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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 2:59:14 PM

Cribtop

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GJ, the tide has turned. Great job with the NG offensive. Now you can either Cartwheel him or flank Rabaul via the north NG coast.

Deep in your planning process, consider whether someday about the time you've taken Mindanao you will invade the Marianas or even the Bonins out of the blue.

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 4:00:00 PM

crsutton

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If the Allies have superior naval assets then the Central Pacific is a ripe way to go. It does minimize Japanese LBA assets. But be aware that at this point in the game or very soon to follow Rader's KB will be at optimum strength as well. With control of production he should have both the Taiho and Shinano,and all of the Amagi class carriers plus all conversions allowed to him in the course of the game. We are talking a very potent carrier force so caution is advised. However, the Allies are now strong enough (this is why you preserve your carriers in 42) to take him on in a head to head carrier clash and a drive in the Central Pacific might force that issue. Equal losses at this point would be an Allied victory.

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 4:15:36 PM

GreyJoy

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Guys, the Mariannas are probably a No-No in this game.
Rader has started to garrison and to build them since the beginning. I know for sure about 4 divisions (one of which is a guards division) and 3 regiments settled there...and i'm pretty sure by now he has got all over a level 9 forts...

My preferred route is: Northern Coast of NG -> Mindanao -> Luzon - > Formosa

This will avoid the dreaded atolls and bypass the DEI defensive system.

I'm well aware that his carrier force is still mighty, and i know he can still bite hard...but his pilot quality should be lower than mine by now...so i don't fear a 1 vs 1 engagement, but i have to avoid a CVs+LBA vs CVs situatio and an 8-hexes attack...That's why i think the route chosen is the wiser one...

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 4:29:46 PM

Erkki

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quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Guys, the Mariannas are probably a No-No in this game.
Rader has started to garrison and to build them since the beginning. I know for sure about 4 divisions (one of which is a guards division) and 3 regiments settled there...and i'm pretty sure by now he has got all over a level 9 forts...

My preferred route is: Northern Coast of NG -> Mindanao -> Luzon - > Formosa�

This will avoid the dreaded atolls and bypass the DEI defensive system.

I'm well aware that his carrier force is still mighty, and i know he can still bite hard...but his pilot quality should be lower than mine by now...so i don't fear a 1 vs 1 engagement, but i have to avoid a CVs+LBA vs CVs situatio and an 8-hexes attack...That's why i think the route chosen is the wiser one...

In the case you're still interested in possible(or lets say, most likely) KB composition you're at some point going to meet in battle, its

Original 6 CVs, combined aircraft capacity is 432

2 Junyos plus Taiho and scen 2 Taiho-class Shinano - 250 aircraft

6 new Unryu class CVs - 6x63 makes 378

4 CVLs - 139 planes

3 Taiyo-CVEs, Shinyo, Kaiyo and Hosho(without upgrade) - 158

Those total 1357 aircraft + reserves and the 110% limit - so without reserves he might be able to have 1490 carrier A/C immediately available..

Rader will also soon have 4 capacity 22 CVLs if he upgrades the CSes - have you seen them lately?

He may also get 2 capacity 12 and 2 capacity 8 CVEs early-mid 1944 at earliest, plus the capacity 18(I think) hybrid battleships, Ise and Fuso class.

But with your less vulnerable CVs, much better planes and especially pilots even 1:1 plane numbers are "modified" to maybe 2:1 to advantage.

< Message edited by Erkki -- 10/26/2011 4:35:24 PM >

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 5:00:38 PM

GreyJoy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Erkki

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Guys, the Mariannas are probably a No-No in this game.
Rader has started to garrison and to build them since the beginning. I know for sure about 4 divisions (one of which is a guards division) and 3 regiments settled there...and i'm pretty sure by now he has got all over a level 9 forts...

My preferred route is: Northern Coast of NG -> Mindanao -> Luzon - > Formosa�

This will avoid the dreaded atolls and bypass the DEI defensive system.

