Feinder
Posts: 6589
Joined: 9/4/2002
From: Land o' Lakes, FL
Status: offline
|
So I thot heck, why not, I'll put up our game here.
Knavey and I are playing Scen19, 2-day turns, IJN sub-doctrine on, commitment levels both at 120%.
Let me catch you up so far...
MAY
======
1 May was basically a chess-game. We were each scrambling for initial position, and getting our forces where we wanted them.
2 On the Aussie/PM side, I concentrated on reinforcing PM, moving additional brigades, baseforce, AAA batteries, and fighter squadrons. In the meantime, Knavey waltzed into Buna and started building up Lae. I was a bit surprised that he didn't go after Gili-Gili right off the bat, but in previous games Gili-Gili had been a serious drain for him so I wasn't that surprised. I dumped resources into turning Cairns into a major Naval Base, and Cooktown into a major airfield. Cairns will act as the major supply depot for the jump to PM, and Cooktown will act as host to my level-bombers until PM can build a more substantial AF (afterwards, Cooktown acts as my R&R AF for bombers that have been shot up). Over the course of the month we did the usual "probing" attacks, he bombed PM. I bombed Lae and Buna. He figured out that sweep missions over PM at high alt yielded better results against my (largely P39) CAP. Seeing a convoy coming into Buna, I gave all my P-39 squadrons orders to stay away from his fighters, and hit the convoy. Worked pretty well, those P-39s probably sank 4 APs over the next couple of days (altho some of them took a while to go down). He'd also show up every couple of days with a bombardment TF to make life miserable at PM. The Bombardment TFs were actually really annoying me, as they were out of range of my bombers (or not spotted) before their run, and then would sprint out of range again. My band-aid was to put a couple of subs in PM harbor, and they did manage to put a couple of torps into a couple of ships, but I don't think anything sank because of them. I was also rather surprised when his Bettys and Nells showed up pasted a couple of freighters in one my "mundane" convoys bringing additional supplies to Cooktown. It taught me to be very anal about delivberately scheduling LCAP over every convoy north of Townsville.
3 On Noumea's side, it moved up elements from the Americal Div to defend the Luganville and the other bases along that chain. Also deployed Engineers to improve the bases on the island with Noumea (hey, 18pts for each AF is still 18 pts). I diverted Lex and York to escort the convoys carrying the additional troops to PM. Also his bombing and bombardment TFs were doing fair damage to the supply depots, so escorting those covoys also warrented the presense of my carriers to defend them. I figured it was safer deploying my CVs along the Cairns-PM route as they would be supported my level bombers in Austraila, and additional CAP from PM, thus avoid a direct confrontation I could refit with F4F4s. I figured if he made a move on Luganville, I'd have time to divert my fleet back east, and transfer my bombers to Noumea to give him trouble.
4 About half-way thru May, he showed up with his carriers (Shok, Zui, Shoho) and what seemed another CV. He managed to shut down PM for a couple of days, but York and Lex had already headed back to Cairns and I didn't want to risk them against his 4 carriers. I had also recently recived Hornet from Pearl, and steamed her full-speed to reinforce Lex and York in Australia. And so the stage was set for June...
JUNE
======
5 June opened with me having consolated my ground and air assets in PM and Austrailia, and sufficiently pleased with my defenses in the New Herbidies (east side of the map). During June, I sent additional troops and engineers to construct bases along the remaining buildable islands in the north of the New Hebrides (in anticipation of eventurally needing them to cover attacks on Lunga).
6 Lex, York, and Hornet were escorting convoys bound for PM (whose air-raid siren was stuck "on" 24 hours a day and constantly being thumped by bombardment TFs containing several BBs - I'm still jealous of the BBs by the way). Lex and Hornet had taken the new F4F4s, and York remained with the F4F3s (but at least she now had drawn 36 of them).
7 Gili-Gili was still sitting there, minding it's own business. I had thot he might go for it; that I'd end up blockading it, then pounding it continuously, and eventually taking it back 5 weeks later. But it was still sitting there. I -also- figured if he saw ME coming, he'd line up a surface TF (with is now 4(!) BBs), and knock the snot out of my transports and then skip out of range of my CVs by morning. Thus was my delimma. Seeing as his CVs were retiring from their raids on PM towards Shortland, I diverted my PBYs and had them ferry a couple of companies of Aussie Light Infantry into Gili-Gili. I figured if he was having the same thots about Gili-Gili as I was (taking it), that the Aussies could delay him until I showed the next week fully loaded. But my transport via the PBYs would be "invisible" to him, whereas he'd likely spot a TF en route.
8 Ends up, his CVs had made a wide arc east around the atoll near Gili-Gili and were steaming west to intercept the convoy traffic to PM. He had also set up a bombardment TF to roll into PM (presumably to reduce opportunity for PM to respond against his CVs). I had spotted the bombardment TF, but knew nothing of his CVs, because the bulk of my PBYs were moving the Aussie Lights to Gili-Gili. Knavey also thot my CVs had retired to Cairns, but they had in-fact never ported at Cairns, but simply turned around to shadow the convoy now bound for Gili-Gili (and I thought it would be nice to get a shot at those d_mned BBs that kept hitting PM). There was also another 18-ship supply convoy to PM still loading and would be ready in a couple of days. On about June 7th, all he11 broke lose.
