23 October 1942
"Vengeance" finally strikes in the Bay of Bengal, and we get our revenge in Luganville
Burma/Bay of Bengal
A task force of 3 Katori-class light cruisers and 3 destroyers shelled Moulmein. We saw these slowpokes (Katrori's top speed is 18 knots) coming and moved most of the flyable airplanes out. Damage was minimal. The cruiser Kashii took a hit from coastal artillery.
Probably thanks to their slow speed (but perhaps an errant "remain on station" setting), the enemy task force was still nearby at daybreak. The Vengeance bombers, now based inland at Raheng, finally flew a mission in defense of our coastal bases. Two, actually, 13 planes each time. The enemy had no CAP to resist us, but we did have 10 Hurricanes escorting both strikes. Each plane carried 2x 500lb SAP and 2x 250lb SAP. The 500s should hit hard enough to hurt a CL pretty good.
Strike 1:
CL Kashima, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Kashii, Bomb hits 3
Strike 2:
CL Katori, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
CL Kashii, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kashima, Bomb hits 1, on fire
We think the Kashii went down.
Espiritu Santo Islands and New Britain
Betties are bombing our troops on Ndeni. The Luganville airbase can't get build quick enough. Speaking of which, the phibs still aren't done. But I'm not holding any threatening contacts either. 1 more day...
Our DMS was interrupted by an enemy sub, which it depth charged for moderate damage after evading 2 torpedoes.
Our marines wiped out the last enemy troops on Luganville, avenging the deaths of our soldiers and marines lost here early in the war.
On the opposite side of the Solomons, we detected some small ships pulling into Rabaul, and sent some P-38s, B-25s, and B-26s after them. The level bombers didn't hit anything, but the P-38s strafed a PB and a subchaser. Neither was severely damaged--most of the hits were by the .50cals instead of the 20mm cannon.
Midway
Wasp has been detected by enemy aircraft near Midway. Our recon Wildcats have not collected any intel of value.
Refits and Reinforcements
Repairs completed on CV Saratoga at Alameda, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on CV Lexington at Alameda, ship returned to service
^----major upgrades completed
DD Chevalier arrives at Eastern USA
DD Waller arrives at Eastern USA
AM Heed arrives at Alameda