I'm well aware that his carrier force is still mighty, and i know he can still bite hard...but his pilot quality should be lower than mine by now...so i don't fear a 1 vs 1 engagement, but i have to avoid a CVs+LBA vs CVs situatio and an 8-hexes attack...That's why i think the route chosen is the wiser one...

In the case you're still interested in possible(or lets say, most likely) KB composition you're at some point going to meet in battle, its

Original 6 CVs, combined aircraft capacity is 432

2 Junyos plus Taiho and scen 2 Taiho-class Shinano - 250 aircraft

6 new Unryu class CVs - 6x63 makes 378

4 CVLs - 139 planes

3 Taiyo-CVEs, Shinyo, Kaiyo and Hosho(without upgrade) - 158

Those total 1357 aircraft + reserves and the 110% limit - so without reserves he might be able to have 1490 carrier A/C immediately available..

Rader will also soon have 4 capacity 22 CVLs if he upgrades the CSes - have you seen them lately? He may also get 2 capacity 12 and 2 capacity 8 CVEs early-mid 1944 at earliest, plus the capacity 18(I think) hybrid battleships, Ise and Fuso class.

But with your less vulnerable CVs, much better planes and especially pilots even 1:1 plane numbers are "modified" to maybe 2:1 to advantage.

1500 carrier a/c is really a lot mate! Thanks!

However my actual capacity is:
90 x 9 CVs = 810 +
30 x 4 CVLs = 90 +
23 (avg) x 9 CVEs = 207 (say 200

So i have a carrier force of 1100 a/c at the moment.

Plus i have 3 more CVEs and 2 CVLs that are re-grouping at PH...

So at the present moment it's something like 1100 vs 1300 probably...

What comes into consideration is the LBA variant... it is the LBA that may change the outcome of a carrier battle right now...

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 5:04:13 PM

Erkki

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quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

1500 carrier a/c is really a lot mate! Thanks!

However my actual capacity is:
90 x 9 CVs = 810 +
30 x 4 CVLs = 90 +
23 (avg) x 9 CVEs = 207 (say 200

So i have a carrier force of 1100 a/c at the moment.

Plus i have 3 more CVEs and 2 CVLs that are re-grouping at PH...

So at the present moment it's something like 1100 vs 1300 probably...

What comes into consideration is the LBA variant... it is the LBA that may change the outcome of a carrier battle right now...

Indeed! Now you also have a mistake there, isn't one of the 9 big, Wasp, just capacity 76 and not 90?

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 5:11:20 PM

GreyJoy

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Yup, my mistake

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 5:28:01 PM

House Stark

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Subtract 16 for Wasp, but then remember to subtract 18 b/c Hosho is sunk. You got her earlier right? In any case, it might be difficult to get a CV battle isolated from LBA. Rader seems to use his carriers in support of his land bases, and due to the strength of your fleet and the sapping of his experienced pilots he's unlikely to change that. You'll have to trick him or something.

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 5:33:01 PM

GreyJoy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: House Stark

Subtract 16 for Wasp, but then remember to subtract 18 b/c Hosho is sunk. You got her earlier right? In any case, it might be difficult to get a CV battle isolated from LBA. Rader seems to use his carriers in support of his land bases, and due to the strength of your fleet and the sapping of his experienced pilots he's unlikely to change that. You'll have to trick him or something.

Very true mate.

I'm pretty sure Rader won't be risking no more his CVs in isolated raids...more likely in sudden mass attacks composed of LBA + CVs, with his CVs well beyond the "line of safety" of the 7 hexes.

I gotta say i was tempted to raid his CVs while stationing at Rabaul in shallow waters...but the CAP umbrella he has there is HUGE and he has many many LBA squadrons to retaliate...too risky under these circumstances.

However i'll try to be as aggressive as possible...if a possibility arises...i'll try to catch it!

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 5:43:14 PM

Erkki

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Ironically Rader's first CV loss in his previous game was also Hosho and in very, very similar circumstances close to the same date and in nearly the same place, raiding convoys entering the map on most direct Panama-Australia/Fiji route.

