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RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: August 1942

 
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RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: August 1942 - 4/30/2008 3:21:15 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		...and the Intelligence Summary screen:




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Local Yokel -- 4/30/2008 3:23:00 PM >

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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 121
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: August 1942 - 4/30/2008 3:42:30 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		End of Month Summary for August 1942

Problems with my opponent’s computer slowed the pace at which our game has been proceeding, but at last we have completed another month of the campaign.

The air war

Aside from China, there has been comparatively little activity. Almost daily there is a heavy bomber raid on Efate from Fiji, with occasional raids on neighbouring Espiritu Santo. Every few days a mixed force of B-25’s and B-26’s raids Attu from Adak, and is met by the small contingent A6M2-N float fighters that defend the base. That’s a situation likely to change soon, as I anticipate the US North Pacific Command will shortly get an allocation of P-38’s to provide an escort. I still have a diminishing window of opportunity to mount an ambush on these bombers whilst they remain unescorted, and Japan’s Northern Area Force is assembling a contingent of fighters for this purpose.

The P-38’s made their debut in a sweep over Thursday Island on 30 August. 16 Lightnings were met by 15 Zero-32’s from the elite Tainan Air Corps. The Americans retired with 6 damaged aircraft; obviously the Tainan boys’ high experience stood them in good stead.

The P-38 also appeared for the first time over Burma on 30 August, escorting 9 Liberators against Magwe, where the few remaining oil-producing installations were destroyed. I was surprised by my opponent’s early abandonment of air attacks on oil and resources in this theatre, and even more surprised the attack has not been renewed. I’ve always treated Burmese sources of oil and resources as a bonus that cannot be expected to last long, so losses to them cause me no great concern.

Now that the Shoki and the Hien are being rolled out on a big scale to fighter units in the Burma theatre it will be interesting to see how well they hold their own against Allied aircraft of much improved quality. I had hoped to ambush the Allied heavies operating against Mandalay with a quantity of the new fighters – instead my opponent elected to raid the Andamans.

The rate of pilot attrition has been so low that I still retain 189 IJAAF and 39 IJNAF pilots in the pool. I made the mistake of not filling out the below-establishment squadrons on day 1 of the war (actually, I didn’t then know you could do so without reducing the pilot pool), so I still have several units that can accept additional aircraft and crew (mainly E13A floatplanes). Whilst the carrier groups and most land-based Navy fighter units have full pilot complements, a few land attack bomber units are at somewhat reduced strength, and filling out these and the floatplanes would empty the navy pilot pool. I have been husbanding this pool in anticipation of a carrier clash that would require a substantial pilot draw-down, and I wanted the replacement carrier pilots to be of high experience. However, that clash has not occurred, and now I’m inclined to empty the pool so that I can start drawing rookie pilots that can be fed into a training programme. Any thoughts on the wisdom of that course?

The sea war

After the excitement of July, a very quiet month.

On 11 August I-9 encountered West Coast-bound freighter Red Jacket and put a torpedo into her. Pursuing her injured quarry, the I-boat re-engaged on the following day and sank her with a second torpedo.

For all his infestation of my ports with submarines my opponent failed to hit a single Japanese merchant ship during the month. In fact I did greater damage to my own merchant marine when AP Josho Maru immolated herself on the Japanese minefield at Johore Bahru!

But the Japanese minefields have also taken a minor toll of Allied ships. On 6 August USS Grunion attempted a penetration of the Kii Suido and paid in full by striking two mines that sank her immediately. On 18 August Dutch submarine O23 went down after striking a mine at Penang, also the scene of S-37’s demise at the hands of an ASW group’s accurate attack on 7 August.

Most of the submarine action has been in New Britain and the Solomons. On 14 August USS Wahoo scored a devastating torpedo hit on ex-Momi class Patrol Boat 2 in Simpson Harbour. Fortunately Rabaul is hosting 4th Fleet HQ and a repair ship, and their presence, perhaps assisted by the assignment of a new skipper to the vessel, just sufficed to arrest and ultimately reduce her flotation damage – at one point standing at about 92.

At the southern end of the Solomons, USS Tautog struck a mine at Tulagi on 16 August, and O16 did likewise at Lunga on 28 August. An ASW group pursued O16 and south of Guadalcanal landed 2 further, minor hits upon her two days later. So far, however, there’s no indication that she’s sunk.

The mine struck by O16 was laid by a group that included minelayer Ukishima, which was torpedoed by USS Stingray on 26 August. Regrettably the presence of 3 repair ships at Tulagi was not enough to save her.

The land war

The only action on land has taken place in China, and I’ll make that the subject of a separate post.

The economy

To my inexperienced eye this looks to be in pretty good shape, aside from some concerns about resource and tanker shortages.

It now seems clear that, at certain oil-producing bases at least, there’s an oil storage limit equal to daily oil production X 100: now that stockpiles at both Miri and Brunei have been reduced below that ceiling they appear to have resumed oil production.

Of course, that merely puts into sharper focus the problem Japan has with her shortage of tankers. With all tankships except for a handful of naval oilers engaged in shifting oil full tilt, it looks as though the point may still come at which the principal oil-producing bases are simply going to run out of storage capacity. Forget about the minor oil sources – just concentrate on getting it out of Palembang, Brunei and Balikpapan!

The other big worry is resource stockholdings. Woos’ utility indicates that Japan (excluding Hokkaido) has a resource reach of just 27.8 days. The excellent new WitP Tracker indicates that currently total resource stocks stand at 1,361,895 units, of which 341,536 units – about 25% - is currently on board ship. It will be interesting to note how far the resource reach gets extended when these major resource convoys unload, but I suspect I shall find that the current rate of industrial output is simply unsustainable and will have to cut back heavy industry output.

In other respects things look pretty healthy to me, with total supply holdings in excess of 3.7M and fuel holdings exceeding 4.6M (including fuel in ships’ bunkers). A respectable proportion of that supply has been delivered well forward – there are few bases in urgent need of additional supplies. OTOH, the tanker shortage also makes itself felt in limiting the quantity of fuel that can be brought forward: Truk has little more than 100,000 fuel units, not really enough for sustained fleet operations.

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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 122
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: August 1942 - 4/30/2008 4:49:59 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		China!

Leaving aside some of the more, ah, ‘interesting’ features of ground combat in WitP, I quite enjoy dealing with some of the challenges the China theatre presents, together with the opportunity to engage in manoeuvre warfare.

I previously posted my intention of mounting a major push against Nanning, for which purpose Japanese operations were directed initially to the seizure of Pakhoi. It had been my intention to use Pakhoi as a re-supply base for the attack upon Nanning, given that the two bases are separated by only 60 miles as the crow flies. Foolishly I had overlooked the fact that supply would, of course, flow in a roundabout way through the road net rather than directly across country, so there was nothing really gained by the capture of Pakhoi other than a convenient base for air attacks upon Nanning.

Having reviewed force dispositions in South China, I have decided to make fundamental changes to my operational plans. Instead of pushing frontally at Nanning, I propose instead to make my main effort up the left bank of the Pearl River from Canton to Liuchow via Wuchow. Significant advantages flow from this revised plan.

First, the thrust through Wuchow will benefit from the presence of China Expeditionary Army’s HQ, which should greatly assist the process of bringing forward supplies to sustain the sieges of Wuchow and, ultimately, Liuchow.

