60kig爆弾が32発命中しても軽巡は沈まない

昭和17年7月19日、前日の戦闘でダメージを受けた艦船のうち、26ノットを出せるDD狭霧は単艦でツラギに向けて撤退させていました。しかし夜のうちにDD BenhamとDD Elletにつかまりました。1回目の戦闘では奮起して、被弾5に対して相手にも1発と2発の命中弾を与えて遁走しました。しかし、夜のフェーズのうちに合計3回の戦闘があり撃沈されてしまいました。

きのうダメージを受けずに済んだCL能代と5隻の駆逐艦は、きのう東隣のヘクスにいた連合軍TFに接触。相手はxAP St. Mihel単艦だったので撃沈することができました。しかしその後、米軍空母から2波30機のSBD-3 Dauntlessの攻撃を受け、CL能代に1000ポンド爆弾が3発、DD夕霧に2発が命中して、能代はSys 79, Flt 60, Eng 15, Fire 91、夕霧はSys 40, Flt 63, Eng 6, Fire 11という大きなダメージを受けました。能代の方にはScuttleボタンが表示されてしまいました。Scuttleボタンは誤って押してしまうことを防ぐためだと思うのですが、ふだんは表示されていないものです。Fire 91と大火災なのでもう助かるとは思えず、自沈を選択して相手に献上するVPを10%減らす選択をすべきなのかも知れません。でも、もう一日浮いていてくれれば、明日も連合軍空母からの攻撃の被害担当艦になってくれる可能性があると思って、自沈はさせませんでした。

CL能代と駆逐艦のTFにもツラギへの撤退を指示してあったのですが、今日の時点では損傷艦であるBB金剛やCA鳥海よりも遅れてしまっています。攻撃されることになったのは南の方でぐずぐずしていたからですが、今日のエントリーを書きながら、このTFがぐずぐずしているのは、reaction rangeを0にするのを忘れているからではないかと思い始めています。もともとは連合軍TFに対する襲撃を目的に南下したTFだったので、Max Reactを3か4くらいに設定してあったと思います。ツラギへの撤退を指示した時にこれを0に変更しなくてはいけなかったのですが、今振り返ってみると、変更した記憶がありません。このままだと、明日もこの辺でうろうろして、また航空攻撃を受ける可能性がありますね。まずい。

BB金剛とCA愛宕・鳥海の水上戦闘TF(SCTF)をトラックから出航させる時に、蒼龍・飛龍・翔鶴・瑞鶴の空母4隻の機動部隊もトラックを出航させました。この機動部隊の航路は、ソロモン諸島の東側、SCTFよりももう少しだけ東側を経由して珊瑚海に南下するようにしてありました。距離的にはすこしだけ長いだけなのですが、SCTFよりずっと遅れてしまっていました。SCTFも機動部隊も、構成する艦で一番遅いのは最高速度30ノットの金剛型戦艦で同じです。どうしてこんなに遅れたのか原因が私には分かりません。ともあれ、ようやく珊瑚海の北部に到着。今日はニューカレドニア島のKoumacにいた連合軍TFを攻撃しました。

午前中の第一次攻撃隊は15機の九七艦攻(B5N2 Kate)と36機の九九艦爆(D3A1 Val)。3機のF4F-3A WildcatがCAPしていましたが、71機のゼロ戦(A6M5)がエスコートについていて一蹴。残念ながら在泊艦していたのはCL SumatraとPG Soerabajaだけでした。CL Sumatraには14発の命中弾が報告されていますが、逆に言うと14発も命中して沈まなかったんです。距離7ヘクスは九九艦爆にとってextended rangeになってしまうので、250kg爆弾ではなく60kg爆弾を搭載していたのです。軽巡でも60kg爆弾ではだめなようですね。距離7ヘクスから1000ポンド爆弾を抱えて攻撃できるSBD-3 Dauntlessがうらやましい。魚雷は一本も命中しませんでした。

午後の第二次攻撃隊は46機の九七艦攻と25機の九九艦爆。こんどはF4F-3AとF4F-3とF4F-4とりまぜてWildcatが合計で107機もCAPしていました。午前から午後にかけての航海で米軍空母がこのKoumacに接近してきていて、この攻撃隊は来襲46分前にレーダーで探知されていますから、空母のCAP機がKoumac上空に呼ばれたんでしょう。優秀なレーダーを持っている連合軍が本当にうらやましい。