9 My PBYs returned to scouting duty (as my convoy to Gili-Gili was on it's way). An enemy CV TF "suddenly" showed up about 300 miles east of my Gili-Gili convoy. Reports confirmed Shoho, Zuikaku and Soryu from the east, with Shokaku in the channel east of Gili-Gili. I got lucky, and I had sub on station in the channel (hoping to nail the bombardment TFs), and she put a pair of torps into Shok. Shok turned around and left before launching.
10 Meanwhile Zuikaku, Shoho, and Soryu came in from the east, and we traded airstrikes in the rain. I keep fairly high CAP (expecting that Bettys to spot us anyways), and managed to litterally decimate his bomber formations. His 6 strikes only yielded 3 hits, 2 on the York and 1 one on the Portland (a CA). My 4(?) strikes faired better, and we managed cripple Zuikaku, and nailed Shoho and Soryu pretty well. Zuikaku went down the next day, and Soryu and Shoho retreated towards Rabaul. Content with sinking Zuikaku, and that York wasn't that bad off, I decided to not give chase past Gili-Gili. However, as my convoy pulled into Gili-Gili, his bombardment TF showed up. Mutsu and friends actually managed a few salvos against both the Lex and Yorktown (which scared the living sh_t out of me) before before a couple of my DDs were able to charge in a buy some time for my CVs to escape. Mutsu actually landed a hit on Yorktown with one of her main guns, but surprisingly, damage to York was fairly light.
11 The next morning, I skee-dattled my CVs out of Gili-Gili as quickly as possible while the convoy unloaded. Meanwhile Soryu and Shoho were returning to Rabaul, one of my subs caught them about 120 miles SW of port. I managed 2 fish into Soryu and she went down. I withdrew my CVs about 100 miles south of Gili-Gili and waited for the convoy to unload before escorting it back to Cairns. Unfortunatly, I didn't have the planes to cover the convoy at Gili-Gili, and as the convoy was leaving Gili-Gili, a bunch of Bettys showed up and took out 3 transports (they had unloaded already). My CVs then picked up the convoy again, and we returned to Cairns.
12 My losses over the last couple of days were a couple of APs, a few destroyers sunk, and a pair of CAs will have to be sent back to the yards (from screening the CVs when BBs crashed the party). On the other hand, I had sunk Soryu and Zuikaku, Shoho was beat up pretty good, and Shok had taken a pair of torps. Furthermore his airgroups on all his CVs had gotten pretty mauled, whereas mine were largely intact.
13 As the convoy to Gili-Gili neared Cairns, I diverted Hornet to escort the convoy to PM, and Lex and the (somewhat) wounded York would port at Cairns. Hornet and her convoy to PM made it to PM and returned with maybe a sub attack or two (no hits, and sub not killed). Meanwhile Enterprise showed up at Noumea; I decided to keep her in the Hebrides because 1. Knavey didn't know she was there, and 2. She could act as a deterrent against a move on my fledgling bases north of Luganville.
I closed the books on June pretty well.
JULY
======
14 July opens with more chess-games. I've stayed away from Tulagi and Lunga, because I figured there'd be no way to defend it, and PM/GG has been pulling most of my resources. However, now that their situation stable (and 2 enemy CVs are sunk, woot!), I can turn my attention back to the east side of the theater.
15 Enterprise is patrolling north of Noumea, covering supply and troop convoys to build up Luganville and the 3 other buildable islands in the north Hebrides (Santa Cruz and I forget the others). Saratoga is already on her way from Pearl. Hornet is in Cairns with the slightly wounded Yorktown. Lex has pulled convoy duty escorting the next round of suppplies to PM.
16 I decided to steam Hornet east to Luganville to back up Enterprise in the Hebrides, as my attention will be soon be focused there.
17 Gili-Gili has become Knavey's new punching bag. I expected as much, because it's now the exposed flank, but it takes pressure off PM. On the run that percipitated the battle in June, I dropped off a shore battery at Gili-Gili, and in the first week they damaged 2 heavy cruisers, a light cruiser, and (from appearences) knocked the snot out of two destroyers. Nothing actually sank, but deterrance is nice. My subs on station in the channel also put a torp into one of the heavy cruisers (I think it was Kinugasa) so she'll be in the yards for a while. Charming. Life on Gili-Gili isn't all that pleasent, but my little AF there is expanding will soon be able to base level bombers.
18 More "mundane" raids on PM and Gili-Gili by his bombers. His bombers concentrate on PM as it's the main base anyways. Again the P-39s are are proving suckers for sweep missions from his Zeros. And then a big wave of bombers comes thru and puts alot of holes in the runway. My solution was to ground most of the P39s, and run the P-40s as CAP (harder than I liked). I was exacting a toll on his bombers, but Knavey was also keeping PM fairly well suppressed (and chewing up some of my bombers on the ground, which really irked me). I transferred out most the level bombers back to Cooktown, because their main target was Buna anyways. Running my bombers vs. Lae was counterproductive as my P-40s were the only effective escorts (can I say again how much P-39s suck?), and I needed the P-40s to run CAP at PM. Besides, the bombers could hit Buna from Australia anways, so why risk them at PM?
19 This "normal" action required another convoy to PM and Gili (but once every 10 days is an improvement over a convoy every 6 days). With Enterprise, Hornet, and Saratoga now in the Hebrides, Lex (fully operational) took the PM convoy (more important) and York would shadow the convoy to Gili-Gili. Altho York had a pair of skylights in her flight-deck, she could still make 25kts and could field 30 'cats for CAP plus bombers against those annoying bombardment TFs and subs.
