La Rose de Toyo II - interdit a Bombee

[Elvis]

9 DECEMBRE 1943



TK Matsushima Maru arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
MTB G-161 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka


Au large de Gasmata, nous envoyons nos vedettes lance torpille attaquer la flotte où se trouvent les porte-avions ennemis...
Avec un peu de chance, nous pourrons peut être parvenir à nous approcher assez près pour tirer avec succès plusieurs torpilles...
Mais arrivé à 15,000 yards, nos petites embarcations sont repérées par les radars ennemis..
Les américains, dont les bâtiments filent beaucoup plus vite que nos vedettes, décident de mettre de la distance et parviennent ainsi à se retirer sans que nos navires n aient pu établir le contact visuel et procéder à l attaque...
Compensation , nous savons que les américains ont donc 2 porte-avions et 4 porte-avions légers sur zone...



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Night Time Surface Combat, near Gasmata at 104,128, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-1
MTB G-2
MTB G-157
MTB G-158
MTB G-159
MTB G-10

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
CV Enterprise II
CVL Independence
CVL Princeton
CVL Cowpens
CVL Monterey
CA Portland
CA Indianapolis
CA Chester
CA Astoria
CA Minneapolis
CA San Francisco
CLAA Atlanta
CLAA San Diego
CLAA Oakland
CLAA Reno
DD Monssen
DD Aaron Ward
DD Laffey
DD Buchanan
DD Lansdowne
DD Farenholt
DD Harding
DD Baldwin
DD Anderson

Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 92% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 15,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 16,000 yards...
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Range increases to 26,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Allied Air Combat TF evades combat



Après avoir attaqué nos petits cargos près de Kiavieng hier, il est probable que les pilotes américains ont signalé la présence de nombreux appareils japonais sur les pistes de l aérodrome à leur retour de mission
En effet, nous utilisons Kavieng comme base secondaire, et tentons de garder profil as car pour le moment, la base ne semble pas avoir attirer l attention de l ennemi..
Enfin 'pour le moment' devrait être plutôt 'jusqu a hier'
Les bombardiers de l USAAF abandonne donc Rabaul pour se concentrer sur Kavieng
La base est complètement anéantie avec de nombreux appareils détruit au sol...




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Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 119
B-24J Liberator x 57
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
B-25G Mitchell x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 6 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 7 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 19 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 53
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 101

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Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 58 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Runway hits 7




19 George, 15 Nick, 10 Zero et 9 Jake détruits au sol...
sans compter les 3 autres Jake abattus par la chasse ennemi lors de leur mission de patrouille....
Sale journée...





Kavieng est sans doute hors de portée pour les B-26+ Marauder basés à Port Moresby
Aussi leurs pilotes optent pour une mission alternative et bombardent les pistes de Lae
Mais il y a bien longtemps que le dernier appareil japonais a décollé de Lae...



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Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 15
F4U-1A Corsair x 7

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 34




Plusieurs cargos tentent de s approcher de Rabaul : il s agit de navires que nous destinions à une évacuation par voie maritime des escadrilles coincées sur Rabaul...
Malheureusement le nœud se resserre de plus en plus sur nos bases de Nouvelle Bretagne et de l archipel des Bismarck, car tout nos navires qui croisent dans cette zone sont désormais impitoyablement attaqués et coulés par l aviation américaine...




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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 46
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 34

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Horei Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 105,123

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 32

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Eli Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Ryugi Maru, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tohuku Maru, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ryujo Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Hohuku Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shinwa Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage




Sans surprise, les alliés s emparent facilement de Gasmata qui n était défendue que par une compagnie de Marines impériaux...
Il faut dire qu en face, les américains ont fait débarquer 2 divisions , 24eme et 27eme divisions....
On notera également la présence de nombreuses unités du génie ainsi qu une large unité de soutien aérien de la Royal Australian Air Force...
Les alliés ne veulent visiblement pas perdre de temps, et transformer Gasmata en une importante base aérienne...




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Ground combat at Gasmata (103,127)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16666 troops, 397 guns, 375 vehicles, Assault Value = 660

Defending force 342 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Allied adjusted assault: 407

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 407 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Gasmata !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
298 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled



Rabaul est évidemment beaucoup mieux défendue avec la 29eme division et 2 régiments en garnison, avec de nombreux ouvrages de fortification (lvl 7), et sans compter notre artillerie côtière qui protège la baie...





Comme d habitude, on se venge sur les Chinois...
Pendant cette trêve due a la nécessité de remettre à niveau nos réserves de supply en 1ere ligne, nous en avons profité pour repositionner à Kweiyang les unités de la 13eme et 23eme armées, désormais reposées...
La vile tombe ainsi facilement entre nos mains et les chinois battent en retraite, non sans avoir subi de lourdes pertes...




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Ground combat at Kweiyang (74,49)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 94857 troops, 987 guns, 1353 vehicles, Assault Value = 3427

Defending force 29947 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 701

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Japanese adjusted assault: 5751

Allied adjusted defense: 321

Japanese assault odds: 17 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweiyang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2442 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 224 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Vehicles lost 23 (1 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
11647 casualties reported
Squads: 421 destroyed, 187 disabled
Non Combat: 203 destroyed, 99 disabled
Engineers: 86 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 18 (12 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 9

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

[Elvis]

Vu qu'il y a peu de chances que Bombee te laisse réparer Rabaul, tu vas tenter l'évacuation de tes escadrilles par bateau? T'as pas quelques AKL qui trainent dans le coin?

Je rebondis sur la question : si l'escadrille ne comporte que des appareils endommagés et la piste est détruite, peux-tu les évacuer par bateau?
Est-ce que si le port est la prochaine cible de l'aviation alliée et que le dommage atteint 100, cette solution sera encore possible?

J'attends avec impatience une belle revanche de l'aéronavale impériale

L'évacuation par voie maritime été effectivement une option, mis je n avais que des AKL, cargos côtiers à Rabaul, et il ne sont pas capables de charger des appareils : il faut au minimum des AK pour constituer une flotte Air Transport
J ai envoyer quelques cargos donc depuis Truk, mais impossible désormais d approcher Rabaul, sans recevoir une pluie de bombe...

Au pire, avec le nombreux supply toujours disponible à Rabaul, j ai toujours la possibilité de 'disbander' l escadrille et de la reconstituer au Japon d ici 45 à 60 jours...
Cela ne posera pas de problème, car j ai déjà de très nombreuses escadrille disponibles qui peuvent être rapidement redéployées à Truk


Sinon effectivement, si le port atteint 100% de dommage, on ne peut plus charger ou décharger troupes et marchandises depuis/dans la base

[Mattheus]

Je n'étais pas sûr qu'on pouvait disband une unité d'aviation quand la base est détruite, mais si c'est le supply qui compte, juste pas perdre de temps à le faire vu qu'il va descendre assez vite avec les bombardements alliés et l'impossibilité de ravitailler Rabaul, surtout quand Gasmata sera devenu opérationnelle.