CAPのWildcatと護衛の67機のゼロ戦との間で激しい空中戦がありました。損失機数をTrackerで確認してみると、ゼロ戦は21機、Wildcatは27機となっています。ゼロ戦には数的不利と、エスコート対CAPの不利がありましたから、大健闘した数字だと思います。ただし、数的不利のために攻撃隊を完璧に守ることはできず、九九艦爆5機と九七艦攻22機が撃墜されてしまいました。攻撃目標のCL Sumatraには60kg爆弾18発と魚雷が一本命中しました。でも沈没した様子はありませんでした。根拠地のヘクスだし、disbandされると沈没せずに済まされそうです。それにしても、多大な犠牲を払ったにも関わらずこの結果ではね。米軍空母の戦闘機を減らしたことに満足しなければいけないところかな。でも、連合軍根拠地の上空だったから、撃墜されても生き残ったパイロットが多そう。

reaction rangeを変更し忘れた駆逐艦TFの運命はかなり悲観的ですが、BB金剛とCA鳥海はなんとか助けたいものです。BB金剛はSys 43, Flt 9, Eng 28、CA鳥海はSys 54, Flt 22, Eng 21とともに鎮火に成功し、ダメージ値もほぼ横ばいです。連合軍空母から逃がすため、今日はツラギに向けてfull speed19ノットで航海させてみることにしました。また、機動部隊はBB金剛とCA鳥海のTFに接近させます。連合軍が空母TFや水上戦闘TFで追撃して来たりすると、明日は一大決戦になるかも知れません。

さて、今日は上記のように九九艦爆の航続距離の短さでがっかりさせられました。このゲームの日本側の九九艦爆はすべてD3A1です。実はその次の型のD3A2は航続距離がもう1ヘクス短いので注意が必要です。その点を論じたA Couple Of Questions On Airframes?というスレがあったので以下に紹介します。このスレはB5N1とB5N2の得失についても扱っていますが、九九艦爆の方だけ訳してみました。実は、うちの九九艦爆がD3A1ばかりなのは、このスレを読んだことがあったからです。

D3A2を研究・製造するのに値する機種だろうか？というのもD3A2はD3A1の改良型というようにはみえないからだ。しかもD3A2の5ヶ月後にはD4Y1が利用可能になる。D4Y1はすべての点で向上している機種だから、研究面ではD4Y1につぎ込んだ方がいいのでは？

PDU offだと、急降下爆撃機の部隊のアップグレードのために多少はD3A2も製造しなければならない。でも、九九艦爆を研究する必要はない。彗星を研究した方がいいね。

必ずしも正しい選択ではないかもしれないが、別の途という意味で、レスしてみる。D3A1とD3A2はとてもよく似ているが、D3A2の方が少しだけ速い。あなたのゲームのRealistic R&Dの設定がどうなっているかにもよるけれども、Realistic R&D offにしてあるのなら、規模30のR&Dライン4本をD3A1にあてて、修理が完了し次第D3A2に機種変更して、R&Dポイントを月に120ずつ得ることができる。1942年の4月にはD3A2のR&Dは完了して、彗星が利用可能になるまで使うことができる。これは、サプライを12万ポイントも費やすに値するかどうか？たぶん、そうではないだろう。でも、あとになるとレーダーの差で有利さが失われるから、この時期に米軍空母と戦うつもりなら、少しでも有利になることは逃すべきではない。そういう意味で、彗星へのR&Dは重要だ。エセックス級空母が登場する前に、彗星が利用できる期間をもたらしてくれる。

D3A2の不利な点は航続距離で、normal rangeが6ヘクスではなく5ヘクスしかない。1ヘクス短くても、速度の向上の方が価値があるの？

これは大きな後退だと思う。1ヘクスの違いのために空母を失うことになるくらいなら、パイロットと機体を失う危険を冒す方がまだましだ。

賛成だ。D3A2は好きじゃない。すでにコメントされているように、航続距離の点で空母の価値を損なってしまう。もちろん、彗星のR&Dには努力を注ぐべきだ。

私も彗星のR&Dに専念して、D3A2はスキップする。航続距離が短いし、彗星の登場まで5ヶ月しかないから。

私のこれまで経験した空母戦では、5ヘクスと6ヘクスの違いは意味を持たなかった(つまり、いずれの空母戦も距離5ヘクス以内で起きた)が、5ヘクスと6ヘクスの違いは空母戦の結果に重大な違いをもたらしうる。D3A2のような航続距離の短い機種は戦術的な選択肢を狭めてしまうと思う。D3A2はDevastator雷撃機のようなもんで、ゲームの結果を変えてしまう可能性のある機種だ。

D3A2は嫌いだ。D3A1でさえB5Nより航続距離が短いのに、もっと短い機種を選ぶの？残念ながら、そんなことはできない。D4Y1もD3A2と同じ航続距離になってしまった(パッチで彗星は増槽をつかえなくなった)が、少なくとも装甲に跳ね返されることのない爆弾を搭載できる。優秀な急降下爆撃機という意味では、D4Y3まで待たなければならない。でもその頃、4ヶ月後には優秀な航続距離の流星が登場する。

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 19, 42

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Sub attack near Toyohara  at 124,48

Japanese Ships

      SC CHa-34

      SC CHa-31

Allied Ships

      SS Grunion

SS Grunion launches 2 torpedoes at SC CHa-34

SC CHa-34 fails to find sub, continues to search...

