クーパンとポートモレスビー占領

昭和17年1月2日、Nanyang(南陽)、ポートモレスビー、クーパン、Horn Islandを占領しました。華北の平原は河南省南陽まで続いていて、順当に攻略することができました。ここから西安を目指すわけですが、防御側に有利な森林のヘクスを突破できるでしょうか。今後にご期待。

前回のPBEMでは、ポートモレスビー上陸作戦に一個師団(第4師団)を投入したので、上陸の翌日には占領できました。ポートモレスビーなんて鎧袖一触で粉砕できると感じて、今回は上陸兵力を16聯隊と24聯隊の2個聯隊に減らしてみました。12月27日に上陸して28日のdeliberate attackはfirtificationを0に減らしましたが、オッズ1対1で失敗。29日には決めるつもりでshock attackをかけてオッズ2対1になったのですが、fortificationが1に戻っていて(この戦闘で0に)また失敗。占領後にすぐ飛行場を利用したかったので爆撃を控えたのが裏目に出てしまいました。両聯隊ともdisruptionとfatigueが30近くまで上がってしまったので、しばらく休養をとらせます。飛行場か港にダメージがあるとfortificationの強化工事ができなくなるので、この間はまたfortificationが上がったりしないように、ラバウルから陸攻でせっせと飛行場を爆撃。fatigueは20台でしたが、両聯隊ともdisruptionが13と15まで低下したので、1月2日にもう一度deliberate attackを実行することにしました。しかし連合軍もポートモレスビーを見捨てるつもりはないようで、重巡キャンベラ、オーストラリア、ルイスビルと軽巡3隻のbombardment TFでポートモレスビーの日本軍部隊に夜間の艦砲射撃を実施してきました。リプレイを見ながらこの艦砲射撃には少し驚きましたが、夜が明けての陸戦では無事に占領することができました。

ポートモレスビー攻撃と並行して、アンボンからKure 2nd SNLFを載せた小船団をニューギニア南岸を経由でHorn Islandに向かわせていました。ここまで気付かれずに来ることができ、上陸して即日Horn Islandも占領できました。これで連合軍は、ダーウィンにサプライや燃料や増援を送るのにトレス海峡経由を躊躇することになるのではと思います。

昭和17年1月1日、チモール島のクーパンに148聯隊を上陸させました。周囲にはオランダ軍基地が多数で早すぎる感もないではありません。連合軍側もこの時期のここへの上陸船団には強く反応して、図のように1月1日には少なくとも2つの水上艦隊の接近がみとめられました。日本側はアンボンにAir HQと陸攻を、またチモール島北方にMini KBを配置して、この上陸船団を支援していました。

1月1日に行われた連合軍TF対海軍航空隊のクーパン沖航空戦はというと、アンボンからは2波で合計36機のG3M2 Nellと44機のG4M1 Bettyが、またMini KBからも2波で合計33機のB5N1 Kateと20機のD3A1 Valが攻撃したにもかかわらず、CA ExeterとCA Cornwallに魚雷が一本づつ命中しただけでした。リプレイもコンバットリポートも同じなので、この2本は命中したと思いたいところですが、もし命中していたとしてもあまりにお粗末な戦果でがっかりしてしまいました。イギリスは開戦後一年以上経過しているので、Royal Navyの練度は高いということなのかも知れません。

有力な連合軍の水上艦隊が近くにいるのをおして上陸させるので、扶桑、伊勢、日向と3戦艦を含んだ豪華なボディーガードをつけました。プリンスオブウエールズの健在が判明しているので、このくらいつけておかないと心配なのです。クーパン上陸船団は18ノット以上の優秀船ばかりなので148聯隊を揚陸するとすぐに東方に退避しています。クーパンのヘクスには上陸船団を叩きに連合軍の巡洋艦艦隊が来ていますが、幸いなことに上陸船団は逃げた後でした。連合軍TFがここから帰還するには日本の3戦艦を含んだTFのいるヘクスを通過しなければなりません。航空攻撃ではかすり傷しか与えることができなかったので、この日のリプレイの水上戦闘を見るのが楽しみでした。