20 York and Gili-Gili convoy arrived safely. I pulled York a little south, while Gili-Gili was unloading.
21 Still a little south of PM, Lex launched an airstrike vs. some trasports at Buna, and wrecked a pair of APs. Lex and convoy however showed up at PM on the day of airstrike. Her fighters soundly chewed up the first round Zeros and Bettys (and even a couple of Nells). On the 2nd day (we play 2-day turns), more airstrikes and more dead Bettys and Nells. This time however, 6 Nells got thru and managed 2 torp hits on the Lex (imagine Knavey's excitement and my horror). The two torps hit hard. Lex took a hard list to port, so her fighters and most of her SBDs landed at PM.
22 It was decision time. Do I port Lex at PM to patch up her hull, and risk getting attacked again in port? Or make best speed (15kts) south to Cairns?
23 I elected to return to Cairns. PM was having enough trouble keeping it's own CAP in the plus column, and having Lex there as an additional incentive, would just invite more intense attacks. I figured the trip to take 3 - 4 days.
24 I pulled York off her Gili-Gili station, and saddled her to Lex to provide CAP and ASW. York was able to successfully rendesvous with Lex and they covered most of the leg to Cairns. Unfortunately, the loss of CAP over the Gili-Gili convoy meant that it got hit by the Bettys as it left. Knavey managed to kill 3 APs (but they had already unloaded).
25 Lex and York were about 100 miles north of Cairns, and I figured that half of Knavey's subs were waiting there to finish off Lex. Lex had actually gotten the flooding under control, had reduced her float damage to the low 40s, and could now make 20kts. I decided to push south to Townsville (another 2 days) where I figured the threat of subs to be much less. The divert worked and Lex arrived in Townsville with 35 Float Damage and her airgroups already returning home. Both convoys to PM and GG had now returned to Cairns.
26 Meanwhile, Knavey had finally got an invasion of Lunga and Tulagi together. Covered by my guestimate of 4 CVs, he landed in force at both bases. He appears to have a up-strenght division at Lunga and about 2 regiments composed of smaller units at Tulagi. Both supported with several battalians of shore batteries. I'm also guessing that he's mined both harbors (and maybe more), as my scouts also identified a few mine layers prowling about. (*shrug*) He can have 'em.
And that was just first week of July.
27 I was actually surprised how quickly Lex was repaired. She actually hadn't suffered much Sys Damage, and the holes in her side were fixed in just 8 days. I guessed that Knavey would over-estimate the damage to Lex (he knew her airgroups had diverted), and so after a week I was left with Lex with only 10 Sys Damage, York with a pair of skylights, and Enterprise, Hornet and Saratoga under Mitchner's command turning circles in the Hebrides.
28 We spotted a bombardment TF readying its run on either PM or GG. I thought I'd give Knavey a surprise by sending Lex up to meet them. Meanwhile, I had gotten notificiation that Wasp was on her way, so I elected to retire York to Noumea and send her back to Pearl. Furthermore, Knavey's CVs covering his transports for the Lunga op appeared to be diverting to the west, I predumed to provide CAP for the Bombardment TF.
29 Figuring that Knavey's CVs would continue west to his BBs, I siezed to opportunity and had Mitchner and his 3 CVs head at flank speed to a point east of Lunga to hit any APs still unloading there and/or leave a few tokens on his airfield.
30 I managed to paste the convoy at Lunga pretty well. At the same time Lex showed up an scared the bejeezers out of his BBs near Gili-Gili (no strikes tho). With Knavey's carriers still in the area, I elected to not prosecute Lunga furnther, and headed back to Luganville. Knavey's BBs and carrier TF met up about about halfway between Gili-Gili and San Cristobal.
31 That set the stage for an interesting quadry. I had Lex, PM and GG on his west, and my Enterprise, Hornet, and Saratoga on the east. What would he do? Was he going to retire back to Shortland? Steam everything back west, brave PM and try to gang up on Lex? Or go after Mitchner and his 3 CVs on the East?
32 I diverted Lex more the bay west of PM, so that she'd be in a position to harry any APs around Lae and Buna, possibly remain out of range of his carriers if they moved west.
33 Content that I had mauled his convoy (I expect him to lose about 4 - 6 ships from it), I decided I didn't want to Mitchner to engage my 3 carriers vs his (expected) 4. With Knavey's CVs still around, I set CAP to 80% and had Mitch continue south past my Marine squadrons at Santa Cruz towards Luganville.
34 Knavey decided to go the aggressive route, and chased Mitchners' 3 CVs. In reality, Knavey had 5 CVs. I had confirmed reports that Shok was back in action, and Hiryu and Junyo were present. I'm also guessing that Kaga and Akagi were in the mix. His planned his location well, and managed to launch 2 un-answered strikes vs. Mitchner at max range on the first day. The problem was that he didn't send enough escorts, and my almost 90 'cats had a field day with his formations. He kept bearing down on Mitchner (*note we play 2 day turns, this was not expected or wanted on Knavey's part I'm sure), and chased my 3 CVs to withing 150 miles of Luganville. Bad weather prohibited return strikes from Mitchner. Knavey's bomber formations (still same escort settings, they hold for both days) were again heavily mauled by my CAP. It played out to be a lesser turkey shoot in its own right. In the 3 strikes that Knavey made in 2 days, I downed more than 150 planes, while losing about 45 'cats of my own. The Marines at Santa Cruz did manage a strike, but they were largely inexperienced and escorted by older F4F3s, and they got chewed up pretty good and didn't score any hits. Furthermore weather was bad over my TF, so I didn't get a single return strike (very annoying).