GreyJoy, shallow waters dont effect CV ops. Its only CVs and CVLs in shallow water base hexes(ie. "coastal base" hexes). Rabaul would have been one but there'd have been good chance for the KB to have reacted out from the base. Outside Central Pacific you probably wont be able to engage the KB with little to no LBA backing it up so you need to get creative if you want it dead.

Although your convoys and behind the line bases are pretty safe now knowing he wont move the KB from its LBA support.

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 7:07:26 PM

Cribtop

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Be careful about it, but if you can isolate KB from LBA I agree that it is a good time for an attritional CV battle.

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 8:10:40 PM

obvert

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He's probably got masses of divisions and brigades everywhere by now. I know one place that would give him the shivers though, and that is moving into Burma. If you could get a foothold there, he's certainly not going to be very happy in India. Easier said than done of course, but your material weight should be having an effect as you enter 44. If you continue on your present course up the coast of N Guinea while preparing for the other side of the map, you might be able to hit there in a few months.

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 8:31:28 PM

Canoerebel

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It is kind of entertaining to read GreyJoy's AAR. At one point or another, essentially every point on the map has been suggested as an invasion target with potential....and GJ has noted that each of them is uber protected. I can see no possible way for GJ to ever advance. It's hopeless!

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 8:43:12 PM

Bullwinkle58

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

It is kind of entertaining to read GreyJoy's AAR. At one point or another, essentially every point on the map has been suggested as an invasion target with potential....and GJ has noted that each of them is uber protected. I can see no possible way for GJ to ever advance. It's hopeless!

And yet, time continues its inexorable march . . .

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 8:51:39 PM

Jzanes

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The problem with an offensive via the northern NG coast is that you will have both your flanks wide open and you won't have anywhere to hide your ships from sudden raids by the IJN carriers or long range LBA. In addition, the bases along the northern NG coast are too small and too far apart from each other to support massive LBA forces or to be all that mutually supportive.

I think you need to find an area where you can form a ring of bases that support each other and provide a barrier that can protect a rear area where you rest, train, repair, and form up your forces for the next round of attacks.

Your current offensive has this form. The front line is the Solomons and PM. Rader cannot easily bypass your front and strike at your rear areas of Australia and New Caledonia/Hebrides.

Building up Merauke, Gove, etc. and making moves on the bases south and west of new guinea would provide more �depth� for your move on the Phillipines. Your main effort could be via the north shore with smaller efforts made vs. these other areas. The alternative would be to gain depth by striking the small bases on the �Pacific� side of New Guinea (Woleia, Ulithi, Truk, etc.). This approach comes with it�s own set of problems but is a viable possiblilty.

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 9:02:42 PM

Canoerebel

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To be honest, I don't think the DEI is the best target for GJ. And that's a big concession for me to make. I think I've chosen DEI as my major vector of advance in all but one game of WitP and AE. So I hate to concede "my baby," but circumstances suggest that GJ has better options. He is very mobile thanks to his carrier fleet, and as long as he doesn't blunder into a massed LBA nest somewhere, he should be able to handle anything in the air. But the DEI poses the threat of "major LBA nest."

With his mobility, GJ needs to find islands to focus on. Not every island in the Pacific can have a division - not if rader is going to adequately garrison the DEI and a thousand other places including the Kuriles, Marianas, etc. etc. etc.

GJ, go out there and find and then take some likely looking islands. Just overwhelm rader in isolated places where he can't really bring unlimited LBA to bear. Eniwetok? Ponape? Kusaie? Wolei? Etc. Etc. Etc. Then, when he gets used to you advancing through the Pacific, change up on him if necessary and land somewhere else major, like Java, Sumatra or Malaya. This will be in mid 1944, and by then you can be operating two major amphibious vectors at a time.

P.S. Ah, never mind. Disregard my suggestions. You know what you're doing. You don't need any fly-by-night opinions from the likes of me.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 10/26/2011 9:52:42 PM >

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 9:29:32 PM

witpqs

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

P.S. Ah, never mind. Disregard my suggestions. You know what you're doing. You don't need any fly-by-night opinions from the likes of me.

You still give good advice. But yes, this is a different GreyJoy than we once knew...

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 10:36:25 PM

crsutton

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One factor is that except for his big six carriers, the Japanese fall far short in durability and of course suffer from Japanese damage control as well. Not as important as it should be but Allied AA is better. All things considered the Allied CV force is much stronger because all of the big Allied carriers can take a beating and survive. And the hellcats factor in as well. Japanese torpedoes are still better but I don't think of it as much of an edge. If he can be drawn even a few hexes away from a land base then battle is a good thing. Thing is, he is not going to get any more carriers and the Allies will get plenty.

GJ, have you given new names to your II carriers. I picked Scorpion,Black Widow,Bumble Bee and Yellow Jacket for mine. I always loved the Hornet and Wasp, so stuck with the theme.

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 10:41:38 PM

Canoerebel

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The USS Yellow Jacket is sure to suffer an unhappy fate. She will be captained by a man who is good on offense but poor on defense. He can get his strike force armed, but he will fail to put up CAP and have his AA crews at action stations. The sailors carrying heavy ordinacne will fumble it more often than you'd like. The ship will beat up on weaker opposition like the Imperial Japanese Navy's Middle Tennessee State and Western Carolina. But when the Yellow Jacket faces real competition from modern, well-captained carriers like the USS Bulldog, the jig is up.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 10/26/2011 10:42:03 PM >

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/26/2011 11:28:15 PM

JohnDillworth

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I don't know how to exploit it but you have an advantage in that your carriers are either CVE's or they are fast. I think all of the CVL's and CV's are 30+ knots. I think his CV's are all over the map from 25 knots to 30+. Point is it's harder for him to concentrate all his fast carriers at once. You can get in and out faster. I know it is not commonly done by everyone, but you also might leave those CVE's with the replacement (R) squadrons in the original role, replenishment depots for the CV's. Not sure of the distances but you might be able to leave the replenishment CVE task forces south of NG whilst your big boy's support operations north of NG

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/27/2011 12:47:00 AM

GreyJoy

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Guys....i'm really thankfull to all of you for the suggestions you keep on giving me. They are food for my brain and, thank to them and to your patience, i've learnt so much during the last 10 months of RL.
So, especially CR, don't think i'm not listening. I AM. I DO LISTEN. and i do thank you...sincerly!

What Jzanes says perfectly suits my way of thinking. Use the eastern Guinea as a secondary and minor front in order to keep him honest and to guard my flank... however i'm still thinking about my second vector in Western Oz. Two minor vectors (eastern Guinea and Western Oz) may sum togheder and give me a second whole front.

Anyway, Burma clearly sounds sweet to my mind...but it's a damned tough affair to get there unseen...with Rader i need the surprise effect...

But now, i'm sorry to halt for a moment these strategical conversations... let's talk about tactic...the old, beloved tactic.

Going fast...

On 17 and 18 nov 1943 we launched a series of sweeps against Buna, with the help of 50 P-38s on LRCAP from PM.
Our sweeps performed greatly (25 P-47s and 18 Corsairs), while my P-38s didn't do well... we faced for the first time the Ki-100, along with Tojos, Nicks, Zeros and Oscars...

We lost 21 planes against his 100...not bad...

Then the 4Es arrived and plastered the base. A base that seems to be abbandoning by Rader...troops spotted moving north, while my aussies are struggling on the trails...

Again no counter move by Rader...

and....for the 19-20th we've given the green light order for the next operation: HAIRY BULL

The plan is the following:

trying to exploit one of Rader's few mistakes (the lack of appropriate naval search south of Tulagi) we've moved a 300-ships invasion force between Karaikira and Lunga...unseen...covered by 9 CVEs, 4 BBs and several other warships. My CVs are close-by, supported by 500 fighters based between Lunga, Tassa, Tulagi and Auki.

During the night a raider BN, aboard of 3 APDs will leave lunga and will take an emptied (why!?) Ontong Java.
In the morning 50 P-38s, 36 Hellcats and 75 P-47s will sweep Treasury Island, near Shortland, followed by 60 Mitchells that will attack the troops present there (i think a little base force and a constr bn).
Then in the afternoon, while 5 para units (1 regiment and 4 BNs) will be dropped on Treasury island by 240 transports, our invasion fleet will start the unloading operations at Rekata Bay. 3 Divisions (1 in reserve), 4 Tank units, 4 Artillery, a CD unit, a Corp HQ and an Amphib Bde will attack the beaches where 17,000 enemies are spotted and entrenched.

The CVs will stay close to Auki, providing LRCAP. In the map i calculated the most common places where the KB pops up in the area...i wanted my CVs not in range of shortland...don't wanna waste lots of SDBs on useless baits...
The landings will be covered by 1 SCTF composed by 2 fast BBs, 2 modern CAs, 3 modern CLs and 8 Fletchers, while another cruiser division (2 CAs and 8 Fletchers) will provide support. 2 DD divisions will guard the approaches (east and west) to Rekata, while the CVEs will give the close CAP, along with 300 fighters from TLT that will provide LRCAP.

We need to be fast...if Rader remains at Rabaul we have a chance... we should be able to unload almost everything by the end of the turn...and then run away before Rader has time to move his KB and his LBAs back to this front...

At the moment not more than 200 LBAs are spotted south of Rabaul...with a bit of luck it can be done...

Treasury and ontong Java should only be diversions...but if everything go well we could be using them for applying more pressure upon him...

...ok...i know i should have written more...but i'm sweating waiting for the turn...too tense to write...sorry....say a prayer for me

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/27/2011 1:31:25 AM

Cribtop

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IMHO the current Op is a good one. Just getting and building Ontong Java is well worth it to flank the southern Solomons. I say Cartwheel him with the next move against northern NG, ultimate aim Mindanao and Palawan to cut him off from the DEI.

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/27/2011 2:13:45 AM

GreyJoy

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Guys...3 a.m. here...stayed up just to watch the reply...

The first 2 days of Operation HAIRY BULL have been a total success.

Few lines for the moment.

We repulsed a somewhat weak LBA attack (30 betties escorted by 60 Georges and Franks) and landed succesfully with 1200 AVs at Rekata...where we found what is left of the 4th Division, a Regiment and a Naval Guard...we also noticed that Rader was evacuating it (Mavis-L shot down)...the total enemy AVs (130) has already been destroyed by our shore bombardments (4 old BBs)

Treasury Island was a complete success...with our Paras that managed to defeat an eng Regiment (fragment of the original unit probably) after that our fighters cleared the sky against good number of Franks and Georges and our Mitchells pounded the enemy LC.

Ontong Java was conquered as previewed.

Now it's Rader's turn to come out and play...

I think he'll concentrate on Treasury and on Ontong Java, leaving alone Rekata which is already lost...

Not a single ship lost. Not a single unit in bad shape. Few fighters and transports, obviously, but i'm pretty sure the air kill ratio will be higher than 3-1 in our favor...

A great day overall...

See u tomorrow for more and detailed (i promise) news...

Night gents

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/27/2011 4:36:57 AM

CaptBeefheart

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Well done, GJ. Looking forward to the detailed results. If you can keep and reinforce Treasury, then that's huge. You might also wat to consider an outpost on Woodlark in the somewhat near future.

In my experience, a narrow NG advance only results in a lot of Nettie hits to supply convoys and it slows things down since you need to organize air cover to move anything. You need to either neutralize Truk with consistent bombing, or take it. Securing Wooleai (sp?) and Beelzebub/Pelileu also helps secure the east flank. Ulithi too if it's not extremely well garrisoned. Likewise, the airfields on the south coast of NG have to either be taken or neutralized. Anyway, you'll figure it out.

Cheers,
CC

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/27/2011 5:47:40 AM

crsutton

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

The USS Yellow Jacket is sure to suffer an unhappy fate. She will be captained by a man who is good on offense but poor on defense. He can get his strike force armed, but he will fail to put up CAP and have his AA crews at action stations. The sailors carrying heavy ordinacne will fumble it more often than you'd like. The ship will beat up on weaker opposition like the Imperial Japanese Navy's Middle Tennessee State and Western Carolina. But when the Yellow Jacket faces real competition from modern, well-captained carriers like the USS Bulldog, the jig is up.

Wow! I knew I should have gone with my first hunch. USS Whupass.

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RE: November rain...of blood - 10/27/2011 6:22:06 AM

JeffroK

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imho (not the lower case),

rader has given up on the Solomons, he isnt going to make it easy, but isnt going to commit more assets to the area.

He hasnt reacted as expected to your assaults so far, he's drawn a line north of Gcanal where he will stand, maybe its Bouganville/Rabaul??

If I can put in 2 bobs worth about your approach, its going to take months to get through his defenses, at some time or other you will have to fight the big carrier battle, hopefully at a time and place you are ready for it. Keep your forces balanced and supporting each other so that when it comes you can take advantage of your aircraft and pilots, both naval and LBA.

Can you, when you get over lack of sleep, post a strategic map for us to pull apart!

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Hairy Bull - 10/27/2011 7:09:33 AM

GreyJoy

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Ok gents, after less than 4 hours of sleep (jeffk :-) ), here we are with some aftermath

Nov 19-20 1943

Yes, as far as i can tell, Rader since our moves in NG, has started to redeploy his forces in NG (from Hollandia down south), garrisoning and moving airframes (for ex our recon says that at least 300 fighters have been relocated between Lae, Finishtafen and Nazareb)...i think he was ready to start reducing PM when this operation started because he sent a small detachment of Rexes (the floating george version) to sweep PM, obviously to see which composition my forces had there. In the Solomons he's trying a whole evacuation...i think we stopped once for all the evacuation of Thousands-Russell and now, with Rekata Bay almost in our hands, the door is more or less closed behind those 50,000 japanese that still lingers there (at Tulagi there are still 16,000 men...

).
While Bouganville is clearly a strongpoint in Rader's defences...

Ok, let's analyze the turn (with a map!).

First, during the night of the 19th, we sent a DD division to bomb Vella La Vella, where were based 60 Kates devoted to ASW patrol...i wanted to ground them if possible...
Always on the night of the 19th another DD division positioned itself on the western approaches of Rekata Bay, along with 2 PTs groups (4 PTs each) (all these ships were coming from Tulagi), while a cruiser division (2 old CAs + 8 Fletchers) moved to cover the eastern approach of Rekata (Rekata has a coral barrier on its north side and land on its southern side, so it only can be approached either by east or by west).
In the very same moments 20 PTs along with Lee Ching SCTF (2 BBs, 2 CAs, 3 CLs and 8 fletchers) moved to Rekata bay, in order to secure the landing place.

In the morning, despite the heavy rain over Rekata, enemy planes attacked our amphib TFs that were already in place (not unloading yet).

Early in the morning our sweepers took off from Tassafaronga in order to clean the path towards Treasury for the upcoming transports...fierce air battles occured...again our P-38s on LRCAP performed poorly compared to those sent on sweep and got punished badly...but we wore down the enemy Leaky CAP...

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Morning Air attack on Treasury Islands , at 109,132

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 21
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 12
Ki-84a Frank x 36

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 3 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Treasury Islands , at 109,132

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 17
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 10
Ki-84a Frank x 27

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 25
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Treasury Islands , at 109,132

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 11
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 16

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 2 destroyed

Again the king of the skies is the P-47s...which is defenetly the best sweeper we have!

Then our mitchells took off from Lunga...lightly escorted...but sweeps and LRCAP have already torn apart the enemy CAP and we're able to pass through...