2つの連合軍TFと昼夜あわせて5回の水上戦闘が起きました。しかしリプレイを見ると相手の弾の方がよく当たっていて、重巡大破1、軽巡大破2、駆逐艦撃沈2くらいの戦果しかあげられませんでした。夜戦に適切な水上艦隊の艦船数は6~8隻くらいという説がありますが、戦艦を含む12隻だと多すぎたのか。でも、昼間の戦闘もあったんですけどね。やはりRoyal Navyに一日の長があったということでしょうか。元日の航空部隊といい、2日の戦艦部隊といい、昭和17年の始まりは不満の残るというかふがいのないというか、銃後の国民へのお年玉にはならない戦いぶりでした。まあでもクーパンは占領できたので、気を取り直してダーウィンを叩きに行きましょう。

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 01, 42

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Pre-Invasion action off Koepang (68,116)

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships

      CL Oi

      SC Ch 22

      xAP Kokuryu Maru

Japanese ground losses:

      12 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CL Oi firing at Dili Detachment 

SC Ch 22 fired at enemy troops

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Amphibious Assault at Koepang (68,116)

TF 123 troops unloading over beach at Koepang, 68,116

Japanese ground losses:

      27 casualties reported

         Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

      Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

20 troops of a IJA HMG Squad lost in surf during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt

7.7mm T99 AAMG lost in surf during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt /3

10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 148th Infantry Rgt /4

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 108 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      A6M2 Zero x 21

      G3M2 Nell x 19

      G4M1 Betty x 27

Japanese aircraft losses

      G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

      G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships

      CL Enterprise

      CL Caledon

      DD Pillsbury

      CA Exeter, Torpedo hits 1

      CL Glasgow

      CA Cornwall

      DD Peary

Aircraft Attacking:

      14 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

      13 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

      15 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

       4 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet

               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      A5M4 Claude x 4

      B5N1 Kate x 12

      D3A1 Val x 11

Japanese aircraft losses

      B5N1 Kate: 4 damaged

      B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

      D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships

      CL Glasgow

      CA Cornwall

      CL Enterprise

      CA Exeter

Aircraft Attacking:

      11 x D3A1 Val bombing from 15000 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

       3 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

       9 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 6000 feet

               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      A6M2 Zero x 14

      G3M2 Nell x 6

      G4M1 Betty x 17

Japanese aircraft losses

      G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

      G4M1 Betty: 8 damaged

      G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships

      CA Cornwall

      CL Caledon

      CL Glasgow

      CA Exeter

Aircraft Attacking:

      12 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

       3 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet

               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

       4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

       3 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      A6M2 Zero x 7

      G3M2 Nell x 11

Japanese aircraft losses

      G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships

      CL Enterprise

      DD Parrott

      CA Cornwall, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:

      11 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koepang at 68,116

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 101 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      A5M4 Claude x 4

      B5N1 Kate x 21

      D3A1 Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses

      B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships

      CL Enterprise

      CA Exeter

      DD Parrott

      CA Cornwall

Aircraft Attacking:

       9 x D3A1 Val bombing from 15000 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

      12 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 6000 feet

               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

       9 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 6000 feet

               Naval Attack:  2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 02, 42

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Koepang at 68,116, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships

      BB Fuso

      BB Ise, Shell hits 1

      BB Hyuga, Shell hits 7

      CA Myoko, Shell hits 1

      DD Yamagumo

      DD Shiratsuyu

      DD Shigure

      DD Murasame

      DD Harusame

      DD Yudachi

      DD Yugure

      DD Ariake

Allied Ships

      CL Enterprise, Shell hits 1

      CL Glasgow, Shell hits 1

      CL Caledon, Shell hits 2,  on fire

      DD John D. Ford

      DD Parrott, Shell hits 1

      DD Peary

      DD Pillsbury, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 100% moonlight: 12,000 yards

CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards

CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 12,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 12,000 yards