35 We've actually just convcluded the 2nd "half" of this little battle. I figured that Knavey had lost most of his bombers and would be making full speed back to Shortland or Rabaul. I ordered Mitchner's CVs to follow the enemy TFs as far north as San Cristobal, make any strikes possible, and then return to Luganville. It's actually strikes me as pretty funny, my 3 carriers chasing off his 5. :^) Learning from Knavey's mistakes, and figuring that he didn't have many bombers left, I lowered my CAP a little and gave chase. Altho Mitch managed to stay with the enemy TFs as far as my leash would let him, the weather was against him. All missions scrubbed due to squalls. Very frustrating. As we waved good-bye (parting is such sweet sorrow?) to Knavey's CVs at San Cristobal he lauched a pair of strikes. Again, my fighters (this time 60) chewed them up. Nothing go thru on either strike except for a pair of A6M3s from Shok who could do nothing but buzz Mitch on his flag bridge. Another 50 of Japan's finest Kate and Val pilots however didn't return.
36 It will definately goe down as victory. The anialation of almost every dive and torpedo bomber on his 5 carriers (plus the escorts that tagged along) amounted to over 200 planes. While Knavey's training programs are better than they were historically, he's going to miss the quality of those pilots in the coming months. On the other hand, I lost about 50 Wildcats. I checked my rosters, and my pilots are fairly healthy (including several aces now with over 10 kills). It still feels like a hollow victory tho. Bad weather disallowed any strikes at all against his CVs (vs. his 5 strikes). His CVs will be back in a week or so after loading new planes. It would have been nice to capitolize and have turned even one of his CVs into an artifical reef. But it wasn't to be. While Knavey is lucky to have gotten away, I suppose tho, that I'm lucky too, to have caught him off-guard with so few escorts. A minor change to the flight roster, and the battle might have gone the other way. He won't make that mistake again...
37 Knavey has decided to take his frustration out on PM. Several combined strikes the last few days from Buna, Lae and Rabaul (which is kinda cool that they're that coordinated). BIG strikes, on the scale of over a hundred Bettys and almost as many Zero escorts. Holy krap that's alot of planes. Me? I've got about 50 P-39s (which suck more every time I say their name). My P40s are yielding to attrition, and I'm only able to scrable a handful. Suffice to say, he's able to flatten PM at whim with that sort of firepower at his disposal. Luckily a resupply TF had just dumped ALOT of supplies at PM and was heading home (and didn't get caught by his temper tantrum). I moved Lex out of the the bay west of PM (didn't want her caught by that mess again), picked up the convoy heading home, and both are now happily in Cairns.
38 I need to do something to do against those bombers over PM. I'm also a little concerned that that I've seen alot of traffic going thru the channel to Lae. He can't be up to any good. Both PM and GG both have substantial defenses and could hold out for quite some time. But I don't like him able to subdue PM and then be moving alot of APs around. It smells of trouble.
39 July ended with me taking advantage of Knavey's retreat, by launching "Operation Trident" to send a garrison to San Cristobal, my first foot-hold on the Solomons. Actually, there's a bit more than a garrison there now (*grin*). I expect that San Cristobal will invite reprisals sooner than later. Knavey's AF at Lunga can currently base single-engined aircraft. Obviously, I don't want him expanding his AF beyond that. I expect that it's also in his best interest to deter me from building any sort of AF at San Cristobal. should make for some interesting fireworks. My chain of bases in the Herbides (Neva, Gavimana, and that other one) are coming along very well; the See-Bees are are definately earning their pay. The bases north of Luganville allow me to cover San Cristobal, and will bring my medium bombers in range of Guadalcanal. It's fairly obvious that my next target(s) in the Solomons will be Lunga and Tulagi...
AUGUST
======
40 August opens with the conclusion of "Operation Trident", my ambition to take possession of San Cristobal. The operation began during the last week of July, when Knavey's carriers were in retreat after losing most of their airgroups. Shadowed by my carriers in the Hebrides, Operation Trident was able to land a fairly strong garrison at San Christbal. I figured to have about 7 - 10 days to dig in (and resupply) before his carriers returned with more planes. I also decided to send resupply convoys to Gili-Gili and Port Moresby, to be shadowed again by Lex.
41 My timing was almost right on the money. On the 5th of the month, long range PBYs reported Kaga, Junyo and at least 1 more CV had left Rabaul and were heading SE along the south side of The Slot (towards my convoy at San Cristobal and nearby carriers). Altho my supply convoy had not completely unloaded, San Cristbal was well-enough supplied, so I ordered my transports and carriers to return to Luganville. My fighter squadrons still needed to draw replacements (having been blunted a bit from Knavey's attacks 2 weeks ago), and I didn't think it was necessary to risk engaging him again (esp with a large convoy with a big "bomb me" sign over it).
42 The convoys at Gili-Gili had almost finished unloading, and so I pulled back Lex to pick up the convoys for their return trip to Australia. Knavey's move towards San Cristbal was a feint however. Under the cover of the inclement weather, his carriers had changed course and diverted to Gili-Gili. 2 of the convoys made it out (with Lex providing CAP), but one remained in Gili-Gili and got nailed by combined strikes from his Bettys and the Kates/Vals from his carriers. In my greatest loss thus far, he pasted about 7 transports and a handful of frigates and sub-chasers. I realize that it's certainly far better than if he had nailed Lex and/or the other convoys, but but I still find grievous the loss about 10 ships. While the situation at PM and GG remains "stable", and operations in the Hebrides have expanded to the Solomons, Knavey has demonstrated that his fangs remain quite sharp.