Les corsaires, si t'as de la chance tu peux tomber sur un gros convoi peu escorté, mais ça fonctionne qu'une fois ou deux, très vite on peut prendre des contremesures efficaces, rien qu'une petite TF de DDs en escorte par exemple qui sera plus efficace que des DDs inclus dans le convoi en combat.
Je l'avais tenté avec des CL us en début de campagne, ça fonctionne sur le premier convoi que tu croises mais ensuite... Par contre, ça oblige ton adversaire a détourné des moyens pour assurer une meilleure protection et/ou chasser tes corsaires, c'est toujours ça de gagner.

[Elvis]

10 DECEMBRE 1943

Aircraft N1K5-J George advances R&D

DD Okinami arrives at Maizuru


Informé de la présence des porte avions ennemis au large de Gasmata, sans doute toujours pour protéger la fin des opérations de débarquements, même si la base est désormais sous contrôle allié, nous avons redirigé nos sous marins sur zone
Le I-173 est le premier sur place et il parvient rapidement à se positionner pour une attaque contre le porte avion léger Independence
Malheureusement aucune des 4 torpilles tirées n atteint son but...
La riposte des destroyers ennemis est plutôt violente



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Sub attack near Gasmata at 104,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-173, hits 6

Allied Ships
CVL Independence
CA San Francisco
CA Astoria
CLAA Oakland
DD Aaron Ward
DD Anderson
DD Baldwin
DD Harding
DD Farenholt

SS I-173 launches 4 torpedoes at CVL Independence


Puis c'est au tour du I-18 de passer à l attaque.
Son commandant reussi a obtenir une solution de tir contre l Enterprise II, un des nouveau porte avion de la classe Essex rebaptisé du même nom que le porte avion coulé en Fevrier 1942...
8 torpilles tirées en eventail, mais une seule frappe le bâtiment sur son flanc babord...
Malheureusement aucune explosion secondaire n est signalée et les dommages semblent légers...
Par contre le I-18 a moins de chance dans sa tentative de retraite car poursuivi par plusieurs destroyers, il est sévèrement grenadé...
Une importante voie d eau commence à inonder le submersible qui n a d autre choix que de faire surface...
Mais il est aussitôt pris pour cible par les canons des destroyers qui le criblent d obus, mettant une fin définitive à sa carrière...

un autre sous marin perdu...
Espérons que les nouveaux équipages en cours de formation seront plus performants...





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Sub attack near Gasmata at 104,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-18, hits 9, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise II, Torpedo hits 1
CA San Francisco
CA Indianapolis
CLAA Atlanta
DD Lansdowne
DD Anderson
DD Baldwin
DD Harding
DD Farenholt

SS I-18 launches 8 torpedoes at CV Enterprise II
DD Anderson attacking submerged sub ...
DD Farenholt attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-18 forced to surface!
DD Anderson firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Baldwin firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Harding firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Farenholt firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves



Après avoir fermé Rabaul, puis Kavieng, l USAAF porte ses efforts contre notre base de Shortalnds, ou ne se trouvent pourtant que quelques hydravions E13A1 Jake




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Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 16

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 10

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Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 78
B-25G Mitchell x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 57

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Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 11

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2

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Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1

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Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1




Tandis que les B-26 Marauder, au rayon plus court, continuent de bombarder Lae



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Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 15
F4U-1 Corsair x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 20



Une partie de nos cargos attaqués la veille à Kavieng par les Sb2C Helldiver sont toujours a flot, même si fortement endommagés
Mais les pilotes américains n ont aucune pitié pour nos marins et reviennent finir le travail
Cependant, devant l activité ennemie croissante en Mer de Corail, nous avons fait appareiller le KB depuis Truk, et une partie des chasseurs A6M5c Zero sont en patrouille au dessus de la base de l archipel des Bismarck
Mais nous n avons que 19 chasseurs à opposer à la soixantaine de F6F Hellcat et SB2C Helldiver
Nos pilotes parviennent à abattre 6 Hellcat, sans aucune perte dans nos rangs, mais ne peuvent empêcher les bombardiers d achever nos cargos...






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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 29
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 33

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Shinkoku Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
xAK Kotobuki Maru #5, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Yahada Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Heizan Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
PB Teshio Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk




En Birmanie, nous organisons un petit raid avec nos Ki-49 IIb Helen pour bombarder les unités ennemies à Akyab et ainsi tenter d identifier les forces ennemies
La RAF n opere pas depuis Akyab, mais un des chasseurs en patrouille au dessus d Akyab, à 120 miles au nord est detourné pour intercepter nos bombardiers...
Heureusement, nos bimoteurs sont escortés par 29 Ki-43 IIIa Oscar et le pilote anglais reste sagement à distance, évitant le combat...
Néanmoins, nos pilotes sont formels, il s agit là d un tout nouvel appareil en activité sur ce front, que nous identifions comme le Spitfire Vc Tropical....
Les anglais ont des nouveaux jouets pour remplacer les vieux Hurricane IIc

Spitfire Vc Trop de la RAF en Birmanie
On notera que la RAF a supprimé les ronds rouges au centre des cocardes pour eviter confusion avec les appareils japonais




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Morning Air attack on 254th Armoured Brigade, at 54,45 (Akyab)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 29
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



En Chine, nous reprenons les bombardements d artillerie contre la poche située à l Ouest de Chihkiang...



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Ground combat at 77,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1870 troops, 192 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 5675

Defending force 121422 troops, 282 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3875

Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

[Elvis]

Je n'étais pas sûr qu'on pouvait disband une unité d'aviation quand la base est détruite, mais si c'est le supply qui compte, juste pas perdre de temps à le faire vu qu'il va descendre assez vite avec les bombardements alliés et l'impossibilité de ravitailler Rabaul, surtout quand Gasmata sera devenu opérationnelle.

Les corsaires, si t'as de la chance tu peux tomber sur un gros convoi peu escorté, mais ça fonctionne qu'une fois ou deux, très vite on peut prendre des contremesures efficaces, rien qu'une petite TF de DDs en escorte par exemple qui sera plus efficace que des DDs inclus dans le convoi en combat.
Je l'avais tenté avec des CL us en début de campagne, ça fonctionne sur le premier convoi que tu croises mais ensuite... Par contre, ça oblige ton adversaire a détourné des moyens pour assurer une meilleure protection et/ou chasser tes corsaires, c'est toujours ça de gagner.

Exact : les navires d escorte au sein des convoi de transport ne serviront que d ecran en cas de bataille navale, et ne seront donc pas très performants lors de l engagement
Ils seront par contre très utiles pour empêcher les sous marins ennemis de s approcher de trop près
Mais si on veut protéger les convois contre des navires de surface ennemis, il faut placer une TF de combat distincte, en ordre 'follow' : la TF engagera alors toute flotte ennemie qui tentera d attaquer le convoi
re ; ne jamais mettre de CA ou CL au sein d une flotte de transport pour la protéger...

[griffon]

J'ai appris quelque chose !

