John 3rd
Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005 From: La Salle, Colorado Status: offline
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tabpub: That was a nice reminder with the exception that I was doing my replenishment from Suva with a Port of 4 or 5, AEs, MLEs, ASs, and anything else I would need for the Port to be able to realistically resupply these vessels. I don't think you noticed that there were two PAIRS of BBs who were doing those Bombardments at the time. This enabled to me to hit Pago Pago every 2-3 days with the two TF. It worked pretty well and was REALISTIC. This is the quote from my AAR at the Time: Put simply, the war revolves the American bastion of Pago-Pago (Samoa). For the last six weeks, the entire focus of the Pacific War has been squarely placed on this island. When I set about to conquer the ENTIRE SE Pacific, I knew I might get a chance to destroy enemy units that were not, historically taken out. I accomplished this while taking New Caledonia, Nandi/Suva, and Canton--plus everything else in between--and had set my sights on the last American outpost in the SE Pacific. Intelligence and Recon had placed resistance at about 7 units and 20,000 defenders. Figuring that that the actually numbers might be close to double this, I planned accordingly and landed with two complete Infantry Divisions, two Independent Brigades, and several supporting units. To my shock and somewhat horror, I found that I was confronting the 2nd Marine Division, 2 Marine CD Units, a Para Btn, and five BF! YIKES!!! Thankfully, I had enough strength to land and HOLD my beachhead! The decision then became what to do. Once my initial shock wore off at the opposition, I realized that I had been given a golden opportunity. No matter how many American Carriers and Cruisers I sank, they would all be replaced. A Marine Division COULD NOT! That realization changed everything. In the six weeks that we have struggled for the island, I have moved two more Independent Brigades and most of the Java Island Campaign Force--three more ENTIRE divisions--to this island. During that time I have also withdrawn two of the more severely beat-up Brigades. Everything has now assumed a pattern: 1. As I moved my convoys carrying all these troops back and forth, they have concentrated US SS throughout the area and have been having a field day hitting my AK/AP. I have moved nearly 50 ASW ships in to try and counter the threat. The Marine CD fire has been murderous as well! 2. I have accumulated a HUGE amount of airpower here. My airfields at Nandi (AF-3 near 4), Suva (AF-3 near 4), Canton (AF-4), Upolu (AF-2) and Tongatapu (AF-3 near 4) are chock full of aircraft. I, initially could only attack from Tongatapu, but now Upolu has grown to a Sz-2 AF and Kates/Vals have added their weight to the attack. Daily strikes hit the Marines, AF, and other targets. 3. The Combined Fleet is TETHERED to this damned island. Have never felt so controlled by an island in my gaming life! I have 7 CV (Akagi/Kaga, Shokaku/Zuikaku, Soryu, and 2 CVL) staying close enough to keep my opponents from trying to reinforce or evacuate the island. The island (actually islands) is bombarded 2-3 times a week by two BB TF from Suva. I have a highly useful screen of about 10 Glen SS that are in an arc about 12 hexes from Pago-Pago that have allowed me to know when the American Fleet has been sniffing around. My warships are all tired and not at peak efficiency. Once the island falls, then I will rest and refit my capital ships. Thanks for reminding me of that fight though. It was along, tough brawl that gutted a ton of my units!
< Message edited by John 3rd -- 5/27/2008 6:26:25 PM >
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