43 About the 12th of August, Knavey's "stratagizer" kicked into afterburner. As his carriers (I estimated 6, maybe 7) swung down and pummelled my convoy, he also sent out bombardment TFs, and an invasion fleet to go after Gili-Gili. (actually, I think it was more luck on his part that he caught my convoy, and also lucky for me that I had just resupplied with all that crap heading my way). My disposition was such that Sara, Enterprise, and Wasp were covering the constuction of the airfield at San Cristobal, and Lex had returned to Townsville to refuel.
44 Admittedly, I was taken by a bit of surprise by Knavey's rather bold move. I spotted his transports about 120 miles out of Gili-Gili and steamed Mitchner's 3 CVs to intercept (along with Lex under Sherman from the South). Seeing as he had largely cratered the AFs at PM and GG, I flew all of my B-17 and B-25 squadrons to Cooktown from Luganville.
45 I decided to have Lex go after his convoy at Gili-Gili, and stationed her a bit SE of Port Moresby. Meanwhile, Sara, Enterprise, and Wasp moved north into the atoll east of the channel to Gili-Gili (I thought this might give them a bit of a "natural barrier" from any surface groups he might field). From the atoll, Mitchner would be able to engage his CVs, and also cover the channel. My last intel had reported Shok, Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, Junyo, Ryujo, and Zuiho in theater. Those sort of odds, would have been a risk that I would normally have declined, but I had to do something to oppose him at Gili-Gili. In my "favor" however, I figured that his CAP would be spread pretty thin. He had two Bombardment/Surface TFs plowing around, plus his invasion fleet, plus a potential resupply/reinforce convoy, plus his carriers to protect. Figuring his fighters would be overtaxed, but with 7 carriers worth of bombers still itching for a targets, I ran high CAP (80%). My guess that would give me about 70 'cats on station overhead, and 16 to escort any strikes against his TFs. Lex (who job it was to go after to convoy) would be out of range of his carriers, but would be threatened by his land-based bombers.
46 The first two days were frustrating for both of us, an the weather prohibited any strikes from any of our carriers. I did have several land-based strikes that launched, and nailed a few ships from his invasion fleet. There is also a convoy unloading at Buna, which (annoyingly) drew off some of my bombers to attack them. We scored several hits on his convoy at Buna also. After this business at Gili-Gili has been stablized, I'll have to fly some recons over Buna to see just what he dropped there. My guess his he's hoping to secure the flank at GG, and (given favorable opportunity) then lauch a two pronged assault against PM. Whatever, I'm rambling, and there are more pressing matters at hand.
47 Over the next two days, the weather cleared, and there were litterly scores of airstrikes. Lex did her job, and launched several successful strikes against his convoy at Gili-Gili. My B-25s (including a 2 squadrons of Marauders that I had snuck into PM) continued to pound his convoys at Gili-Gili and Buna; while my B-17s dropped their loads on his troops at Gili-Gili. Mitchner's 3 CVs launched about 6 strikes against Knavey's TFs, and scored single 1000lb bomb hits on the Kaga, Zuiho, and Ryujo. High CAP again served me well, and Knavey "only" managed a single torpedo hit on the Enterprise. I have taken notice that Shok was did not seem to be present in this engagment. Seeing as this is a party she wouldn't want to miss, I am concluding that she may be in reserve or more likely, headed back to Japan for refit.
48 The 5th day of the battle (about August 18th), began with Knavey's invasion largely ashore, but several of his ships (some wounded) at Gili-Gili, the Enterprise wounded (but still quite serviceable), hits on 3 of his carriers, Knavey's CAGs largely wiped out, and my own AGs in better shape (but still depleted), and Knavey with about 120 land-based bombers still looming. What's next? I couldn't think of any reason that he'd actually keep his carriers around. With his bombers gone he doesn't have much bite left. The only service his CVs could provide, would be CAP for the landings at Gili-Gili, but that would also significantly endanger them, as Sara, Wasp, and Lex would still hold the field (assuming I withdrew Enterprise for conservative sake). It appears that Knavey was able to land about 3 reigments, including 144th (the big one), plus 3 btns of artillery. I have the entire Aus 7th Inf Div, plus sundry minor units. While I think he's liable to make a real mess at Gili-Gili, I expect the base can hold.
49 I decided to make a "slow" exit from field. As expected, Knavey withdrew his carriers towards Rabaul. Steaming north after him would still be a bad idea (remeber the 120 Bettys I mentioned before?). But a slow exit south, would give me a day to launch additional strikes against the invasion force at GG, and then head back to Townsville. To further my motivation to return to Townsville, Sara, Enterprise and Wasp were all nearly running on fumes after having been deployed for almost an entire month, and then making flank speed to join this bit of excitement. I did however split off 4 destroyers, and sent them to GG to engage his TF there. I suffered a little guilt over this, as this would likely be a suicide mission for them. Likely they would be caught by any planes from Knaveys retreating carriers and/or his landbased bombers. GG was still knocked out, and wouldn't be able to provide any CAP. My 4 destroyers steamed to GG, and did manage to shoot up his invasion force. As expected however, they weren't able to steam out in time, Knavey's Bettys caught them, and sank all of them. I had Lex join up with Mitchner's CVs as the all launched final strikes vs. Gili-Gili. Again, more hits scored against his invasion force. An IJN sub was lurking at our rendesvous point, and managed to put a torpedo into the San Francisco (a cruiser), but all have arrived in Townsville safely (with Mitchner's 3 CVs all with fuel stores of less than 300!).