SC CHa-34 fails to find sub, continues to search...

SC CHa-34 fails to find sub, continues to search...

SC CHa-34 fails to find sub, continues to search...

SC CHa-34 fails to find sub, continues to search...

Escort abandons search for sub

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Brisbane at 105,160, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships

      DD Sagiri, Shell hits 5,  on fire

Allied Ships

      DD Benham, Shell hits 1

      DD Ellet, Shell hits 2

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 35% moonlight: 6,000 yards

Range closes to 22,000 yards...

Range closes to 18,000 yards...

Range closes to 14,000 yards...

Range closes to 10,000 yards...

Range closes to 7,000 yards...

Range closes to 5,000 yards...

CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 5,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Ellet at 5,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Benham at 5,000 yards

Range closes to 2,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 2,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 2,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Benham at 2,000 yards

Range increases to 3,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 3,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Benham at 3,000 yards

Range increases to 5,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 5,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Benham at 5,000 yards

Range increases to 9,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Ellet at 9,000 yards

Range increases to 10,000 yards

DD Benham engages DD Sagiri at 10,000 yards

Range increases to 12,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Ellet at 12,000 yards

Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Koumac at 105,159, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships

      DD Sagiri, Shell hits 5,  heavy fires,  heavy damage

Allied Ships

      DD Benham

      DD Ellet,  on fire

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 35% moonlight: 8,000 yards

Range closes to 24,000 yards...

Range closes to 22,000 yards...

Range closes to 20,000 yards...

CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards

Range closes to 18,000 yards...

Range closes to 16,000 yards...

Range closes to 14,000 yards...

Range closes to 12,000 yards...

Range closes to 11,000 yards...

Range closes to 10,000 yards...

Range closes to 9,000 yards...

Range closes to 8,000 yards...

CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards

CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards

Range closes to 7,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 7,000 yards

Range closes to 6,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Benham at 6,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 6,000 yards

Range increases to 9,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 9,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Benham at 9,000 yards

Range increases to 10,000 yards

Range increases to 12,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 12,000 yards

Range closes to 11,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 11,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Benham at 11,000 yards

Range closes to 8,000 yards

Range increases to 10,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Ellet at 10,000 yards

Range closes to 8,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 8,000 yards

DD Benham engages DD Sagiri at 8,000 yards

Range increases to 11,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 11,000 yards

Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Koumac at 105,158, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships

      DD Sagiri, Shell hits 8,  heavy fires,  heavy damage

Allied Ships

      DD Benham

      DD Ellet,  on fire

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 35% moonlight: 8,000 yards

Range closes to 24,000 yards...

Range closes to 22,000 yards...

Range closes to 20,000 yards...

Range closes to 18,000 yards...

Range closes to 16,000 yards...

Range closes to 14,000 yards...

Range closes to 12,000 yards...

Range closes to 11,000 yards...

Range closes to 10,000 yards...

Range closes to 9,000 yards...

Range closes to 8,000 yards...

CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards

CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards

Gardner, F. crosses the 'T'

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 8,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Benham at 8,000 yards

Range closes to 6,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 6,000 yards

Range closes to 5,000 yards

Range increases to 6,000 yards

DD Ellet engages DD Sagiri at 6,000 yards

Range increases to 9,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Ellet at 9,000 yards

DD Benham engages DD Sagiri at 9,000 yards

Range increases to 10,000 yards

Range closes to 6,000 yards

Range increases to 9,000 yards

DD Sagiri engages DD Benham at 9,000 yards

Task forces break off...

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ASW attack near Hong Kong  at 76,63

Japanese Ships

      DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships

      SS Grampus

SS Grampus launches 4 torpedoes at DD Hamakaze

Grampus bottoming out ....

Sub escapes detection

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Sub attack near Shimizu  at 112,62

Japanese Ships

      DD Makinami

      DD Takanami

Allied Ships

      SS Swordfish

SS Swordfish launches 4 torpedoes at DD Makinami

Swordfish diving deep ....

DD Takanami fails to find sub, continues to search...

DD Takanami fails to find sub, continues to search...