[Elvis]

11 DECEMBRE 1943


Depuis plusieurs jours, nous avons repéré une flotte de cargo ancrée à Cox Bazaar, certainement pour décharger du ravitaillement en vue de la prochaine offensive alliée...
Nous décidons de renvoyer notre flotte de combat menée par le croiseurs Mogami avec 2 autres croiseurs lourds, 3 croiseurs légers et quelques destroyers...
Malheureusement, pas de signe des navires marchands qui semblent avoir pris la poudre d escampette avant l arrivée de notre flotte...
Il n y a plus que 2 petits démineurs qui trainent dans le coin...
Tant pis, c est mieux que rien à se mettre sous la dent...




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Night Time Surface Combat, near Cox's Bazar at 54,43, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Mogami
CA Kumano
CL Sendai
CL Jintsu
CL Nagara
DD Asashio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami
DD Asagiri
DD Mutsuki

Allied Ships
AMc Agra, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
AMc Calcutta, Shell hits 7, and is sunk



Mais avant de repartir vers le Sud, nos navires n oublient de laisser une petite trace de leur passage en envoyant leurs obus sur la base, et en particulier sur les pistes d aviation, endommageant de nombreux appareils....



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Night Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 28 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Spitfire Vc Trop: 32 damaged
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim VD: 42 damaged
Blenheim VD: 1 destroyed on ground

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Mogami
CA Myoko
CL Nagara
CL Jintsu
CL Sendai
DD Mutsuki
DD Asagiri
DD Ayanami
DD Shikinami
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
DD Asashio

Allied ground losses:
197 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Airbase hits 64
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 102
Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 1


Une opération coordonnée avec nos forces aériennes en Birmanie, car au petit matin nous envoyons une 40aine de George saluer leurs homologues de la RAF au dessus de d Akyab
Les anglais ne peuvent faire décoller que 5 Spitfire du 615 Squadron
4 sont envoyés au tapis et le dernier s enfuit à travers les nuages, sans aucune perte subie dans nos rangs..



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 45

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 3 destroyed




Dans le Pacifique Sud, nous avons fait appareiller nos vedettes lance-torpille depuis Rabaul pour attaquer la flotte de porte-avions ennemis près de Gasmata
Cette fois ci, les radars américains n ont pas réussi a déceler l approche de nos petites embarcations, et nos vedettes peuvent passer à l attaque...
Les américains réagissent cependant rapidement avec les destroyers se plaçant en écran devant les porte avions, tandis que les croiseurs légers ouvrent le feu sur nos vedettes...
Plusieurs torpilles sont lancées, mais malheureusement aucune d elle ne trouve sa cble...
Par contre les tirs de riposte ennemies sont très précis, et 3 des 6 vedettes sont rapidement coulées...
La mission est un échec et le commandant Fujita décide de battre en retraite pour protéger nos 3 vedettes restantes, qui sont nos derniers bâtiments présents dans cette région...
Re : on notera que l Enterprise II qui avait été frappé la veille par une torpille tirée du sous marin I-18, tient toujours sa place au sein de la flotte ennemie et ne semble pas avoir été sérieusement endommagé...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Gasmata at 104,128, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-1
MTB G-2, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-157, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-158
MTB G-159
MTB G-10, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
CV Enterprise II
CVL Independence
CVL Princeton
CVL Cowpens
CVL Monterey
CA Portland
CA Indianapolis
CA Chester
CA Astoria
CA Minneapolis
CA San Francisco
CLAA Atlanta
CLAA San Diego
CLAA Oakland
CLAA Reno
DD Monssen
DD Aaron Ward
DD Laffey
DD Buchanan
DD Lansdowne
DD Farenholt
DD Harding
DD Baldwin
DD Anderson

Poor visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
CA San Francisco collides with CLAA Reno at 104 , 128
MTB G-157 sunk by DD Baldwin at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CV Enterprise II , CV Bunker Hill screened from combat
- escorted by DD Anderson , DD Baldwin , DD Harding ,
DD Farenholt , DD Lansdowne , DD Buchanan ,
DD Laffey , DD Aaron Ward , DD Monssen
CA Portland engages MTB G-2 at 11,000 yards
MTB G-2 sunk by CLAA San Diego at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CV Enterprise II , CV Bunker Hill , CVL Monterey ,
CVL Cowpens , CVL Princeton , CVL Independence screened from combat
- escorted by DD Anderson , DD Baldwin , DD Harding ,
DD Farenholt , DD Lansdowne , DD Buchanan ,
DD Laffey , DD Aaron Ward
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CV Enterprise II , CV Bunker Hill , CVL Monterey ,
CVL Cowpens , CVL Princeton , CVL Independence screened from combat
- escorted by DD Anderson , DD Baldwin , DD Harding ,
DD Farenholt , DD Lansdowne , DD Buchanan ,
DD Laffey , DD Aaron Ward
MTB G-10 sunk by CLAA Oakland at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CV Enterprise II , CV Bunker Hill , CVL Monterey ,
CVL Cowpens , CVL Princeton , CVL Independence screened from combat
- escorted by DD Anderson , DD Baldwin , DD Harding ,
DD Farenholt , DD Lansdowne , DD Buchanan ,
DD Laffey , DD Aaron Ward
Range increases to 16,000 yards
CV Enterprise II , CV Bunker Hill , CVL Monterey ,
CVL Cowpens , CVL Princeton , CVL Independence screened from combat
- escorted by DD Anderson , DD Baldwin , DD Harding ,
DD Farenholt , DD Lansdowne , DD Buchanan ,
DD Laffey , DD Aaron Ward
Range increases to 19,000 yards
CV Enterprise II , CV Bunker Hill , CVL Monterey ,
CVL Cowpens , CVL Princeton , CVL Independence screened from combat
- escorted by DD Anderson , DD Baldwin , DD Harding ,
DD Farenholt , DD Lansdowne , DD Buchanan ,
DD Laffey , DD Aaron Ward
CA Astoria engages MTB G-159 at 19,000 yards
Fujita S. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CV Enterprise II , CV Bunker Hill screened from combat
- escorted by DD Anderson , DD Baldwin , DD Harding ,
DD Farenholt , DD Lansdowne , DD Buchanan ,
DD Laffey , DD Aaron Ward , DD Monssen
Range increases to 29,000 yards
CV Enterprise II , CV Bunker Hill , CVL Monterey ,
CVL Cowpens screened from combat
Task forces break off...



Au Petit matin, mes opération de bombardements de l USAAF se poursuivent
Cette fois ci, il semble qu ils se sont répartis le travail, bomabrdant plusieurs objectifs le même jour..
... Shortlands...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 26

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 12

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 11

No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 5

No Allied losses

Runway hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 16
B-25G Mitchell x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25G Mitchell x 8

Allied aircraft losses
B-25G Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 2




...Kavieng, essentiellement visé par les quadrimoteurs B-17 et B-24,détruisant à nouveau plusieurs de nos appareils au sol....




