo
DD Makinami
DD Yukikaze
The appearance of mighty BB Musashi came as a surprise, considering the Thunderstorms
15% hit percentage was satisfying.
Clearly none of the hits on the two battleships dealt much damage but Myoko was
hit hard and separated from the combat group.
No air cover to be seen, where is KB?
After sunset the combat group around BB Indiana encountered the separated
cripples and finished the job. Myoko is sunk, one dangerous IJN CA less.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ontong Java at 113,131, Range 11,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 4, heavy damage
DD Teruzuki, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hamakaze
Allied Ships
BB Indiana
CA Indianapolis
CA Louisville
CL Perth
CL Helena, Shell hits 1
DD Frazier
DD Gansevoort
DD McCall
DD Sterett
DD Cummings
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 2
The battlegroups lost contact after the initial engagement but engaged a
second time in the morning hours.
Dec 21st brought more death to sailors with Indiana group intercepting the
Japanese battlewagons. It was an uneven duel against the Japanese behemoth
Musashi but the USN faught a valiant battle.
Day Time Surface Combat, near Ontong Java at 115,131, Range 26,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 2
BB Musashi, Shell hits 1
BB Fuso, Shell hits 5
CA Haguro, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Nachi, Shell hits 8, on fire
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Makinami, Shell hits 1
DD Naganami
DD Yukikaze
Allied Ships
BB Indiana, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Indianapolis
CA Louisville, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Perth, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Helena, Shell hits 4
DD Frazier, Shell hits 1
DD McCall, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Sterett
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 1
Brave Indiana came under fire from all 3 enemy battleships and disapeared
behind a wall of water as near misses turned the sea into steam.
Perthcought a 40inch monster amidships, nearly breaking the small CL in half.
On the other side Haguro was last seen retreating north with a slight list belching
thick plumes of smoke.
Then came the Betties, attacking in small groups of 3-8 planes, obviousely hindered
by the weather. Still the number of raids had to cost the USN.
CA Louisville, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gansevoort, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
Indiana was also attacked unsuccessfully but succumbed to her wounds at dusk.
The counterattack by the carriers again found the battleships, several 1000lbs hits were
scored on Mutsu, Fuso and Musashi and last xAP Naminoue Maru and xAP Hie Maru
were found and attacked, receiving 1 and 2 hits.
Losses were the following:
USN: 1BB, 2 CA (1 already sunk, 1 will sink tonight), 1CL, 2DD, minor damage to other vessels.
IJN: 1CA, 2-3DD (conservative estimate, several hits on DDs by Dauntlessī on search missions were reported)
3 IJN BB are searching for their upperworks and minor/medium damage to several other combatants.
In addition I might be able to add 2 APs to the list.
This battle aint over yet. The next 2 days will decide who won Ontang Java as I still
have some cards up the sleeve. [;)]
I have to say that considering the odds I am already pleased with the result, even if
total loss numbers clearly show a IJN tactical victory atm.
But the carriers are out of the game and will retreat south. Staying power is yet not the
strenght of the USN air arm, and KB could be round the corner any time.
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