SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - War in the Pacific AAR Thread

Molon Labe · 01-30-23, 04:34 PM

24 November 1943
It's been awhile since we've had air-to-air combat...Kido Butai intervening at Truk?

Japan
USS Tuna hit a 4875-ton cargo ship with 3 torpedoes in a night surface attack over 500 nautical miles east of Japan. Not sure what they were doing that far out; maybe a radical dogleg course for the Marshalls.

Philippine Sea
USS Seadragon torpedoed and destroyed a PB (215 tons) near Legaspi (port base, southeast Luzon).

Java
Our surprise B-24 raid came in waves. Thunderstorms made the attack somewhat lackluster. We still got a few ships. They had 5 Tojos and 9 Nicks on CAP--enough to get past the P-38s escorting the bombers (who didn't have enough fuel to really mix it up this far west) but not enough to actually shoot any bombers down. The bombers shot down 1 Nick.
E W-25, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Murasame, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yamakaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Truk
The regular B-24 raid encountered 24 Zeroes on CAP. P-38 escorts, also lacking fuel, took 4 losses while only downing 1 Zero. No bomber losses. No aircraft are being spotted on the ground by recon, so these Zeroes probably came from carriers. He may be trying to extend a protective umbrella to allow cargo ships to deliver supplies.

Speaking of which, Hellcat escorted SBDs bombed two more cargo ships approaching Truk; 4 Zeroes defended them resulting in a furball in which two Zeroes and 1 Hellcat went down. Both cargo ships were sunk by multiple bomb hits.

Avengers attacked Truk's port--mostly to get any cargo ships that might have made it to the docks. 19 Zeroes intervened and fought the 49 Hellcats escorting the package. This was a low-altitude flight, which gave the Zero a maneuvering advantage, so despite the overwhelming nubmers, losses were 9 Zeroes to 5 Hellcats. They never made it to the Avengers, which caused moderate damage to the port but found no ships to bomb.

Aircraft on ASW patrol around the Yankee Butai reported 3 hits on enemy submarines. Maybe they'll end up crippled in Truk to get picked off like the last 2.

Reinforcements
DD Brown arrives at Los Angeles
DD Wickes arrives at Eastern USA
SS Flounder arrives at Balboa
494th BG/865th BS arrives at Wendover Field
854-875-1871 Engineer Aviation Battalion arrives at San Francisco

Strategic Map. Note the progress in the Dutch East Indies, especially the thrust north up near the Philippines.

01-30-23, 04:34 PM	#737
Molon Labe Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Along the Watchtower Posts: 3,810 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 5	24 November 1943 It's been awhile since we've had air-to-air combat...Kido Butai intervening at Truk? Japan USS Tuna hit a 4875-ton cargo ship with 3 torpedoes in a night surface attack over 500 nautical miles east of Japan. Not sure what they were doing that far out; maybe a radical dogleg course for the Marshalls. Philippine Sea USS Seadragon torpedoed and destroyed a PB (215 tons) near Legaspi (port base, southeast Luzon). Java Our surprise B-24 raid came in waves. Thunderstorms made the attack somewhat lackluster. We still got a few ships. They had 5 Tojos and 9 Nicks on CAP--enough to get past the P-38s escorting the bombers (who didn't have enough fuel to really mix it up this far west) but not enough to actually shoot any bombers down. The bombers shot down 1 Nick. E W-25, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk DD Murasame, Bomb hits 1, on fire DD Yamakaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage Truk The regular B-24 raid encountered 24 Zeroes on CAP. P-38 escorts, also lacking fuel, took 4 losses while only downing 1 Zero. No bomber losses. No aircraft are being spotted on the ground by recon, so these Zeroes probably came from carriers. He may be trying to extend a protective umbrella to allow cargo ships to deliver supplies. Speaking of which, Hellcat escorted SBDs bombed two more cargo ships approaching Truk; 4 Zeroes defended them resulting in a furball in which two Zeroes and 1 Hellcat went down. Both cargo ships were sunk by multiple bomb hits. Avengers attacked Truk's port--mostly to get any cargo ships that might have made it to the docks. 19 Zeroes intervened and fought the 49 Hellcats escorting the package. This was a low-altitude flight, which gave the Zero a maneuvering advantage, so despite the overwhelming nubmers, losses were 9 Zeroes to 5 Hellcats. They never made it to the Avengers, which caused moderate damage to the port but found no ships to bomb. Aircraft on ASW patrol around the Yankee Butai reported 3 hits on enemy submarines. Maybe they'll end up crippled in Truk to get picked off like the last 2. Reinforcements DD Brown arrives at Los Angeles DD Wickes arrives at Eastern USA SS Flounder arrives at Balboa 494th BG/865th BS arrives at Wendover Field 854-875-1871 Engineer Aviation Battalion arrives at San Francisco Strategic Map. Note the progress in the Dutch East Indies, especially the thrust north up near the Philippines. __________________