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 54
B-24J Liberator x 21
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9
B-25G Mitchell x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 9 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 5
B-24D1 Liberator x 23
B-24J Liberator x 8
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Runway hits 2

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2




... Lae, destination favorite des B-26 Marauder




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 12
F4U-1A Corsair x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3





Pendant ce temps, en Chine...



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

Ground combat at 77,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1870 troops, 192 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 5673

Defending force 121207 troops, 275 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3860

Allied ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[Elvis]

12 DECEMBRE 1943

MTB G-162 arrives at Shimizu

Aircraft Ki-84r Frank advances R&D


Nos sous marins croisent toujours au large de Gasmata à la recherche d une proie juteuse, mais comme le plus souvent, ce sont les destroyers américains qui mènent la danse, surtout quand nos insouciants commandants de submersible décident de les engager d leur propre chef



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Gasmata at 104,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-169, hits 1

Allied Ships
DE Griswold
AK Sterope
LCI-448
DE Wileman
DE Steele

SS I-169 launches 2 torpedoes at DE Griswold
I-169 diving deep ....


Shortlands est toujours la cible des B-25 Mitchell et A-20 Havoc....
Les pistes sont bien évidemment détruites, mais sans conséquences car nous n avons là qu une poignée d hydravion E13A1 Jake, destinée à surveiller le traffic maritime ennemi





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 21
B-25D1 Mitchell x 50
B-25G Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 22
B-25G Mitchell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 1 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed by flak

Runway hits 4




En fait, l USAAF concentre surtout ses efforts sur Kavieng en envoyant des centaines de bombardiers lourds, sans doute dans l espoir de détruire au sol, nos appareils qui n ont toujours pas pu etre évacués sur Truk...




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 132
B-24J Liberator x 40
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9
B-25G Mitchell x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 2 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
H8K2-L Emily: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 14 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 30
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 92


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 21
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 17
B-25G Mitchell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 8

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4





En Chine, notre aviation est très loin d avoir la puissance de destruction des alliés, et nous utilisosn au mieux nos escadrilles de Ki-49 II Helen pour bombarder les chinois à l Est de Chihkiang




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 14th Chinese Corps, at 77,50 , near Chihkiang

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 39
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Also attacking 97th Chinese Corps ...




tandis qu au sol, nous poursuivons les tirs d artillerie....





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

Ground combat at 77,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1870 troops, 192 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 5674

Defending force 120917 troops, 264 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3842

Allied ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[Elvis]

13 DECEMBRE 1943

AO Shioya arrives at Hiroshima/Kure


Toujours peu de succès avec nos sous marins qui patrouillent au Sud de la Nouvelle Bretagne...
Il faut dire que les flottes ennemies sont fortement escortées, et lorsqu un de nos sous marins est repéré , il est aussitôt engagé, comme pour le RO-68..




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Gasmata at 104,128

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68, hits 5

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Wichita
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Bagley
DD Morris
DD Swanson
DD McCall
DD Gridley
DD Craven
DD Jarvis

SS RO-68 is sighted by escort


Alors, forcement, c 'est encore plus compliqué lorsque nos submersibles engagent directement, et manquent, leur adversaire désigné...
le I-169 engage le destroyer Sterett après avoir tenté sa chance la veille contre le destroyer Griswold...




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Woodlark Island at 104,132

Japanese Ships
SS I-169, hits 3

Allied Ships
DD Sterett
CL Montpelier
CL Helena
CL Richmond
DD Mahan
DD Stuart
DD Conyngham
DD Drayton
DD Cummings

SS I-169 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Sterett



Le RO-102 n'est pas en reste en tirant sans succes 2 torpilles contre le destroyer Pringle au sein d une flotte comportant plusieurs cuirassés...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Kiriwina Island at 104,131

Japanese Ships
SS RO-102, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Pringle
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB South Dakota
DD Spence
DD Renshaw
DD McKee
DD Nicholson
DD Waller
DD Thatcher
DD Stevens

SS RO-102 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Pringle
RO-102 diving deep ....



Pas découragé par sa récente déconvenue, le commandant du RO-102 tente à nouveau de passer à l attaque...
Mais dans cette profession, l entêtement peut se révéler fatal....
Alors forcement quand on attaque une flotte composée de nombreux destroyers, il faut s attendre a des conséquences très fâcheuses...




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Kiriwina Island at 104,131

Japanese Ships
SS RO-102, hits 32, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD McKee
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB South Dakota
DD Spence
DD Renshaw
DD Nicholson
DD Waller
DD Thatcher
DD Stevens

SS RO-102 launches 4 torpedoes at DD McKee
SS RO-102 forced to surface!
DD Stevens firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Nicholson firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Waller firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Thatcher firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves



Les alliés bombardent toujours allègrement nos bases de Shortlands....




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 18

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 87
B-25G Mitchell x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 49

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25G Mitchell x 11

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13


... de Lae....



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 15
F4U-1A Corsair x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 8




.... et de Kavieng...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 135
B-24J Liberator x 48
B-25D1 Mitchell x 30
B-25G Mitchell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 15 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 7 damaged

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 45

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 19
B-25G Mitchell x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 7
B-25G Mitchell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Runway hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4




tandis qu en Chine...




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

Ground combat at 77,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1870 troops, 192 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 5674

Defending force 120851 troops, 255 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3839

Allied ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[Elvis]

14 DECEMBRE 1943


Previous report of sinking of CA Louisville incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service

SS RO-43 arrives at Cam Ranh Bay
SS I-52 arrives at Takamatsu

2 nouveaux sous marins, cela n est pas de trop pour compenser les pertes...


.. car un nouveau submersible ne rentrera plus...
Endommagé par le destroyer Thracian, le I-169 doit faire surface en urgence, et il est aussitôt achevé par les autres destroyers présents dans le convoi ...




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Milne Bay at 101,135

Japanese Ships
SS I-169, hits 21, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DE Gilmore
DE Carlson
DE Electra
AK Chicot
AK Draco
AK Cetus
AK Cassiopeia
xAP Morinda
xAP Koolinda
xAP Rochussen
xAP Camphuys
xAP Kota Baroe
xAP Diomed
DD Thracian
DD Litchfield
DD Paul Jones

SS I-169 is sighted by escort
DD Thracian attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-169 forced to surface!
DD Thracian firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Litchfield firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Paul Jones firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves




Mais c est en Nouvelle Bretagne, à Rabaul que se dirige toute notre attention
Une importante flotte d invasion, une fois de plus non repérée à l avance entre dans la rade....
Les américains opèrent là leur première large opération amphibie, et accumulent de nombreuses erreurs :
la flotte d invasion n'est pas précédée par des démineurs pour ouvrir des chenaux dans les champs de mines qui protègent la base...
2 porte-avions d escorte, le Breton et l Anzio heurtent chacun une mine, ainsi qu un crosieur léger et un destroyer...
Mais pour info, les mines type 4 japonaise ont une tres faible puissnce explosive et donc ne sont pas forcement 'mortelles' pour les navires alliés, surtout de fort tonnage..



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 143 encounters mine field at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Ships
CVE Breton, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 108 encounters mine field at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Ships
CL Denver, Mine hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 240 encounters mine field at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Ships
DD Spence, Mine hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 255 encounters mine field at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Ships
CVE Anzio, Mine hits 1




Autre erruer, il n y a pas de flotte d escorte pour proteger la flotte d invasion, aussi nos 3 vedettes lance torpilles toujours en service peuvent livrer un baroud d honneur, semant la confusion parmi les dizaines de navires de tout type et de diffèrent tonnage qui approche des cotes
Le porte avion Breton, qui a deja heurté une mine, recoit une torpille ainsi qu un cargo chargé de troupe
alors que les destroyers américains manœuvrent brusquement pour protéger la flotte et engager nos vedettes, une incroyable confusion règne alors dans la flotte ennemie qui est beaucoup trop grande et rigide pour réagir proprement
De nombreux navires entre en collision, en particulier avec des petites barges de débarquement, LCI, qui ne résistent pas à de tels chocs et sombrent rapidement avec les hommes et matériels à leurs bord...
Autre erreur donc de notre adversaire qui aurait du diviser ses forces en plusieurs flottes, plus petites et homogènes, et en particulier éviter d y mêler les porte avions d escorte qui auraient du être placés dans des flottes de support à l invasion...
2 des vedettes coulées, et la 3eme ayant épuisé ses torpilles, le capitaine Fujita n a d'autre choix que de rompre le combat et ne peux empêcher la flotte d invasion de débuter les opérations de débarquement...




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-1
MTB G-158, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-159, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CVE Breton, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CL Leander
CL Achilles
CL Java, Shell hits 1
CL Danae
DD Jenkins
DD LaVallette
DD Maury
DD Benham
DD Flusser
DD Tucker
DD Porter
APD Little
APD Herbert
APD Dickerson
APA Wharton
AP Zeilin
AP Henry T. Allen
APA W.A. Holbrook
APA William P. Biddle
APA Neville
APA McCawley
APA Henderson
APA Ormsby
APA Pierce
APA Cambria
APA Custer
APA Du Page
APA Elmore
APA Fayette
AKA Alcyon
AKA Thuban
AKA Virgo
AKA Centarus
AKA Aquarius
AKA Castor
LSD Ashland
LSD Belle Grove
LSD Carter Hall
LCI-23
LCI-75
LCI-83
LCI-84
LCI-85, heavy damage
LCI-216, and is sunk
LCI-217, and is sunk
LCI-219, and is sunk
LCI-327, heavy damage
LCI-330
LCI-331
LCI-332
LCI-333
LCI-334
LCI-335
LCI-400
LCI-402
xAK Peter Kerr
xAK Cape Alexander, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
380 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 40 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 25 (10 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (4 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Low visibility due to Rain with 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 92% moonlight: 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
AP Henry T. Allen collides with LCI-216 at 106 , 125
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby , APA Henderson ,
APA McCawley , APA Neville , APA William P. Biddle ,
APA W.A. Holbrook , APA Wharton , APD Little ,
AKA Castor , AKA Aquarius , AKA Centarus ,
AKA Virgo , AKA Thuban , AKA Alcyon ,
LSD Carter Hall , LSD Belle Grove , LSD Ashland ,
AP Henry T. Allen , AP Zeilin , LCI-402 ,
LCI-400 , LCI-335 , LCI-334 ,
LCI-333 , LCI-332 , LCI-331 ,
LCI-330 , LCI-327 , LCI-219 ,
LCI-217 , LCI-216 , LCI-85 ,
LCI-84 , LCI-83 , LCI-75 ,
LCI-23 , xAP Montoro , xAP Ormiston ,
xAP Limerick , xAP Matua , xAP Nairana ,
xAP Malaita , xAP Merkur , xAP Marella ,
xAP Rangatira , xAP Mataroa , xAP Kota Agoeng ,
xAP Tabinta , xAP Poelau Laut , xAP Noordam ,
xAP Lycaon , xAP Cape Victory , xAP Cape San Juan ,
xAP Cape Neddick , xAP Cape Mendocino , xAP Cape Johnson ,
xAP Cape Cleare , xAP Cape Perpetua , xAP Cape Newenham ,
xAK Overseas Lena , xAK Exhibitor , xAK General Fleisher ,
xAK Cape Fear , xAK Cape Constantine , xAK Alcoa Puritan ,
xAK Typhoon , xAK Simoon , xAK Sea Snipe screened from combat
- escorted by DD Porter , DD Flusser , DD Benham
MTB G-159 engages xAK Cape Isabel at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
APA W.A. Holbrook collides with LCI-216 at 106 , 125
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby screened from combat
- escorted by DD Porter , DD Tucker , DD Flusser ,
DD Benham , DD Maury , DD LaVallette ,
DD Jenkins , APD Dickerson , APD Herbert
Range closes to 5,000 yards
xAK Red Jacket collides with LCI-219 at 106 , 125
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby , APA Henderson ,
APA McCawley , APA Neville , APA William P. Biddle ,
APA W.A. Holbrook , APA Wharton , APD Little ,
AKA Castor , AKA Aquarius , AKA Centarus ,
AKA Virgo , AKA Thuban , AKA Alcyon ,
LSD Carter Hall , LSD Belle Grove , LSD Ashland ,
AP Henry T. Allen , AP Zeilin , LCI-402 ,
LCI-400 , LCI-335 , LCI-334 ,
LCI-333 , LCI-332 , LCI-331 ,
LCI-330 , LCI-327 , LCI-219 ,
LCI-217 , LCI-85 , LCI-84 ,
LCI-83 , LCI-75 , LCI-23 ,
xAP Montoro , xAP Ormiston , xAP Limerick screened from combat
- escorted by DD Tucker , DD Flusser , DD Benham ,
DD Maury , DD LaVallette , DD Jenkins
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby , APA Henderson ,
APA McCawley , APA Neville , APA William P. Biddle ,
APA W.A. Holbrook , APA Wharton , APD Little ,
AKA Castor , AKA Aquarius , AKA Centarus screened from combat
- escorted by DD Porter , DD Tucker , DD Flusser ,
DD Benham , DD Maury , DD LaVallette ,
DD Jenkins , APD Herbert
LCI-331 collides with LCI-217 at 106 , 125
MTB G-159 engages CVE Breton at 2,000 yards
MTB G-1 engages APD Dickerson at 2,000 yards
MTB G-159 engages xAK Cape Alexander at 2,000 yards
LCI-217 collides with LCI-219 at 106 , 125
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce screened from combat
- escorted by DD Porter , DD Tucker , DD Flusser ,
DD Benham , DD Maury , DD LaVallette ,
DD Jenkins , APD Dickerson , APD Herbert
CL Java engages MTB G-159 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-159 engages LSD Ashland at 2,000 yards
MTB G-159 engages LCI-85 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-159 engages xAK Cape Alexander at 2,000 yards
APA Wharton collides with LCI-217 at 106 , 125
AKA Aquarius collides with LCI-217 at 106 , 125
xAK Sea Snipe collides with LCI-219 at 106 , 125
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby , APA Henderson ,
APA McCawley , APA Neville , APA William P. Biddle ,
APA W.A. Holbrook , APA Wharton , APD Little ,
AKA Castor , AKA Aquarius , AKA Centarus ,
AKA Virgo , AKA Thuban , AKA Alcyon ,
LSD Carter Hall , LSD Belle Grove , LSD Ashland ,
AP Henry T. Allen , AP Zeilin , LCI-402 ,
LCI-400 , LCI-335 , LCI-334 ,
LCI-333 , LCI-332 , LCI-331 ,
LCI-330 , LCI-327 , LCI-219 ,
LCI-217 , LCI-85 , LCI-84 ,
LCI-83 , LCI-75 , LCI-23 ,
xAP Montoro , xAP Ormiston , xAP Limerick ,
xAP Matua , xAP Nairana , xAP Malaita ,
xAP Merkur , xAP Marella screened from combat
CL Java engages MTB G-159 at 2,000 yards
CL Leander collides with LCI-85 at 106 , 125
xAP Rangatira collides with LCI-327 at 106 , 125
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby , APA Henderson ,
APA McCawley , APA Neville , APA William P. Biddle ,
APA W.A. Holbrook , APA Wharton , APD Herbert ,
APD Little , AKA Castor , AKA Aquarius ,
AKA Centarus , AKA Virgo , AKA Thuban ,
AKA Alcyon , LSD Carter Hall , LSD Belle Grove ,
LSD Ashland , AP Henry T. Allen , AP Zeilin ,
LCI-402 , LCI-400 , LCI-335 ,
LCI-334 , LCI-333 , LCI-332 ,
LCI-331 , LCI-330 , LCI-327 ,
LCI-85 , LCI-84 , LCI-83 ,
LCI-75 , LCI-23 , xAP Montoro ,
xAP Ormiston , xAP Limerick , xAP Matua ,
xAP Nairana , xAP Malaita , xAP Merkur ,
xAP Marella , xAP Rangatira , xAP Mataroa ,
xAP Kota Agoeng , xAP Tabinta , xAP Poelau Laut ,
xAP Noordam , xAP Lycaon , xAP Cape Victory ,
xAP Cape San Juan , xAP Cape Neddick , xAP Cape Mendocino ,
xAP Cape Johnson , xAP Cape Cleare , xAP Cape Perpetua ,
xAP Cape Newenham , xAK Overseas Lena , xAK Exhibitor ,
xAK General Fleisher , xAK Cape Fear , xAK Cape Constantine ,
xAK Alcoa Puritan , xAK Typhoon , xAK Simoon ,
xAK Sea Snipe , xAK Santa Monica , xAK Santa Isabel ,
xAK Robin Wentley , xAK Dashing Wave , xAK Cape Sandy ,
xAK Cape Isabel , xAK Cape Alexander , xAK Ruth Alexander ,
xAK Red Jacket , xAK Sea Fox , xAK Sidney Hauptmann ,
xAK Peter Kerr screened from combat
- escorted by DD Tucker
MTB G-159 engages APD Dickerson at 2,000 yards
MTB G-1 engages DD Porter at 2,000 yards
APD Dickerson engages MTB G-159 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby , APA Henderson ,
APA McCawley , APA Neville , APA William P. Biddle ,
APA W.A. Holbrook , APA Wharton screened from combat
- escorted by DD Porter , DD Tucker , DD Flusser ,
DD Benham , DD Maury , DD LaVallette ,
DD Jenkins , APD Dickerson , APD Herbert
MTB G-159 engages AKA Alcyon at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
xAP Rangatira collides with LCI-327 at 106 , 125
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby , APA Henderson ,
APA McCawley , APA Neville , APA William P. Biddle ,
APA W.A. Holbrook , APA Wharton , APD Herbert ,
APD Little , AKA Castor , AKA Aquarius ,
AKA Centarus , AKA Virgo , AKA Thuban ,
AKA Alcyon , LSD Carter Hall , LSD Belle Grove ,
LSD Ashland , AP Henry T. Allen , AP Zeilin screened from combat
- escorted by DD Porter , DD Tucker , DD Flusser ,
DD Benham , DD Maury , APD Dickerson
CL Java engages MTB G-159 at 3,000 yards
CL Achilles engages MTB G-1 at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Leander collides with LCI-85 at 106 , 125
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby , APA Henderson ,
APA McCawley , APA Neville , APA William P. Biddle ,
APA W.A. Holbrook , APA Wharton , APD Herbert ,
APD Little , AKA Castor , AKA Aquarius ,
AKA Centarus , AKA Virgo , AKA Thuban ,
AKA Alcyon , LSD Carter Hall , LSD Belle Grove ,
LSD Ashland , AP Henry T. Allen , AP Zeilin ,
LCI-402 , LCI-400 , LCI-335 ,
LCI-334 , LCI-333 , LCI-332 ,
LCI-331 , LCI-330 , LCI-327 ,
LCI-85 , LCI-84 , LCI-83 ,
LCI-75 , LCI-23 , xAP Montoro ,
xAP Ormiston , xAP Limerick , xAP Matua ,
xAP Nairana , xAP Malaita , xAP Merkur ,
xAP Marella , xAP Rangatira , xAP Mataroa ,
xAP Kota Agoeng , xAP Tabinta , xAP Poelau Laut ,
xAP Noordam , xAP Lycaon , xAP Cape Victory ,
xAP Cape San Juan , xAP Cape Neddick screened from combat
- escorted by DD Flusser , DD Maury , DD LaVallette ,
APD Dickerson
MTB G-159 sunk by CL Danae at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
LCI-75 collides with LCI-327 at 106 , 125
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby , APA Henderson ,
APA McCawley , APA Neville , APA William P. Biddle ,
APA W.A. Holbrook , APA Wharton , APD Herbert ,
APD Little , AKA Castor , AKA Aquarius ,
AKA Centarus , AKA Virgo , AKA Thuban ,
AKA Alcyon , LSD Carter Hall , LSD Belle Grove ,
LSD Ashland , AP Henry T. Allen , AP Zeilin ,
LCI-402 , LCI-400 , LCI-335 ,
LCI-334 , LCI-333 , LCI-332 ,
LCI-331 , LCI-330 , LCI-327 ,
LCI-85 , LCI-84 , LCI-83 ,
LCI-75 , LCI-23 , xAP Montoro ,
xAP Ormiston , xAP Limerick , xAP Matua ,
xAP Nairana , xAP Malaita , xAP Merkur ,
xAP Marella , xAP Rangatira , xAP Mataroa ,
xAP Kota Agoeng , xAP Tabinta , xAP Poelau Laut ,
xAP Noordam , xAP Lycaon , xAP Cape Victory ,
xAP Cape San Juan , xAP Cape Neddick , xAP Cape Mendocino ,
xAP Cape Johnson , xAP Cape Cleare , xAP Cape Perpetua ,
xAP Cape Newenham , xAK Overseas Lena , xAK Exhibitor screened from combat
- escorted by DD Jenkins , APD Dickerson
MTB G-158 engages xAK Alcoa Puritan at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby , APA Henderson ,
APA McCawley , APA Neville , APA William P. Biddle ,
APA W.A. Holbrook , APA Wharton , APD Herbert ,
APD Little , AKA Castor , AKA Aquarius ,
AKA Centarus , AKA Virgo , AKA Thuban ,
AKA Alcyon , LSD Carter Hall , LSD Belle Grove ,
LSD Ashland , AP Henry T. Allen , AP Zeilin ,
LCI-402 , LCI-400 , LCI-335 ,
LCI-334 , LCI-333 , LCI-332 ,
LCI-331 , LCI-330 , LCI-327 ,
LCI-85 , LCI-84 , LCI-83 ,
LCI-75 , LCI-23 , xAP Montoro ,
xAP Ormiston , xAP Limerick , xAP Matua ,
xAP Nairana , xAP Malaita , xAP Merkur ,
xAP Marella , xAP Rangatira , xAP Mataroa ,
xAP Kota Agoeng , xAP Tabinta , xAP Poelau Laut ,
xAP Noordam , xAP Lycaon , xAP Cape Victory ,
xAP Cape San Juan , xAP Cape Neddick , xAP Cape Mendocino ,
xAP Cape Johnson , xAP Cape Cleare , xAP Cape Perpetua ,
xAP Cape Newenham , xAK Overseas Lena screened from combat
MTB G-158 sunk by CL Java at 8,000 yards
Fujita S. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CVE Breton , APA Fayette , APA Elmore ,
APA Du Page , APA Custer , APA Cambria ,
APA Pierce , APA Ormsby , APA Henderson ,
APA McCawley , APA Neville , APA William P. Biddle ,
APA W.A. Holbrook , APA Wharton , APD Herbert ,
APD Little , AKA Castor , AKA Aquarius ,
AKA Centarus , AKA Virgo , AKA Thuban ,
AKA Alcyon , LSD Carter Hall , LSD Belle Grove ,
LSD Ashland , AP Henry T. Allen , AP Zeilin ,
LCI-402 , LCI-400 , LCI-335 ,
LCI-334 , LCI-333 , LCI-332 ,
LCI-331 , LCI-330 , LCI-327 ,
LCI-85 , LCI-84 , LCI-83 ,
LCI-75 , LCI-23 , xAP Montoro ,
xAP Ormiston , xAP Limerick , xAP Matua ,
xAP Nairana , xAP Malaita , xAP Merkur screened from combat
- escorted by DD Tucker , DD Benham , DD Maury ,
DD LaVallette
Task forces break off...



En fait, l US Navy a bien envoyé une puissante flotte de combat, avec une 15aine de croiseurs légers et presqu autant de destroyers, mais a cause sans doute d un problème de coordination, elle arrive après intervention de nos vedettes lance torpille
Les américains ne trouveront qu un petit démineur côtier, qui sera rapidement et facilement mis hors de combat...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMc Asahi Maru, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Richmond
CL Raleigh
CL Detroit
CL Marblehead
CL Concord
CL Helena
CL Nashville
CL Honolulu
CL Cleveland
CL Columbia
CL Montpelier
CL Denver
CL Santa Fe
CL Birmingham
CL Mobile
DD Lang
DD Sterett
DD Fanning
DD Mahan
DD Cummings
DD Drayton
DD Conyngham
DD Stuart

Reduced visibility due to Rain with 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 92% moonlight: 3,000 yards




Mais les américains ne sont pas au bout de leur peine
Car avant d atteindre les plages, ils doivent affronter les canons du Combined 8th SNLF : 8 canons de 140mm, 12 canons de 120mm et 16 canons de 80mm
Plusieurs navires ennemis sont fortement endommagés...


un des 4 canons de 120mm type 10






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

640 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Danae, Shell hits 1
CL Java
CL Achilles
CL Leander, Shell hits 2
DD Benham
xAK Sidney Hauptmann, Shell hits 2
CVE Breton, heavy damage
xAK Peter Kerr
LCI-75
LCI-23
LCI-83
LCI-84
DD Porter

Allied ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

449 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Danae
CL Java, Shell hits 2
CL Achilles
CL Leander, Shell hits 4
DD Flusser, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Jenkins, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAK Sea Fox
LCI-23
DD Porter
LCI-75

Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rabaul (106,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

423 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAK Peter Kerr, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Java
CVE Breton, heavy damage
CL Achilles
xAK Cape Sandy, Shell hits 1
DD Tucker
xAK Cape Isabel
LCI-83
CL Leander
LCI-75
xAK Alcoa Puritan
LCI-23
LCI-84
DD Porter
LCI-85, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Mais en fin de journée, le constat est là, près de 30,000 américains ont débarqué à Rabaul...
Certes, il reste encore de nombreux navires pleins de GIs et Marines qui attendent leur tour pour embarquer dans les chalands, et sans doute débarquer dès demain, mais avons déjà une bonne idée de ce que nous allons affronter : 4 divisions de Marines, ainsi que 4 bataillon de blindés, 1 régiment et 8 bataillons d artillerie, ainsi que 2 régiments du génie d assaut...



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

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17548 troops, 220 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 700

Defending force 27863 troops, 1106 guns, 591 vehicles, Assault Value = 1568

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Situation a Rabaul en cette fin de journée du 14 décembre 1943






Nous avons plus de 24,000 supply, donc on a de quoi voir venir




La principale force de la garnison est la 29eme Division
Certes ce n est pas une unité d'élite, expérience =56, pour affronter 4 divisions de Marines super entrainés, mais nos hommes sont solidement retranchés derrière de puissantes fortifications, level 7
Inquiétude cependant pour nos capacités antichar qui se limite aux seuls 40 canons de 47mm de la division...



Pendant le reste de la journée, les bombardiers alliés vont continuer de pilonner nos bases à Shortlands...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 44
B-25D1 Mitchell x 24
B-25G Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 6 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-25D1 Mitchell x 27
B-25G Mitchell x 13

No Allied losses

Japanese 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 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1




..à Lae...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 15
F4U-1 Corsair x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6



... ainsi qu à Kavieng qui sont les 3 bases disposant d un aérodrome d ou pourrait décoller notre aviation pour contrer le débarquement allié à Rabaul...




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 112
B-24J Liberator x 64
B-25C Mitchell x 8
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
B-25G Mitchell x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 9 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 9 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 38
Airbase supply hits 17
Runway hits 170

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 57 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 14

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 17

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 5

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 57 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Runway hits 12



En Chine...



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

Ground combat at 77,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1870 troops, 192 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 5676

Defending force 120649 troops, 250 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3823

Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[griffon]

Pourquoi Bombee n'a pas fait le "bypass" de Rabaul


"Aftermath
With Rabaul's offensive capabilities neutralized, the Allies decided to forgo a ground assault, electing instead to reinforce their foothold on the southern coast of New Britain against any potential Japanese counter-attack while allowing the Rabaul garrison to "wither on the vine." Allied fighters and bombers continued to attack Rabaul through 1944 and 1945. The regular attacks became known as "milk runs" among the Allied air crews. The only opposition over Rabaul was anti-aircraft fire, so attacking became a normalcy for Allied airmen and their maintenance crews. Eventually Allied forces came to use Rabaul as a live-fire exercise to give aircrew some taste of combat before committing them elsewhere in the theater.

The neutralization of Rabaul was ultimately a disaster for the Japanese. Most of their experienced carrier pilots were lost over Rabaul, large numbers of their sorely needed aviation maintenance personnel were either lost during their attempted evacuation or trapped there, and the Japanese no longer had a base from which they could threaten the Allied presence in the Solomons. By isolating Rabaul, the Allies effectively made its large garrison (which outnumbered the defenders on Okinawa) prisoners of war without having to fight them. The last Allied airstrike on Rabaul took place on 8 August 1945, only weeks before the Japanese surrender."



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutralisation_of_Rabaul

[Mattheus]

Mouais je comprends pas trop cette attaque directe sur Rabaul. Il doit compter la prendre "rapidement" car sinon ça aurait été plus rentable de s'emparer de Lae, Kavieng et Shortlands. Rabaul n'était plus vraiment une menace, elle n'aurait pas gêné la conquête/reconquête de la Nouvelle-Guinée et des îles proches.

Là il a pris des dégâts inutiles et offert des points "gratos".

[griffon]

Pour l'instant les dégâts sont légers même s'il est bien compréhensible

qu'Elvis les mettent sous le projecteur

C'est pour les troupes au sol que je crains ( la garnison est plus forte que celle qui était présente à Okinawa un an plus tard )

[Jukebox]

Il faut lancer les avions du KB pour couler cette flotte de débarquement

Quels avions souhaités tu utiliser en priorité pour contrer ses bombardiers lourds?

[Elvis]

15 DECEMBRE 1943

Toujours peu de succès pour nos sous marins
Le I-15 engage sans succès un convoi, qui avait été déjà attaqué la veille par le I-169 au large de la pointe de Nouvelle Guinée, résultant dans la perte de notre sous marin
Là encore, notre submersible est proche de se faire rayer de la liste des effectifs de la Marine Impériale, mais le destroyers Thracian, responsable de la destruction du I-169, est à cours de munitions ASW...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rabaul at 106,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-175, hits 5

Allied Ships
DE Gilmore
DE Carlson
DE Electra
AK Chicot
AK Draco
AK Cetus
AK Cassiopeia
xAP Morinda
xAP Koolinda
xAP Rochussen
xAP Camphuys
xAP Kota Baroe
xAP Diomed
DD Thracian
DD Litchfield
DD Paul Jones

SS I-175 launches 2 torpedoes at DE Gilmore
DD Litchfield fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Paul Jones fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Thracian attacking submerged sub ....
DD Thracian is out of ASW ammo




A Rabaul, les opérations de débarquement se poursuivent....
Cette fois ci les corvettes chargées d ouvrir des chenaux dans les champs de mine sont arrivées, mais elles sont rapidmeent pris sous le feu de notre artillerie côtière



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 237 encounters mine field at Rabaul (106,125) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

113 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AM Token, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
AM Strive, Shell hits 5, on fire
AM Oracle, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Swallow, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Starling, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AM Skylark, Shell hits 5, on fire

Combined 8th SNLF firing at AM Token
Combined 8th SNLF firing at AM Strive
Combined 8th SNLF firing at AM Oracle
Combined 8th SNLF firing at AM Swallo
Combined 8th SNLF firing at AM Starling
Combined 8th SNLF firing at AM Skylark
53 mines cleared


mais il reste toujours de nombreuses mines dans les eaux environnantes Rabaul, comme en fait l expérience l équipage du cargo Santa Monica

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 143 encounters mine field at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Ships
DD Porter
DD Tucker
DD Benham
DD LaVallette
APD Little
xAK Santa Monica, Mine hits 1, heavy fires

8 mines cleared



Peu de réussite pour nos artilleurs qui continuent d engager les nombreux navires alliés qi se pressent devant les rivages de Rabaul

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rabaul (106,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

232 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAK Peter Kerr, heavy fires, heavy damage
LCI-400
LCI-335
LCI-84
LCI-23
LCI-75
DD Porter
LCI-83

Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rabaul (106,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

238 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
xAK Sidney Hauptmann, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Sea Fox, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
LCI-334
LCI-333
LCI-331
LCI-83
DD Porter
LCI-23
LCI-75

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rabaul (106,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

219 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCI-400
LCI-335
LCI-334
LCI-84
LCI-23
LCI-75
DD Porter
LCI-330
LCI-83

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rabaul (106,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

218 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCI-402
LCI-75
DD Porter
LCI-23

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



En fin de journée, les américains ont débarqué 5,000 hommes supplémentaires, mais aussi de nombreux canons et véhicules blindés...
L ennemi en profite pour faire parler son artillerie, désormais plus puissante que la notre, et cela nous permet d'évaluer les forces en présence;
Valeur combat garnison, avant modification = 693
Valeur combat US, avant modification = 1733
Les alliés sont presque 3 fois plus puissants que nous, et toutes leurs forces ne sont pas encore à terre....





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

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1848 troops, 291 guns, 128 vehicles, Assault Value = 1733

Defending force 25411 troops, 319 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 693



Aujourd hui, l USAAF a exclusivement concentré ses efforts à Shortlands...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 21
B-25D1 Mitchell x 27
B-25G Mitchell x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 12
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 9

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 4 damaged

Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
B-25G Mitchell x 10

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 11

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2






En Chine, nous avons basé une escadrille de chasse à Kweiyang, récemment conquise.
Chungking, la capitale chinoise, est donc désormais à portée de Ki-44 IIc Tojo
Nous décidons donc de payer une visite avec une 30aine de chasseur... En réponse, les chinois font décoller presque autant de P-66 Vangard et P-40N Warhawk
Les pilotes chinois sont plutôt bons, et bien meilleurs que nous le pensions, car ils opposent une farouche résistance lors des combats aériens au dessus de Chungking...

4 Ki-44 IIc Tojo perdus pour la destruction de 6 P-40N Warhawk et 3 P-66 Vangard...

Nos Ki-44 IIc Tojo s apprêtent a décoller de Kweiyang pour mettre le cap au Nord, vers Chungking...




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 87 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 30

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 22
P-66 Vanguard x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-66 Vanguard: 2 destroyed


La poche de Chihkiang n est toujours pas fermé, mais les chinois n ont plus d option pour pouvoir se dégager, autrement qu en espérant l arrivée et l intervention de troupes amies pour percer l encerclement...



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

Ground combat at 77,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1870 troops, 192 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 5678

Defending force 120589 troops, 247 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3822

Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled