LoBaron
Posts: 4776
Joined: 1/26/2003 From: Vienna, Austria Status: offline
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Dec 22, 42: The battle of Ontang Java No combat materialised until afternoon Dec 20th, but then the fireworks began. After a small strike from Ndeni B24s which did not deal any damage the carrier strike arrived, putting bombs on the decks of the major surface combat vessels protecting the Japanese transports. Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 115,131 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 13 minutes Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 12 F4F-4 Wildcat x 30 SBD-3 Dauntless x 97 Allied aircraft losses SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged Japanese Ships BB Musashi, Bomb hits 6, on fire BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 5, on fire CA Haguro BB Fuso DD Teruzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Naganami CA Myoko, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage DD Makigumo DD Makinami DD Yukikaze The appearance of mighty BB Musashi came as a surprise, considering the Thunderstorms 15% hit percentage was satisfying. Clearly none of the hits on the two battleships dealt much damage but Myoko was hit hard and separated from the combat group. No air cover to be seen, where is KB? After sunset the combat group around BB Indiana encountered the separated cripples and finished the job. Myoko is sunk, one dangerous IJN CA less. Night Time Surface Combat, near Ontong Java at 113,131, Range 11,000 Yards Japanese Ships CA Myoko, Shell hits 4, heavy damage DD Teruzuki, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Hamakaze Allied Ships BB Indiana CA Indianapolis CA Louisville CL Perth CL Helena, Shell hits 1 DD Frazier DD Gansevoort DD McCall DD Sterett DD Cummings DD Selfridge, Shell hits 2 The battlegroups lost contact after the initial engagement but engaged a second time in the morning hours. Dec 21st brought more death to sailors with Indiana group intercepting the Japanese battlewagons. It was an uneven duel against the Japanese behemoth Musashi but the USN faught a valiant battle. Day Time Surface Combat, near Ontong Java at 115,131, Range 26,000 Yards Japanese Ships BB Mutsu, Shell hits 2 BB Musashi, Shell hits 1 BB Fuso, Shell hits 5 CA Haguro, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Nachi, Shell hits 8, on fire DD Makigumo, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Makinami, Shell hits 1 DD Naganami DD Yukikaze Allied Ships BB Indiana, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Indianapolis CA Louisville, Shell hits 5, on fire CL Perth, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage CL Helena, Shell hits 4 DD Frazier, Shell hits 1 DD McCall, Shell hits 1, on fire DD Sterett DD Selfridge, Shell hits 1 Brave Indiana came under fire from all 3 enemy battleships and disapeared behind a wall of water as near misses turned the sea into steam. Perthcought a 40inch monster amidships, nearly breaking the small CL in half. On the other side Haguro was last seen retreating north with a slight list belching thick plumes of smoke. Then came the Betties, attacking in small groups of 3-8 planes, obviousely hindered by the weather. Still the number of raids had to cost the USN. CA Louisville, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage DD Gansevoort, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk Indiana was also attacked unsuccessfully but succumbed to her wounds at dusk. The counterattack by the carriers again found the battleships, several 1000lbs hits were scored on Mutsu, Fuso and Musashi and last xAP Naminoue Maru and xAP Hie Maru were found and attacked, receiving 1 and 2 hits. Losses were the following: USN: 1BB, 2 CA (1 already sunk, 1 will sink tonight), 1CL, 2DD, minor damage to other vessels. IJN: 1CA, 2-3DD (conservative estimate, several hits on DDs by Dauntless´ on search missions were reported) 3 IJN BB are searching for their upperworks and minor/medium damage to several other combatants. In addition I might be able to add 2 APs to the list. This battle aint over yet. The next 2 days will decide who won Ontang Java as I still have some cards up the sleeve. I have to say that considering the odds I am already pleased with the result, even if total loss numbers clearly show a IJN tactical victory atm. But the carriers are out of the game and will retreat south. Staying power is yet not the strenght of the USN air arm, and KB could be round the corner any time.
< Message edited by LoBaron -- 5/27/2011 3:33:41 PM >
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