DD Takanami fails to find sub, continues to search...

DD Takanami fails to find sub, continues to search...

DD Takanami attacking submerged sub ....

Escort abandons search for sub

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Noumea at 107,163, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships

      CL Noshiro

      DD Teruzuki

      DD Ikazuchi

      DD Shikinami

      DD Asagiri

      DD Yugiri

Allied Ships

      xAP St. Mihel, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards

Range closes to 20,000 yards...

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

Takehiko, M. crosses the 'T'

Range closes to 18,000 yards

DD Shikinami engages xAP St. Mihel at 18,000 yards

Range closes to 14,000 yards

CL Noshiro engages xAP St. Mihel at 14,000 yards

DD Teruzuki engages xAP St. Mihel at 14,000 yards

Range closes to 12,000 yards

DD Teruzuki engages xAP St. Mihel at 12,000 yards

DD Asagiri engages xAP St. Mihel at 12,000 yards

DD Ikazuchi engages xAP St. Mihel at 12,000 yards

Takehiko, M. orders Japanese TF to disengage

Range closes to 8,000 yards

DD Asagiri engages xAP St. Mihel at 8,000 yards

DD Yugiri engages xAP St. Mihel at 8,000 yards

DD Ikazuchi engages xAP St. Mihel at 8,000 yards

Range increases to 14,000 yards

CL Noshiro engages xAP St. Mihel at 14,000 yards

DD Yugiri engages xAP St. Mihel at 14,000 yards

DD Ikazuchi engages xAP St. Mihel at 14,000 yards

Range increases to 18,000 yards

xAP St. Mihel sunk by CL Noshiro at 18,000 yards

Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

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Morning Air attack on 8th Chinese Corps, at 78,53 , near Hengyang

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-21-Ic Sally x 17

      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 112

      Ki-30 Ann x 18

      Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 31

Japanese aircraft losses

      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 6 damaged

      Ki-30 Ann: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:

      1255 casualties reported

         Squads: 3 destroyed, 49 disabled

         Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 74 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

      Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:

      17 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

       5 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  1 x 100 kg GP Bomb

      13 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  1 x 100 kg GP Bomb

      17 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

      17 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

      17 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

      17 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

      24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

      20 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 18th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 31st Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 94th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 44th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 73rd Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment ...

Also attacking 20th Group Army ...

Also attacking 1st Group Army ...

Also attacking 9th War Area  ...

Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 8th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 18th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 94th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 44th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 8th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 18th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 94th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 44th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 8th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 18th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 94th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 44th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ...

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Morning Air attack on Kweilin , at 76,54 

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 37

      Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9

Japanese aircraft losses

      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:

      5 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 5

Airbase supply hits 5

Runway hits 38

Aircraft Attacking:

      17 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

      20 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 95th Chinese Corps, at 79,53 , near Hengyang

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:

      40 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:

       9 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 14th Chinese Corps ...

Also attacking 95th Chinese Corps ...

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Morning Air attack on 66th Naval Guard Unit, at 101,133 (Milne Bay)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft

      B-25C Mitchell x 3

      Hudson III (LR) x 3

      Bolingbroke IV x 12

Allied aircraft losses

      B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:

      12 x Bolingbroke IV bombing from 6000 feet * 

               Ground Attack:  2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

       3 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

       3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 66th Naval Guard Unit, at 101,133 (Milne Bay)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft

      Hudson III (LR) x 9

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:

       9 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 66th Naval Guard Unit, at 101,133 (Milne Bay)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft

      B-25C Mitchell x 13

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:

      18 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:

      13 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 9th RF Gun Battalion, at 61,43 (Katha)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft

      Blenheim IV x 6

Allied aircraft losses

      Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:

       6 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet

               Ground Attack:  4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 32nd Division, at 85,45 (Nanyang)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft

      B-25C Mitchell x 4

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:

      26 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:

       4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 2000 feet

               Ground Attack:  6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on 87th Naval Guard Unit, at 61,43 (Katha)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft

      B-17E Fortress x 8

      LB-30 Liberator x 5

Allied aircraft losses

      LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:

       8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet

               Ground Attack:  8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

       5 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 7000 feet

               Ground Attack:  8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koumac at 113,156

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      A6M5 Zero x 71

      B5N2 Kate x 15

      D3A1 Val x 36

Allied aircraft

      F4F-3A Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses

      D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

      F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships

      CL Sumatra, Bomb hits 14,  on fire

      PG Soerabaja, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:

       5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' * 

               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

       7 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

       1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' * 

               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

       8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

       2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' * 

               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

       2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' * 

               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

       3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' * 

               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

      11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' * 

               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

       4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' * 

               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

       8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' * 

               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:

