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Molon Labe · 01-17-22, 10:41 AM

31 October 1942
Battle of Rangoon - day 2

Battle of Rangoon
In hindsight, putting the evacuating DDs in a task force with 2 AKs was a bad call because it slowed the DDs down. One hit a mine, so the escapees ended up being 1 DD and 2 AKs. They met up with the out-of-fuel CM (and 2 DDs traveling with it) and tried to transfer some fuel and depart as a group. The refueling op had to be halted when 2 enemy PCs approached. The PCs were no match for the destroyers and were both sunk. But by daybreak, my task force would be caught, the thirsty ships still drifting, when the airstrikes came.

2 CLs and 2 DDs shelled Tavoy, causing moderate facility damage to the empty airbase.

My sweeps of Pegu did OK. 5 Rufes and 8 Zeroes shot down for the cost of 5 Hurricanes and 2 P-40s. They accomplished their main mission: no enemy fighters successfully intercepted any of my level bombers attacking their ground forces. 38 B-24s hit the landing area, causing 201 enemy casualties. Eh, not that great. Weather might have been a factor, rain over the target. As for enemy force levels, the B-24s only reported the 1/3 division we knew was there and an airbase construction unit, so that's good news. Recon flights report a total of 4 enemy units.

The bulk of his Sallies are still attacking Tavoy.

Next up were the enemy airstrikes. The first wave of 12 Kates and 4 Vals targeted the escapees and hit one of the drifting destroyers twice. Then 8 Zeroes and 13 Vals attacked Rangoon's port. We had 10 Hurricanes up for this, and shot down a Zero and 10 Vals. The 3 Vals that attacked hit a cargo ship twice. Next was a larger raid on the adrift task force:
D Arunta, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Jupiter, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Van Galen
CM Abdiel, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Empire Curlew, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
Jupiter is the lone combattant that is fueled, so her taking two hits basically means these guys are done for.
Jupiter and Arunta both sank after the strikes.

We were able to get an airstrike on the enemy naval forces, but we only managed to get 10 Vengeance bombers in the air for it, plus 14 Hurricanes escorting. The enemy CAP was light thanks to the earlier sweeps, but still 19 Zeroes and 1 Rufe. They got 2 Hurricanes and 8 of the Vengeances, we got only 1 Zero. Another dive bomber was lost to flak. Only 3 managed to attack targets--two went for Yamato, one for Kaga. We hit the Yamato once with a non-penetrating hit. Might as well be a mosquito bite. I wish I could order these guys to prioritize the transports. This strike confirmed the presence of the Hiyo.

Philippine Sea
USS Amberjack torpedoed and sank a cargo ship in an escorted convoy near Iwo Jima.

Solomons Area
3 CA and 3 DD shelled Rousel Island, and disappeared before daybreak and avoided an airstrike. 1 P-40 was destroyed on the ground, most of the rest were damaged. The base facilities look pretty bad too. So that's 2 heavy surface task forces operating in this area...and it means I have to deal with them before my new airbases are going to do me any good.

The ASW squadron at Noumea that recently upgraded from Wirraways to Beaforts bombed two enemy subs (or possibly the same sub twice) today. I'm hoping he surged a bunch to this area thinking the little bombs for the Wirraways weren't a big deal and that these 500lb bombs cost him a few boats.

Banda Sea, Ceram Sea
USS Sargo had been pulled off its patrol area to perform a barrier south of Celebes because of an Intel hit a few days ago mentioning troops being brought to Kendari from Java. We didn't hit the troop ships, but we did find the CS Mizuho and hit it with a torpedo. It's apparently carrying fuel, because the fuel cargo ignited. I won't call that a kill but it's not in a good place.

I replaced withdrawing B-17s at Darwin with planes from Port Moresby and immediately put them on naval attack due to multiple task forces spotted at Ambon. We didn't get a strike on Ambon, but they went after tankers instead, one pair a bit north of Timor and another at Manokwari (Northwestern Papua-New Guinea).

China
I'm now attacking the enemy force that had meant to attack Amoy. Casualties 867 to 209 on my side. Doesn't look like they'll last long. Most of the bombers that were attacking this force are now working on the Foochow army, as they're stronger than my defensive line there and I need to keep them disrupted until the Amoy army is defeated and I can move those troops back to Foochow.

----------------------
Where are the Carriers?

Updating this to reflect CS and CV sightings.

Fleet Carriers - Pacific Fleet

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.

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.

Fleet Carriers - Indian Ocean Fleet
Kaga: Last seen 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 fight 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.

Junyo: Believed present for Rangoon landings 30 October - 1 November 1942.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.

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.

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.
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 reports sank same day.

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.

