Jean Bart
Posts: 24
Joined: 11/30/2005 From: Lille / France Status: offline
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Well, I lost Saratoga in Sept 42 when IJN, including KB was cruising around Noumea. I thought I had a chance with my 3 CV, Yorktown, Lexington and Saratoga, since my TFs were not noticed from enemy. I made an excellent move to be 4 hexes to enemy TFs, with LBA support from my air forces based in Noumea. On the paper, it was a good plan…. But unlucky I was, bad weather conditions prevented all air activities in New Caledonia… Truly, my CV could not match the enemy forces… I managed to land a couple of bombs on 2 IJN CVs but without real effect. In return, my CAP had been butchered by zillions of zeros, and all 3 CVs were seriously damaged. By miracle, I managed to return to Noumea, where my fighters prevented some unsuccessful tries from KB to finish off my flattops in port, causing severe losses in the enemy carrier air force. Flooding being repaired, Yorktown and Lady Lex returned to San Francisco, after a long trip (All Fijis are in Japanese hands). I decided to scuttle Saratoga since she was 99 sys…. Japan 1 – US 0 Lesson: Never attack KB in 42…. In May 43, getting more and more confidence, I thought about getting a foot back in the Fijis, setting up a force to land in Wallis Island. My forces were escorted by Wasp, Enterprise, and Hornet … Suddenly, full KB appeared from nowhere, and launched a massive air strike against my CVs. It was a total surprise; my Air TFs did not even fight back. Hornet and Enterprise hit the Pacific bottom….. Japan 2 – US 0 Lesson: Do not plan any offensive action if you don’t where KB is located…. It is now mid July 43: I hold strategic location: Canton Island, Baker Island, Midway, New Hebrides and all Aleutian’s islands. Japan: All Salomons My opponent believes I will attack in the Gilberts. Tarawa and Makin Island should now be garrisoned with 2 Div, 2 Brigades, 2 Naval Guard units, a bunch of artillery and coastal guns units each behind lvl 9 fortification…. In other hand, my remaining CVs/CVLs/CVEs are in process to be equipped with F6F fighters. Next move will certainly be very bloody In New Guinea, Australians have landed (3 Div, 3 ARM rgt, 2 Brigades, ++) in Port Moresby and fight for months now to regain the base which is defended by 2 Div, 2 Brigade and other units. Good thing, these units are starving to death after a heavy bombing campaign. But I learned a new lesson: When Japan wants to hold some base it is very difficult to kick them out, making me reluctant to attack in Gilberts… In comparison, I am less successful in my sub warfare. I manage to hit some cargo ships, but most often they are isolated target. My opponents does not spread his merchants all other the map, and I have difficulties to locate his convoy. He has deployed also very good ASW flotillas of several PCs/PGs/APDs ( APDs are really deadly). These flotillas are docked in all small islands in the Pacific with lot of air assets on naval search/asw. As soon as one of my subs is located, you could be sure the next turn, they are hunting down by Japanese ASW. Lesson: do not patrol closer than 4 hexes from an enemy base. (Re, all my subs are in cruise speed, and when they reached 8 in dmg sys, I return them to PH for refit) When reaching the patrol area, how do you set the speed (mission speed or cruise speed) ? I know there s a thread on this subject, but in regard of your successes, I d like to know your settings…. So now you can understand my great interest in your AAR, as we are almost in similar situation in Central Pacific, and I will certainly learn in your future actions… Good luck chap !
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