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RE: 9 Mar. 42

 
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RE: 9 Mar. 42 - 11/21/2007 7:18:10 PM   
Cathartes

 

Posts: 2155
Joined: 1/5/2001
Status: offline 		Jim,
Thanks for  the AAR,  I'm enjoying it.

A couple of comments on the air war based on the last several posts:

1.  Weather is a major factor in the Burma region and bombers will go a long time without flying because of it--even if both the target hex and base hex appear clear. With weather set to "on" the pace of the air war in Burma can best be described as randomly sporadic.
2. Your Hurricane losses over Rangoon are entirely believable for me in either stock or NikMod.  You have not factored experience,die rolls, and altitude differences into the Rangoon debacle. As your fighter groups gain experience--and it is a slow and painstaking to achieve--your losses will not be so wild, and more fighters will show up for CAP. Hang in there, and be very choosy how you employ your fighters: rotate them constantly to keep them fresh, use them where you have a high chance to recover your pilots if they get shot down. The Japanese have a huge experience edge right now, and even her inferior planes, in the hands of top-notch pilots, can be tough to beat. Things will change by mid/late '42 when your pilot experience is waxing and his is waning.
3.  Air to air losses aside, your flak is putting the hurt on. 



(in reply to Gen.Hoepner)
Post #: 121
10 Mar. 42 - 11/22/2007 5:21:08 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		Cathartes, Thanks, glad you are enjoying it.

1. Unless something has changed in the engine, I thought Burma was a weather zone just like any other. Before I took a year off from the game, one of the big complaints was there was no monsoon season modeled in game. Has something changed in the game engine to model the monsoon season?

2. Actually I’m not too upset at all about the air to air losses so much, though not being able to even scratch a zero is a bit too extreme. My big gripe was/is that even with the mod, I still lost close to one month’s production in one day. Later in the game it’ll be Japan losing one month’s production a day. Air frame losses have always been way to high in WitP and I had hoped with the mod installed it might take two days to wipe out a month’s replacements rather than just one day. It would also be nice if planes hit on the ground were damaged more often than destroyed, instead of 100% of them getting destroyed as we have it now.

3. Yeah flak is pretty bad in the mod. I like it a lot so far, but perhaps losses are a bit too high. I wonder if there is a way to keep the hits achieved against planes at this current level, but reduce the damage caused, so more planes get damaged and fewer destroyed outright. But if I had a choice, I’d play with the flak increase rather than without, I’d just like to see about half as many bombers getting destroyed outright than are getting destroyed now.




10 Mar. 42


Manila and two land units there get hit from the air today, as do two ground units at Madioen.

Japan had moved 1 unit into my northern blocking hex along the road east of Changsha last turn, so I ordered a bombardment. Even though I have 7 Corps in the hex, the single 24 gun Japanese artillery unit blasts my troops, and suffers no casualties itself.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,36

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 69026 troops, 350 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2177

Defending force 1052 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1



Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I’ve ordered another bombardment next turn, as I expect more Japanese troops to enter the hex. Given this piss poor performance of my troops, I don’t want to order a deliberate attack and get creamed when the 7 other units reported 1 hex east enter the battle hex.

There’s not much else happening in game that’s worth reporting at the moment.

Jim

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 122
11 Mar. 42 - 11/23/2007 3:42:50 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		11 Mar. 42

Manila is hit from the air today, but again not Singapore. My opponent appears to have stopped his regular attacks at Singapore for some reason lately. Hopefully I’ll be able to get another level of forts finished if he keeps his strikes there this far apart.

Three air strikes hit ground units at Madioen. Later in the turn Japan launches a deliberate attack and although the odds are 0-1, his engineers manage to pull down a fort level before the attack goes in.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Madioen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58878 troops, 205 guns, 154 vehicles, Assault Value = 1148

Defending force 34923 troops, 165 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 466

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese max assault: 1069 - adjusted assault: 485

Allied max defense: 444 - adjusted defense: 761

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)


Japanese ground losses:
1690 casualties reported
Guns lost 36
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1397 casualties reported
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is not a good sign, if his engineers manage to pull down the forts, Madioen will fall eventually, even before my supplies run out. The next fort level is 86% done, if he keeps targeting the land units, I may be able to complete a level here too.

Jim

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/23/2007 3:43:53 PM >

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 123
12 Mar. 42 - 11/23/2007 5:25:37 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		12 Mar. 42

An air battle over Rangoon today saw 52 Japanese bombers escorted by just 6 zeroes intercepted by 55 of my Hurricanes. Even with almost a 10-1 superiority in fighters, my Hurricanes performed poorly and only shot down 2 zeroes and a few bombers.

I think the total tally for the day was 10 Japanese planes lost to 8 allied lost (from air bombardment). And here I got excited thinking I was going to do well when I first saw the battle screen pop-up.

Today is officially the slowest day yet in the game, I attach the entire Combatreports text file below, such as it is.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/12/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G3M Nell x 11
Ki-21-II Sally x 32
Ki-49 Helen x 9
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed, 16 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 2 destroyed, 24 damaged
Lysander I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 13000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 87145 troops, 534 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 2084

Defending force 60490 troops, 244 guns, 271 vehicles, Assault Value = 1316



Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 76722 troops, 358 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1549

Defending force 61948 troops, 309 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 889



Allied ground losses:
223 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Madioen

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1900 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1032

Defending force 33383 troops, 142 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 408



Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Taung Gyi

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3006 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 115

Defending force 4912 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 92



Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Jim


< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/23/2007 5:26:28 PM >

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 124
13 Mar. 42 - 11/24/2007 6:20:32 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		13 Mar. 42

Japanese sub I-9 surfaces and sinks a small barge near Cooktown. Too bad it didn’t fire any torpedoes at the barge, at least then it would have been that much closer to needing to leave the area. I’ll dispatch some ASW assets to try and sink it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 48,101

Japanese Ships
SS I-9

Allied Ships
LCVP LCP(L) No. 181, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another raid over Rangoon turns out to be a surprisingly even battle as far as losses go. Japan still dominated in number of shots taken, but a lot of hits damaged instead of destroyed my Hurricanes. The Japanese only had 13 bombers, so not much damage was caused on the ground.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
Ki-27 Nate x 23
Ki-21-II Sally x 13
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 6 destroyed, 23 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 13000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A large 100 plane bomber raid hits Singapore today, so much for my hope to increase fort levels there.

Japanese ASW assets damage my sub SS S-40 at Palembang today and I’ve ordered it to return to port at Colombo for repairs. That leaves only one more operational sub in the Java area for now. The rest are all at or on their way to ports for repairs.

Jim

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 125
14 Mar. 42 - 11/24/2007 7:49:41 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		14 Mar. 42

Japanese troops take Tulagi today. The Fleet that brought the SNLF ashore also damaged my sub that tried to get a shot off. Looks like the conquest of the Solomon’s has begun.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tulagi at 67,100

Japanese Ships
PC Kyo Maru #11
PC Kyo Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS S-28, hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Singapore, Manila and Madioen all get hit from the air today.

Japan then launches a shock attack at Singapore. By the adjusted AV, I’d say this is more Japanese engineers arriving across the river, since I had mentioned to my opponent he would probably need more to reduce the 2 remaining forts at Singapore now that allied troops had 70+ experience and he agreed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11471 troops, 97 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1601

Defending force 61097 troops, 303 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 905

Japanese max assault: 2 - adjusted assault: 0

Allied max defense: 954 - adjusted defense: 1764

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
153 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Allied ground losses:
159 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In central Australia Japanese forces took Katherine today. I plan to fall back all the way to Tennant Creek with the remnants from Darwin, where they will begin to dig in. Tennant is 6 hexes from Alice Springs which just turned into a level 4 airfield, so I’ll be able to lend air support from a relatively safe base for my defenders at Tennant Creek.

Once Tennant Creek’s airfield reaches level 4, I’ll then begin to plan for my counter-attacks towards Darwin.

My opponent states he’s run into the 59 mile movement bug with his units at Taung Gyi. Both the units inside Taung Gyi and those on the trail one hex outside Taung Gyi have 59 miles accumulated and will not move more.




Does anyone know how to resolve this issue?

Jim




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/24/2007 7:50:16 PM >

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 126
15 Mar. 42 - 11/26/2007 1:41:06 AM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		15 Mar. 42

Singapore and Madioen are hit from the air today as is a ground unit at Manila.

Japan launches another deliberate attack at Madioen and Japanese engineers manage to reduce the forts yet again. While the attack was repulsed, allied casualties are far greater than Japanese. I think the writing is on the wall for Madioen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Madioen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58670 troops, 192 guns, 160 vehicles, Assault Value = 1109

Defending force 32049 troops, 133 guns, 31 vehicles, Assault Value = 386

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese max assault: 1015 - adjusted assault: 630

Allied max defense: 346 - adjusted defense: 829

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
546 casualties reported
Guns lost 22

Allied ground losses:
1639 casualties reported
Guns lost 34
Vehicles lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I’ve sent the US regiment to Madioen to try and add a little more staying power to the defenders, but I’m not sure it’ll make enough difference to hold the base. Madioen has about 80% of my remaining supplies on Java at the base, so I can’t really afford to lose it.

My only other option would be to abandon both Soerabaja and Malang and put all my land units in Java at Madioen.

As you can see from the below screenshot, I’ll recover the just lost fort level next turn, since the 80% - 90% gain towards level 4 forts I had before the reduction this turn, is equivalent to a 123% gain towards level 3 forts. So next turn I should have my fort back.




If the US regiment doesn’t prevent the Japanese from reducing forts in the next attack they launch, I think I’m going to abandon all other bases on Java and pile into Madioen. I hate to lose the 500 supplies produced each turn at Soerabaja, but if I lose Madioen I’ll lose them anyway as soon as Japan occupies Soerabaja. I’ll also lose the 20,000-30,000 supplies I have at Madioen now, so I think it’s best to abandon the rest of the island in hopes I can hold out for at least a month or so at Madioen.

Japan launched a shock attack at Singapore this turn. Given the casualties suffered by Japan, I think this was just another engineer unit moving into Singapore, otherwise Japan would have suffered thousands more casualties.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 86325 troops, 354 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 1629

Defending force 60921 troops, 297 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 916

Japanese max assault: 1616 - adjusted assault: 833

Allied max defense: 917 - adjusted defense: 1111

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
1044 casualties reported
Guns lost 29
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
2876 casualties reported
Guns lost 87
Vehicles lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I’m still feverishly evacuating troops out of Singapore to ultimately send to Port Blair. Unfortunately it’s playing havoc with my float planes and they spend more time stood down repairing damaged aircraft and morale than actually lifting troops out.

Jim




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/26/2007 1:42:22 AM >

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 127
16 Mar. 42 - 11/27/2007 12:16:16 AM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		16 Mar. 42

Southeast of Port Moresby US sub SS S-18 launches two attacks on a Japanese task force. The first attack failed to get into position to launch torpedoes, but the second attack manages to slam a torpedo into the side of a large Japanese AP. Casualties are reported, so the AP was loaded, unfortunately I have no idea if it is heading to, or away from, Port Moresby.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 54,95

Japanese Ships
AP Brazil Maru
DD Oite
DD Hatsukaze
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Shotoku Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 54,95

Japanese Ships
AP Kamakura Maru, Torpedo hits 1
AP Asama Maru
DD Asanagi
DD Oite
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Shotoku Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-18

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Only Manila and a ground unit at Manila suffer Japanese air raids today, both Singapore and Madioen get a reprieve.

Japan then launches a deliberate attack at Manila and the base holds. Supplies however are now critically low, with only about 3500 left at the base and perhaps half to two thirds of needed supplies in the units themselves.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 135772 troops, 695 guns, 186 vehicles, Assault Value = 2612

Defending force 60260 troops, 248 guns, 271 vehicles, Assault Value = 1340

Japanese max assault: 2489 - adjusted assault: 1511

Allied max defense: 1212 - adjusted defense: 4461

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
4364 casualties reported
Guns lost 94
Vehicles lost 7

Allied ground losses:
1853 casualties reported
Guns lost 74
Vehicles lost 18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I predict Manila will fall by the end of March, or in early April at the latest.

Not much more to report, other than the SS Grayling took some ASW damage at Rabaul and is ordered back to port.

I also should mention the forts at Madioen didn't expand, looks like my engineers have to clear all damage at the base first before they will improve, even though they have 123% progress completed...

Jim

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/27/2007 2:03:17 AM >

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 128
17 Mar. 42 - 11/27/2007 11:20:24 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		17 Mar. 42

Japanese bombers hit Moulmein today and cause light damage. This is the start of the Burma campaign in earnest. A Japanese mixed brigade, a tank regiment and a third unit (probably a base force) are all now at Moulmein.

I have 5 brigades defending the base, hopefully they can hold, but their experience levels are all in the 35-40 range right now. All 5 brigades are 100% prepped for either Mandalay or Imphal now, so they are slowly gaining experience. Within a few weeks they should all be above 50 and will be much more reliable in combat then.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 55
Ki-27 Nate x 10
Ki-21-II Sally x 44
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 13000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I’ve ordered all my bombers within range to ground strike Moulmein. Hopefully they’ll coordinate well and go in as one big strike with escorts from Rangoon.

Japanese bombers also hit Manila and ground troops at Manila and Madioen today. Japan then launches another deliberate attack on Madioen and reduces the forts another level. Casualties are again high for the allies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Madioen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 59962 troops, 199 guns, 159 vehicles, Assault Value = 1085

Defending force 32465 troops, 109 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 405

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese max assault: 662 - adjusted assault: 420

Allied max defense: 353 - adjusted defense: 611

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 1)


Japanese ground losses:
1177 casualties reported
Guns lost 28
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
1790 casualties reported
Guns lost 35
Vehicles lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I’ve gone ahead and ordered almost all remaining land units on Java to move to Madioen. The Soerabaja CD unit shall remain at Soerabaja since it is a fixed unit. The Batavia CD unit will go to Malang along with a small base force unit, since the only remaining aircraft in Java are 6 float planes on ASW search, which cannot be based at an inland hex like Madioen.

Allied casualties and disablements have been pretty high at Madioen, so I’m not sure I’ll be able to hold the base even with all my forces combined there. But I’ll have a better chance there than at Soerabaja where naval bombardments can pound my units along with the air strikes. Within 2 or 3 days, all moves should be completed.

Jim

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/27/2007 11:21:44 PM >

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 129
18 Mar. 42 - 11/28/2007 5:24:50 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		18 Mar. 42

Japanese planes bomb Moulmein today. Unfortunately 15 of my Hurricanes from Rangoon bleed over as CAP at Moulmein and get decimated by the strike.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 57
Ki-27 Nate x 16
Ki-21-II Sally x 40
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 9 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 31

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 13000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese planes also hit Madioen and Manila today, along with two ground units at Manila as well.

I tried to sneak a barge fleet into Thursday Island in northeastern Australia, and it finds a small Japanese task force at the base. Allied recon had failed to spot this task force which had two old BB’s (the PG’s) in it. Even though the range was 20,000 yards, the two PG’s sunk every single barge in the tiny fleet.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Thursday Island at 49,91

Japanese Ships
DD Michishio
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Hatsushimo
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
PG Idzumo
PG Iwate

Allied Ships
LCVP LCP(L) No. 180, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCVP LCP(L) No. 182, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCVP LCP(L) No. 183, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
LCVP LCP(L) No. 184, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LCVP LCP(L) No. 185, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For some reason none of my bombers flew against Moulmein today, even though every bomber and fighter in range has the base as its primary ground target. Hopefully the strike will fly tomorrow.

Jim




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/28/2007 5:25:31 PM >

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 130
19 Mar. 42 - 11/28/2007 9:03:45 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		19 Mar. 42

One of my subs intercepts a Japanese transport fleet passing near Milne Bay at the tip of New Guinea. The sub fails to launch any torpedoes and gets pounded by the escorts. Damage was light, but I went ahead and ordered the sub to return to Sydney for repairs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 57,97

Japanese Ships
DD Amagiri
AP Teikyo Maru
AP Hie Maru
AP Kobe Maru
DD Hatakaze
PG Ikunta Maru
PG Oi Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-23, hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two ground units at Manila are hit from the air. No other Japanese land based air strikes fly today, giving all my bases a little rest.

Disaster in the Tasman Sea!

KB appears deep in the Tasman Sea and launches two strikes against a 43 ship supply convoy heading in to Brisbane. The larger of the two strikes had 55 zeroes escorting 202 Val’s and Kate’s, so it looks like the entire KB is present, minus Zuikaku of course.

Only one ship of the task force sinks this turn, but many are in very bad shape and not expected to make port. I’ve divided the fleet into 4 task forces based on ship speed and given the two fastest groups orders to move southwest at full speed.

The two groups with heavier damage are ordered to try and steam through the gauntlet of expected air strikes in an attempt to get some of the ships into port at Brisbane.

A much larger (but empty) 72 ship task force is a few hexes west of the one struck today, I’ve split it into two groups based on speed and ordered both to Sydney at full speed.

Although this is no doubt a disaster for the allied cause, I sense a possible opportunity in the making. KB is already deep into the Tasman Sea and will probably head in even deeper in pursuit of my scattering forces.

I have been keeping 2 US CV’s at Auckland in anticipation of a possible Japanese move to take Nomeua. I had planned to only commit them if KB wasn’t in the area when the invasion came at Nomeua.

But now I think fortune may favor the bold. My opponent must have a replenishment fleet somewhere north of KB and recon seems to indicate mini KB is also with KB. This leads me to believe he probably has no air cover with the replenishment group.

So I’ve ordered both US CV’s to sail north in an attempt to find and sink the replenishment task force. While sinking the replenishment group will not be decisive, if I do manage to sink it, it will greatly curtail Japan’s ability to do deep raids like this and will help to protect my future supply convoys from destruction.

Also, by the time I do sink the replenishment fleet, there is a good chance KB will have used up all or most of its available strikes chasing my cargo ships, and leave it vulnerable to my two CV’s.

If the worst case occurs and I have to fight a CV battle with KB before it uses up its available strikes, there is a small chance I may get some bombers through to hit one or two of his CV’s. If not, then I’ll most likely lose the 2 CV’s for no real gain, but I think the risk is worth it in this case given that there is a good chance he won’t even know my CV’s are around until they strike.

One alarming development this turn is that the allied AAA does not appear to work for fleets. I know nik mod toned down fleet AAA in the latest version, but apparently something got broken. The fleet that was attacked this turn had over 1600 points of AAA when it was in good shape last turn and it didn’t even manage to damage a single Japanese plane.

This will spell utter disaster for allied CV fleets if fleet AAA is broken, and could possibly be a game breaker for us.




Japan launches a shock attack at Singapore and is bloodily repulsed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 89908 troops, 340 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 1592

Defending force 59338 troops, 290 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 889

Japanese max assault: 1578 - adjusted assault: 531

Allied max defense: 968 - adjusted defense: 1230

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)


Japanese ground losses:
3241 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
1780 casualties reported
Guns lost 81
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Singapore is set to build another fort level this turn, so should be level 3 tomorrow. At this point I’m almost 100% sure Japan will not be able to take it by force until all the supplies are gone.

I’m already making plans to pull another 4 brigades out of Singapore in addition to the 8th Indian which I already pulled out for defense at Port Blair. These 4 brigades are spent with almost 100% disabled squads, so I’ll get them out when/if I can for some R&R in India. Their removal shouldn’t reduce my AV defending the base by very much, since they are already pretty much shot.

Jim




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/28/2007 9:16:55 PM >

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 131
RE: 19 Mar. 42 - 11/28/2007 9:09:26 PM   
tlkiilerich

 

Posts: 27
Joined: 11/4/2004
Status: offline 		Cheers nice AAR..

Doubt anything is broken concerning TF FLAK, remember that FLAK is reduced in larger than 15 ship TF's. In my games the allied AA work all to well....

tlk

(in reply to Jim D Burns)
Post #: 132
RE: 19 Mar. 42 - 11/29/2007 8:08:56 AM   
racndoc


Posts: 2519
Joined: 10/29/2004
From: Newport Coast, California
Status: offline 		Jim....great AAR.


On the Andrew Brown map you will definitely get monsoon like weather in SE Asia. It seems like you have thunderstorms 9 days out of 10 during monsoon season and it can get frustating but it affects both sides bombing campaigns and also adds to the FoW.

Its been awhile since I read the designer's notes on CHS Nik Mod but Im pretty sure that the effectiveness of Allied naval flak has been increased and this should become noticeable when you get into CV vs CV combat.

It also says somewhere in the CHS notes that the Hurricane is the best Allied fighter until the arrival of the Spitfire....not sure why your fighter losses in Burma are so one sided....possibly it is the difference in experience levels of the pilots. With the heavy fighter attrition you may just have to pull your fighters back to India. Once in India, you have so many base units and AA units that you can stack at your airfields that Japan will suffer more losses from bombing your airfields than what you will suffer destroyed on the ground. In India you will have more airfields that are closer together making it easier to disperse your fighters. Also, his fighters will have to attack you from longer range.

Good luck with dispersing your large convoy off the coast of Australia.

(in reply to tlkiilerich)
Post #: 133
RE: 19 Mar. 42 - 11/30/2007 1:41:03 AM   
VSWG


Posts: 3432
Joined: 5/31/2006
From: Germany
Status: offline 		43 and 72 ship convoys? Quite large. How do you organize your shipping between the US and Oz?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jim D Burns

One alarming development this turn is that the allied AAA does not appear to work for fleets. I know nik mod toned down fleet AAA in the latest version, but apparently something got broken. The fleet that was attacked this turn had over 1600 points of AAA when it was in good shape last turn and it didn’t even manage to damage a single Japanese plane.

Look at the crew experience of your transports - these guys don't know which end of the barrel should point towards the enemy... Furthermore, as tlkiilerich said, after the 15th ship in a TF you'll get diminishing returns from AA values.

_____________________________


(in reply to Jim D Burns)
Post #: 134
20 Mar. 42 - 11/30/2007 3:24:12 AM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		20 Mar. 42

US sub SS S-18 slams a torpedo into a Japanese AP two hexes south of Port Moresby. No casualties are reported so apparently the ship was empty.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 54,95

Japanese Ships
AP Takasago Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan gets it revenge however when US sub SS S-35 gets hit hard near Normandy Island on the tip of New Guinea. With floatation damage of 98, I doubt the sub will survive.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 58,97

Japanese Ships
MSW W.12
PC Ch 23
PC Ch 24
PC Ch 19
PC Sonan Maru #6

Allied Ships
SS S-35, hits 3, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Singapore Madioen and Manila all get hit from the air today. Two ground units at Manila also get hit as well.

As expected KB and mini KB moved deeper into the Tasman Sea. The fleets launch a total of seven strikes at the two most heavily battered fleets that attempted to move directly towards Brisbane. With only 30 ships out of the original 43 from the convoy still afloat, Japan sank 12 ships today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 50,128

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
D3A2 Val x 22
B5N2 Kate x 26

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Antares, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Laida, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Jeff Davis
AK Dorothy Philips, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Maine, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mahukona, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
TK Hagan, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Roseville, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 50,128

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
D3A2 Val x 19
B5N2 Kate x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Barbara Olson, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Antietam, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Vega, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Florence D., Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lihue, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Long, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 50,128

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
D3A2 Val x 44
B5N2 Kate x 48

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Solana, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Maliko, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lihue, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arctic, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Florence D., on fire, heavy damage
TK Pueblo, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Long, on fire, heavy damage
AK Barbara Olson, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
TK Antietam, on fire, heavy damage
AK Vincent, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 50,128

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A2 Val x 25
B5N2 Kate x 38
F1M2 Pete x 13
E13A1 Jake x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Maliko, on fire, heavy damage
TK Pueblo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Long, on fire, heavy damage
AK Vincent, on fire, heavy damage
AK Vega, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Barbara Olson, on fire, heavy damage
TK Solana, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Florence D., on fire, heavy damage
AK Lihue, on fire, heavy damage
TK Antietam, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 50,128

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5N2 Kate x 19

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Lihue, on fire, heavy damage
AK Florence D., on fire, heavy damage
TK Dilworth, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Vega, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 50,128

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Barbara Olson, on fire, heavy damage
AK Vincent, on fire, heavy damage
TK Pueblo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x F1M2 Pete bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 50,128

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
TK Pueblo, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just like last turn, not a single Japanese plane was even scratched by AAA fire. This time the fleets attacked all had less than 15 ships present.

The allies got lucky this turn, the two fleets that fled southwest were unspotted by Japanese search planes. If Japan moves north from its current position to continue pursuing the ships headed towards Brisbane, the two southeastern fleets should end up outside search range and be safe from detection.

A Japanese transport fleet arrives and begins unloading troops at Luganville today. As I expected it looks like he’s making a grab for New Caledonia. I’ve slightly altered the route of my two US CV’s to head north so it will be within about 5-6 hexes of Noumea should a Japanese transport group arrive there.

The Americal division is still weeks away and cannot play a role in trying to defend Noumea. I have a tank battalion at Auckland that could go to Noumea, but with KB around it is too dangerous to attempt to move it right now.

Allied recon also spotted a Japanese transport fleet headed towards the northeastern tip of Australia. I can’t tell if this fleet is headed to Thursday Island or Portland Roads yet. I’ve rebased a group of A-24’s to Cooktown, but the airfield there is only level 2 as is the one at Thursday Island. I cannot recall if A-24’s will fly from a level 2 airfield, but it’s worth a try.




Japan launches a deliberate attack at Madioen today, and is repulsed even though his engineers pulled down the last fort level. It looks like moving everything in and abandoning Soerabaja and Malang did the trick. He’ll now need significantly more land combat forces to reduce Madioen.

Also 34,000+ supplies are now at the base as almost 100% of my remaining supplies on the island were pulled to the base as my ground troops moved in.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Madioen

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 61061 troops, 189 guns, 159 vehicles, Assault Value = 1076

Defending force 45243 troops, 140 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 545

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese max assault: 245 - adjusted assault: 135

Allied max defense: 495 - adjusted defense: 653

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
930 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1526 casualties reported
Guns lost 22
Vehicles lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I’m still quite concerned at how many more casualties the allies took compared to Japan given the difference in our adjusted AV’s. If he keeps this kind of casualty ratio up, he’ll wear down my troops till all I have left are disabled squads.

Jim




Attachment (1)

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 135
RE: 19 Mar. 42 - 11/30/2007 3:49:13 AM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		Tlkiilerich, Thanks glad you’re enjoying the read.

I understand about the penalty for large fleets, but not one plane was even scratched. And the next turn had fleets of less than 15 ships (granted heavily damaged) get attacked, but still not one plane scratched.


AdmSpruance, thanks glad you like it.

I haven’t been watching the weather patterns in Burma very closely, I’ll keep a closer eye on them from now on. I do see Japanese bombers flying though when mine do not, but no messages during the turn saying my bombers were socked in by weather.

I think the latest notes (might have been a forum thread I read instead) in nik mod stated naval flak was returned to normal due to it being too effective. I haven’t really paid much attention to it until now in our game, but I’ll be tracking naval AAA losses from now on.

If you look at the screenshot above that places all the fighters side by side, you’ll see the maneuver ratings for Japan are 10+ points better than any of the allied planes. Maneuver ratings determine if a plane gets to shoot in air to air combat and also if a plane gets to evade any shots taken at them. The net result is allied planes take very few shots at Japanese planes (about 1/10th as many as Japan takes at the allies) and when they do get to shoot most shots are evaded by Japan.

The only time my pilots seem to get any kills are when Japanese pilots are fatigued from prior missions they flew, if they are fresh the allies get shredded every time, even by Nates. Nik mod simply underestimated the importance of maneuver ratings and over estimated the value of speed.


VSWG,

I have tried to keep my fleets smaller than 50 ships, and usually send 20+ ship sized fleets for specific tasks. I never really liked sending lots of smaller fleets as it simply added to the micromanagement aspect of the game. But given the results of these attacks, I think it’s imperative to keep all my fleets under 15 ships if possible from now on.

Also there is a lot less lift capacity in CHS for the allies, so sending regular convoys from the US isn’t possible. The first US convoys have just started to reach OZ now, and my opponent couldn’t have picked a better time to appear in the rear.

The convoy hit was one of the largest supply convoys sent and had over 100,000 supplies and 120,000 oil aboard. The 72 ship convoy are empties from India that dropped some supplies in OZ and had just regrouped for the long journey to the US. Originally it was three different convoys, but they all ended up at Melbourne waiting on fuel for their trip to the US.

Once refueled I got lazy and combined them into one big group. Should they survive I’ll break them up and send 15 ships once a week or so until they are all on the way to the US.

I agree experience is very low, however some Japanese planes should have been hit. Something is wrong when none even get scratched. Especially after this turns results, the fleets were under 15 ships and again no planes were even damaged.

Jim


< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/30/2007 3:50:59 AM >

_____________________________


(in reply to VSWG)
Post #: 136
21 Mar. 42 - 11/30/2007 6:11:30 AM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		21 Mar. 42

At Kendari, US sub SS S-38 slams two torpedoes into the side of a Japanese AP. No casualties are reported, but damage appeared to be heavy, hopefully the ship will go down.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kendari at 33,71

Japanese Ships
AP Gyoko Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Edo Maru
MSW Toroshima Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Singapore, Madioen and Manila are all hit from the air this turn.

After being plotted to attack for days, the allied bombers finally launch their attacks against the Japanese land forces at Moulmein. Instead of one large combined raid, 5 separate raids are launched. The 4th Mixed Regiment is hit 3 times and the 1st Tank Regiment is hit twice.

One mission launched from Rangoon, and Imphal (medium bombers) and Dacca (heavy bombers) each launched two missions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Mixed Regiment, at 30,34


Allied aircraft
Lysander I x 1
Blenheim IV x 18
A-24 Dauntless x 18


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
139 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Mixed Regiment, at 30,34


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 18


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Mixed Regiment, at 30,34


Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 22
B-17E Fortress x 36
LB-30 Liberator x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Tank Regiment, at 30,34


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Tank Regiment, at 30,34


Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 2
B-17E Fortress x 10


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the disruption caused by these attacks, I think it’s safe to begin land bombardments, so I’ve toggled the five defending brigades to bombardment attacks. I’d like to get them trained up to 59 if possible, so I’ll keep the bombardments on from now on unless losses are too high.

KB and mini KB moved 5-6 hexes northeast this turn, and KB launches a single strike at my stricken ship on route to Brisbane. There are only three ships left from the two task forces I sent towards Brisbane, and two of them will probably sink without any further help from Japan.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 49,126

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
D3A2 Val x 64
B5N2 Kate x 66

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Dorothy Philips, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Makiki, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
TK Pueblo, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Laida, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
TK Hagan, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Roseville, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mahukona, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It doesn’t look like KB and mini KB are moving at full speed, so I doubt they spotted my CV’s. I find it odd though that he would leave the Tasman Sea without polishing off the rest of my convoy. Given the position of the two KB’s and my CV’s, it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to catch his replenishment fleet somewhere to the north before a CV engagement would take place.

I’ve decided then to play it safe and have diverted my two CV’s to run northeast towards New Caledonia at full speed. This should put them in range to intercept any possible invasion fleets headed towards Noumea next turn, but far enough away from KB to withdraw if KB makes a sprint to try and intercept my CV’s.




I can’t believe it, but I’m actually irked that he didn’t go ahead and move further south to sink some more of my ships next turn. In the end it looks like he’ll have sunk a little over half of my 43 ship convoy, and about 2/3rds of the fuel and supply it was carrying was lost.

As expected Luganville falls to a NLF this turn. Soon he’ll have search aircraft and long range bombers stationed there. If I can get the Americal division ashore at Noumea I may have a chance of contesting New Caledonia, but with several weeks sailing time before its convoy is even near the area, I don’t think I can stop this move before Japanese air makes sending more defenders to Noumea impossible.

I may try an air strike on Luganville with my CV’s to damage the base. I doubt two CV’s can do enough damage with one strike to keep the airfield damaged and construction halted for long, but it’s all I can do for now. It’s too dangerous to stay around for more than one strike with KB so close.

Recon now detects two fleets headed towards northeastern Australia. It also now looks like Thursday Island is the target. I've rebased the A-24's there in hopes they can send a few ships to the bottom before the base falls. I have no air support at the base, so I'll have to pull the planes out when damage mounts, but hopefully they'll be a rude surprise. Assuming of course they can even launch from a level 2 airfield.

Jim




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/30/2007 6:13:09 AM >

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(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 137
22 Mar. 42 - 11/30/2007 11:55:54 AM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		22 Mar. 42

Looks like the jig is up at Kuala in northern Sumatra, two different Japanese strikes hit the base today. I had noticed Japanese recon flying over the base recently, but I did my best to whistle nonchalantly and look unconcerned. But given the fact there are over 10,000 troops now at the tiny base, Japan must have decided it was time to pay it some attention.

It is going to be a lot harder to complete my evacuations from Singapore now that’s he’s aware something’s afoot. Damage to the base isn’t too bad, but he did manage to destroy one of my Catalina’s and the replacement rates are very low for those aircraft.

I’ve only got 23 engineer squads at the base, so if he keeps this up I’ll need to evacuate a unit with some engineers from Singapore to help with repairs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuala , at 20,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-21-II Sally x 12

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 13000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kuala , at 20,43

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 27
Ki-21-II Sally x 26
Ki-48-I Lily x 33
Ki-49 Helen x 19
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 1 destroyed

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manila and two ground units there also get hit from the air today.

Well my A-24’s at Thursday Island launch two attacks, and even managed to get through the 17 zeroes flying LRCAP over the fleet. No hits are scored however, so the effort was a waste.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 52,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
A-24 Dauntless x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Ryofu Maru
AP Ural Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 52,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
A-24 Dauntless x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Manko Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One small dividend of this raid however was increased allied recon of the hex this turn and what I previously thought was a small invasion force heading to take an out of the way base like Thursday Island down, now looks like an invasion force gathering for the invasion of northeastern Australia.

The fleet/fleets haven’t moved very much for 3 turns now and recon spots 7 task forces this turn, 5 in the hex attacked, one 1 hex from the attacked hex and another at Port Moresby. I know Japan recently brought another division to the region, and with the division already present at port Moresby, he could land anywhere along the northeastern coast and have a good chance of taking several bases.




All bases north of Brisbane only have a brigade for defense, though several units belonging to Southwest Pacific HQ are busy rebuilding at Charter Towers, including the 61st Reserve Division which is now at about two reinforced battalions in strength.

Assuming he brings two divisions plus other land forces, I’m guessing that I could potentially stop him at Rockhampton if all my forces fall back to that base once he lands.

I have 1 Australian division at Alice Springs and another on the way there. Also the 1st Cavalry Division is at Tennant Creek. If Japan lands 2 divisions in the northeast, I’ll pull 1 division from Alice Springs and send it to join the division at Brisbane. The two divisions at Adelaide and Brisbane shall remain in the south to prevent a deep landing from unhinging my defense. I’ll also leave the armor cadres at Sydney along with the rebuilding fragments from New Guinea to defend that base. I’ve sent two independent companies to bolster Melbourne’s defense a bit.

I recently landed the 7th AIF Division at Perth, and it is already marching towards the east, but is at least a month or so away. The 6th AIF Division is at Aden and awaiting the return of the fast APs to take it to Australia. Once embarked, I’ll have it sail all the way to eastern Australia instead of debarking at Perth.

I still do not have a lot of allied air power in Australia. Basically there are about 60-80 Hudson bombers and 50 or so heavy bombers. Also there are two squadrons of A-24’s (the third is at Rangoon) and some float plane groups. Fighter strength is several squadrons of Wirraways and 2 or 3 squadrons of recently arrived Kittyhawks, so air power isn’t going to help much in the defense of OZ right now.

The first large convoy with air units and ground troops belonging to the Southwest Pacific aboard is months away still, so Australia will have to hold with what I’ve described above for at least 2 months or more.

I could divert the Americal Division's task force and also send the tank battalion at Auckland to Australia in an emergency, but I think they are better served defending Noumea if I can get them ashore there after KB leaves the area.

One thing’s for sure, the next few months appear to be winding up to be an exciting time in our game. Of course I could be wrong and he’s just really forming up for a massive over-kill at Thursday Island.

KB only moved 3 hexes northeast of their last position this turn, could they be out of fuel already? I've lost track of mini KB for the moment. I also goofed with my CV's last turn and forgot to place both task forces at full speed, so they are split up. I've ordered them to recombine near Noumea this turn, after they reunite, I'll send them north to go fishing for any fleets heading towards Noumea. The fleets at Luganville are already gone.

Jim




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 11/30/2007 12:02:42 PM >

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(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 138
23 Mar. 42 - 12/1/2007 12:32:08 AM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		23 Mar. 42

Japan finally begins his long anticipated invasion of Mindanao. Landings occur at both Butuan and Davao. Only Davao is opposed and the fact the reserve Division there is 100% prepped for the base pays some small dividends as several coastal gunfire shots find their mark and score a few hits on some PGs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Davao, 43,61, firing at TF 5
TF 5 troops unloading over beach at Davao, 43,61


52 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PG Akagi Maru, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
501 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Davao, 43,61, firing at TF 5
TF 5 troops unloading over beach at Davao, 43,61


48 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
PG Kanko Maru, Shell hits 2

Japanese ground losses:
116 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here’s a screenshot of my bombardment attack against the invaders, as you can see Japan has brought plenty of force to overwhelm the weak reserve division at Davao. I thought about simply retreating north to Cagayan, but the 2 forts and 100% preparation by my unit may allow it to hold out for a few turns.




Madioen and Manila get hit from the air today. 40 Nells also bomb Thursday Island today, but damage is light. I’ve already rebased the A-24 squadron back to Cooktown, the 5 damaged aircraft left at Thursday Island (along with 22 pilots!) will have to die on the ground there, since there is no air support available at the base to repair them.

Japan launches a deliberate attack at Manila and achieves a 1-1 odds attack. With less than 3,000 supplies left at the base and about 1/3rd required supplies held within the units themselves, it looks like Manila is about to go down.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 132842 troops, 636 guns, 183 vehicles, Assault Value = 2395

Defending force 51762 troops, 116 guns, 230 vehicles, Assault Value = 1192

Japanese max assault: 2274 - adjusted assault: 1841

Allied max defense: 983 - adjusted defense: 1733

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
4667 casualties reported
Guns lost 39
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
1788 casualties reported
Guns lost 22
Vehicles lost 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The potential OZ invasion force is still sitting in its same hex. I guess he’s waiting for all his fleets to arrive before heading in to invade. Or perhaps he is awaiting KB for air cover, I don’t know.

KB moved another 3 hexes northwest today and mini KB appeared near it. They appear to be moving closer to the coast, possibly in an attempt to get my land based air to throw itself against the uber CAP over the fleet without any escorts.

I *think* I have all my Hudson bombers on 100% naval search, but I can’t remember for sure as I type this. I want to save my land based air assets to oppose the invasion. It’ll take years to replace the Hudson’s if I lose them now, and I need them to oppose any ground attack drives down the east coast, so I’ll refrain from attacking KB. I just hope I remembered to set all of them to 100% naval search, some may still be set to naval attack.

My 2 US CV’s are reunited and ordered north at mission speed to see if anything is approaching Noumea.

With KB slowed to a crawl, I may even decide to venture west a bit to see if I can intercept the replenishment fleet that must be sailing south by now to meet KB. If KB again only moves 3 hexes next turn, I think I’ll take the risk and go hunting for some oilers.

Jim




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 12/1/2007 12:39:13 AM >

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(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 139
24 Mar. 42 - 12/1/2007 11:21:11 AM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		24 Mar. 42

Boy oh boy, what a turn, things are really picking up across the map.

The turn starts out with a Japanese naval bombardment of Thursday Island by Japanese DD’s. The coastal guns return fire and score a few hits. Damage to the base is negligible.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Thursday Island, at 49,91 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Yugure
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsushimo, Shell hits 1
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Michishio, Shell hits 3, on fire


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next Japanese troops begin landing over the beach at La Foa. La Foa is the dot base just northwest of Noumea. By the end of the turn, Japan has over 10,000 troops reported ashore.

Of course the US CV’s are in the area on their little fishing expedition, and later in the turn they launch three different raids. The largest raid with 98 bombers hits 3 Japanese APD’s at Koumac, and scores multiple bomb hits on each APD, sending all three to the bottom.

This of course turns out to be a huge boon for the Japanese, as the next two raids are much smaller and go after the real targets at La Foa.

17 SBD’s manage to put 4 bombs into an AP, and then 48 more launch and put 13 bombs into a CL. The CL sank for sure, I’m not sure if the AP went down or not.

There are three fleets reported at La Foa, two of which are large transport fleets. By going after the APD’s, the CV’s wasted a huge strike that 12 bombers could have managed and now the transport fleet will be able to unload another 10k troops or thousands of supplies next turn before another strike can be launched.

Meanwhile, KB and mini KB spent the turn a few hexes east of Rockhampton with a TK fleet. KB launched three large air strikes at Rockhampton, two strikes hit the base, causing moderate damage and destroyed the tiny Wirraway CAP. The other strike hit my ASW task force at the base and sank all 3 MSW ships.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rockhampton , at 47,113

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
D3A2 Val x 70
B5N2 Kate x 48

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 4 destroyed, 37 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
A-24 Dauntless: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 40

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Rockhampton at 47,113

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
D3A2 Val x 52
B5N2 Kate x 25

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 7 destroyed

Allied Ships
MSW Bendigo, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Burnie, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Maryborough, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rockhampton , at 47,113

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
D3A2 Val x 48
B5N2 Kate x 67

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 3 destroyed, 22 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 19
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With all the strikes KB has flown over the past week, I’m now confident enough to stick around and possibly engage it in a CV battle. Therefore I’ve calculated where it would move if it ran 12 hexes east at full speed, and plotted my CV’s to end their move 2 hexes from that point, but still within two hexes of Koumac and La Foa (see screenshot).

If my opponent charges in, they’ll definitely be a CV battle tomorrow. If not, then that will confirm my suspicions that he’s out of air strikes, and I’ll move northwest at full speed next turn to try and intercept him as he falls back to Port Moresby or Rabaul.

The large group of fleets Japan has been assembling near Port Moresby is on the move. Based on its location this turn, it is either going for Cooktown or Portland Roads.




Rangoon gets a lot of activity today as my opponent flew three separate sweeps over the base. The first two sweeps were flown by Oscars, and I almost outnumbered each by 2-1 in aircraft and managed to hold my own.

The third sweep was flown by zeroes, and although I outnumbered them by much more than 2-1, all my pilots managed to do was damage two of them while getting chewed up themselves. Air to air losses for the day over Rangoon was 18 hurricanes to 14 Oscars.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 30

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 56

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 11 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed, 13 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 8 destroyed, 17 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 6 destroyed, 5 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese bombers hit Singapore and Madioen today. Also two ground units at Manila are struck.

My bombers from Dacca, Imphal and Rangoon all flew to Moulmein again today. All three missions hit the 1st Tank Regiment and caused decent damage.

Well the expected Japanese attack goes in at Davao and I lose the base on the first go. Even with 2 forts and 100% preparation, my adjusted AV was unbelievably low.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Davao

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9182 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 224

Defending force 2682 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Japanese max assault: 222 - adjusted assault: 148

Allied max defense: 72 - adjusted defense: 22

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Davao base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Butuan also fell, giving me a glimpse of the units there, which totaled 194 AV before adjustments.

Australian remnants from Port Moresby retook Dobodura today. I’ve begun the air lift to pull them back to OZ.

Jim




Attachment (1)

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 140
A quandary - 12/1/2007 3:42:40 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		OK gents, I have a bit of a quandary. Japan has turned south towards Cooktown with his invasion task forces and is obviously bringing some serious strength to the party. La Foa was attacked and the only unit ashore is the South Seas Det., which means Japan has at least 2 divisions (probably 3 or 4) aboard its invasion groups heading to Australian bases.

It’s starting to look like he’s going for the knockout punch in Australia.

So here’s my dilemma this turn. As I began plotting orders, I realized KB only moved about 4 hexes this turn, which means system damage must be slowing them down. Also he headed northeast from where he was last turn and did not try to run in at full speed to engage my CV’s at Noumea.

I smell blood in the water, Japan is probably very low on available sorties, and he is probably moving into a blocking position between my CV’s and his invasion forces. I am sorely tempted to go for his CV’s to try and cripple KB, but I only have 2 CV’s available, so if he even has 50 sorties available to him, there’s a good chance he can knock out both of my CV’s, since they’ll only have 30 or so CAP for defense.

If however I go for the invasion force by sprinting north around KB and then west, I can be on station within two turns and cause some real damage to a lot of Japanese shipping. I have enough fuel and supply at Townsville for one refueling and rearming, so my CV’s won’t be at risk of running out of sorties like Japan’s CV’s apparently have.

So before I finish my turn and do the AAR for last turn, I wanted to get some input from the readers. What should I do, go for KB or play it safe and hit the invasion forces? I doubt I’ll have another chance to hit KB like this again, but if he lands 4 divisions ashore in Australia, the entire country will be in grave danger, especially if my CV’s have gone down.

Here’s the current situation and my planned moves:




Jim




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 12/1/2007 3:56:06 PM >

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 141
RE: A quandary - 12/1/2007 4:22:53 PM   
Gen.Hoepner


Posts: 3645
Joined: 9/4/2001
From: italy
Status: offline 		No Jim, do not risk your 2 CVs...how can you hope to get through his CAP?? Even if he doesn't have anymore sorties his cap will still be there...you're gonna lose here...better to move away your CVs and try to strike him somehwere else...

About Oz...if you mass your aus divisions in a single city, i doubt he will have the means to push you out...he doesn't have all his divs...just 3, maybe 4...there's no way to conquer Oz with that little force if you mass yours...Take time, exchange space for Time Jim...don't get hurry!

_____________________________

[image]http://yfrog.com/2m70331348022314716641664j [/image]

(in reply to Jim D Burns)
Post #: 142
RE: A quandary - 12/1/2007 4:30:15 PM   
cantona2


Posts: 3749
Joined: 5/21/2007
From: Gibraltar
Status: offline 		I second the General. If you lose your CV's you've lost their capacity to provide air cover and strike back. Concentrate your land forces in one of the two big cities in souther OZ and wither him against thier fortifications. Space for time is the way to go in Oz, think Russia in 1941. But if you lose your CV's against the KB your strategic capability will be lessened

_____________________________

1966 was a great year for English Football...Eric was born


(in reply to Gen.Hoepner)
Post #: 143
RE: A quandary - 12/1/2007 5:34:11 PM   
Cathartes

 

Posts: 2155
Joined: 1/5/2001
Status: offline 		You're outmatched this early in the war in CV vs CV.  Hit his invasion force, even though it seems his little 'diversion'  in New Caledonia is created to have you do just that.  Stay clear of his CVs, especially since you have only 2 available here. 

(in reply to cantona2)
Post #: 144
RE: A quandary - 12/1/2007 6:17:39 PM   
VSWG


Posts: 3432
Joined: 5/31/2006
From: Germany
Status: offline 		You could move your CVs right on top of his tanker fleet. KB will move north, so an engagement will be unlikely. With his replenishment TF gone, your opponent will have to retreat KB, probably all the way to Rabaul. During the next days, you can move back under Australian LBA cover and strike the invasion TFs.

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 145
RE: 19 Mar. 42 - 12/1/2007 6:25:10 PM   
VSWG


Posts: 3432
Joined: 5/31/2006
From: Germany
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Jim D Burns

VSWG,

I have tried to keep my fleets smaller than 50 ships, and usually send 20+ ship sized fleets for specific tasks. I never really liked sending lots of smaller fleets as it simply added to the micromanagement aspect of the game. But given the results of these attacks, I think it’s imperative to keep all my fleets under 15 ships if possible from now on.

Also there is a lot less lift capacity in CHS for the allies, so sending regular convoys from the US isn’t possible. The first US convoys have just started to reach OZ now, and my opponent couldn’t have picked a better time to appear in the rear.

I'm playing CHS myself, and I'm extremely pedantic with my transport TFs. Basically I only use AKs of a single class in a TF. Why? Because they move at the same speed, which is important for submarine warfare: every single knot counts when a sub tries to engage a TF. Furthermore, ships of the same class replenish at the same time, so the TF doesn't stop every couple of turns to refuel a low-endurance AK. Thirdly, with the same cargo capacity, they need the same time to load/unload, so smaller AKs do not have to wait in port until larger AKs in the same TF have finished loading/unloading. As a result, my TFs are almost never larger than 10 ships, although they will grow in size during 1942.

BTW, what AK classes have you decided to move from India to the US?

quote:

The convoy hit was one of the largest supply convoys sent and had over 100,000 supplies and 120,000 oil aboard.

Surely you mean 120,000 fuel, right?

quote:

I agree experience is very low, however some Japanese planes should have been hit. Something is wrong when none even get scratched. Especially after this turns results, the fleets were under 15 ships and again no planes were even damaged.

Those ships have probably run out of AA ammo already. Also, I wouldn't count on (heavily) damaged ships putting up noteworthy AA fire.

Nice AAR, keep us updated! It would be great if you could add it here:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1562758

< Message edited by VSWG -- 12/1/2007 6:35:59 PM >

_____________________________


(in reply to Jim D Burns)
Post #: 146
25 Mar. 42 - 12/1/2007 11:23:32 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		Gentlemen,

Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. After more careful consideration, I agree with the consensus that KB’s CAP would prevent me from significantly causing any damage with just two US CV’s.

So I’ve gone for option two and assigned both carriers to sail northwest at full speed so as to be in position to sail west next turn and hopefully be in a position to launch several strikes on the numerous invasion forces headed towards Cooktown before they can begin unloading.

I thought about going after the TK fleet as was suggested, but it is moving three hexes and KB is moving 4, so that would put it just two hexes from KB after this turns move. With AI controlled CV reactions, I doubt I could get a strike off on it without having KB react to me and hit my CV’s with an unanswered strike.

Also getting some of those Japanese land forces to sink before they land will be a huge help in defending OZ, and at most I only have two turns before he starts to land.

25 Mar. 42

What a difference a little fatigue makes. Japan flies another sweep over Rangoon with his zeroes this turn and the fatigue they accumulated from yesterdays strike made a huge difference.

I couldn’t touch them yesterday, but today I shoot down 10 (I forgot to check if this was FOW). My opponent and all other Japanese players would be well advised to rest their fighters between missions in this mod. If they’re fresh, they shred allied air power. If they’re tired they get shredded in return.

Japan still pounded my fighters with about 8 attacks to my 1 and scored far more hits than my boys, but most of today’s hits by the zeroes were damage results. Perhaps the built up fatigue is affecting their gun value or something?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed, 22 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Singapore, Madioen and Manila all get hit from the air today.

My bombers launch 4 strikes at the Japanese land units at Moulmein, two hit the mixed brigade and two hit the tank regiment.

My plotted CV move to try and anticipate a possible move by KB this turn paid off big time in an unexpected way. I had assumed the Japanese transports invading Noumea would flee southeast away from the battle area. Instead they headed west and my CV’s were again in perfect position to cause some pain to the empire today.

Four strikes were launched and many Japanese ships were hit. A check of the ship sunk list shows Japan has lost at least 10 ships in the Noumea area in the past two days. More than half of those are surface combat vessels (2 CL’s, 3 APD’s and the rest DD’s).

I expect many of the AK’s and AP’s recently damaged will go down before reaching port as well.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,116


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD-3 Dauntless x 31
TBD Devastator x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kiyosumi Maru
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oite, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asanagi, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBD Devastator bombing at 5000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,116


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 33
TBD Devastator x 14


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Tatsuta, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AP Asama Maru, Bomb hits 1
DD Hayate
DD Yunagi

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,116


Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 47
TBD Devastator x 28


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Asama Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tatsuta, on fire, heavy damage
DD Oite, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Konsan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yunagi
AK Taga Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kamakura Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Asanagi, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kiyosumi Maru
AP Kongo Maru
DD Hayate

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 64,115


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Awata Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My land based air launches several strikes against the invasion task forces heading to Cooktown, but fail to achieve any hits.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 48,97

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 48,97

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 6
A-24 Dauntless x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
A-24 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
PG Kaikei Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A-24 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 48,96


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Tango Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 48,97

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a big part of the reason I decided to risk my 2 CV’s. Australia just doesn’t have much air power to repulse the Japanese with, and what they do have will get decimated if I can’t cause some serious damage before the landings commence.

If I fail to seriously hurt these task forces, Japan will be able to bypass any defense I try to set up, by simply sailing south to the next base. And as he captures bases he’ll be able to cover these deep penetration moves with his land based air.

If I can sink a sizable number of his ships, it may cause him to think twice about mounting deep landings like that and end up helping to protect my rear areas.

Japan captures Daily Waters today. This is the last base in central Australia I’ll allow him to take uncontested. I’ve just reached Tennant Creek with the majority of the Darwin defense units, and they will remain there and begin digging in.

Jim

_____________________________


(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 147
RE: 19 Mar. 42 - 12/1/2007 11:31:37 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: VSWG
BTW, what AK classes have you decided to move from India to the US?


I sent all the AK’s that had endurances of greater than 12,000, I didn’t care about their capacities so much, just their ability to travel great distances on one tank of gas.

Aden gets a lot of AK’s on a regular basis, so I have well over 100 AK’s of all classes operating in the India theatre now, which is more than sufficient for my current needs there.

quote:

ORIGINAL: VSWG
Surely you mean 120,000 fuel, right?


Yes of course, sorry about that. Lazy proof reading on my part, D’oh!

quote:

ORIGINAL: VSWG
Nice AAR, keep us updated! It would be great if you could add it here:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1562758


Thanks, I will.

It seemed a bit early to add it to that thread, perhaps after a year has gone by? I was under the impression it was for classic AAR’s with an active and storied history.

Jim


< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 12/1/2007 11:32:08 PM >

_____________________________


(in reply to VSWG)
Post #: 148
26 Mar. 42 - 12/2/2007 12:12:02 PM   
Jim D Burns


Posts: 4013
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Salida, CA.
Status: offline 		26 Mar. 42

Japan’s BB fleet shows up at Cooktown and conducts two bombardments this turn. Damage is massive and the base is closed for good. Almost 100% of the float planes were either destroyed or damaged, so the survivors have rebased to Sydney (they were allowed to rail out?).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Cooktown, at 48,100


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Do 24K-2: 3 destroyed
Catalina I: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Ashigara
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
CA Maya
CA Takao
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
579 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 25
Port fuel hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Cooktown, at 48,100


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 4 destroyed
Do 24K-2: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Ashigara
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
CA Maya
CA Takao
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
563 casualties reported

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 140
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Port Moresby also conducts an air raid on Cooktown, but not much damage is done.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cooktown , at 48,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
G3M Nell x 37
H6K4 Mavis x 1

No Japanese losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G3M Nell bombing at 7000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Singapore and Manila both get hit from the air today.

Allied bombers launch two strikes against the mixed regiment at Moulmein.

Allied heavies again launch multiple small 3 plane raids against the invasion fleets, but no hits are scored.

Disaster in the Coral Sea!

Like an idiot I forgot to turn off auto refueling for my two CV fleets, so instead of moving 11 or 12 hexes, they only moved 9 hexes.

In the mean time, KB had altered course to the southeast towards Noumea and ended up exactly 5 hexes south of my CV’s. Too far for my bombers to reach, but easily within Japanese bomber range.

Luckily the Saratoga's task force wasn’t spotted, so only two strikes were launched against the Yorktown’s task force. Although the Yorktown ate 20 bombs, it is still afloat with 99 sys, 49 float and 49 fire damage. I was actually surprised to see how light the damage was after watching so many bombs hit the hapless CV.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,106

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
D3A2 Val x 45
B5N2 Kate x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A2 Val: 4 destroyed, 32 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 10 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 6, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,106

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
D3A2 Val x 14
B5N2 Kate x 45

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A2 Val: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
CL St. Louis
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I’m almost disappointed I didn’t go after KB last turn given this turns results. The number of sorties must be minimal, given that each strike launched about 60 bombers total. Of course the fact I wasn’t within torpedo range is probably what the Yorktown has to thank for not going straight to the bottom.

I’ve beefed up the Saratoga's task force to 15 ships for max AAA defense and toggled off auto refueling this time. The Saratoga is now in position to easily beat KB to the invasion forces, and will hopefully be within range to launch attacks this turn.

The Yorktown is dead in the water with a max speed of zero, so it got the damaged CA and 3 DD’s as escort. The remaining 4 DD’s formed an ASW task force with orders to patrol follow the Yorktown’s task force to help fight off the subs that are sure to pounce.

I’ve ordered the Yorktown to the southeast towards Noumea and ultimately Auckland if she stays afloat. If not, hopefully I can get her to a base to unload her air groups before she goes down.

Jim




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Jim D Burns -- 12/3/2007 11:40:49 AM >

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(in reply to Cathartes)
Post #: 149
RE: 26 Mar. 42 - 12/2/2007 4:28:15 PM   
Gen.Hoepner


Posts: 3645
Joined: 9/4/2001
From: italy
Status: offline 		ouch I feel your pain Jim...

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(in reply to Jim D Burns)
Post #: 150
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