DD Pillsbury sunk by BB Hyuga at 12,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages DD Parrott at 12,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages DD Yamagumo at 12,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 12,000 yards

BB Ise engages CL Glasgow at 12,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 12,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages CA Myoko at 12,000 yards

DD Ariake engages CL Glasgow at 12,000 yards

DD Ariake engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Murasame at 12,000 yards

DD Shigure engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Shiratsuyu at 12,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Yamagumo at 12,000 yards

Range closes to 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 10,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD Parrott at 10,000 yards

DD Yugure engages DD John D. Ford at 10,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Yudachi at 10,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Harusame at 10,000 yards

DD Parrott engages DD Murasame at 10,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Shiratsuyu at 10,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD John D. Ford at 10,000 yards

Range increases to 11,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 11,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 11,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 11,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Shiratsuyu at 11,000 yards

DD Ariake engages DD Parrott at 11,000 yards

DD Yugure engages DD John D. Ford at 11,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Yudachi at 11,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD Peary at 11,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Shigure at 11,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Shiratsuyu at 11,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD John D. Ford at 11,000 yards

Range closes to 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

BB Ise engages CL Enterprise at 10,000 yards

BB Fuso engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages CA Myoko at 10,000 yards

DD Yugure engages DD Parrott at 10,000 yards

DD Yugure engages DD John D. Ford at 10,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD John D. Ford at 10,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Shigure at 10,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD John D. Ford at 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

BB Fuso engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

CA Myoko engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

DD Parrott engages DD Yugure at 10,000 yards

DD Yugure engages DD John D. Ford at 10,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD John D. Ford at 10,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD John D. Ford at 10,000 yards

DD Shigure engages DD Parrott at 10,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Shiratsuyu at 10,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD Parrott at 10,000 yards

Range closes to 9,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 9,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 9,000 yards

BB Fuso engages CL Glasgow at 9,000 yards

DD Parrott engages DD Yugure at 9,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD John D. Ford at 9,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD Peary at 9,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Harusame at 9,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD Parrott at 9,000 yards

DD Parrott engages DD Shigure at 9,000 yards

DD Shiratsuyu engages DD John D. Ford at 9,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD Parrott at 9,000 yards

Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Roti at 67,116, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships

      BB Fuso, Shell hits 3

      BB Ise, Shell hits 1

      BB Hyuga, Shell hits 4

      CA Myoko, Shell hits 1

      DD Yamagumo

      DD Shiratsuyu

      DD Shigure

      DD Murasame

      DD Harusame

      DD Yudachi

      DD Yugure

      DD Ariake

Allied Ships

      CL Enterprise

      CL Glasgow, Shell hits 4

      CL Caledon, Shell hits 4,  on fire

      DD John D. Ford

      DD Parrott, Shell hits 1

      DD Peary, Shell hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 100% moonlight: 12,000 yards

CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards

CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards

Yoshimura, Matake crosses the 'T'

BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 9,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages CA Myoko at 9,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 9,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages DD Peary at 9,000 yards

DD Ariake engages DD Peary at 9,000 yards

DD Yugure engages DD Peary at 9,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD Peary at 9,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD Peary at 9,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD Peary at 9,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages DD Shigure at 9,000 yards

DD Shiratsuyu engages CL Glasgow at 9,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD Peary at 9,000 yards

Range increases to 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 10,000 yards

BB Ise engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

BB Fuso engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD Parrott at 10,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Yugure at 10,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Yudachi at 10,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Murasame at 10,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Shigure at 10,000 yards

DD Shiratsuyu engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

Range closes to 8,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 8,000 yards

BB Ise engages CL Glasgow at 8,000 yards

BB Fuso engages CL Glasgow at 8,000 yards

CA Myoko engages DD Peary at 8,000 yards

DD Ariake engages DD Peary at 8,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Yugure at 8,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD Peary at 8,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD Peary at 8,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD Peary at 8,000 yards

DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Peary at 8,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD Peary at 8,000 yards

Range increases to 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 10,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages CA Myoko at 10,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Ariake at 10,000 yards

DD Yugure engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Shigure at 10,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Yamagumo at 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 10,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages DD Ariake at 10,000 yards

DD Yugure engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Yudachi at 10,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Harusame at 10,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Shigure engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Caledon at 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 10,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Ariake engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Peary engages DD Yugure at 10,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

DD Shiratsuyu engages DD Parrott at 10,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD Peary at 10,000 yards

Range increases to 12,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 12,000 yards

CA Myoko engages CL Glasgow at 12,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 12,000 yards

DD Shigure engages DD Peary at 12,000 yards

DD Parrott engages DD Shigure at 12,000 yards

DD Harusame engages DD Parrott at 12,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD Parrott at 12,000 yards

DD Shigure engages DD Parrott at 12,000 yards

DD Parrott engages DD Shiratsuyu at 12,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD Parrott at 12,000 yards

Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Koepang at 68,116, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships

      BB Fuso

      BB Ise, Shell hits 1

      BB Hyuga, Shell hits 5

      CA Myoko

      DD Yamagumo

      DD Shiratsuyu

      DD Shigure

      DD Murasame

      DD Harusame

      DD Yudachi

      DD Yugure

      DD Ariake

Allied Ships

      CA Cornwall, Shell hits 8,  on fire

      CA Exeter

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 100% moonlight: 12,000 yards

CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards

CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CA Cornwall at 12,000 yards

CA Cornwall engages DD Yugure at 12,000 yards

Range closes to 10,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CA Cornwall at 10,000 yards

BB Ise engages CA Cornwall at 10,000 yards

CA Cornwall engages DD Ariake at 10,000 yards

CA Cornwall engages DD Yamagumo at 10,000 yards

BB Ise engages CA Cornwall at 10,000 yards

CA Cornwall engages DD Ariake at 10,000 yards

Range closes to 8,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CA Exeter at 8,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CA Cornwall at 8,000 yards

CA Myoko engages CA Cornwall at 8,000 yards

CA Cornwall engages DD Ariake at 8,000 yards

CA Cornwall engages DD Yudachi at 8,000 yards

CA Cornwall engages DD Yamagumo at 8,000 yards

Range increases to 11,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CA Exeter at 11,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CA Cornwall at 11,000 yards

CA Cornwall engages DD Murasame at 11,000 yards

Task forces break off...

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Roti at 66,117, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships

      BB Fuso

      BB Ise, Shell hits 1

      BB Hyuga, Shell hits 3

      CA Myoko, Shell hits 2

      DD Yamagumo

      DD Shiratsuyu

      DD Shigure

      DD Murasame

      DD Harusame

      DD Yudachi, Shell hits 1

      DD Yugure

      DD Ariake

Allied Ships

      CL Enterprise

      CL Glasgow, Shell hits 11,  on fire,  heavy damage

      DD John D. Ford, Shell hits 3

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards

CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 24,000 yards

CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 24,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages CA Myoko at 24,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages DD Yudachi at 24,000 yards

Range closes to 21,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 21,000 yards

BB Fuso engages CL Glasgow at 21,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 21,000 yards

BB Fuso engages CL Glasgow at 21,000 yards

Range closes to 18,000 yards

BB Ise engages CL Glasgow at 18,000 yards

BB Fuso engages CL Glasgow at 18,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages DD Yudachi at 18,000 yards

Range closes to 17,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 17,000 yards

BB Ise engages CL Glasgow at 17,000 yards

BB Fuso engages CL Glasgow at 17,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages DD Ariake at 17,000 yards

Range closes to 15,000 yards

CL Enterprise engages CA Myoko at 15,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD John D. Ford at 15,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Harusame at 15,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD John D. Ford at 15,000 yards

Range closes to 13,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 13,000 yards

BB Ise engages CL Glasgow at 13,000 yards

BB Fuso engages CL Glasgow at 13,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD John D. Ford at 13,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD John D. Ford at 13,000 yards

