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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> Allied June 27 update

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Allied June 27 update - 7/26/2011 2:51:46 AM

Chickenboy

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Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
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I think the map with my crayon markings updates the situation well enough.

Many sharp little knife fights with small unit actions across the map. Allied DDs accord themselves very well. Most of the Allied DDs are Fletcher class ships-man are they nice! They've got the punch of a CL, some armor, speed, ASW and AAA. What's not to like?

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Post #: 151

RE: Allied June 27 update - 7/26/2011 2:59:12 AM

USS Henrico

Posts: 152
Joined: 8/2/2009
From: Charlottesville, VA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I think the map with my crayon markings updates the situation well enough.

Many sharp little knife fights with small unit actions across the map. Allied DDs accord themselves very well. Most of the Allied DDs are Fletcher class ships-man are they nice! They've got the punch of a CL, some armor, speed, ASW and AAA. What's not to like?

More endurance would be nice.

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Post #: 152

IJN June 28 update - 7/26/2011 9:39:18 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

IJN June 28 update:

Every time I think I have my opponent or this game figured out, I realize that I'm still learning. A lot. Today was one such example:

First, the minor stuff:

Minisub massacre: Two Allied ASW TFs park in the Saipan hex and beat up my minisubs. five are lost this turn. One of the minisubs takes a shot at BB Iowa and (of course) misses. It's forced to the surface and sunk by the angry battleship. This makes two submarines sunk by battleships in this game.

now the big game...

The clash that never was: Allied carriers continued SSE towards Truk / Eniwetok. At the end of the turn, they were 8 hexes distant from my carriers. My carriers were under heavy cloud for both phases of the turn and unspotted / unattacked. Probably just as well, as his SSE movement was out of range of the Marianas-based LBA. A carrier to carrier exchange without that support would have been at a Japanese disadvantage.

The carriers were set to follow a DD ASW group. The ASW group was found 1 hex to the N of my carriers and demolished by Allied carrier air. 4 DDs were either sunk or mauled. Survivors are limping back towards Guam, but are unlikely to make it intact.

CAP 'spillover' from my CVTFs causes some pain to his Avenger torpedo aircraft in particular, as A6M5s break through the strike package escort and maul one of the packets.

The strike that was: Marianas-based LBA launched en masse against ships in TF at Pagan. They fly into the expected LBA bandsaw of P47s and Corsairs. Japanese losses were heavy. All told, some 230 Japanese aircraft are lost today in A2A combat (300+ total) versus 30 some-odd for the Allies-most of these from the CAP spillover over the ASW TF (above).

Many of the torpedo bombers get through the CAP and get in an attack run. Silver lining on the gray cloud is two torpedoes in BB South Dakota and AM Kingfisher sunk.

Below is one of several attacks. This is one of the two torpedoes in South Dakota:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 27, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 110,89

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 56 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M2 Sen Baku x 21
A6M5 Zero x 121
B6N2 Jill x 2
G4M1 Betty x 25

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 20
F4U-1 Corsair x 76

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M2 Sen Baku: 7 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 28 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 12 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
AM Kingfisher, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BB South Dakota, Torpedo hits 1
BB Iowa
AM Penguin

Avengers mauled:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rota at 110,100

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sen Baku x 10
A6M5 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 33
TBM-1C Avenger x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Sen Baku: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

Another batch attacking Pagan. Torpedo #2 for BB South Dakota:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 110,89

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 48 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M2 Sen Baku x 4
A6M5 Zero x 58
B6N1 Jill x 6
B6N2 Jill x 4
G4M2 Betty x 11
G4M2a Betty x 3
P1Y1 Frances x 12

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 16
F4U-1 Corsair x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M2 Sen Baku: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 22 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 4 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Torpedo hits 1
DD Crane
LCI-587
AM Oracle
AM Penguin
BB Iowa
BB Indiana
BB North Carolina

What now?: Japanese heavy surface forces and CVs make their way to the NW-away from Allied carriers. I manuever the CVTFs to a point 6 hexes SW of Saipan. If the Allies park any more AMs or ASW in the hex next turn, the CV strikes ought to make 'em pay.

A Japanese heavy surface force will take a position along with the CVTF. If an invasion is underway tomorrow, they will be in a fine position to intercept. I may consider a night time bombardment intercept run regardless.