Unfinished:
CVE Chuho: 11/22/42
CVL Ryuho: 11/24/42
CV Taiho: 1/27/43 (cost: 206)
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)

01-17-22, 10:41 AM	#464
Molon Labe Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Along the Watchtower Posts: 3,810 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 5	31 October 1942 Battle of Rangoon - day 2 Battle of Rangoon In hindsight, putting the evacuating DDs in a task force with 2 AKs was a bad call because it slowed the DDs down. One hit a mine, so the escapees ended up being 1 DD and 2 AKs. They met up with the out-of-fuel CM (and 2 DDs traveling with it) and tried to transfer some fuel and depart as a group. The refueling op had to be halted when 2 enemy PCs approached. The PCs were no match for the destroyers and were both sunk. But by daybreak, my task force would be caught, the thirsty ships still drifting, when the airstrikes came. 2 CLs and 2 DDs shelled Tavoy, causing moderate facility damage to the empty airbase. My sweeps of Pegu did OK. 5 Rufes and 8 Zeroes shot down for the cost of 5 Hurricanes and 2 P-40s. They accomplished their main mission: no enemy fighters successfully intercepted any of my level bombers attacking their ground forces. 38 B-24s hit the landing area, causing 201 enemy casualties. Eh, not that great. Weather might have been a factor, rain over the target. As for enemy force levels, the B-24s only reported the 1/3 division we knew was there and an airbase construction unit, so that's good news. Recon flights report a total of 4 enemy units. The bulk of his Sallies are still attacking Tavoy. Next up were the enemy airstrikes. The first wave of 12 Kates and 4 Vals targeted the escapees and hit one of the drifting destroyers twice. Then 8 Zeroes and 13 Vals attacked Rangoon's port. We had 10 Hurricanes up for this, and shot down a Zero and 10 Vals. The 3 Vals that attacked hit a cargo ship twice. Next was a larger raid on the adrift task force: D Arunta, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Jupiter, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage DD Van Galen CM Abdiel, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage xAK Empire Curlew, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage Jupiter is the lone combattant that is fueled, so her taking two hits basically means these guys are done for. Jupiter and Arunta both sank after the strikes. We were able to get an airstrike on the enemy naval forces, but we only managed to get 10 Vengeance bombers in the air for it, plus 14 Hurricanes escorting. The enemy CAP was light thanks to the earlier sweeps, but still 19 Zeroes and 1 Rufe. They got 2 Hurricanes and 8 of the Vengeances, we got only 1 Zero. Another dive bomber was lost to flak. Only 3 managed to attack targets--two went for Yamato, one for Kaga. We hit the Yamato once with a non-penetrating hit. Might as well be a mosquito bite. I wish I could order these guys to prioritize the transports. This strike confirmed the presence of the Hiyo. Philippine Sea USS Amberjack torpedoed and sank a cargo ship in an escorted convoy near Iwo Jima. Solomons Area 3 CA and 3 DD shelled Rousel Island, and disappeared before daybreak and avoided an airstrike. 1 P-40 was destroyed on the ground, most of the rest were damaged. The base facilities look pretty bad too. So that's 2 heavy surface task forces operating in this area...and it means I have to deal with them before my new airbases are going to do me any good. The ASW squadron at Noumea that recently upgraded from Wirraways to Beaforts bombed two enemy subs (or possibly the same sub twice) today. I'm hoping he surged a bunch to this area thinking the little bombs for the Wirraways weren't a big deal and that these 500lb bombs cost him a few boats. Banda Sea, Ceram Sea USS Sargo had been pulled off its patrol area to perform a barrier south of Celebes because of an Intel hit a few days ago mentioning troops being brought to Kendari from Java. We didn't hit the troop ships, but we did find the CS Mizuho and hit it with a torpedo. It's apparently carrying fuel, because the fuel cargo ignited. I won't call that a kill but it's not in a good place. I replaced withdrawing B-17s at Darwin with planes from Port Moresby and immediately put them on naval attack due to multiple task forces spotted at Ambon. We didn't get a strike on Ambon, but they went after tankers instead, one pair a bit north of Timor and another at Manokwari (Northwestern Papua-New Guinea). China I'm now attacking the enemy force that had meant to attack Amoy. Casualties 867 to 209 on my side. Doesn't look like they'll last long. Most of the bombers that were attacking this force are now working on the Foochow army, as they're stronger than my defensive line there and I need to keep them disrupted until the Amoy army is defeated and I can move those troops back to Foochow. ---------------------- Where are the Carriers? Updating this to reflect CS and CV sightings. Fleet Carriers - Pacific Fleet 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. 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. Fleet Carriers - Indian Ocean Fleet Kaga: Last seen 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 fight 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. Junyo: Believed present for Rangoon landings 30 October - 1 November 1942.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. 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. 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. 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 reports sank same day. 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. Unfinished: CVE Chuho: 11/22/42 CVL Ryuho: 11/24/42 CV Taiho: 1/27/43 (cost: 206) 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) __________________ Last edited by Molon Labe; 01-25-22 at 02:43 PM.