Second, supplies will be coming forward over a much shorter route, the initial objective at Wuchow lying only 120 miles distant from major port facilities at Canton. I am hoping that these two factors will do much to overcome the perpetual supply problems that confront the Japanese in China.

Third, I should derive some benefit from the fact that I have been able to engage and defeat a proportion of Wuchow’s defenders in open country: this should somewhat reduce their potency as defenders of the base.

The biggest advantage I perceive in the revised plan is the possibility that it will make Nanning untenable. I managed to get an armoured regiment athwart the Chinese LOC between Liuchow and Nanning, and although this was ultimately forced away from the road its presence gave notice to the Chinese defenders of Nanning’s vulnerability to encirclement. A successful drive through Wuchow and on to Liuchow would likewise isolate Nanning from supply, and I suspect my opponent will recognise this vulnerability and evacuate Nanning’s garrison, the better to defend Liuchow, Tuyung and/or Kweilin. If so, I should gain Nanning without the cost of a formal assault upon it.

As a consequence of the change of plan I am in the process of withdrawing several units previously intended for direct attack upon Nanning. 21st, 31st and 48th Infantry Divisions and 2nd and 4th Viet Minh Militia divisions will remain in situ to contain Nanning’s defenders, but 2nd Division and the bulk of the Japanese heavy artillery park, which had previously been committed to the Nanning operation, will now withdraw to Haiphong prior to shipping to Canton for reinforcement of the drive on Wuchow.

The events in August leading up to this change of plan are illustrated on the attached map of South China. Apologies for the indistinctness of the arrows showing Japanese movements; I really must stop using red for this purpose or find some way of avoiding the colour bleed in jpeg compression.




Attachment (1)

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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 123
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: August 1942 - 6/5/2008 4:49:41 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		This game has now reached the end of September 1942, so I'll post a summary of the month's developments theatre by theatre, to be followed later by some details of economic progress/disaster.

South Pacific

Allied 4-engine bombers have continued to pound Efate on a daily basis. This looks like a softening up exercise to precede a landing, but despite a couple of false alarms, no invasion fleet has yet been sighted. Japanese prospects of holding the island look poor, as it has proved impossible to lift the fortification level above zero and Allied bombing has pounded the garrison to a condition of near-impotence. The aim here will be to inflict the most severe casualties possible upon the enemy, but the priority has been to build more secure defences further back in the Solomons and Eastern New Guinea. Noumea has been fortified to the maximum, but will probably become untenable as soon as Allied aircraft can base in strength upon Efate. The same is true for Espiritu Santo, though the defences there are weaker, and evacuation of all but a token garrison may prove advisable. If a landing in the New Hebrides represents the start of a counter-attack up the Solomon chain then that’s the kind of campaign I can live with.

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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 124
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: September... - 6/5/2008 4:53:08 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		South West Pacific/Australia

After their seizure of Portland Roads on 11 June the Japanese left the base site unoccupied. During the course of September an Australian infantry company was observed advancing towards it from Coen after the site had been comprehensively snooped by Allied recce aircraft. On 10 September, shortly before the Australians’ arrival, the paratroops of Yokosuka 3rd SNLF were dropped in to delay the site’s recapture. From 12 to 27 September this defiant little band was subjected to a merciless bombardment from every available heavy bomber on Australia’s eastern seaboard. Amazingly, the Australian infantry contingent launched bombardments but no formal attack on the Japanese position until 27 September, by which time Japanese capacity to resist was gone:

09/27/42
Ground combat at Portland Roads
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 642 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 20
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Allied max assault: 16 - adjusted assault: 10
Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Portland Roads base !!!

What the Allies apparently failed to notice was that for several days prior to the final assault Navy Type 97 transport flying boats had been successfully evacuating a significant number of the Yokosuka paratroops, for whom the writing was otherwise clearly on the wall. When the position was eventually overrun all that remained were a handful of wounded infantry and support squads. By their sacrifice they had bought a month’s peaceful strengthening of Japanese bases on New Guinea’s south coast.

Meanwhile, Australian militia forces began a northward advance through their country’s heartland in an apparent bid to recapture Northern Territories. Clearly the handful of paratroops that had seized and garrisoned Alice Springs was not going to hold against a full militia infantry division, so they were duly air-evacuated before the Australians arrived.

Further to the north the Japanese have been preparing their defences on the road to Darwin, and in due course we shall discover the extent of the Australians’ ability to sustain an assault upon defended positions via a logistics trail that stretches all the way across the continent. I am hoping they will find it beyond their means to do so, but we shall see. So far 1st and 2nd Australian Infantry Divisions have been identified amongst the advancing forces, together with an army tank battalion. I wonder whether he’s left anything to guard Adelaide?

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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 125
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: September... - 6/5/2008 4:55:25 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		Burma

Here, the air war has hotted up with a vengeance. SEAC has some 4-5 squadrons of Liberator III’s, and in the early part of the month these were used for attacks upon Meiktila’s resources. Surprisingly, these attacks petered out, and were followed by a series of attacks against Mandalay’s airfields between 18 and 21 September, coupled with sweeps against the defenders by recently arrived P-38 units. The bulk of the IJAAF’s Type 2 and 3 single seat fighters have been deployed in this theatre, and against the new Allied models they have consistently given as good as they got. The policy has been to rotate Mandalay’s principal fighter unit on a daily basis, with damaged aircraft being returned to Rangoon or further south by rail to re-unite and recuperate with the flying contingent. After a few days of attacks against the Mandalay airfields the enemy apparently tired of the exercise – a minor victory for Japan.

Midway through the month an armoured unit, 3rd Carabineers, was observed moving south from Imphal, and a Japanese brigade took station on the east bank of the Irawaddy to counter any attempt by this unit to isolate the Japanese base at Myitkyina. Now a further threat, in the shape of 1st Burma Bde, has been observed moving south from Ledo towards Myitkyina. It appears that a serious attempt is to be made to re-open the Burma Road, and towards the end of the month the Allied bombing effort was switched to attacks upon the Myitkyina garrison in support of this. However, I’m doubtful that the forces currently threatening the base will suffice to lever the Japanese out.

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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 126
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: September... - 6/5/2008 5:00:51 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		China

Here the revised Japanese plan has already borne fruit. Evidently the Chinese command perceived the threat posed to its forces at Nanning by the Japanese advance towards Wuchow, and early in the month Chinese units that had been based at Nanning were seen to be withdrawing towards Liuchow. This prompted a Japanese assault against the reduced complement of Nanning defenders on 12 September:

09/12/42
Ground combat at Nanning
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 81770 troops, 501 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 1817
Defending force 19958 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 638
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4
Japanese max assault: 1762 - adjusted assault: 1791
Allied max defense: 626 - adjusted defense: 206
Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 4)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Nanning base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
564 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
1194 casualties reported
Guns lost 29
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

The Japanese conquerors inherited a base severely damaged by repeated attacks by the IJAAF, so the potential of the base (level 6 airfields) for attacks against the Chinese interior remains latent, though repairs are progressing steadily.

Meanwhile, the Japanese thrust against Wuchow has plodded steadily forward, and whilst the Japanese troops advance with infuriating slowness, the Chinese have been seen to be reinforcing their defences on the left bank of the Pearl River. They have clearly made a major commitment to the defence of Liuchow, which now hosts some 140000+ defenders in 16 units. However, Japanese forces NW of Nanning still pose the threat of a drive up the Tuyun road, so the Chinese have been compelled to dedicate a substantial force to defend the threatened river crossing point north-west of Liuchow.