VF-3 with F4F-3A Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      (3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)

      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

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

Afternoon Air attack on Katherine , at 76,128 

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      Ki-21-IIa Sally x 15

      Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13

Japanese aircraft losses

      Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 2

Airbase supply hits 1

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:

      15 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet

               Airfield Attack:  4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koumac at 113,156

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      H6K4 Mavis x 1

Allied aircraft

      F4F-3A Wildcat x 21

      F4F-3 Wildcat x 23

      F4F-4 Wildcat x 41

Japanese aircraft losses

      H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:

VF-2 with F4F-3 Wildcat (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      (13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)

      13 plane(s) intercepting now.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Raid is overhead

VF-3 with F4F-3A Wildcat (21 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      (21 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)

      21 plane(s) intercepting now.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Raid is overhead

VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      (10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)

      10 plane(s) intercepting now.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Raid is overhead

VMF-122  with F4F-4 Wildcat (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      (14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)

      14 plane(s) intercepting now.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Raid is overhead

VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      (13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)

      13 plane(s) intercepting now.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Raid is overhead

VMF-221  with F4F-4 Wildcat (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      (14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)

      14 plane(s) intercepting now.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Raid is overhead

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koumac at 113,156

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 108 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft

      A6M5 Zero x 67

      B5N1 Kate x 16

      B5N2 Kate x 30

      D3A1 Val x 25

Allied aircraft

      F4F-3A Wildcat x 21

      F4F-3 Wildcat x 45

      F4F-4 Wildcat x 41

Japanese aircraft losses

      A6M5 Zero: 9 destroyed

      B5N1 Kate: 5 destroyed

      B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged

      D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

      D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses

      F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

      F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships

      CL Sumatra, Bomb hits 18, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire

      KV Quesnel

Aircraft Attacking:

      11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

      11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

       5 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

               Naval Attack:  1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

       6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' * 

               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

       6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' * 

               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

      11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' * 

               Naval Attack:  2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:

VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      (10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)

      6 plane(s) intercepting now.

      4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.

      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes

VF-2 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      (12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)

      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 21 out of immediate contact.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes

      13 planes vectored on to bombers

VF-3 with F4F-3A Wildcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      4 plane(s) intercepting now.

      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 10 out of immediate contact.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes

      14 planes vectored on to bombers

VMF-122  with F4F-4 Wildcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      10 plane(s) intercepting now.

      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes

VMF-211 with F4F-4 Wildcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      9 plane(s) intercepting now.

      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Raid is overhead

VMF-221  with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)

      6 plane(s) intercepting now.

      0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.

      Group patrol altitude is 14000 

      Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Sumatra

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 106,160

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft

      SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

Allied aircraft losses

      SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships

      CL Noshiro, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage

      DD Yugiri

      DD Teruzuki

Aircraft Attacking:

       7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

       4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

       4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Noshiro

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 106,160

Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft

      SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships

      DD Yugiri, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage

      DD Ikazuchi

      DD Asagiri

      CL Noshiro,  heavy fires,  heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:

       8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

       9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Noshiro

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Noumea at 106,160

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.

Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft

      SBD-3 Dauntless x 13

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships

      DD Teruzuki

      DD Shikinami

      DD Asagiri

Aircraft Attacking:

       2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

      11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'

               Naval Attack:  1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 61949 troops, 605 guns, 246 vehicles, Assault Value = 2184

Defending force 156679 troops, 692 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4435

Japanese ground losses:

      25 casualties reported

         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:

      83 casualties reported

         Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled

         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:

    70th Division

    110th Division

    36th Division

    35th Division

    32nd Division

    10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

    3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

    12th Army

    Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment

    6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

    2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

    20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

    11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:

    90th Chinese Corps

    33rd Chinese Corps

    30th Chinese Corps

    77th Chinese Corps

    16th Chinese Corps

    1st Chinese Corps

    17th Chinese Corps

    34th Separate Brigade

    3rd Chinese Corps

    55th Chinese Corps

    57th Chinese Corps

    61st Chinese Corps

    34th Chinese Corps

    92nd Chinese Corps

    82nd Chinese Corps

    76th Chinese Corps

    36th Chinese Corps

    41st Chinese Corps

    47th Chinese Corps

    43rd Chinese Corps

    4th Chinese Cavalry Corps

    2nd Group Army

    19th Chinese Base Force

    4th Group Army

    5th War Area 

    2nd War Area 

    Red Chinese Army

    34th Group Army

    7th Group Army

    8th Group Army

    22nd Group Army

    4th Construction Regiment