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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Wild Sheep Chase

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RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 11/26/2012 12:20:50 PM

koniu

Posts: 2763
Joined: 2/28/2011
From: Konin, Poland, European Union
Status: offline

I have seen coordination problems when we upgrade to one of oldest beta but after Michaelm back to original settings it looks normal for me.

At least i do not see 20 small waves of bombers. Usually i see one big wave fallowed by two, three smaller. Of course it can look different when big numbers will work but so far it look realistic for me.

From what i can see all coordination problems can be from using different planes, AF, weather or flying from overstocked airfields. We just cant except having supper coordination because it is impassible.

< Message edited by koniu -- 11/26/2012 12:28:59 PM >

_____________________________

"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of War"

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 1201

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 11/26/2012 12:31:41 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Erik, me and Brad are using the latest beta patch and, i can tell you, we aren't experiencing anything "strange" with our raids.
Brad, for example, is bombing Wazrup (Burma) every day for weeks now. He's using 80 Blenheims and they do come (ALWAYS) in 2 big groups, one of 45 and the other one of 35 planes. And this happens EVERY SINGLE DAY. Same with my Chinese bombers...they, as always, arrive in one big group, followed up by a couple of smaller groups...but, as far as i can tell, it's always been like that.

I remember when i bombed Japan against Rader my B-29s suffered exactly in the same way, so i really don't see any big coordination change lately

It's interesting that people say similar things, but it seems to happen a lot with 4Es in big groups. I know there should be some difference. I even think there should have been more than there was originally, but to have a large raid come with one big group and 15 fragmented pieces seems excessive.

My bombers in China always had a few fragments, and that's fine. I'll have to fire up the tests again.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to GreyJoy)

Post #: 1202

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 11/26/2012 12:57:06 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: koniu

I have seen coordination problems when we upgrade to one of oldest beta but after Michaelm back to original settings it looks normal for me.

At least i do not see 20 small waves of bombers. Usually i see one big wave fallowed by two, three smaller. Of course it can look different when big numbers will work but so far it look realistic for me.

From what i can see all coordination problems can be from using different planes, AF, weather or flying from overstocked airfields. We just cant except having supper coordination because it is impassible.

Good to hear. I would be fine to go ahead with it, but Jocke is not happy with how the first day of strikes looked, coming in those many many small fragments (one coordinated group and 15-16 other very small pieces), that were completely unlike anything we had seen in the official patch or before.

I suspect this is an issue with 4E groups in particular, and especially in large formations flying at close to max normal distances.

I just ran a few test turns. (4 turns, all nearly identical results to what are below). This is what I'm seeing.

These 4Es are in 9 groups flying 15 hexes, from a level 9 base, have two HQs with good leaders, high exp crews and good group leaders.

They arrive in 7 different groups. Not only are they fragmented, but even squadrons are split. The Allied player might not like that so much.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 30

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 21

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

I also threw in 2Es flying only 4 hexes, and they stayed together much better. Only 3 different attacks, and they do stay as squadrons. Probably more like what GJ is seeing in his game in Burma. Still, more fragmented than in previous patches.

Morning Air attack on Cuttack , at 48,37

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 25
Mohawk IV x 11
Wellington Ic x 31
Wellington GR.VIII x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 34

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Wellington GR.VIII bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb
16 x Wellington Ic bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x Wellington Ic bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cuttack , at 48,37

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 16

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Blenheim IV bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Cuttack , at 48,37

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 17

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to koniu)

Post #: 1203

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 11/27/2012 12:54:35 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

1 - 2 October 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: The only sub action involves the I-153 near Cooktown hitting an LCM with surface gunfire and sinking it.

The I-16, the damaged sub out of fuel that's been sitting in Vanikoro for months not repairing, has been gradually brought to Ndeni. It's now in port and at pier side! It's fun to get it this far, but now it has 300+ days to repair, and I'm pretty confident it won't get so much actual time here before something happens. I'll fly in a bit of naval support to see if this makes a difference. Even if I can get it to 70 system damage I could try moving it to Tulagi.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Jocke sent in the big boys to close Milne Bay airfields. They did so in two days of raids. The defenders, mostly LR CAP and bleeding CAP from surrounding bases, did take a toll, but not as great as we would have liked. Quite a few were destroyed or damaged as well, and many of the damaged zeros had to be disbanded from Milne Bay after the first day of attacks.