IJAAF air strength is at its greatest in S China, and throughout the month its bombers have been remorselessly pounding the base facilities at Wuchow and Liuchow, preceded by a week of profitable attacks against Kweilin’s airfields, where a quantity of Allied aircraft were destroyed.

The map shows Japanese troop movements preliminary to the assault on Wuchow. I had hoped to stage an assault straight across the river to cut the Liuchow-Wuchow road, but the game wasn’t having it, and I have had instead to move east along the right bank of the Pearl River for 60 miles before the attackers could swing back northwest to the real target. This has slowed operations substantially, but it seems clear that my revised plan for this theatre has obliged the Chinese to respond in the way I wished. Consequently, Nanning was taken cheaply, and Wuchow looks likely to go the same way. The number of defenders present makes Liuchow a tougher proposition, however.




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 127
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: September... - 6/6/2008 12:43:02 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		Further updates.

The War at Sea during September 1942

As in August, the Allies lost 7 ships (50 points), but the Japanese loss rate increased to 6 ships (45 points)

On 1 September submarines Trout and Searaven bumped mines at Tulagi and Truk respectively. Trout sank. Searaven didn’t.

2 September: MLE Kurogane Maru was mortally struck by SS Albacore’s torpedo off Kavieng. She was hit again trying to make port at Rabaul on 4 Sep and sank immediately.

On 13 Sep I-154 was sunk in the Bay of Bengal. She thereby paid for nearby sister I-164’s successful attack on aux. minelayer Teviotbank on 11 Sep. The minelayer later sank short of making Vizagatapam.

On 17 Sep a 100 Shiki Juh-baku (that’s a Ki-49 Helen to AFB’s) on ASW duty at Kuala Lumpur successfully attacked RN submarine Rover. The damaged submarine almost made it back to Colombo, eventually sinking SE of Ceylon when only some 200 miles short of safe haven.

On 19 Sep destroyer Uziki took a torpedo from submarine Tuna at Rabaul. She went down immediately. Tuna had another success at the same place on 21 Sep, sinking a minesweeper notwithstanding intense ASW activity around the base by air and sea. There are times when I despair of Japanese ASW capability.

As the month progressed it became apparent that the Americans were reinforcing Adak and covering this operation with a carrier task force. 2nd Mobile Force (with Hiyo, Junyo and the Japanese light carriers) sortied from Shikuka to meet Akagi, Kaga and Hiryu, which had recently completed upgrades at yards in Honshu. The hope was to precipitate a carrier engagement on favourable terms, but nothing came of the attempt. Instead, a patrol line of Japanese submarines were accurately directed onto the American carriers’ return course to Hawaii – and for its pains one was sunk by the escort.

A reinforcement of Attu was arranged to coincide with the Japanese carrier sortie. The convoy took significant bomb damage whilst unloading, but stout work by the merchantmen’s crews will probably lead to their survival. Only small AP Murasaki Maru was sunk.

For much of the month the Japanese beavered away with their intensive minelaying activities at multiple bases within the enlarged Empire. Only then did I become aware of the arbitrary limit of 4000 minefields and at the same time noted that no mines had been deposited following one minelaying sortie. Can’t say that I’m happy about this as minelaying was a comparatively low-tech defensive option, and as such one Japan could always have adopted more extensively than she did. Does that 4000 minefield limit include air-dropped mines?

29 Sep: an auspicious day for the IJN, as Yugumo class destroyer Kiyonami joins the fleet at Yokosuka. Setting her apart from any other vessel in the Imperial Navy, she is the first to sport the twin horns of a Mk2 Mod 2 centimetric radar set. It’s an experimental fit for a destroyer, though the new equipment is due to be rolled out to a range of battleships from October onwards. But destroyers too will begin to receive them from the start of 1943 onwards when they are due to be installed on other units of the Yugumo and Kagero classes. Hopefully this will assist the IJN in future surface encounters, but for the time being they will remain at a disadvantage relative to their radar-equipped foes.

(<grumble> Shame that in this mod the Japanese carriers aren’t going receive the air search sets they received in reality – all goes to make life just a little more difficult)

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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 128
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: September... - 6/6/2008 12:45:22 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		The War Economy

My usual sequence of screen shots, starting with the Intelligence Summary. Something wrong here:
August – Allied bases 189, Japanese bases 298.
September – Allied bases 189, Japanese bases 299.
Where did that extra base come from?




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 129
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: September... - 6/6/2008 12:47:46 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		Aircraft Production and Economy Summary. Reisen 22-gata production ramping up nicely, with new machines of this marque already rolled out to 2 airgroups and part of a third. Army Type 1’s (Ki-43) are actually not producing, though the capacity has been retained to benefit from the switch to the improved production model, I think in November. Note that I have started to expand the Nissan and Toyoda capacity in advance of these higher performance engines beginning production. I see this as an expensive and difficult-to-manage exercise, given the cost of 1000 supply points per point of capacity.




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 130
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: September... - 6/6/2008 12:49:14 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		Stockpiles graph. Not sure it’s worth continuing with this, as Woos’ graphs from Decoder give a much more accurate indication of what’s actually taking place.




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 131
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: September... - 6/6/2008 12:50:44 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		Courtesy of WitP Tracker: Naval Construction. I’ve tried to balance merchant building against capacity, but am prepared to accept a decline in the Naval construction points pool pending delivery of Musashi, which will free a deal of capacity and prompt a reassessment on naval construction priorities.




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 132
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: September... - 6/6/2008 12:52:12 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		Lastly, also courtesy of WitP Tracker, WitP Economics Summary. Should speak for itself.




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 133
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: September... - 6/14/2008 1:53:13 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		As it doesn't happen often:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/04/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 66,78

Japanese Ships
PG Toyotsu Maru
PG Sozan Maru
PG Uji
APD Patrol Boat No. 38
DD Hatsuharu
DD Arare

Allied Ships
SS Bonita
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 66,78

Japanese Ships
DD Yamakaze
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
SS Bonita, hits 30, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Looks as though the series of ASW attacks endured by Bonita eventually obliged her to surface to get a charge on her batteries - only to find an ASW group waiting. Or it could be a consequence of prior battle damage - from the previous day's combat report:

Sub attack near Truk at 66,78

Japanese Ships
DD Kuretake
PC Kyo Maru #7
PG Nikkai Maru
MSW Tama Maru No. 2
MSW Seki Maru #3
MSW Noshiro Maru #2
MSW Hagoromo Maru
MSW Fumi Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Bonita, hits 2, on fire

Not surprisingly, Bonita sank immediately after her encounter with Yugure. Her skipper, Cdr Sampson, went down with her. For some reason, Yugure's aft turret never engaged the target.




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 134
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October1942 - 6/22/2008 5:06:29 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		South China: fruition of the Japanese plan.