Range closes to 12,000 yards

BB Ise engages CL Glasgow at 12,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Shigure at 12,000 yards

DD Shiratsuyu engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 12,000 yards

CA Myoko engages CL Enterprise at 12,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages CA Myoko at 12,000 yards

DD Yugure engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Murasame at 12,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

Range closes to 8,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Glasgow at 8,000 yards

BB Ise engages CL Glasgow at 8,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD John D. Ford at 8,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages DD Yudachi at 8,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Harusame at 8,000 yards

DD Murasame engages DD John D. Ford at 8,000 yards

DD Shigure engages DD John D. Ford at 8,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Shiratsuyu at 8,000 yards

Range increases to 12,000 yards

BB Ise engages CL Glasgow at 12,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

DD Ariake engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Shigure at 12,000 yards

DD Yamagumo engages DD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards

Range increases to 16,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD John D. Ford at 16,000 yards

DD John D. Ford engages DD Yudachi at 16,000 yards

Range increases to 20,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 20,000 yards

DD Yugure engages DD John D. Ford at 20,000 yards

CA Myoko engages CL Glasgow at 20,000 yards

DD Ariake engages DD John D. Ford at 20,000 yards

DD Yugure engages DD John D. Ford at 20,000 yards

DD Yudachi engages DD John D. Ford at 20,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages DD Harusame at 20,000 yards

CL Glasgow engages DD Shigure at 20,000 yards

Yoshimura, Matake orders Japanese TF to disengage

Range increases to 23,000 yards

BB Hyuga engages CL Enterprise at 23,000 yards

BB Fuso engages CL Glasgow at 23,000 yards

Range increases to 29,000 yards

BB Ise engages CL Glasgow at 29,000 yards

Task forces break off...

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Koepang at 68,118, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships

      BB Fuso

      BB Ise

      BB Hyuga

      CA Myoko

      DD Yamagumo

      DD Shiratsuyu

      DD Shigure

      DD Murasame

      DD Harusame

      DD Yudachi

      DD Yugure

      DD Ariake

Allied Ships

      CL Enterprise

      CL Glasgow,  on fire,  heavy damage

      DD John D. Ford

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards

CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards

Japanese TF attempts to evade combat

Range increases to 25,000 yards...

CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 25,000 yards

Range increases to 30,000 yards...

Both Task Forces evade combat

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Morning Air attack on 41st Chinese Corps, at 85,45 (Nanyang)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-21-Ic Sally x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:

      74 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:

       5 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

       4 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 92nd Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 5th War Area  ...

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Morning Air attack on 41st Chinese Corps, at 85,45 (Nanyang)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-21-Ic Sally x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:

      58 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:

      11 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 6th JNAF AF Unit , at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft

      Hudson I x 3

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:

       3 x Hudson I bombing from 1000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 24th Infantry Regiment, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft

      Wirraway x 9

Allied aircraft losses

      Wirraway: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:

       9 x Wirraway bombing from 5000 feet

               Ground Attack:  2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 16th Infantry Regiment, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft

      B-17D Fortress x 9

      B-17E Fortress x 8

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:

       4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

       4 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

       2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

       5 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

       2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 24th Infantry Regiment ...

Also attacking 2nd Field Artillery Regiment ...

Also attacking 11th JNAF AF Unit  ...

Also attacking 16th Infantry Regiment ...

Also attacking 24th Infantry Regiment ...

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Afternoon Air attack on Koepang , at 68,116 

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      A6M2 Zero x 17

      G3M2 Nell x 8

      G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft

      no flights

Japanese aircraft losses

      G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

      G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

      Vildebeest III: 3 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 18

Airbase supply hits 6

Runway hits 35

Aircraft Attacking:

       9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

       9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

       8 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  2 x 250 kg GP Bomb,  4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Allied Ships

      CA Canberra

      CA Australia

      CA Louisville

      CL Perth

      CL Achilles

      CL Leander

Japanese ground losses:

      7 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CA Canberra firing at 2nd Field Artillery Regiment