50 The jury is still out on Gili-Gili. At present, I can claim the marginal victory. Once again, Knavey's air-groups have been heavily mauled (a loss of about 150 aircraft). Kaga, Zuiho, and Ryujo will likely be sent back to the yards. He lost about 10 - 12 transports, plus a motley collection of about 6 destoyers, frigates, and minor escorts. My losses were the 4 destroyers, and the Enterprise will likely need a month or two in Pearl. My airgroups did take some punishment (loss of about 60 planes), but are largely intact. It looks like our forces on GG are about even. At present, it's just an artillery duel. Meanwhile, my LB air from Cooktown and PM droning overhead, trying to dump as much ordinance on him as possible (I expect his Bettys will show over GG very soon). If GG falls, I'd count this as an expensive victory for Knavey. If I hold GG, I'd call it a marginal victory for me. The next 2 weeks will probably be a matter of who can reinforce Gili-Gili better/faster. With his carriers retreating, I may have an short window of opportunity to reinforce Gili-Gili. I still have 3 combat ready CVs in Australia, plus more land-based air on the way, and additional brigades already loading to push him back into the sea...
51 Meanwhile, my airfield at San Cristobal has become fully operational. Fighters from San Cristobal allow me escort bombers from the Hebrides to pound Lunga and Tulagi. The battle for The Solomons is about to begin...
(* actually, the drain on both of our forces from the battle(s) at Gili-Gili (see below), have kept The Solomons to a side-show *).
The Guns of August...
52 The battle(s) for Gili-Gili have droned on for over 3 weeks now. There is no end to the bloodshed in sight. Allied land-based bombers continually drone overhead, dropping thier payloads on the IJN forces stuck in the swamps on the north side of the penensula. Fighters from Port Moresby clash with IJN LCAP and bombers also on their way to Gili-Gili. C-47s fly beyond exaustion to fly supplies and additional troops into the small beleagured base. Japanese attacks on the perimeter have been intense but not terribly effective. In response, the howitzers and mortars of the Austrailian 7th Div (with additional supporting elements) continuously pound the IJN beach-head. The base at Gili-Gili and the surrounding swamps are simply a mire of death. Both sides have sent convoys to reinforce and resupply, and in both instances suffered heavy loss of shipping, men, and material.
53 In the last week of August, Knavey created a "maximum" effort TF in order to insure troops and supplies for his invaders at Gili-Gili. Search planes confirmed the presense of Kaga, Akagi, Hiryu, Junyo, Ryujo, 4 battleships, multiple cruisers, and a large force of transports and supporting vessals. Evidnetly, Kaga and Ryujo were not as damaged as we had estimated. Altho I was still rebuilding my own airgroups, I dispatched Sara, Wasp, and Lex to attempt to intercept the massive armada. Japanese airstrikes launched from long range, and this time were heavily escorted. Knavey scored hits on Sara and Wasp. Mitchner replied with strikes of his own. Knavey however had substantial LCAP from Buna, Lae and Rabaul supporting; we managed to damage (again?) Kaga, Ryujo, and Junyo with heavy loss to our already diminished airgroups. Knavey's invasion fleet was largely unmolested however, and managed to disgorge additional troops (my guestimate 2 or 3 more regiments). With Mitchner's bombers heavily mauled, and fighter squadrons not much better off, I have withdrawn Mitchner back to Australia. Airstrikes the following day from PM and Cooktown however scored hits on Akagi and Hiryu (both damaged, but doubtfully in danger of sinking).
54 The end result? I'd call the last week a marginal victory for Knavey, but perhaps the overall month is simply a costly draw for both of us. We will both likely be sending several carriers back for repairs. Our air-groups both heavily mauled (but what difference does it make if you can't use the carrier anyways). Gili-Gili remains a black hole into which men and supplies are sent and never seen again. We are both committed to the continuous bombing of each other's ground forces on Gili-Gili, for -not- bombing the other will surely give him the upper hand and allow for counterattack. I guesstimate Knavey's ground commitment to be slightly over 2 divisions, my own - more than one division, but less than 2. Supplies will be needed to further sustain each of our efforts, in which case the ships carrying those supplies likely suffer additional losses. Frankly, I believe Gili-Gili claim many more lives in the weeks to come.
SEPTEMBER
=========
55 The battle for Gili-Gili has raged on almost 6 weeks now. The end of August, all the way thru the end of September has been each of attempting to pound each other's forces at Gili-Gili. There isn't even a clear-cut battle to describe. Simply heavy casualties in men, transports, and aircraft to both sides. It is my unfortunate duty howver to inform you that Gili-Gili fell on Sept 20, 1942. The loss of the Austrailian 7th Div and it's supporting elements weighs heavily. It all came down to who was able to dump more men and supplies onto Gili-Gili, regrettably, that was Knavey.
56 I cannot fully guestimate what the toll of Gili-Gili was. In my own case, two carriers were heavily damaged and will need to be returned to Pearl. I guesstimate that 3 of Knavey's carriers are also out of commission. Both us lost many tonnes of shipping and escort vessals (including a few destroyers).