With a blocking position established astride the Wuchow-Liuchow road, the Japanese launched their assault on Wuchow on 3 October. Initially the results look discouraging, but the Japanese know they have the defenders isolated from further supplies. Only a short series of attacks are necessary before the Wuchow garrison surrenders, with a two day interval between each during which the attackers draw breath and replenish ammunition stocks:

3 October 1942:
Ground combat at Wuchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 126701 troops, 723 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 2577

Defending force 24088 troops, 96 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 679

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 7

Japanese max assault: 2443 - adjusted assault: 3168

Allied max defense: 630 - adjusted defense: 871

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 7)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 7

Japanese ground losses:
1511 casualties reported
Guns lost 32
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1565 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

6 October 1942:

Ground combat at Wuchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 124000 troops, 702 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 2439

Defending force 20100 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 595

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 6

Japanese max assault: 2359 - adjusted assault: 3491

Allied max defense: 570 - adjusted defense: 480

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 6)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 6

Japanese ground losses:
938 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
730 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

9 October 1942

Ground combat at Wuchow

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 122977 troops, 700 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 2381

Defending force 18705 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 522

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Japanese max assault: 2326 - adjusted assault: 3320

Allied max defense: 502 - adjusted defense: 305

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wuchow base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
1289 casualties reported
Guns lost 11

Allied ground losses:
28810 casualties reported
Guns lost 44

South Pacific Developments

Meanwhile, far away in the South Pacific, Japanese search aircraft sight an upsurge of naval activity in the North Fiji Basin. In view of the repeated bombing of Efate on a daily basis the Japanese have to assume that this island has been designated as the objective of an amphibious attack that is now getting under way.

Immediately available to oppose the gathering Allied threat the Japanese can muster 170+ 1-Shiki Rikko that the Allies refer to as the Betty bomber and 110+ Reisen. These are concentrated mainly at airfields on Gudalcanal, and some will need to ferry to Noumea to supplement the single daitai currently based there.

By way of naval assets, a number of Japanese submarines prowl the area to the east of the New Hebrides, and selected units of these have been ordered onto the predicted approach track of what appears to be an Allied bombardment group reported to include two battleships. A quartet of mine laying submarines had recently seeded the Efate approaches when the Allied task forces were spotted, and some are now returning to the area to thicken the undersea screen.

From Tulagi, Rear Adm Hashimoto Shintaro’s Outer South Seas Force has been ordered to sortie. However this is built around the elderly Aoba and Furataka class cruisers, and Vice Adm Inouye’s 4th Fleet planners at Truk entertain grave doubts as to Hashimoto’s capacity to take on the mass of naval power likely to be arrayed against him.

If the Japanese are to do serious damage to this threat to their perimeter, it is clear that they will need to bring substantially greater combat power to bear. The six fleet carriers of 1 Koku Kantai have completed their round of autumn refits, but are they near enough to come to grips with the Allied armada? If so, then what may well prove to be an engagement critical to both sides’ fortunes will be in prospect.




Attachment (1)

_____________________________




(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 135
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October1942 - 6/23/2008 4:57:14 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		The Battle of Efate: Day 1 – 11 October 1942

The task group observed 120 miles east of Tana was assumed to have orders to bombard Efate. When later observed 120 miles west of Tana it became obvious the target was Noumea. However, it was still assessed to be more than a half-day’s sailing from New Caledonia, so a major part of the effort of the daitai of Noumea-based Rikko’s of the Genzan Air Group was directed towards it. Furthermore, the Japanese went ahead with their plan to reinforce New Caledonia with a mass of additional land attack bombers, judging that they would have the opportunity to launch the new arrivals against the oncoming bombardment force before it could strike. Meanwhile, a mass of Allied task forces arrived off Efate. Only one attack was launched against them by Noumea’s bombers, the strike being aimed at battleship Idaho, but meeting with no success.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/11/42

ASW attack at 74,116

Japanese Ships
SS RO-63, hits 3

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Mugford
DD Helm
DD Bagley
DD Gwin
CL Perth
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Luganville , at 71,111

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 21
B-24D Liberator x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 3 damaged
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
42 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
2 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 6th NLF , at 72,114

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 34

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet

Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Idaho

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 71,117

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G4M1 Betty x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 20 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 1
CL Achilles

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
SS RO-33, hits 11, on fire, heavy damage (sinks)

Allied Ships
DMS Wasmuth
DMS Hovey
DD Rathburne
DD Aylwin
DD McDougal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Efate, at 72,114

Allied Ships
DD Lamson
DD Sterett
CL Phoenix

Port hits 3
Port supply hits 10




Attachment (1)

_____________________________




(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 136
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 6/24/2008 1:24:13 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		The Battle of Efate: Day 2 – 12 October 1942

Combat reports from the second day of the battle, with some commentary

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/12/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 76,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-168

Allied Ships
DD Brooks
DD Porter
DD Stack
DD Farenholt
DD Aaron Ward
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-16, hits 2

Allied Ships
CLAA Juneau
DD Lamson
DD Sterett
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A somewhat tentative bombardment effort; I had expected BB Idaho to participate

Naval bombardment of Efate, at 72,114

Allied Ships
DD Lamson
DD Sterett
CL Phoenix

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The minefield laid by submarines just prior to the invasion groups’ arrival claims a couple of victims

TF 1160 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)

TF 1160 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114

Allied Ships
AK Empire Haven, Mine hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1160 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)

TF 1160 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114

Allied Ships
AK West Planter, Mine hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 76,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-22, hits 8

Allied Ships
DD Balch
DD Fanning
DD Dunlap
DD Preston
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In come the usual, wearisome series of heavy bomber raids – how I have come to loathe these. On the plus side, the Japanese defenders have been so heavily written down by these raids that few further casualties are sustained!

Day Air attack on Luganville , at 71,111

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 12
B-24D Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 6th NLF , at 72,114

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 35

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here was a surprise: the Allied command is so confident of its superiority that it feels able to despatch carrier dive bombers on a ground attack mission – not even assigning the bombers a secondary mission to naval attack.

Day Air attack on 6th Naval Construction Battalion, at 72,114

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 32

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But now the Japanese begin to hit back with their Noumea-based land attack bombers on torpedo strike.

Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DMS Long
DMS Trevor

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
DMS Hovey
DD McDougal
DD Rathburne

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G4M1 Betty x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Aorangi
AK San Gabriel, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mount McKinley
AP Empress of Australia, Torpedo hits 1

Aorangi and Empress of Australia! The Rikko crews can scarcely believe their eyes! The Americans have commandeered half the Canadian Pacific liner fleet and put it into the front line! Tokyo Rose is going to have a field day with this!

Allied ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 10 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Stringham
APD Colhoun, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Manley, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage (*sinks*)

Allied ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

These APD’s seemed to have been heavily laden with troops

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Jeff Davis
AK Steel Navigator, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belatedly some Grummans appear to defend the airspace over the transports

Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
MSW Rail
MSW Bobolink, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (*sinks*)

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 25

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Barnett, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Empress of Australia
AK Trieste, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Edgar Luckenbach
AK Liberty, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK J.L. Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
125 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating in the shallows near the assembled transports, the Japanese submarines are relatively easy meat

ASW attack near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-16, hits 14, on fire, heavy damage (*sinks*)

Allied Ships
DMS Hovey
DD Rathburne
DD Aylwin
DD McDougal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
SS RO-63, hits 3

Allied Ships
DMS Hovey
DD Rathburne
DD Aylwin
DD McDougal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The battle has been well and truly joined. The Japanese ground forces on Efate or in no condition to resist an amphibious invasion of any kind, let alone one on the scale now taking place. However, the Japanese have long since accepted that Efate was never going to be a defensible bastion, and their objective is to inflict casualties rather than repel the invasion.

Today elements of four land attack daitais hurl themselves at the Allied transport groups. They are moderately successful, but though they suffer relatively modest total losses in aircraft many more are damaged and the morale of the aircrew is severely shaken. The enemy seems not to have mounted fully effective fighter cover over his task forces, but the AA barrage these have put up has largely compensated for the fighters’ absence.