CA Australia firing at 2nd Field Artillery Regiment

CA Louisville firing at 2nd Field Artillery Regiment

CL Perth firing at 2nd Field Artillery Regiment

CL Achilles firing at 2nd Field Artillery Regiment

CL Leander firing at 24th Infantry Regiment

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Pre-Invasion action off Horn Island (91,128)

Japanese Ships

      PB Nichi Maru #1

      PB Gamitsu Maru #1

      xAK Tosei Maru

PB Nichi Maru #1 fired at enemy troops

PB Gamitsu Maru #1 fired at enemy troops

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Amphibious Assault at Horn Island (91,128)

TF 8 troops unloading over beach at Horn Island, 91,128

10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of Kure 2nd SNLF 

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Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26124 troops, 374 guns, 195 vehicles, Assault Value = 890

Defending force 20794 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 581

Japanese adjusted assault: 624 

Allied adjusted defense: 209 

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0) 

Japanese forces CAPTURE Nanyang !!!

Combat modifiers

Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)

Attacker: 

Japanese ground losses:

      477 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 45 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

      Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:

      7491 casualties reported

         Squads: 241 destroyed, 45 disabled

         Non Combat: 318 destroyed, 19 disabled

         Engineers: 63 destroyed, 7 disabled

      Guns lost 31 (19 destroyed, 12 disabled)

      Units retreated 7

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:

    3rd Division

    13th Tank Regiment

    9th Armored Car Co 

    36th Division

    14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

    15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

    2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

    51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

    1st Mortar Battalion

    52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:

    92nd Chinese Corps

    29th Chinese Corps

    41st Chinese Corps

    4th Construction Regiment

    22nd Group Army

    5th War Area 

    31st Group Army

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Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3116 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 117

Defending force 1216 troops, 8 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 52

Japanese adjusted assault: 46 

Allied adjusted defense: 9 

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Koepang !!!

Allied aircraft

      no flights

No Allied losses

Combat modifiers

Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), morale(-), experience(-)

Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:

      91 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:

      567 casualties reported

         Squads: 12 destroyed, 28 disabled

         Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 5 disabled

         Engineers: 6 destroyed, 0 disabled

      Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

      Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

      Units retreated 3

Assaulting units:

    148th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:

    Timor Garrison Battalion

    Dili Detachment 

    Koepang Base Force

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Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6478 troops, 91 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 209

Defending force 4352 troops, 60 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 93

Japanese adjusted assault: 97 

Allied adjusted defense: 43 

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0) 

Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Moresby !!!

Allied aircraft

      no flights

No Allied losses

Combat modifiers

Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)

Attacker: 

Japanese ground losses:

      495 casualties reported

         Squads: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:

      1630 casualties reported

         Squads: 35 destroyed, 7 disabled

         Non Combat: 105 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Engineers: 45 destroyed, 0 disabled

      Guns lost 38 (32 destroyed, 6 disabled)

      Vehicles lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)

      Units retreated 6

Assaulting units:

    16th Infantry Regiment

    24th Infantry Regiment

    2nd Field Artillery Regiment

    6th JNAF AF Unit 

    11th JNAF AF Unit 

Defending units:

    Lark Battalion

    49th Australian Battalion

    Port Moresby Brigade

    53rd Australian Bn /1

    15th RAAF Base Force

    Rabaul Det. Base Force

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Ground combat at Horn Island (91,128)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1414 troops, 19 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 59

Defending force 1080 troops, 0 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 30

Japanese adjusted assault: 45 

Allied adjusted defense: 13 

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Horn Island !!!

Allied aircraft

      no flights

No Allied losses

Combat modifiers

Defender: forts(+), op mode(-), leaders(-), preparation(-)

 experience(-)

Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:

      18 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:

      1428 casualties reported

         Squads: 27 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Non Combat: 95 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled

      Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

      Units destroyed 3

Assaulting units:

    Kure 2nd SNLF /3

Defending units:

    A Coy/49th Aus Battalion

    Torres Strait Battalion

    Horn Isl  Det. 

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