March 1 1943
A P-38 sweep of Babar took out 5 Zeroes with no losses. Afterwards, SBDs and Beaufighters attacked another destroyer group there. 1 Wildcat was shot down by the defending fighters, and we got one of the defending Zeroes. One SBD was lost to flak. But we got some good hits:
SBDs:
DD Wakatake, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Sawakaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shirayuki, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
Beaufighters:
DD Wakatake, Shell hits 9, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Murakumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Probably 2 kills, maybe 3.
The enemy task force in the Bay of Bengal has massed in front of Diego Garcia.
2 March 1943
- The Battleship Hyuga supported a small but adequate compliment of IJN marines ashore at Diego Garcia, capturing it. One cruiser and two transports were hit by shore batteries, good chance one of the transports goes down.
- Prior to the capture, the enemy carriers launched a supporting airstrike. It's the KB: Shokaku, Zuikaku, Hiyo, Akagi, and Hiryu
- P-38s had a turkey shoot at Babar while my B-26 raids remain paused. We got 4 Nicks, 7 Zeroes, and an Oscar--no losses.
- There were still destroyers at Babar, so the SBDs and Beaufighters went again. Despite the P-38s wearing down the defenders, their CAP was still good enough to shoot down a Wildcat and 2 SBDs. But we got 2 more destroyers:
SBDs:
DD Shirayuki, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk (this was yesterday's "maybe" sunk)
DD Murakumo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
Beaufighters:
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 2, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
So for both days we probably sank 4 destroyers.
With the KB now far out of the way, I intend to make a move on Java, possibly the Marianas too. But first, let's update the carrier situation:
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Where are the Carriers?
Fleet Carriers - Kido Butai
Akagi: Torpedoed by S-29 on 23 June 1942. Damage did not appear serious at the time. Intel reported sunk 6/24/42, then reported still in service 9/20/42. Fighter squadron seen operating in Chengchow, China on 4 Sept 42, but appears absent on 20 Sept 42--airwing likely returned to ship after repairs completed. Likely received 7/1942 upgrade while under repair.
Believed to be participating in invasion of Sri Lanka operation as of 2 March 1943.
Soryu: Sunk by CVW-2 14 Feb 1942
Hiryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku: Operational, believed to be operating with Kido Butai. KB last seen near Canton Island 8 Sept 1942. Not believed to have received 7/1942 upgrades prior to 8 Sept 42.
--Multiple carrier fleet deployment to Solomons 1-8 November 1942; likely included Hiryu and Shokaku, retired towards Marshalls
--Unconfirmed carrier sighting approaching Solomons from Marshalls/Gilberts 12 November 1942.
--The KB may have split into two divisions (Hiryu, Shokaku ; Akagi, Zuikaku) to allow for upgrades, appears to be focused on Marshalls and Solomons.
--Shokaku hit by torpedo from USS Porpoise 21 December 1942.
--As of 2 March 1943, all 3 believed to be operating in Bay of Bengal for imminent invasion of Sri Lanka
Kaga: 31 October - 1 November 1942 supporting Rangoon landings. 19 September 1942, torpedoed by Albacore in Bay of Bengal operating with Junyo (and probably Hiyo). Continued flight operations after torpedo hit. Confirmed to have NOT yet received 7/1942 upgrade as of 19 September 1942, does not appear to have it as of 31 October 42 either. Prior damage from CVW-8 Devastator on 16 June 42 in Coral Sea, causing aviation gas explosion.
Torpedoed twice by S-28 14 February 1943 at Ambon, believed to have survived but expected to require lengthy repairs.
Fleet Carriers - Indian Ocean Fleet
Junyo: Believed present for Rangoon landings 30 October - 1 November1942.Confirmed present in Bay of Bengal 20 Sept 1942. Previous deployment as part of the KB, 21 July 1942, supporting the evacuation of ground forces from Lahaina, Hawaii.
As of March 2, 1943, NOT spotted supporting Sri Lanka operation and may be present in CENT/SouthPAC.
Hiyo: Confirmed present supporting Rangoon landings 30 October - 1 November 1942. Believed present in Bay of Bengal 20 Sept 1942 (fighter squadron reported present). Present for battle of Port Blair 20 August 1942. Hit by 2 torpedoes from Albacores on 31 July 1942. Intel reports sunk 8/25/42, report stricken upon sighting near Rangoon.
Believed to be present in Sri Lanka operation as of 2 March 1943.
Light and Escort Carriers:
CVL Ryujo - hit by two heavyweight torpedoes on 1/17, definitely disabled, likely sunk. Intel reports sunk 1/31/42.
CVL Shoho - May have been present in Rangoon landings 30 October - 1 November 1942. Damaged by heavyweight torpedo hit 2/3/42. Damaged by CVW-8 Helldiver 16 June 42 in the Coral Sea. Sunk by 3 bomb hits from CVW-2 and -3 in Battle of Arafura Sea, 11 December 1942.
CVL Zuiho - likely sunk 2/14/42 (4 bomb hits, 1 air-dropped torpedo hit). Intel reports sunk same day.
CVE Hosho - sunk by 2 heavyweight torpedo hits 1/19/42
CVE Taiyo - sunk 2/14/42 (6 bomb hits)
CVE Unyo: Hit by torpedo from Albacore 20 August 1942 off Port Blair, damage did not appear severe. Intel originally reported sank same day, but was later reported to still be in service.
CS Chiyoda: Coastwatcher report 11/13/42 in port at Guadalcanal. May be operating with KB (or a division thereof).
CS Nisshin:
Rufe float fighters have been spotted with the Kido Butai as well as the CVBG operating in the Bay of Bengal, indicating these ships are operating with the fleet carriers.
CS Chitose: sunk in surface action in Celebes Sea as part of an amphibious task force (USS Marblehead leading formation), 10 December 1941
CS Mizuho: Torpedoed by USS Sargo south of Celebes 10/31/42 with major fires breaking out. Believed to have sunk on 11/3/42 due to intel reports of destroyed floatplanes.
Should be in service, but have yet to appear:
CVE Chuho: 11/22/42
CVL Ryuho: 11/24/42
CV Taiho: 1/27/43 (cost: 206)
Unfinished:
CV Unryu: 4/8/43 (cost: 122)
CV Amagi 4/10/43 (cost: 122)
CV Katsuragi: 5/14/43 (cost: 122)
CV Shinano: 5/31/43 (cost: 314)
CVE Kaiyo: 12/3/43
CVE Shinyo: 12/19/43
CVE Yamashira Maru: 2/4/45
CVE Shimane Maru: 2/8/45
CVL Ibuki: 4/26/45
CVE Chigusa Maru: 6/22/45
CV Ikoma: 6/20/45
CV Aso: 6/24/45
(cost-adjusted arrival dates represent previously-calculated acceleration)
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My take on this is that he left a single carrier (probably the new Taiho--it arrives with Judies, and none of the KB carriers had Judies yet) to guard CENTPAC (which sank LST near Marcus) and a single carrier (the Kaga) to guard the sourthern resource area. The CVEs are probably supporting the Sri Lanka operation, as is the Hiyo just based on its deployment patterns so far.