At this stage things seem to be going the Allied way; will the battle’s third day bring a change in Japanese fortunes?

_____________________________




(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 137
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 6/25/2008 3:14:10 AM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		The Battle of Efate: Day 3 – 13 October 1942

Combat reports for the third day of the battle, with commentary

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/13/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A mass of Allied units land from a number of separate transport task forces

TF 1004 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1004 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1090 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1090 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
784 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1091 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1091 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied Ships
APD Stringham
DD Monaghan
Allied ground losses:
154 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1002 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1002 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1004 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1004 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
103 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1090 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1090 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
687 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1091 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1091 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1135 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1135 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
1079 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1032 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
Allied Ships
MSW Tern
MSW Rail
MSW Turkey

Another U S carrier air strike, this time directed at Espiritu Santo’s airfield. Once again it’s a morning strike, indicating an Allied assumption that no naval targets would appear on the scene

Day Air attack on Luganville , at 71,111

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
17 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The customary raid by 4-engined bombers based on Fiji

Day Air attack on 6th NLF , at 72,114

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 36

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A bolt from the blue! 1 Kido Butai despatches every available strike aircraft against the Yorktown task force operating 180 miles ESE of Efate (a proportion of carrier attack planes were withheld as scouts). As planned, the strike launched from maximum range to evade a torpedo-armed counter-strike. The Japanese intention was to follow up with a torpedo strike on the following day if necessary, having first closed as many American flight decks as possible. As things turned out, this single, massive strike proved more than enough to dispose of Yorktown. However, as the American carriers had been dispersed into single-carrier task groups, Wasp’s TG evaded carrier-borne attack. The Reisen of Lt Cdr Kikuchi’s Air Control Force become engaged in a fierce battle with the defending CAP, in which they lose 3 spanking new Model-22 fighters. In return, 75% of the defending Grummans are destroyed, and they are unable to interfere with the mass of attacking bombers, whose only losses are to flak.

Notwithstanding that Wasp’s task group is left untouched by the Japanese strike, she launches no riposte against the Japanese carriers.

Day Air attack on TF at 74,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
D3A2 Val x 158
A6M3a Zero x 53
B5N2 Kate x 130

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
D3A2 Val: 6 destroyed, 22 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 16 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 51, on fire, heavy damage (*sinks!*)
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 4, on fire
BB South Dakota, Bomb hits 22, on fire
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
5 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
8 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 18000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now it is the turn of Noumea’s Land Attack planes to add their contribution

First escort carrier in trouble

Day Air attack on TF at 73,115

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
G4M1 Betty x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

North Carolina probably shrugged aside this single torpedo hit

Day Air attack on TF at 74,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Wasp
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 74,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Preston

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second escort carrier in trouble

Day Air attack on TF at 74,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This will have left no doubt as to the weakness of the Efate garrison

Ground combat at Efate

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 360 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 627

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It appears that the Allied command had no inkling of 1 Kido Butai’s approach, and the raid that destroys Yorktown comes as such a shock that the surviving American carriers are unable to mount a return strike.

The tentative Japanese estimate is that Hornet is in Northern Pacific waters, with Lexington and Saratoga undergoing refit on the West Coast. There certainly doesn’t appear to be any sign of them being in the offing, but even if there were, the Japanese would stay to fight, given a worst case scenario of carrier parity and the likelihood of numeric advantage. Furthermore, the Japanese carrier air groups remain substantially intact, the strike on Yorktown having cost 17 crews at most.

Efate will undoubtedly be lost to the Allies on 14 October, but they will have paid a high price for the conquest, and will now have to sustain two major assault formations, 1st Marines and 32nd Infantry, on an island currently without an airfield and close to appreciable Japanese air assets.




<edited for my bad speling>

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Local Yokel -- 6/25/2008 3:21:36 AM >

_____________________________




(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 138
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 6/25/2008 3:33:11 AM   
Cuttlefish

 

Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline 		Banzai! Your opponent seems to have fallen into the trap of planning for what he thought you would do instead of what you might possibly do.

(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 139
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 6/27/2008 2:12:20 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		The Real World has kept me away for a couple of days, but now I can post a fresh update.

Ahoy, Cuttlefish: Yes, whenever my carriers are at sea I try to make it a rule to ask myself two questions: (1) What is the worst thing that could happen to them, in view of the orders I have entered? (2) Am I content to accept the danger of that happening, given the mission I have assigned to them?

Really just another way of expressing the younger Moltke's dictum 'First reckon, then risk'.

It would have been useful to tag Wasp as well as Yorktown, but even so the battle so far has seen a helpful shift in the Pacific balance of power. I should not now be suprised to see an appearance with the Pacific Fleet of USS Robin/HMS Victorious!

I think Jonathan's most significant error lay in failing to mass his carrier power in support of the Efate invasion. Had his other three US carriers been present in support the outcome might have been very different, as I would likely have suffered significant carrier casualties. I have been extremely fortunate to take down two fleet carriers without having a glove laid upon KB. OTOH, I was content to commit KB to battle here in any event, given the date and the advantages conferred upon me by the battle area.

Judging by his emails I think Jonathan is quite disheartened by the way things have turned out. If anyone can give his morale a boost feel free, as he's an excellent opponent who's given me a great contest. Couldn't have wished for a better intro to PBEM.

_____________________________




(in reply to Cuttlefish)
Post #: 140
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 6/27/2008 2:21:05 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		The Battle of Efate: Day 4 – 14 October 1942

Combat reports for the fourth day of the battle, with commentary. The bracketed number at the start of an air strike’s description corresponds with the number given on the plan.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/14/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1090 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1090 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
289 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1091 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1091 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1135 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1135 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
237 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1034 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
Allied Ships
DMS Chandler
DMS Perry
DMS Trevor
DMS Zane
DMS Hopkins
DMS Long
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transport submarine I-1 manages to put 2 torpedoes into slow oiler Ramapo, but is hit hard in the process. Always glad to hit the fleet train.

Sub attack at 75,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-1, hits 13, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AO Ramapo, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Balch
DD Fanning
DD Dunlap
DD Preston
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 74,113

Japanese Ships
SS I-19, hits 7

Allied Ships
DD Phelps
DD Monaghan
APD McKean
APD Stringham
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kingfish correctly anticipates the movements of the main Japanese surface forces, but suffers the attention of both of their accompanying ASW groups

Sub attack at 70,117

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Kasasagi
DD Namikaze
DD Mutsuki
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish, hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 70,117

Japanese Ships
DD Yugure
DD Kasumi
DD Michishio
DD Oshio

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 70,117

Japanese Ships
DD Kasasagi
DD Namikaze
DD Mutsuki
DD Yamakaze
DD Shiratsuyu

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1090 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1090 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
136 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1135 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
TF 1135 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 72,114
Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now Kingfish finds a SAG, or rather, the SAG’s screen finds her!

ASW attack at 70,117

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
DD Arashi
DD Hamakaze
DD Urakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yugumo
DD Hatsuzuki

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish, hits 2, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The customary 4-engine attack on Efate. Perhaps significantly, this is the only attack in the New Hebrides area made by his heavies today. I suspect he gave many of them a Naval Attack mission in case 1 Kido Butai moved east. I had been careful to ensure that my carriers remained only within the B-24s’ extended range, with a reaction order set in case Wasp and her TF had hung around. They had not.

Day Air attack on 6th NLF , at 72,114

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 13
B-24D Liberator x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now the day’s Japanese air strikes begin…

(1) Day Air attack on TF at 75,112

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Caleb Strong, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
MSW Tern, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
D3A2 Val x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DMS Long
DMS Chandler

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Mormacstar, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Day Air attack on TF at 74,118

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Kennison, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gilmer, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 74,118

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 14
B5N2 Kate x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Gilmer, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kennison, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kilty

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AP President Adams, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here’s the day’s main event: a full deckload strike against Copahee. The Grummans actually fought fairly well, considering they were outnumbered 4 to 1.

(7) Day Air attack on TF at 74,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
D3A2 Val x 74
A6M3a Zero x 39
B5N2 Kate x 104

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A2 Val: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 11 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, Bomb hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
DD Crane, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
8 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strikes (8) and (10) were directed against the surprising re-appearance of what I had taken to be a bombardment group originally built around BB Mississipi. The battleship took a torpedo early in the battle and it then looked as though the mission had been abandoned. So here I thought he was making another attempt against Noumea using the faster cruisers and coming in from further south, from which direction he might have taken me by surprise. Jonathan subsequently told me that in fact this was due to an orders SNAFU, as he had inadvertently ordered this cruiser force to retire to Sydney! Most of them aren’t going to make port.

(8) Day Air attack on TF at 71,122

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
G4M1 Betty x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 30 damaged

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans
CA Astoria, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Portland, Torpedo hits 1
CL Perth, Torpedo hits 1
CL Achilles, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Day Air attack on TF at 74,114

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
APD Colhoun, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) Day Air attack on TF at 71,122

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 79
B5N2 Kate x 127

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Bomb hits 28, on fire, heavy damage
CA Astoria, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CL Perth, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 18, on fire, heavy damage
DD Helm, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Bagley, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
6 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 71,122

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
G4M1 Betty x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Astoria, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Day Air attack on TF at 75,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
D3A2 Val x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strikes against his second escort carrier. Today he loses two of them

(12) Day Air attack on TF at 75,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CVE Nassau, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 74,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A2 Val x 13
A6M3a Zero x 33

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 70,117

Japanese Ships
DD Shigure
DD Arashio
DD Asashio
DD Kiyonami
CL Jintsu
CA Kako

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As predicted, the invaders take Efate and the wholly disabled remnants of the garrison are wiped out. However, cadres from all three units present had previously shipped out, so we have a basis for rebuilding them.

Ground combat at Efate

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26739 troops, 197 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 654
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3
Allied max assault: 459 - adjusted assault: 186
Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 186 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Efate base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
1789 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cruiser force caught whilst heading for Sydney was an unexpected but welcome bonus. Astoria has already sunk, and things look rocky for New Orleans and Portland.

It was a relief to have avoided most of the US submarine screen as it moved west from the New Hebrides. 1 Kido Butai was fortunate to have relocated to a position where it stayed out of trouble from sea and air, but remained in touch with a lot of targets. Noumea’s land attack bombers also made a useful contribution.

The carrier task groups have been manoeuvring at full speed, and their bunker levels have been heavily depleted as a result. Probably a good moment to rendezvous with our replenishment group, currently slipping down the east shore of New Caledonia. Time, perhaps, for the Yasen Butai to show its hand…




<edit: corrected the day of the battle; danger from cutting and pasting>

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Local Yokel -- 6/27/2008 2:23:15 PM >

_____________________________




(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 141
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 6/27/2008 2:25:20 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		Air Losses, 14 October 1942

Note the numbers: 35 Grummans lost on operations, and 34 SBD’s lost on the ground. That’s almost seventy airframes (?and pilots) that I presume went down with Nassau and Copahee. My guess is that they may have been the replenishment units intended to fill gaps in the fleet carriers’ air groups, but in that case I think they must have been deployed too far forward.




Attachment (1)

_____________________________




(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 142
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 7/2/2008 3:50:10 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		Images restored, excellent! Now for a further update.

The Battle of Efate: Day 5 – 15 October 1942

Combat reports for the fifth day of the battle, with commentary. Bracketed number at the start of an air strike’s description corresponds with the number given on the plan.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/15/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1032 encounters mine field at Efate (72,114)
Allied Ships
MSW Rail
MSW Turkey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The two surface action groups accompanying 1 Kido Butai are re-designated Yasengun ‘Ko’ and Yasengun ‘Otsu’ (Night Combat Groups ‘A’ and ‘B’) under Tanaka and Hashimoto respectively. These detach from the carrier groups and their screen and make a high-speed run into the roadstead at Efate. Although Tanaka finds plenty of targets for gun and torpedo, Hashimoto is unable to engage (think this was due to a mistake on my part – suspect the first SAG caused the Allied transports to flee, so that Hashimoto found nothing on arrival. This suspicion is strengthened by the fact that Empress of Australia was attacked by air when daylight came some 50-100 miles SE of Efate)

Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako
CL Kinu
DD Kiyonami
DD Michishio
DD Yamakaze
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
MSW Turkey, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
MSW Rail, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako
CL Kinu
DD Kiyonami
DD Michishio
DD Yamakaze
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
AP Empress of Australia (ex-Tirpitz of Hamburg-Amerika Line: 21,861 GRT)
AP Barnett, heavy damage
AP Mount McKinley, Shell hits 51, and is sunk
AK Mormacstar, on fire
AK J.L. Luckenbach, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AK Liberty, Shell hits 32, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Mahukona, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Peter Kerr
AK Empire Tarpon

Allied ground losses:
391 casualties reported
Guns lost 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would very much like to have sunk Mount Vernon!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CA Kinugasa
CA Kako, Shell hits 1
CL Kinu
DD Kiyonami
DD Michishio
DD Yamakaze
DD Yugure

Allied Ships
AP Mount Vernon (AP-22 ex United States Lines SS Washington: 24,289 GRT!)
AP President Adams, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
AP President Hayes
AP Mariposa, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Alabaman
AK Coloradan, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Dorothy Luckenbach, Shell hits 1
AK Irenee Du Pont, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Jeff Davis
AK Maine
AK Makena
AK Oregonian
AK Sawokla
AK Steel Navigator
AK Trento
AK Vermont
AK Washingtonian
AK Empire Glade
AK Erickson

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luganville’s carrier bombers lend a hand and find the Canadian Pacific liner fleeing Efate – remains to be seen whether she can gain sanctuary in the Fijis.

(1) Day Air attack on TF at 72,115

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP Empress of Australia, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noumea’s Land Attack groups follow up on the mayhem of the previous night

(2) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AP President Hayes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Steel Navigator, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Jeff Davis
AK Trento, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Makena, Torpedo hits 1
AK Sawokla

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Oregonian
AK Trento, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Washingtonian, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First in a series of raids that spell the annihilation of the bombardment force that ventured too close to Noumea

(4) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Bagley, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
D3A2 Val x 54
A6M3a Zero x 32
B5N2 Kate x 85

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 34, on fire, heavy damage
CA Portland, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CL Perth, Bomb hits 17, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
6 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
8 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M3a Zero x 10
B5N2 Kate x 26
G4M1 Betty x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Perth, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Portland, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(7) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D3A2 Val x 19
B5N2 Kate x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Portland, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, on fire, heavy damage
CL Perth, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(8) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
D3A2 Val x 67
A6M3a Zero x 33
B5N2 Kate x 116

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Helm, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Bagley, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
6 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
6 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
6 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Helm, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
D3A2 Val x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Washingtonian, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Jeff Davis, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Day Air attack on TF at 69,123

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA New Orleans, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the day’s end the bombardment force is no more. Profiting by their pre-war training as members of the Yasen Butai (Night Battle Force), Tanaka’s ships have inflicted significant casualties on the transports unloading at Efate. Meanwhile the carriers and their screen have successfully effected their rendezvous in the shallow waters south of Noumea. The rendezvous point was selected in the hope that the shallows would deter the approach of US submarines, and that hope seems to have been realised. However, a number of US boats have been observed to the E and SE of New Caledonia, and it is clear they are hoping to regain touch with the Japanese carrier groups.




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 143
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 7/2/2008 4:05:27 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		The Battle of Efate: Day 6 – 16 October 1942

Combat reports for the sixth day of the battle, with commentary. Fewer air attacks this time, I haven’t keyed them by number.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the Allied naval forces shorn of all air cover, the Japanese are determined to exploit to the full the advantage they enjoy in the New Hebrides. Regrettably, battleship Hiei doesn’t have the speed to accompany a second night time raid against Efate, so she transfers to Yasengun ‘Ko’, which is returning to Tulagi to re-ammunition. A juggling of forces sees cruiser Kinugasa reassigned to Yasengun ‘Otsu’ for the planned return visit, together with destroyer Kiyonami (in order to take advantage of her microwave radar fit).

Yasengun ‘Otsu’ then returns to Efate under Tanaka’s command and metes out additional fire and destruction to the Allied transports unloading there. This time no mistake is made in the despatching of Empress of Australia, and great damage is also done to the second convoy.

As on the previous night, mighty Mount Vernon is in the vicinity yet bears a charmed life, with no Japanese vessel firing upon her. Her good fortune, however, is about to run out.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CL Kinu
DD Akigumo
DD Kiyonami
DD Kasumi
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
AP Empress of Australia, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AP Barnett, heavy damage
AK Mormacstar, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Mahukona, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Peter Kerr, Shell hits 7, on fire
AK Empire Tarpon

Allied ground losses:
207 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 5
CL Kinu, Shell hits 1
DD Akigumo
DD Kiyonami
DD Kasumi
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
AP Mount Vernon
AP President Hayes, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Alabaman, Shell hits 35, and is sunk
AK Dorothy Luckenbach, Shell hits 44, and is sunk
AK Jeff Davis, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AK Maine
AK Makena, Shell hits 1
AK Oregonian, Shell hits 1
AK Sawokla
AK Vermont
AK Empire Glade, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Erickson, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
232 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a price to be paid for the Japanese effrontery in raiding Efate on two nights consecutively, and it is cruiser Aoba that pays it. At first glance, however, the damage does not appear too serious, and she should make it back to the advanced repair facility set up by the Japanese at Tulagi that includes four repair ships.

Sub attack near Efate at 72,114

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Kiyonami
DD Kasumi
DD Akigumo
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
SS Stingray
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Allied bombers switch their attention to Luganville, and the Japanese lack the fighter muscle to fend them off effectively

Day Air attack on Luganville , at 71,111

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 5
B-24D Liberator x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lunga-based Type 1’s attempt to slow base build-up on Efate, but their efforts are relatively ineffectual.

Day Air attack on Efate , at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

Allied ground losses:
145 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now begins a day of agony for the Allied merchantmen attempting to offload troops and cargo at Efate. Empire Tarpon seeks to flee the anchorage, but the Rikkos catch her NE of Efate.

Day Air attack on TF at 72,113

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Tarpon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time runs out for Mount Vernon. Note the shell hits: a number of Reisen were given a naval strafing assignment in the hope they might encounter some PT boats. As things turned out they ended up punching more holes in Mount Vernon and her consorts

Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
D3A2 Val x 131
A6M3a Zero x 27
B5N2 Kate x 136

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Sawokla, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Maine, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Makena, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Erickson, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mount Vernon, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 13, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Vermont, Bomb hits 17, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Oregonian, Shell hits 36, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
7 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
1 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
4 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noumea’s Type 1 Rikkos follow up, but the massive Japanese carrier strike has left little of value for them to attack

Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Vermont, on fire, heavy damage
AK Makena, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mount Vernon, on fire, heavy damage
AK Erickson, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PM Phase

Dai Ichi Kido Butai’s carrier attack aircraft mount a high level raid on Efate’s port facilities, but the results are scarcely spectacular.

Day Air attack on Efate , at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 2
B5N2 Kate x 122

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
20 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
14 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
15 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
23 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Efate , at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet

It’s like the heady days of December and January all over again: lots of fat, juicy targets and the means to hit them readily to hand. By the day’s end it appears that there remain off Efate a handful – perhaps no more than two – Allied transports. The Japanese can only marvel at the profligacy of a foe who apparently has no qualms about the sacrifice of high value troopers in order to get the balance of his forces ashore. And with the production capacity of the United States behind them why, after all, should the Allies have any concern about the loss of such fine ships as Mount Vernon and Empress of Australia? Their divisions will still come flooding across the Pacific, and the only real difference is that now they’ll be travelling in a little less style and at the more sedate pace of the Liberties and Victories soon to be poured out of Henry Kaiser’s ship production lines…




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< Message edited by Local Yokel -- 7/2/2008 4:07:40 PM >

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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 144
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 7/2/2008 4:28:13 PM   
aztez

 

Posts: 4031
Joined: 2/26/2005
From: Finland
Status: offline 		Good job! Also keep up the AAR... I like the style on this AAR.

(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 145
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 7/2/2008 6:02:06 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		Hi aztez, will do, though this battle is now winding down. I've made a bit of a mistake: nothing too serious but shows a lack of attention on my part.

More on this anon - another turn just received.

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(in reply to aztez)
Post #: 146
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 7/4/2008 5:18:10 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		The Battle of Efate: Day 7 – 17 October 1942

Combat reports for the seventh day of the battle, with commentary.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After meandering about the seas between the New Hebrides and New Caledonia in order to evade US submarines, the minelaying group at last manages to lay its cargo at Luganville, and in so doing encounters the remnants of a submarine-laid Allied minefield

TF 63 encounters mine field at Luganville (71,111)

Japanese Ships
MSW W.15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The screen around R Adm Yamada’s carriers drives away Peto, but she is not yet done with the thick press of Japanese warships

ASW attack at 68,113

Japanese Ships
DD Isokaze
DD Maikaze
DD Hayashio
DD Yukikaze
DD Oyashio
DD Teruzuki
DD Akizuki
CV Zuikaku

Allied Ships
SS Peto
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This time Peto gets in a shot against R Adm Yamamoto’s ASW group: Hatsuyuki takes a torpedo hit and suffers severe damage

Sub attack at 68,113

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Namikaze
DD Mochizuki
DD Shigure
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
SS Peto
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further north, R Adm Nippa’s ASW group covering a Luganville-bound transport group fends off Pompano

ASW attack at 68,107

Japanese Ships
PG Toyotsu Maru
PG Sozan Maru
PG Uji
APD Patrol Boat No. 38
DD Hatsuharu
DD Arare

Allied Ships
SS Pompano
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The daily 4-engine bomber raid, whittling away Luganville’s capability to hold

Day Air attack on Luganville , at 71,111

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 4
B-24D Liberator x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 14000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noumea’s Type 1 Land Attack planes find that some persistent Allied transports are still unloading at Efate, and administers further punishment. I think it doubtful that any of these ships will now survive.

Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Tarpon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Barnett, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Peter Kerr, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A singularly ineffective attack on Efate’s facilities follows

Day Air attack on Efate , at 72,114

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
G4M1 Betty x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pompano manages to get an attack launched against Takeda’s transports, but to no effect

Sub attack at 68,107

Japanese Ships
AK Glasgow Maru
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
SS Pompano
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stupid, stupid Yokel! When ordering the Japanese carrier groups to head north-east from Noumea to a point 180 miles west of Efate I neglected to instruct the various task groups to cease refuelling. This meant that, whilst most ships took a healthy draught of black oil from R Adm Hara’s replenishment group, they did so at the expense of a heavy drain in op. points. Consequently they found themselves in the middle of a concentration of US submarines and lacked the ability to steam quickly out of the danger area. For that mistake I seem likely to pay with the loss of Hatsuyuki, hit as the carrier groups slowly retired to the north-west.

Hatsuyuki splits from her ASW group and begins what looks like a doomed and futile struggle towards sanctuary at Tulagi, whilst 1 Kido Butai finds itself still enmeshed in a web of submarine threats. Successful disengagement of the carrier force remains far from certain.

Better news from Aoba, however, as her DC parties succeed in getting under control the flooding caused by Stingray’s attack. She has made it to within 120 miles of refuge at Tulagi, and the prospects of saving her look good.




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 147
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 7/7/2008 5:14:24 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		The Battle of Efate: Day 8 – 18 October 1942

The aftermath.

By the end of 17 October several Japanese task forces remained in submarine-infested waters. The carrier task groups in particular were menaced by several boats lurking in the waters up to 120 miles west of 1 Kido Butai’s evening position.

However, at least two of the threatening submarines were assessed to be in transit to new positions astride the carriers’ direct course towards Woodlark Island, and V Adm Nagumo therefore took the calculated risk of altering his retirement route directly into the area in which the enemy submarines had been observed. He judged that by so doing his forces would pass astern of the submarines moving to intercept him and thus gain comparative safety in the open reaches of the Coral Sea.

With submarines reported on the direct route to Espiritu Santo, R Adm Takeda’s Luganville resupply convoy similarly sought to sidestep the threat by steering an easterly course initially so as to bring his ships into the New Hebrides from the north rather than the west.

Both these manoeuvres appear to have had the desired effect: Japanese naval forces had no further encounter with Allied submarines until submarine Thresher located and attacked Takeda’s ships off Espiritu Santo on 19 October – without success.

Whilst the heavily hit remnants of the Allied transport convoys were observed Fiji-bound on 18 October, no further worthwhile attack could be made against them – possibly because all had sunk.

The majority of the protagonists’ surface units having quit the immediate battle area, the initial contest for the New Hebrides area can be treated as being at an end. The Allied powers obtained a toehold on the Japanese perimeter from which they can expand, but at heavy cost, particularly in shipping.

Closing moves shown on the accompanying map. Apologies for the bad colour bleed, particularly with red. Wish we could post PNG images, which don’t seem to suffer from this in the way JPEG images do.




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 148
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 7/7/2008 5:17:12 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		Battle of Efate Postscript: Shipping losses on both sides:




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 149
RE: Nanshin! or the ramblings of Local Yokel: October 1942 - 7/19/2008 2:47:27 PM   
Local Yokel


Posts: 1494
Joined: 2/4/2007
From: Somerset, U.K.
Status: offline 		Aleutian Diversions

Whilst the Japanese South Seas forces unleash a series of air and surface attacks upon Allied naval units in the seas around Efate their colleagues in northern waters do not stand idly by. Since Sa-GO Hoku, their abortive contribution to Japan’s Sakurajima Sakusuen, the carriers and air groups that make up 2nd Kido Butai have restlessly sought a return to Dutch Harbor, with an eye to visiting upon it the strike pre-empted by the storms of July.

Second Mobile Force has been strengthened, for its carriers now include both the converted liners Junyo and Hiyo. The skills of these vessels’ air groups have been so finely honed by prolonged working up in China that in quality if not numbers they are now the equals of 5th Carrier Division’s Shokaku and Zuikaku.

There’s been a command re-shuffle too. 2nd Kido Butai’s long-time commander Yamada Sadayoshi has gone south to share command of the fleet carrier task groups based on Truk, and his place has been taken by the aggressive Yamaguchi Tamon. To partner the firebrand Yamaguchi, the equally belligerent Ugaki Matome has taken up appointment as a task group commander within 2nd Kido Butai; he will normally command the fast light carriers Ryujo, Zuiho and Shoho, whilst Yamaguchi will wield the heavier punch provided by Junyo and Hiyo, whose lesser speed is better suited to a task group that includes the slowest units such as Hosho and Unyo.

Also in the inventory are scout cruisers Mogami and Chiyoda, whose enhanced complements of Type 0 reconnaissance seaplanes provide the force’s routine search component, augmented by carrier aircraft when concealment of the carriers’ presence is outweighed by the demands of target location.

Given the quantity of Allied bombers based on Adak, the Japanese must perforce adopt the same indirect approach to Unalaska as was employed for Sa-GO Hoku, and in September 2nd Kido Butai departs the Chishima Islands on a course looping well to the south of Adak and its search aircraft. What the Japanese have not reckoned with is an encounter with a US submarine, however, and just such a meeting takes place shortly before the force is due to alter its course northward for the run-in to Dutch Harbor. Probably the US boat never catches sight of the Japanese carriers, but Combined Fleet’s operational order brooks no disobedience. It requires a fuming Yamaguchi to assume that in the event of such an encounter his mission’s secrecy has been compromised, and he reverses course accordingly.

In the second week of October 2nd Kido Butai sorties once again, and this time the Japanese are out in force, for a heavy surface action component accompanies the carriers under the command of Rear Admirals Onishi and Nishimura. The surface units include battleships Ise and Hyuga, freshly fitted with centimetric radar, and a brace of Atago class cruisers.

Fortuitously the sortie coincides with an extension of the Allied presence to Amchitka Island, some 180 miles west of Adak, and on 19 and 20 October the small force of bomber and attack aircraft based at Attu strike the ships unloading in Constantine Harbor with limited success. Meanwhile, from the concentration of ships escorting 2nd Kido Butai the Japanese improvise an Amchitka Raiding Group consisting of three destroyers in support of light cruiser Tama, aboard which Onishi breaks his flag as the raiders diverge northward from the main body.

Rounding Amchitka’s East Cape in the early hours of 21 October, Onishi’s force soon encounters the Allied screen consisting of four Flower class corvettes of the Royal Canadian Navy. The contest is as unequal as that fought by Hosogaya off Thursday Island, and whilst the Canadians put up a brave fight it does not suffice to stop the Japanese force from getting amongst the transports after sinking one corvette and heavily damaging two more. Well before dawn Onishi breaks off the action and speeds away to the west, anxious to clear the battle area and deny Adak’s aircraft any opportunity for counter-attack:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Amchitka Island at 94,37
Japanese Ships
CL Tama, Shell hits 2
DD Hatsukaze
DD Umikaze
DD Ariake
Allied Ships
SC Vancouver, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
SC Edmundston, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
SC Quesnel
SC New Westminster, Shell hits 1, on fire
SC Dundas, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Fort Fraser, Shell hits 1
AK Fort Gibraltar, Shell hits 1
AK Fort Kootenay, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Fort La Reine, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Kootenay Park, Shell hits 1
Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 1




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(in reply to Local Yokel)
Post #: 150
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