57 Knavey has taken advantage of Gili-Gili's loss, to send several small TFs to invade the various small buildable islands scattered within "Lake IJN" (the area within the diamond of Rabaul-Lae-GiliGili-Lunga. I don't imagine that these are very large garrisions. But I expect that he's got quite a few planes now a Rabaul that need to be spread out, so he'll be wanting to develope these in order to make full use of his squadrons.
58 For the last week of September, I set my many squadrons of B-17s and B-25s to continuously pound Gili-Gili. I am quite sure that I can keep the AF suppressed there. From best accounts, Knavey landed about 9 regiments and several battalions of artillery on Gili-Gili. I can at least make life miserable for them, and perhaps keep them from leaving. In the meantime, Port Moresby has been reinforced and is stuffed full of as many fighters as my AF will hold.
OCTOBER
=========
59 October opens with me determined to keep pressure on Knavey despite the setbacks of September. PM has been reinforced and should have little or no trouble defending herself until I can figure out what I want to do about GG (which is nothing but one huge crater at this point). GGs airfield and port (which Knavey never thanked me for building btw) have been completely demolished, and remain so with daily raids of 25+ B-17s and B-25s. My obvious objective is to keep GG suppressed so that he can't threaten the convoys to PM, and keeping it splattered means it will be all soft an squishy when I'm finally able to mount an invasion force to take it back (not "soon", but at least it gives me something to work up the exp of my bombers). It seems to me that GG is a wayward stepchild for ANYONE trying to hold it. When I had it, it was continously pounded (mounting only nomial air ops even under the best circumstances). And now that Knavey owns it, it isn't doing anything for him except to tie down 9 regiments of his, and about 6 squadrons of bombers for me. I can't take it back the moment, but he can't leave either.
60 My attention remains focused on the Solomons. His AF on Guadalcanal is large enough to base Bettys, and will need to be suppressed before any action can be taken against Tulagi, Lunga, or any of his minor "colony" bases that he recently took in September. San Cristobal already has several fighter squadrons that have skirmishing with his Zeros; but is also of adaquate size to base level-bombers (but needs more supplies). Preparations are underway at the moment to accomplish this task, as Lex has been diverted to Luganville to escort convoys to San Cristobal. Meanwhile, Pearl has completed repairs to York and Hornet, and have actually been refitted them with several 40mm Bofors. They will be arriving in theater shortly... :^)
61 Mitchner with Lex has been assigned to escort a large convoy to San Cristobal. Capt McDowell, a PBY pilot from San Cristobal, has reported an IJN TF in the area of Tassaforonga. It's mission an dispostion are unclear however, as his PBY was spotted by enemy fighters and chased into a stormfront. The information however been relayed to Adm Mitchner on the Lex, and to San Cristobal where Navy and Marine SBDs are being armed for strikes as soon as the weather clears...
62 Knavey has sent a resupply convoy to Lunga, escorted by 2 carriers. No doubt with the intent to fortify Lunga and thus be able to project the will of the Emporer as far south as Luganville. The Marine squadrons on San Cristobal and Mitchner's own bombers, did manage several hits on APs unloading in Lunga. However, he has already based several squadrons of medium bombers at the AF there. Strikes from his carriers coupled with the Bettys ans Nells at Lunga managed to wear down my cap over Lex. She was hit by a single torpedo on Starbord quarter, near the engine compartment. Fortunatly, damage control crews were able to quickly respond and bring the flooding under control. Our own success was measured in sinking 2 destroyers, several APs, and even a trio of minelayers. However, seeing as Lex has been active in theater since May 1st, I think it is time to finally return her to Hawaii for refit. Adm Sherman and the crew of the Lex have earned my gratitude and a long over-due shore leave.
63 As we move into the last weeks of October, the stalemate continues. My bombers from PM and Australia continue to pound Gili-Gili and Buna, but I lack the ability to cover an invasion in the west at this time. My objective in the East is clearly the suppression of the AF at Lunga. I believe I have sufficient assets in position to accomplish this over the next 2 weeks, but only time will tell. Knavey has demonstrated his ability to deploy his carriers quickly and effectively to locally "sway" the local stalemate into his favor as long as they are present. Fortunately Hornet and Yorktown will be arriving in theater soon...
64 In a surprise raid, Knavey sent a TF south down The Slot. His TF was covered by Zeros from Lunga, and while I expected them to hit the airfield at San Cristobal, he diverted course and shelled the installations of my B-26 base at Neva. He also managed to destroy a sea-plane tender, and two transports that were unloading at the time. The weather worsened however, and my bombers were unable to locate his raiders until they were too far north and out of range of my SBDs at San Cristobal. I did manage to use the foul weather to conduct an operation of my own however, and sent north a large bombardment TF under Lee, with the North Carolina, Washington, and several heavy cruisers. As the weather cleared, 90 B-26s from Neva, and 45 SBDs (escorted by my Marine 'cats) from San Cristobal dropped their ordinance on his Airfield at Lunga. Casualities were -not- light, but neither were they prohibaitive. That evening, Lee's bombardment TF successfully navigated the minefields near Lunga, and basiclly shot the hell out of the place. Knavey's AF at Lunga is now completely shut down (which is fortunate, because having to cover every base in the Hebrides from his Betty's and Nells in Lunga is an excersize in frustration to say the least). It is my expectation that the B-26s should be able to maintain the suppression of Lunga for quite some time. To add insult to injury, A fair sized IJN convoy was caught unloading supplies for his garrison at Gili-Gili. Skip bomb attacks by B-25s from Cooktowne, combined with a sqardon of Marine Avengers at Port Moresby, heavily damaged several of the ships. Over the past few days, we have intercepted radio traffic indicating that at least 6 of the Marus have sunk.