The BB SCTF built around the Mushashi and Yamato is moving WNW towards Babeldoab. It will refuel there pending other options.

Allied carriers *should* be out of range for next turn at least, maybe two turns if their movement takes them towards Eniwetok for refueling.

I order all (surviving) Marianas combat aircraft to naval attack-but reduce their range. Aircraft at Saipan will only attack shipping in the Saipan hex. Aircraft at Guam will be set with sufficient range to attack shipping at Saipan, not enough to fly into the buzzsaw at Pagan. Same with Tinian.

With LBA shredded, it's too late in the game to completely repair / regroup the airgroups. The only credible air attack comes from my carrier-based aircraft at this time. As it stands, they are no match for the might of the massed Allied carrier fleet.

I'm leaning towards unloading the carrier airwings on the Marianas and fleeing to the map corners with the carriers themselves. Points preservation at least. Minus their air wings, they are more a liability than an asset in many ways.

We'll see how tomorrow goes.

< Message edited by Chickenboy -- 7/26/2011 9:41:17 PM >

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Post #: 153

RE: IJN June 28 update - 7/26/2011 9:45:52 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 4239
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From: Alberta, Canada
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That higher screen resolution is really something, I may have to look at upgrading my monitor. Ah heck, why not just upgrade the laptop as well!

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Post #: 154

RE: IJN June 28 update - 7/26/2011 9:51:15 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

Any quick pointers on how to draw 'standardized' pointers on the chart? I'm only familiar with the most basic 'paint' functions. Your maps are always much nicer, Sqz, so I'd appreciate any pointers you may have.

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Post #: 155

RE: IJN June 28 update - 7/26/2011 10:16:25 PM

SqzMyLemon

Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Chickenboy,

I convert the jpeg to an adobe pdf then do all my stuff in adobe. Then take a screenshot of that and open in paint to save as a jpeg again. It's all the software I have and I'm sure there's a simpler process, but it's what I've gotten used to. The only bad thing is the multiple conversions lose the sharpness of the image. Yours is much clearer than I can get mine. Plus, I try and hide faulty strategy with lots of arrows and text boxes!

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Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)

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Post #: 156

RE: IJN June 28 update - 7/28/2011 2:00:10 AM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

Both turns reside with the Cap'n. He 'worked' last night or some such pathetic excuse for not playing computer games.

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Post #: 157

RE: IJN June 28 update - 7/28/2011 2:44:05 AM

witpqs

Posts: 26087
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Argleton
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Any quick pointers on how to draw 'standardized' pointers on the chart? I'm only familiar with the most basic 'paint' functions. Your maps are always much nicer, Sqz, so I'd appreciate any pointers you may have.

Paint.net

Find it at "getpaint.net" it's free.

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Post #: 158

RE: IJN June 28 update - 7/28/2011 2:48:12 AM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

Windows 7?

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Post #: 159

RE: IJN June 28 update - 7/28/2011 3:36:19 AM

Mynok

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Yes, it works on Windows 7. It's nice. Worth the effort to learn. Grain of salt: I use Photoshop since I have it being an amateur photog, but Paint.net works very similarly.

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Post #: 160

RE: IJN June 28 update - 7/28/2011 4:10:51 AM

Chickenboy

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From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

Hey witpqs and Mynok: please don't be afraid to violate OPSEC here. No questions asked if *somehow* I came to know of the Cap'n's OOB and plans of action.

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Post #: 161

RE: IJN June 28 update - 7/28/2011 5:58:00 AM

Mynok

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Sure...here goes: he does better maps than you.

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Post #: 162

RE: IJN June 28 update - 7/28/2011 7:25:05 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
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From: San Antonio, TX
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D'oh!

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Post #: 163

Allies June 28 update - 7/28/2011 7:56:19 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
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Allies June 28 update:

Well, since I can't post any satisfactory maps any more, I guess I'll just have to cut 'n paste Combat Reports directly.

I ordered some DDs from Eniwetok to go over to sniff around some 'light' forces detected at Ponape, expecting my large DD TF to encounter more CL and DD mixed TFs.

Umm....hi there. Uhh....nice doggy?

[Sulu to OPS ensign, watching a massive blast wave approach the ship: "Shields man, Shields!"]

Round 1:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 27, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 120,113, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CA Takao
CA Mogami
DD Shimakaze
DD Naganami
DD Okinami
DD Asashimo, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Dent
DD Crosby
DD Kennison
DD Crane, Shell hits 2
DD Brooks
DD Gilmer, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
DD Kane
DD Benham II

Round 2:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 120,113, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CA Takao
CA Mogami
DD Shimakaze
DD Naganami, on fire
DD Okinami, heavy fires
DD Asashimo, heavy fires

Allied Ships
DD Crosby, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Brooks, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
DD Benham II, Shell hits 42, and is sunk

Round 3:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 123,112, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CA Takao
CA Mogami
DD Shimakaze
DD Naganami

Allied Ships
DD Crosby, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage

Seven of eight Allied DDs are lost during the engagement. Last stand for these tin can sailors...

Still, their sacrifice was not in vain...read on...

Morning air phase finds the offending Japanese SCTF near Eniwetok. Ponape was likely selected as a "jump off" point for an attempted IJN surface interdiction of my shipping near Eniwetok. The SCTF tracks from SW of the island to a couple hexes to the SE of the island. Strange choice for routing...

Also strange is that I had a TF set to react with BBs Indiana and Alabama patrolling two hexes SW of Eniwetok for this very contingency. Somehow they completely miss the incoming threat...

No Allied shipping was threatened near Eniwetok during the day phase. However, Japanese shipping near Eniwetok was very much threatened:

Round 1:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Eniwetok at 128,109

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
SBD-5 Dauntless x 31

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 16, heavy fires
CA Takao, Bomb hits 2

Round 2:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Eniwetok at 128,109

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 9

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CA Mogami
DD Shimakaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Round 3:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Eniwetok at 128,109

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 54 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 19
TBM-1C Avenger x 12

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mogami, Torpedo hits 1

Round 4:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Eniwetok at 128,109

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5
SBD-5 Dauntless x 30

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Naganami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Takao, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 1

Round 5:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Eniwetok at 128,109

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 54 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17
TBM-1C Avenger x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CA Mogami, Torpedo hits 1

So...

Here's the summary:
BB Haruna: 21 bomb, 5 torpedo hits and is sunk
CA Mogami: 1 bomb, 2 torpedo hits-unknown damage (suspect FOW in at least one of these 'hits')
CA Takao: 4 bomb, on fire, heavy damage
DD Naganami: 1 bomb hit, on fire
DD Shimakaze: 1 bomb hit, heavy fires

So, looking just from the points basis-this is a clear USN victory. A heavy cruiser and a battleship for 8 DDs is-from an actuarial perspective-a profitable exchange. However, I *could* have been in a position to get all of these IJN ships for no cost to ships of my own. Offering my opponent *any* sort of exchange proposition for his ships is too dear a cost to myself.

I'll 'close the door' on the retreating ships with some surface units to ensure that I bag all of these cripples.

Elsewhere:

BB California and the 'wounded' CVTF escape the IJN surface raiders to the North and are comfortably within range of Eniwetok come daybreak. No more air attacks on the balance of my carrier forces (now SSE of the Marianas) as they return to Eniwetok for refueling.

< Message edited by Chickenboy -- 7/28/2011 8:05:48 PM >

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Post #: 164

IJN June 29-30 update - 7/30/2011 12:41:00 AM

Chickenboy

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From: San Antonio, TX
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IJN June 29-30 update:

Slow the last two turns as we both reposition our carrier forces. Last turn, there were literally no Allied ships visible on the map anywhere. I suspect that he feared a more coordinated attack on the sea around Pagan and he was hunkering down pending the arrival of the carriers.

An RO-boat gets torpedoed by an Allied submarine off of Guam and is scuttled. That makes the second IJN submarine so dispatched in this scenario. The Allied submariners have certainly improved their aim since the dark days of the early war.

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Post #: 165

Allied update June 29 - 7/30/2011 11:15:37 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

Allied update June 29:

Nightfall finds the remnants of the Japanese surface fleet in the waters around Eniwetok. They are punished for their impertinence:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 28, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Eniwetok at 128,109, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 14, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
BB Alabama
CA Baltimore
CL Birmingham
CL Mobile
DD Hailey
DD Halford
DD Robinson
DD Schroeder
DD Norman Scott
CL Vincennes

Night Time Surface Combat, near Bikini at 130,109, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
BB Alabama
CA Baltimore
CL Birmingham
CL Mobile
DD Hailey
DD Halford
DD Robinson
DD Schroeder
DD Norman Scott
CL Vincennes

Night Time Surface Combat, near Bikini at 130,109, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
BB Alabama
CA Baltimore, Shell hits 1
CL Birmingham
CL Mobile
DD Hailey
DD Halford
DD Robinson
DD Schroeder
DD Norman Scott
CL Vincennes

Day Time Surface Combat, near Wake Island at 134,101, Range 28,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Naganami, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Indiana
BB Alabama
CA Baltimore
CL Birmingham
CL Mobile
DD Hailey
DD Halford
DD Robinson
DD Schroeder
DD Norman Scott
CL Vincennes

Elsewhere,

SS Angler puts two tin fish into DD Urakaze near Yap, sinking her.

Some 35 IJNAF aircraft attack two DDs at Guam. Corsair CAP deals appropriately with the vermin, destroying 28 Jills, Judys and Kates. One Corsair is lost to OPS.

Cleanup continues on Guam:
Ground combat at Guam (106,95)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30235 troops, 608 guns, 798 vehicles, Assault Value = 1115

Defending force 13609 troops, 153 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 364

Allied adjusted assault: 973

Japanese adjusted defense: 979

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2145 casualties reported
Squads: 30 destroyed, 94 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
208 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 46 (2 destroyed, 44 disabled)

Bad news: CVL Monterrey is sighted and dispatched by naval bombers from Iwo Jima. She simply couldn't move fast enough to get out of harm's way. Her two DD escorts escape damage and are ordered to Eniwetok at mission speed.

POINTS:

Japan: 2341
Allies: 3406 (me)

The other pair of the mirror game is:

Japan: 2385 (me)
Allies: 1448

My combined total stands at 5791 to Cap'n Mandrake's 3789. A lead of 2002 points. This gap will no doubt shrink as Captain Mandrake captures one or more of the Marianas and / or destroys more of the IJN fleet in the other game. These totals are also subject to massive FOW, so who knows? Still, it is better to be in the lead than demonstrably behind at this point.

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Post #: 166

Japanese July 1 update - 7/31/2011 1:45:56 AM

Chickenboy

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From: San Antonio, TX
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Japanese July 1 update:

Not much action, the map will suffice for today's update:

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 167

Japanese July 2 update - 7/31/2011 9:54:09 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
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From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline

Japanese July 2 update:

Text only update today. So solly. Gotta get the kids to swim lessons.

Air over Tinian: Tinian is the pummeling target du jour today. It's swept by combined USN and USAAF aircraft and then pounded by medium bombers from Pagan. The Allies lose 21 aircraft to air to air losses or OPS. I lose 74, with 26 of those being destroyed on the ground. Remnant units are reorganized at Guam.

Some IJNAF aircraft attack 4 nosy Allied destroyers around Tinian. No hits are scored, but the pucker factor was very high.

Near Truk: SS Pogy takes a shot at CA Takao as the heavy cruiser approaches Truk. Pogy is pummeled by escorting DDs and severely damaged. She'll be lucky to make port.

CA Takao, CL Yahagi and three escorting destroyers will break for open sea tomorrow, threading the needle between Eniwetok LBA and the buzzsaw of naval aviation up around the Marianas. Their destination is Truk. I'll try to get them into a position to slip NW and interdict shipping coming into and leaving Pagan. Another SigInt hit today shows another big TF travelling just South of Marcus and moving due East.

The Yamato TF arrives at Truk tomorrow. The carriers the next day. Their orders will be to refuel and rearm and also see if they can make the break for open sea before the Allied carriers move South. The carriers are unspotted and in severe thunderstorms today, so I doubt he knows where they are this turn.

Points: Japanese 2408; Allies 1523.

< Message edited by Chickenboy -- 7/31/2011 9:55:11 PM >

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Post #: 168

Allies June 30 update - 8/2/2011 11:53:58 PM

Chickenboy

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Allies June 30 update:

Several TFs arrive Eniwetok, refuel and rearm. The CVTFs and SCTF escorts should do so tomorrow. They're thirsty.

At Pearl, a host of transport shipping is refueling and awaiting the arrival within the next couple days of the balance of the critical shipping for the Tinian operation.

Guam: AM Parkes and Townsville sweep some 54 mines at Guam. The hex has been scrubbed. Rota is clean too.

Cl Agano is torpedoed by an Allied submarine near Iwo Jima. The cruiser had been mauled by DBs west of the Marianas and was limping back towards home base. Cl Oyodo is showing up on the sunk ship list, but I think otherwise.

Points: Allies 3436; Japanese 2346

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Post #: 169

Allies July 1 update - 8/6/2011 2:59:32 AM

Chickenboy

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From: San Antonio, TX
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Allies July 1 update:

The pause that refreshes: Today was all about taking a breather from the war, except for one development (below). Carrier TFs arrived at Eniwetok, took on replacement aircraft from the replenishment TFs, rearmed and refueled. Surface combatants did the same.

I have 4 carriers that have some light to moderate damage at Eniwetok. The Essex has SYS damage of 10, some from that battle with the CLs near Yap a few days back. A few days in the yard with some helpful ARs oughta help whittle this down.

There's plenty of CAP in the air and three Battleship heavy TFs patrol the Eniwetok hex. Everyone can get a good night's sleep tonight, methinks.

Washington torpedoed-again: BB Washington was torpedoed by I-184 just SE of Wake. She was in an escort TF returning to Pearl Harbor for repair. Previously, her floatation damage was 38. Now, after eating another torpedo, she's at 10/63/11. I redirect her towards Eniwetok and order additional DD escorts to join her.

The battleship's escorts responded to the threat and killed I-184 with a hedgehog volley.

Guam: Deliberate assault on Guam yields a 10:1 ratio of casualties against the Japanese, with many more destroyed squads showing up on the combat report. The assaults will continue tomorrow-I believe that the Japanese are nearing the end of their rope on this island.

Score: Allies: 3470
Japanese: 2350

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Post #: 170

Japanese July 3 update: - 8/6/2011 3:14:38 AM

Chickenboy

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From: San Antonio, TX
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Japanese July 3 update:

Breaking out: CA Takao and company break into the Pacific Ocean en route to Wake. Along the route, they steam over SS Flier, who fires a full spread at Takao. Flier misses, and the Japanese DD escorts bring her to the surface and kill her for her trouble. That's two Allied submarines killed or maimed by the same TF in three days.

The Takao TF is spotted, but it's probably too late for the Americans to respond before they make good their escape. They will be an annoying force to be reckoned with in the Pacific now. Here's hoping we get some more intel re: Allied transport movement(s).

I redirect the Yamato and Mushashi TF to hold position about 12 hexes south of Saipan. I've changed my mind about sending them out there too. The Takao distraction should suffice for now and I want to keep my mail fist cocked for action in the Marianas.

KB and the other SCTF will refuel at Truk tomorrow.

Guam: I spend much of the turn condensing IJNAF LBA on Guam. They exist now as a modest striking force, nothing more. If they can buy me a few more days against the USAAF and USN aircraft in the region, I'll be content with their contributions.

A supply TF is enroute to Guam. It's currently near Yap and making decent progress. She may yet make it. What a 'shot in the arm' that would be for the Japanese defenders-fresh octopus, beer and canned fish. An incredible feast at this late stage of the game....if they make it.

Saipan: The Allies have resumed nightly ASW patrols on Saipan. Two SSX minisubs and an RO-boat are sunk near Saipan.

Two submarines with Type 88 mines will unload them in the waters around Saipan tomorrow. Another will take her load tomorrow at the Palau islands with the same destination.

Saipan has not been damaged by Allied bombardments lately. Fortification building continues. Saipan is currently at 5 (70%).

The troubled air: Allied attacks on Tinian draw off some IJNAF LBA cap from Guam. 15 Japanese planes (mostly A6M5) are lost for 6 Allied planes today.

Score:

Allied: 1555
Japanese: 2424

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Post #: 171

Japanese July 4 update - 8/6/2011 9:24:20 PM

Chickenboy

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Japanese July 4 update:

Making a break... CA Takao and CL Yahagi moved to a point 9 hexes distant from Eniwetok during the night. That's the good news. The bad news? Apparently SBD-5s have a range of 9 hexes with a standard load with drop tanks. (!) So, the morning sees Takao sunk by long-range DBs and Yahagi seriously damaged by 1000 lb bombs.

Point learned-the SBD-5s really have got some range to them!

The remaining three escorting DDs move North to take station south of Marcus island. I move 2 Jake float planes to Marcus to help scouting potential targets for this SCTF.

Yahagi makes towards Wake in a roundabout manner. I'll try to get her up to Iwo.

Sub woes: The regular nocturnal ASW sweep materializes. I lose two SSX minisubs at Saigon. An RO boat finds some ships to the NE of Saipan (CVTF), but is killed before it can make an attack run. Yet another RO-class boat makes a successful attack on CL Mobile, badly damaging her with a torpedo.

Two submarines deliver mines to Saipan. They return to Pelileu to rearm.

Air woes: Guam is marked for death. Daily sweep attacks and then airfield attacks on Guam claim 24 planes (mostly A2A) for the loss of 8 American planes. I move all LBA from the Marianas to Truk to repair and reorganize.

Pagan:Pagan-and the activity there-will serve as my warning to draw closer to the Marianas. He's got 279 ships currently in harbor there. I'll know he's serious about an assault when he begins drawing larger numbers of ships from Pagan per se. He won't be coming from Pearl or Eniwetok for the coming assault.

Guam: An amphibious supply TF will move towards Guam tonight and be prepared to make the final leg in the day following. Don't know if they'll make it, but it won't be for lack of trying...

Truk: Most of the combined fleet is here refueling and rearming. The CVTFs take on replacement aircraft (mostly Sen-Baku)-a welcome relief.

Points:

Japanese: 2427
Allies: 1656

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Post #: 172

Allies July 2 update - 8/7/2011 1:36:12 AM

Chickenboy

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Allies July 2 update:

Luxury!: Ah! The luxury of a full belly, abundant drink and stuffed coffers! Allies reload, rearm and issue receive replacement aircraft for the functional a/c carriers. I've sustained more dings than I thought on my fleet air arm. Two CVs, two CVLs are in port at Eniwetok for minor repairs still and the others (damaged from the Iwo action several days ago) are heading back to Pearl Harbor.

Still, I'll be left with two ~200 a/c CVTFs and a CVE TF with 119 a/c. This should be sufficient to persecute and prosecute the enemy fleet at anchor at Iwo Jima.

Three SCTFs are reorganized and issued orders to move out with the carriers tomorrow. I go through all of my ship's captains and replace a number of DD captains. The CL Mobile was led by underwhelming leadership too, so I swap out the Captain of that ship.

Fuel enroute: I've loaded up some DD and AOs and will try to get them into Guam to unload. Guam needs fuel and Rota needs supplies. I'm loading the latter at Pearl now.

Pearl: A number of transport TFs have arrived. I'm waiting another two days to load the main combat forces. In the case of the LCI(G)s, there's no sense having them wait any longer. I set them out with escort towards Eniwetok. Two supply TFs load supplies (and a couple USAAF squadrons of P40Ks) and will set forth for Eniwetok when loaded.

End of the road: SS Silversides attacks and misses a pair of Japanese destroyers operating just south of Iwo Jima. They depth charge her to the surface and sink her with gunfire.

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Post #: 173

Japanese July 5 update - 8/7/2011 8:58:21 PM

Chickenboy

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Japanese July 5 update:

Waters around Saipan: The Allies are putting together a SCTF force at Pagan, consisting of a BB, several CA and DD escorts. Unknown destination or orders. There are now 301 ships in harbor at Pagan. No other movement this turn. Allied CVTFs sit offshore two hexes from Pagan.

In the waters NE of Saipan, RO-113 is spotted and torpedoed by SS Gunnel. The small submarine takes two torpedoes, splits in two and sinks with the loss of all hands. This makes the third IJN submarine sunk by USN submarines in this scenario.

Saipan is at fort level 5, 76% of the way towards fort level 6.

Guam: A very heavy air raid pummels Guam airfield during the day. Only one IJNAF Betty bomber is destroyed on the field.

Truk: Three Allied Coronado scout planes are shot down over Truk today. No other major actions. Both CVTFs are and an SCTF are still anchored here, but I won't want that for long. All TFs are spotted, so their presence is no surprise to anyone.

Near Marcus: Three HIJMS DDs are approaching Marcus from the south. Two floatplanes (Jakes) that I sent to Marcus for naval search identify an Allied convoy trying to give Marcus a broad berth to the north and west. I order the destroyers to intercept the Allied TF at sea.

CL Yuhagi will approach Marcus from the NE, make a wide loop and then head towards Iwo Jima.

Score:

Japanese: 2435
Allies: 1664

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Post #: 174

Allies July 3 update - 8/8/2011 3:21:30 AM

Chickenboy

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Allies July 3 update:

Loading: Extensive loading efforts underway at Pearl for Tinian assault. See below for Tinian OOB. Ships should be underway for the trip to Eniwetok tomorrow of day following, latest.

Pagan resupply: Nice try, Tojo. PB Fumi maru & xAK Sikisan maru are spotted on a resupply mission to Pagan. SBD-3s from Pagan and Guam sink them both.

The fist coils: CVTFs and SCTF move into position. Will refine their movement / follow orders next turn and start them towards their objectives.

Otherwise, slow news day on the fronts.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 175

Japanese July 5 update - 8/8/2011 5:00:07 PM

Chickenboy

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Japanese July 5 update:

All hell breaks loose in the air and sea around Truk. The Allies move their entire carrier force near Truk and both of my CVTFs react into the fight. I was not expecting such a rapid move without warning. Ultimately, it makes little difference.

With inferior pilots and airframes and outnumbered 2:1, results are about as expected, unfortunately.

KB...meet Nimitz:

KB reacts first, reacting away from Truk and putting together a decent combined strike package. Many bombers make it through the Allied uber buzz saw:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 113,101

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sen Baku x 42
A6M5 Zero x 61
B5N2 Kate x 16
B6N1 Jill x 46
B6N2 Jill x 6
D3A2 Val x 14
D4Y1 Judy x 46

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 32
F6F-3 Hellcat x 249
F6F-3N Hellcat x 12
F4U-2 Corsair x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Sen Baku: 8 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 9 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 9 destroyed, 14 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A2 Val: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 12 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CVL Cabot
CV Bunker Hill, Bomb hits 3, on fire (these were 500kg bombs from the Judys-they'll leave a mark)
CVL Cowpens
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 1, on fire (fuel explosion followed this aerial torpedo hit on Yorktown)
CVL Bataan, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Essex
CVL San Jacinto, Torpedo hits 1
CL Cleveland, Bomb hits 1, on fire (another 500kg bomb hit here)
DD Cony

An afternoon strike yields the following:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 114,103

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 160 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 53 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sen Baku x 13
A6M5 Zero x 31
B6N1 Jill x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 19
F6F-3N Hellcat x 4
F4U-2 Corsair x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Sen Baku: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed (give this Jill pilot and crew a medal. One Jill=one hit before destroyed. )

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
F4U-2 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Princeton, Torpedo hits 1

Nimitz...meet KB:

I'll make this brief for my readers: they're all gone.

All Japanese carriers (save Zuikaku, still in rehab at Babeldoap) are sunk under an avalanche of Allied bombs and torpedoes. Several of the DD escorts as also sunk. Here's the summary list in memoriam:

CVL Chitose, bomb hits 7, and is sunk
CV Hiyo, bomb hits 9, and is sunk
CVL Chiyoda, 8 bomb hits, and is sunk
CVL Zuiho, 9 bomb hits, and is sunk
CVL Ryuho, 7 bomb hits, and is sunk
CV Shokaku, 13 bomb hits, 3 torpedo hits, and is sunk
CV Junyo, 16 bomb hits, 1 torpedo hit, and is sunk
CV Taiho, 10 bomb hits, 4 torpedo hits, and is sunk

Approximately 8 escorting DDs are also sunk.

DDs Samidare and Akishimo survive intact. They are ordered to combine into an SCTF and react north into the Allied TFs. A suicide mission, to be sure. One can only hope that they get within torpedo distance of a cripple during the night.

Interestingly, my surface fleets are unscathed. BBs Kongo and Haruna are split into two SCTFs with orders to attack the sea in a pincer movement to the NE (moving towards NW) and to the NW (moving SE) of Truk. The hope is that they happen upon some of the cripples before they can depart.

The Yamato TF is ordered to clear the area and heads to Yap.

I receive a great many group fragments back at Truk. These are organized and disbanded in order to feed the LBA units pilots and airframes. They make a potent striking force and are ordered to scour the seas for any cripples tomorrow.

Interestingly, it looks like the Cap'n has his replacement air groups in the fray. They're more a liability than an asset this near the front lines, IMO. Let's see if we can't make a debit on these carriers tomorrow...:

VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VRF-4F with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VRF-6F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes

Sea skirmishes: To the North, near Marcus island, the Japanese raider force finds a victim and shoots it to pieces:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 123,87, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Naganami
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Yunagi

Allied Ships
DE Tisdale, Shell hits 30, and is sunk

Later that day, the DD raiders happen upon two more capable opponents. The fight ends in a draw, with the DDs withdrawing to the NW of Marcus.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 128,87, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Naganami, Shell hits 1
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 2
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Hall, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Hickox

Nearby, CL Yahagi suffers performance anxiety and cannot take advantage of this exquisite opportunity. Most likely because of damage suffered two turns ago by Eniwetok DBs. I'm sure this 'never happens', according to the Yahagi captain. Atonement will be expected upon Yahagi's arrival at Iwo.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Marcus Island at 130,86, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yahagi

Allied Ships
LCI-623, Shell hits 4, on fire
LCT-160
LCT-161
LCT-162
LCT-163
LCT-164
LCT-165
LCT-167
LCT-169
LCT-173
LCT-174
LCT-175
LCT-176
LCT-177

Summary:

Ouch.

I think the carrier battles (Allies versus Japanese) in our games were quite similar. Allies suffer several damaged carriers, Japanese are wiped out. This evens things out in this game quite a bit.

In this battle, the planes lost differential was: A 54 / J 208. The mirror game's differential was: A 42 / J 293. Not grossly dissimilar.

Putting 4 500kg bombs into the Bunker Hill is big. She's heavily damaged. So's Yorktown. If I can get both of those to sink plus one or more of the wounded CVLs, I'll consider that a worthwhile exchange. That's a big "IF", granted.

In the mirror game, I probably didn't completely wipe out his carriers. There's likely some damaged ones at Iwo Jima that need to be 'addressed'. I did, however, badly damage or sink some CAs and BBs, which he has failed to do in this game. My advantage in surface forces will be advantageous for surface interdiction of his landing forces on Saipan, assuming Kongo and Haruna survive their effort tomorrow.

Well, now that we've covered the obvious, here's a summary of where this puts us. Due to the destruction of the combined fleet, Allies leapfrog ahead in points in this scenario.

Points:
Japanese: 2627
Allies: 3571

Looking back in this AAR, the point similarities between our respective games is now striking. This makes MY pending Allied strike on his shipping at Iwo critical to the points differential. It also means that I'll have to sell my remaining IJN surface fleet dearly.

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Post #: 176

RE: Japanese July 5 update - 8/8/2011 5:12:08 PM

crsutton

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Yeah, but now with all your carrier baggage out of the way, think of all that spare fuel you will have to burn...

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Post #: 177

RE: Japanese July 5 update - 8/8/2011 5:22:33 PM

Chickenboy

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Ever the optimist, I see.

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Post #: 178

RE: Japanese July 5 update - 8/8/2011 7:38:56 PM

rtrapasso

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quote:

Looking back in this AAR, the point similarities between our respective games is now striking. This makes MY pending Allied strike on his shipping at Iwo critical to the points differential. It also means that I'll have to sell my remaining IJN surface fleet dearly.

What is the point differential for him taking various islands?? iirc, it is fairly substantial, and if he does manage to seize Saipan and/or Tinian, it might put the game out of reach...

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Post #: 179

RE: Japanese July 5 update - 8/8/2011 7:49:59 PM

Bradley7735

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quote:

ORIGINAL: rtrapasso

quote:

Looking back in this AAR, the point similarities between our respective games is now striking. This makes MY pending Allied strike on his shipping at Iwo critical to the points differential. It also means that I'll have to sell my remaining IJN surface fleet dearly.

What is the point differential for him taking various islands?? iirc, it is fairly substantial, and if he does manage to seize Saipan and/or Tinian, it might put the game out of reach...

I think only Guam, Tinian and Saipan are worth more than token points. Saipan is worth a lot, Guam and Tinian are worth more than any other island, except Saipan.

Chicken has taken Guam. Cap has taken none of the 3. Assuming both allied games destroy most of the Japanese fleet, it'll come down to who can take more of the 3 islands. If only one player can take Saipan, he will probably win overall. If Chicken takes Guam and Tinian and Cap fails to take any of the 3 islands, Chicken will win by a large margin.

anyway, that's my take on it. I could be wrong, because I haven't loaded up the scenario to look at the point details.

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Post #: 180