5 July 1942
The real Indendence Day fireworks show was after midnight
Hawaii, Johnston Island, and Line Islands
My heavy surface group--including Pearl Harbor raid survivors Arizona and Nevada--finally hit Lahaina. The small task force our dive bombers hit yesterday (1 CL, 3 DD) was there to greet us:
The already damaged (and still on fire) Kuma was hit 4 times, at least one time by the North Carolina's main battery. I would guess she's done for. An enemy destroyer took a torpedo and is confirmed sunk, a second destroyer was damaged. The enemy withdrew and got out of our way. Troop casualties were reported from this battle, so it appears these ships were acting as fast transports, bringing troops from Oahu to Lahaina. North Carolina took 2 non-penetrating hits.
At Johnston island, our bombardment group of one light cruiser and 3 destroyers intercepted two cargo ships (one that I recognized as one that escaped a submarine attack a few days ago) as they approached, sinking both with gunfire and torpedoes. They then bombarded their objective, damaging 6 Mavis seaplanes and moderately damaging the airbase. Well, at least we probably know there aren't a bunch of Betties hiding here.
My heavies hit Lahaina next, standing off at long range to mitigate the risk of likely minefields here. We destroyed 16 aircraft on the ground and probably disabled the rest, sank a light cargo ship in port, and caused heavy damage to the airbase facilities.
But we weren't done yet, we had 6 operational B-17s and they all hit the port at Lahaina with smashing success:
ACM Shintohoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AS Rio de Janiero Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
AG Soya, Bomb hits 1, on fire
ACM Kyo Maru #5, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Tokuwa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AGP Banshu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
ACM Toshi Maru #7, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
The three mine tenders going down is huge--minefields gradually dissipate without tenders to maintain them, so that problem is going to solve itself. The enemy CAP shot down two USMC Wildcats escorting the B-17s.
USS Lexington's SBDs bombed Palmyra along with the usual B-26 raid from Christmas Island that's been softening these guys up. We land troops tomorrow.
Another massive supply convoy will arrive at Pearl and unload overnight.
As for invading Lahaina, I'm still standing off for now, but I think in the absence of a KB sighting, I'm going to postpone the op. Just seems like too big a risk when I can just get Pearl/Hickam back online and bomb/shell them as their mines dissipate and supplies dwindle. Hmmm. I'll decide "tomorrow."
Japan
USS Searaven got into a surface battle with an oil-carrying cargo ship near Kobe. The improvised tanker was hit with two detonating torpedoes (and several duds) and a little gunfire; it burned and sank. Searaven was hit twice but damage was minimal.
China
In the Kaifeng/Chengchow area, they swept while we tried to bomb; we lost a Lancer and a Wellington, them 4 Zeroes. Boyington got one of them for his 3rd kill, maybe he'll be an ace before I transfer him to VMF-214 in a month or so.
The enemy's success today came from the army near Chusein, I had run down the routed enemy army and tried to attack again, but it had been reinforced by another division. Casualties 500 to 2000 favoring them. I'm pulling back.
N. Australia
Two of ours, none of theirs.
E. Australia
A Wirraway bombed a sub.
Bay of Bengal
We disengaged from the wolfpack without further incident, disaster averted.
Malaya
Just one Oscar down today, both sides are wearing down.
Reinforcements
BB Valiant arrives at Cape Town
21st Marine Regiment arrives at San Diego (unrestricted, near full strength)