2nd Port Moresby Air Raid

New Guinea Campaign
Mission: Link air, naval and land action in a campaign context
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Game #2
October 24, 1942/2019

Japanese 2nd Wave Air Attack On Port Moresby, New Guinea

Port Moresby Aerodrome and harbour before the first Japanese air attacks yesterday.

Port Moresby Radio Broadcast:

According to a spokesman at Royal Australian Air Force {RAAF} Headquarters....

One day after the first Japanese air attack versus fuel installations at Port Moresby, a second wave hit the port on October 24, 1942. Three Val dive bombers and one Betty medium bomber escorted by three Zeroes again approached from the north heading for the harbour.

Three Hurricanes and one P-40E all newly arrived that morning from outlying airfields immediately scrambled to intercept. American Captain Murtz pitched into the Vals significantly damaging two of them. These turned about retreating north returning to their base before dropping ordnance.

Australian Hurricanes assisted before encountering the Zero escort. We regret to inform our listeners that all four Allied aircraft were shot down by the Zeroes. 

Surviving by bailing out were RAAF Captain Grandmaison and Lieutenant Smith-White. Sadly Sergeant Flint was lost when his Hurricane exploded. American Captain Murtz was also lost when his P-40E exploded.

Two surviving bombers flew on to their targets. Shaken, their aim caused minimal damage.

Each bomber threw 1D6 for damage. Ones resulted each time.

Buel Fuel tanks hit yesterday are still blazing from the attack yesterday.

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CLOSING REMARKS

Second Wave Pilots:

Japanese: Dave G. (Bombers) and John B. (Zeroes)

Allied: Greg B. (USA) and Bill P. (RAAF)

We gamed two air games on consecutive evenings. This gave the feel of two wave attacks allowing more of our local pilots a chance to fly. I think we will follow this pattern again. Stimulating and fun.

Campaign Point Totals Are Tracked Below:

Japanese Point Score October 23: 

4x Allied Fighters Shot Down: 7

2x Fuel Tanks Fully Destroyed: 16

1x Fuel Tank 50% Destroyed: 4 

Other Targets Insignificant Damage: 4 -4 = 0

Total: 27

Allied Point Score October 23:

1x Japanese Betty Bomber Shot Down: 4

Enemy Bombers Forced Home Before Bombing: 0

Allied Pilots Recovered: 3 (1x Veteran)

Total: 7

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Japanese Point Score October 24: 

4x Allied Fighters Shot Down: 7

Fuel Tanks Fully Destroyed: 0

Fuel Tanks 50% Destroyed: 0 

Other Targets Insignificant Damage: 2 -2 = 0

Total: 7

Allied Point Score October 23: 

0x Japanese Bombers Shot Down: 0

2x Enemy Bombers Forced Home Before Bombing: 10

Allied Pilots Recovered: 6 (2 Veterans) 

Total: 16

Campaign Points Total:

Japan: 34

Allies: 23

Next Things

Allies need new air to air tactics even with higher Japanese skills in the scenario.

We forgot that tight turns break up formations. Need to remember this next time.

Allied Air Attacks versus the Lae, New Guinea Japanese Fighter Base

Coral Sea Naval Battle

Japanese Army Offensives: Location dependent on Coral Sea.

Plus whatever else may come to mind.

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Japanese Air Raid On Port Moresby

New Guinea Campaign
Mission: Link air, naval and land action in a campaign context
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Game #1
October 23, 1942/2019

Japanese 1st. Wave Air Attack On Port Moresby, New Guinea

Port Moresby Aerodrome and Harbour On The Southeast Side of New Guinea

Port Moresby Radio Broadcast:

According to a spokesman at Royal Australian Air Force {RAAF} Headquarters....

On October 23, 1942/2019 Japanese aircraft were intercepted north of Port Moresby. Spotters estimated there were four Betty medium bombers escorted by three Zeroes.

One Betty Bomber was shot down with the loss of the crew.

Fighter Command regrets the loss of three Hurricanes and crews. These were Captain Braverman, Lieutenant O'Connor and Sergeant Maxwell.

Two of the three Hurricanes lost. The downed Betty is in the distance.

However, the American pilot, Captain Gable, was able to return to the aerodrome after the loss of the engine in his P40E. He is alright and expects to be ready to fly again tomorrow.

Surviving bombers presumably returned to Rabaul on the Island of New Britain after inflicting moderate damage to petrol storage tank facilities in the harbour area. Escorting Zeroes returned on a northwesterly heading in the direction of Lae on the northeast side of the island.

Buel Fuels reports both their petrol storage tanks were destroyed. 

Civilians report no loss to property or life though AA batteries maintained prodigious fire.

Fighter Command has ordered outlying airfields to send more Hurricanes to Port Moresby. Asked if new raids are expected, the answer was, "Yes."

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CLOSING REMARKS

First Wave Pilots:

Japanese: Dale F. (Betty Bombers) and Chuck S. (Saburo Sakai and Zeroes)

Allied Pilot: Bill P.

Aircraft are 1/285 or 1/300 scale. Hurricanes are from our Battle of Britain games.

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