65 How many ways can I try to make the word "attrition" sound interesting? (*grin*). It seems that pendulum has come to a rest. Knavey seems to have stopped advancing, and is in fact, being punished for even re-supplying his more advanced bases. I on the other hand, lack the "mobile aircover" (read : CVs) in order to adaquately cover any sort of invasion(s). My land-based air has thus far managed to keep further aggression by Knavey in check.
66 Port Moresby is in fine shape, with several squadrons of the FAR more effective P-40s for it's defense. I've also based a squadron of Marine Avengers there to harry shipping around Buna, Lae, and Gili-Gili. I've also found the "true calling" of the P39s. When they're not compelled to get slaughtered on CAP by Zeros, they actually perform quite adaquately in the anti-shipping role. In this capacity, all of my P39 squadrons have worked up a good experience rating, and are very proficinet with their single 500 lb. pound at low level. Furthermore, their 37mm cannon is quite effective vs. barges at low level. B-17s and B-25s from Australia keep the airfield at Gili-Gili (IJN controlled) unusable, while 7(?) regiments of IJN are infantry trapped there (the port is also a total wreck, and his last TF to pull them out was unsuccessful to say the least). We've even started preliminary sweeps over Buna - it's next on the list.
67 Meanwhile on the eastern side of theater, Knavey sortied Kaga, Ryujo and another CV (unidentified) to cover another convoy to Lunga. His airfield on Guadalcanal has been constantly bombed for the last month, and remains largely UNusable. I scrambled planes from Iaru (SBDs, 'cats, P39s, A-20s), Neva (B-26s), and Luganville (B-17s) in an attempt to intercept it. The carriers and convoy were heavily protected by fighters from Rabaul, his CVs, and from any that managed to get airborne at Lunga. Basically, I'd have to call the operation a wash. Air casualties were about the same on both sides. After about 3 days, Knavey's CAP was starting to wear down, and I managed to put skylights into Nagato, Krishima, and even 2 in Kaga. Several transports were hit (and sunk), and my submarines also made a good accounting in torpedoing some of the damaged freighters. The operation ended with Knavey retreating. Yes, I managed to sink several transports and damaged Nagato, Krishima and Kaga; however, Knavey was able to land most of whatever it was he wanted to put there (I'll have to schedule a few recon-flights in the coming week). Damaging Kaga was certainly a plus, but without CVs to give chase, she'll simply retire to Truk. Kaga was first reported in theater in July, so she was definately out of warrunty (I'm sure showing effects of system damage over 4 months plus the fact that I believe she's been hit one other time before), so Kaga was probably due to be rotated back to Japan anyways. Oh well. At least I won't have to worry about her for a couple of months. Furthermore, his constant CAP (and his TFs as targets), has allowed him to partially repair his AF at Lunga. I don't think it will be TOO problematic to reduce it again, but I have transferred several squadrons of B-17s from Australia to Luganville to insure the job gets done.
68 Still waiting on those carriers from Pearl tho... (*sigh*) However, if the pendulum seems to have hit bottom, does that mean that it will likely swing upwards in my favor any time soon?
NOVEMBER
=========
69 The opening weeks of November, have been the preparations for the closing weeks of November. Bombers from Port Moresby and Austrailia have entirely closed the Japanese airfields at Gili-Gili and Buna. the concentration of forces at the Solomons, has allowed Port Moresby to be heavily supplied and fortified, and has also taken on several new squadrons. PM can "project the will of the USN" throught all of New Guinea, and successfully interdict IJN naval traffic SW of Rabaul. Knavey's garrison (about 2 divisions?) at Gili-Gili completely immobile. The port is completely demolished, and his chance of getting any sort of convoy into Gili-Gili while under the dominance of PM is less than remote. I'm not even sure I even care about (re)taking Gili-Gili at the moment. Deploying 3 or more divisions to attack him, would make for a bloody affair anyways, and he can't actually DO anything at Gili-Gili anyway. I'm thinking of maybe just leaving him there.
70 Meanwhile in the Hebrides, I have completely destroyed Knavey's airfield at Lunga. My guestimate is that he has another 2 Divisions on Lunga -also-. But continuous sorties by Adm Lee to bombard the place, and daily attacks by B-17s and B-26s, have completely suppressed the airfield there. My airfield at San Cristobal has several squadrons of DBs and fighter-bombers thta can also interdict any resupply of Lunga (not to mention the blanket of subs). The continous bombing has however, caused a minor strain on my supply chain in the East, but that is being remedied. With his AF at Lunga suppressed, he will have to lauch from Shortland or Rabaul to interdict my agression in the Solomons. San Cristobal also has several fighter squadrons there now, and should be able adaquately cover my forward operations.
71 I have arraryed my forces for coming the engagements, and Pearl has just sent me confirmation that Hornet and Yortown are steaming west at full speed...
[to be continued...]
-F-
Actually, just read the last post.
|
Printable Version
Sibling Rivalry : Feinder(USN) vs. Knavey(IJN) - 
- 
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread