AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 08, 42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Lihir at 110,119 Weather in hex: Moderate rain Raid detected at 53 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 20 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 25 G3M2 Nell x 14 G4M1 Betty x 15 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 19 Japanese aircraft losses G3M2 Nell: 7 damaged G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed Allied Ships DD Perkins CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 1 CA Chester Aircraft Attacking: 11 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 3 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 14 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo CAP engaged: VF-5 with F4F-3 Wildcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 6 scrambling) 13 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 106,142 Weather in hex: Heavy cloud Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 29 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 3 B5N2 Kate x 20 D3A1 Val x 23 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged Allied Ships CA Australia, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire DD Worden, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Sims AO Neosho, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage AO Tippecanoe, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires CL Hobart, Bomb hits 3, on fire Aircraft Attacking: 3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Worden Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Tippecanoe -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 107,146 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 16 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 9 B5N1 Kate x 3 B5N2 Kate x 9 Japanese aircraft losses B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak Allied Ships CA Minneapolis, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Aylwin Aircraft Attacking: 8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 3 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lihir at 110,119 Weather in hex: Overcast Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 25 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 19 G3M2 Nell x 12 G4M1 Betty x 10 Allied aircraft F4F-3 Wildcat x 7 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed G3M2 Nell: 9 damaged G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged Allied aircraft losses F4F-3 Wildcat: 5 destroyed Allied Ships CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk CA Chester CA Astoria CA Chicago Aircraft Attacking: 9 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 3 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 10 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo CAP engaged: VF-5 with F4F-3 Wildcat (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 2 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 10000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 107,146 Weather in hex: Partial cloud Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 12 B5N2 Kate x 6 D3A1 Val x 24 Allied aircraft no flights Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged Allied aircraft losses SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed Allied Ships DD Aylwin, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk Aircraft Attacking: 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Minneapolis Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Aylwin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 107,146 Weather in hex: Partial cloud Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft B5N2 Kate x 9 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Aylwin, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk Aircraft Attacking: 9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Aylwin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 09, 42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-Invasion action off Port Moresby (98,130) - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 45 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships CA Kako CL Yubari DD Yayoi xAK Aso Maru Japanese ground losses: 43 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Allied ground losses: 8 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled CA Kako firing at 15th RAAF Base Force 15th RAAF Base Force firing at CA Kako CL Yubari firing at 15th RAAF Base Force 15th RAAF Base Force firing at CL Yubari DD Yayoi firing at 15th RAAF Base Force 15th RAAF Base Force firing at DD Yayoi DD Yayoi fired at enemy troops Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Port Moresby (98,130) TF 7 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 98,130 Japanese ground losses: 160 casualties reported Squads: 3 destroyed, 9 disabled Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled 16 troops of a IJA Cavalry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /1 17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /3 17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /4 15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 144th Infantry Rgt /6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amphibious Assault at Buna (99,129) TF 26 troops unloading over beach at Buna, 99,129 Japanese ground losses: 132 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Guns lost 9 (0 destroyed, 9 disabled) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) - Coastal Guns Fire Back! 26 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships CA Kako, Shell hits 1 CL Yubari xAKL Hagoromo Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Mutsuki xAK Aso Maru DD Yayoi CA Kako firing at 15th RAAF Base Force 15th RAAF Base Force firing at CA Kako 15th RAAF Base Force firing at CL Yubari CL Yubari firing at 15th RAAF Base Force 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAKL Hagoromo Maru at 10,000 yards DD Mutsuki firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAK Kansai Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire CA Kako DD Mutsuki xAK Canberra Maru, Shell hits 2 xAK Aso Maru 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Kansai Maru at 8,000 yards DD Mutsuki firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Canberra Maru at 8,000 yards DD Mutsuki firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Canberra Maru at 8,000 yards DD Mutsuki firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130) Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 3963 troops, 45 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 102 Defending force 6547 troops, 61 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 185 Assaulting units: 30th Australian Brigade Port Moresby Brigade 15th RAAF Base Force Defending units: 144th Infantry Regiment Kure 3rd SNLF -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 10, 42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAKL Noshiro Maru #2, Shell hits 1 CA Kako DD Mutsuki xAK Asakaze Maru, Shell hits 1 xAK Canberra Maru, Shell hits 1 E Asanagi xAK Aso Maru 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAKL Noshiro Maru #2 at 8,000 yards DD Mutsuki firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Asakaze Maru at 8,000 yards DD Mutsuki firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Canberra Maru at 8,000 yards E Asanagi firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAKL Noshiro Maru #2, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage E Asanagi E Oite xAK Aso Maru 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAKL Noshiro Maru #2 at 9,000 yards E Oite firing to suppress enemy battery at 9,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAKL Noshiro Maru #2, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage CA Kako E Asanagi E Oite xAK Aso Maru 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAKL Noshiro Maru #2 at 8,000 yards E Asanagi firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAKL Noshiro Maru #2 at 8,000 yards E Oite firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAKL Noshiro Maru #2 at 8,000 yards E Oite firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Lihir at 111,119 Weather in hex: Thunderstorms Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 22 G3M2 Nell x 6 G4M1 Betty x 10 Japanese aircraft losses G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak Allied Ships CA Astoria CA Portland CA Chicago CA Chester Aircraft Attacking: 6 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lihir at 111,119 Weather in hex: Light cloud Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 22 G3M2 Nell x 7 G4M1 Betty x 9 Japanese aircraft losses G3M2 Nell: 5 damaged G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged Allied Ships CA Portland, Torpedo hits 1 DD Anderson CA Chester Aircraft Attacking: 2 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 3 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 106,142 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 12 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 13 B5N2 Kate x 3 D3A1 Val x 8 Japanese aircraft losses B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak Allied Ships DD Sims, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Whipple Aircraft Attacking: 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 2 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Sims -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Deboyne Islands at 106,142 Weather in hex: Light rain Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft B5N2 Kate x 9 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Whipple, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Whipple -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAK Asakaze Maru E Asanagi E Oite xAK Kagu Maru, Shell hits 1 xAK Aso Maru 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Asakaze Maru at 8,000 yards E Oite firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Kagu Maru at 8,000 yards E Oite firing to suppress enemy battery at 8,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130) Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 2431 troops, 26 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 102 Defending force 6578 troops, 61 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 188 Assaulting units: 30th Australian Brigade Port Moresby Brigade 15th RAAF Base Force Defending units: 144th Infantry Regiment Kure 3rd SNLF -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 11, 42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAK Aso Maru CL Yubari CA Kako 6" Mk XI/XII Gun battery firing at xAK Aso Maru -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAK Canberra Maru, Shell hits 1 E Asanagi CM Tsugaru xAK Aso Maru 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Canberra Maru at 5,000 yards CM Tsugaru firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 106,143 Weather in hex: Partial cloud Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 7 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 13 D3A1 Val x 8 No Japanese losses Allied Ships DD Sims, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk Aircraft Attacking: 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb 4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000' Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 117,120 Weather in hex: Light cloud Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 15 minutes Japanese aircraft G3M2 Nell x 2 Japanese aircraft losses G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged Allied Ships CA Chicago Aircraft Attacking: 2 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130) Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force 10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense. Japanese Ships xAK Canberra Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire E Asanagi CM Tsugaru E Oite xAK Aso Maru 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Canberra Maru at 13,000 yards CM Tsugaru firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Canberra Maru at 13,000 yards E Oite firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards 6" Mk XI/XII Gun Battery engaging xAK Canberra Maru at 13,000 yards CM Tsugaru firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130) Allied Bombardment attack Attacking force 2447 troops, 26 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 103 Defending force 6645 troops, 61 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 194 Assaulting units: 30th Australian Brigade Port Moresby Brigade 15th RAAF Base Force Defending units: 144th Infantry Regiment Kure 3rd SNLF