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Morning Air attack on 57th JNAF AF Unit , at 109,132 (Treasury Islands)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 2
B-25C Mitchell x 20
B-25D1 Mitchell x 15
P-38H Lightning x 15
P-40N5 Warhawk x 5

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
389 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

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Morning Air attack on 3rd Infantry Regiment, at 109,132 (Treasury Islands)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 3

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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Morning Air attack on 3rd Infantry Regiment, at 109,132 (Treasury Islands)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 2
Ki-84a Frank x 3

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12
P-38H Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

If i remember correctly the 3rd Inf Regiment took part in the failed assault at Tulagi so probably these guys were what Rader managed to extract in the last months...

Then, in the afternoon, as predicted, our landings took place...
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Pre-Invasion action off Rekata Bay (113,134)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

64 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
DD Frazier
SC PC-1081
SC PC-1079
SC PC-779
SC PC-778
SC PC-777
SC PC-596
SC PC-579
SC PC-578
SC-1069
SC-1064
SC-1061
APA Fayette
DD King

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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Amphibious Assault at Rekata Bay (113,134)

TF 389 troops unloading over beach at Rekata Bay, 113,134

Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

37mm M3 AT Gun lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Infantry Div /4
10 Support troops lost overboard during unload of XI US Corps /3

....our BBs did a great job suppressing the defenders...and by the end of the 1st day we already had 688 AVs ashore...

...but, above all, at Treasury, our transports found their way pretty much clear and dropped the equivalent of 2 regiments of Paras...
The enemy, already heavily beaten by our bombers, shocked and confused, opposed a very light resistance and got wiped out immediately...

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Ground combat at Treasury Islands (109,132)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2246 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 145

Defending force 1601 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Allied adjusted assault: 57

Japanese adjusted defense: 2

Allied assault odds: 28 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Treasury Islands !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1063 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Parachute Bn /1
2nd USMC Parachute Bn /1
503rd Parachute Rgt /1
1st Fiji Commando Bn /1
2nd Fiji Commando Bn /1

Defending units:
3rd Infantry Regiment
57th JNAF AF Unit

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3rd Infantry Regiment Wiped Out at Treasury Islands by attrition!!!

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57th JNAF AF Unit Wiped Out at Treasury Islands by attrition!!!

On the night of the 20th our landings kept on going on without a problem at Rekata....
Not a single naval asset of Rader came into play...

Then, unfortunately, our micthells that bombed Treasury, having no more targets, decided to go after the heavily defended Shortland....

...in this unwanted mission we lost something like 25 planes and pilots...

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Morning Air attack on 71st Infantry Brigade, at 109,131 (Shortlands)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 19
Ki-84a Frank x 23

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 2
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
P-40N5 Warhawk x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 destroyed
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

So the combat we've seen in the replay over the beaches of Rekata between 30 Betties escorted by 60 fighters and our CAP never took place...FOW or synch problems...

Anyway...by the end of the second day, this is what we have ashore at Rekata...tomorrow we'll take the base!

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Ground combat at Rekata Bay (113,134)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1314 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 103

Defending force 41081 troops, 741 guns, 904 vehicles, Assault Value = 1223

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
89th Naval Guard Unit
4th Div /3
21st JAAF Base Force /3
31st JNAF AF Unit
20th JAAF Base Force
77th JAAF AF Bn
33rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
56th Construction Battalion
18th JAAF Base Force
26th Air Flotilla
3rd Infantry Rgt /10

Defending units:
33rd Infantry Division
27th Australian Brigade
104th Combat Engineer Regiment
131st Combat Engineer Regiment
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
4th USMC Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Div /1
109th Tank Attack Regiment
XI US Corps
16th USN Naval Construction Battalion
46th Construction Regiment
9th Marine Defense Battalion
40th USN Naval Construction Battalion
2nd Eng Amph Bde /1
177th Construction Regiment
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
21st USN Naval Construction Battalion
82nd Mortar Battalion
259th Cst Art Bn /1

Our raiders arrived at Ontong Java and conquered the base...now i need to understand how to hold it...

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Ground combat at Ontong Java (115,131)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 434 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 11

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ontong Java !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Bn /4