Jocke sent a CL led SAG toward Milne Bay and hit the 4 DDs doing ASW near there at night. Due to poor visibility and quickness the DDs escape largely intact, but the Akatsuki does have major damage and won't survive if her fires can't be extinguished. Interestingly, a CL Cleveland is listed as sunk by air launched torpedoes on the list. Not sure if this is total FOW or if one of our search Bettys hit it (can search air carry and launch TT?), as no strike was seen in the replay and the ops doesn't list anything. One pilot did have exp increase in a Betty group.

In other news Rabaul is reinforced with more fighters, and another group of Tojos reaches the area after the long transfer from the DEI. In two or three days I'll have enough service 1 Tojos and Oscars to begin seriously threatening the CAP at Terapo. That base just reached level 3 so it will be soon hard to stop as more CAP are able to be based there. Lot os other groups are filling out and resting and I will continue to largely concede airspace until I can get many groups ready to rotate in and out. I also have another HQ on the way to the area which will become a sweeping and TB base near enough to Terapo to cause some real problems for the Allies.

NORTH PACIFIC: Transports are moving to forward bases to begin removing portions of garrisons there and getting any construction units back to more useful positions for the spring defense of the Western Aleutian bases.

WEST OZ: Aussie troops seem to still be leaving the Exmouth hex, but have not made it into the desert yet. I've stopped bombing them as the AA is intense and I would lose at least a plane a day.

I haven't noticed anything coming by road toward the Katherine/Darwin area. I wonder if he plans to wait until amphibious ops are available once Allied CV strength is better and LBA from the North OZ island bases has become a force. That would be fine with me as this should take a while and give me more opportunity to solidify the southern DEI defenses as well as getting a good reserve of troops in the area.

BURMA: Nothing happening.

CENTRAL PACIFIC: Baker Island now has another Naval Guard, bringing defenses up to 160AV but lacking full prep for the new unit. Forts are moving toward level 6, but are a month or two away from reaching this level. Canton Island is also at about 5.7 forts. Both have decent supply and are not being reconned, so maybe the recent failure at Canton discouraged further attempts out here.

I will keep the Central Pacific Islands strong and even add a few more units toward the beginning of 44, but the plan is to begin to move units back toward more critical Marianas and other rear bases as they are threatened toward the end of 44, assuming this is still possible.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 1, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 24
J2M2 Jack x 8
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 48
LB-30 Liberator x 3
B-24D Liberator x 45
B-24D1 Liberator x 110
B-24J Liberator x 12
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 19 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 62

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb ...

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
68th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
Ryujo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 17 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 19
J2M2 Jack x 5
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 18
J2M2 Jack x 1
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 6
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 6 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 2, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 100,133, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shigure
DD Murasame, Shell hits 1
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Cleveland
CL Denver
DD Fletcher
DD Abbot
DD Aulick
DD Bache
DD Chevalier
DD O'Bannon

Reduced sighting due to 14% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 14% moonlight: 10,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 7,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
DD Aulick engages DD Akatsuki at 7,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Abbot at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Denver engages DD Akatsuki at 2,000 yards
DD Chevalier engages DD Akatsuki at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Akatsuki engages DD Abbot at 5,000 yards
DD Samidare engages DD Abbot at 10,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cooktown at 93,137

Japanese Ships
SS I-153

Allied Ships
LCM 532A, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-153 attacking LCM 532A on the surface

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 6
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 9

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 33
B-24D Liberator x 39
B-24D1 Liberator x 83
B-24J Liberator x 7
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 38

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb ...

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
68th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 2
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 1
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Reinforcements: These will operate as ASW units near the HI. Several subs are now hunting these waters, but have not yet been successful due largely to their high DLs. Now to try to use the DLs to take out the subs.

E Manju arrives at Tokyo
E Miyake arrives at Tokyo

Losses: None.

Ships Sunk: An LCM!!!

Previous report of sinking of DD Hughes incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of SS Grunion incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
LCM 532A is reported to have been sunk near Cooktown on Oct 02, 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have I really seen the las of the Cleveland? I doubt it. Interesting report though. Why would it show as sunk if it were not hit, but if it was hit, why would it not be shown as attacked in an ops report?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1204

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 11/28/2012 8:08:58 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

3 - 4 October 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: Jocke's subs look to be reorganized an dmoving into the DEI and around the HI again. I am allocating 4 DD to ASW in the Sulu Sea and 4 new Es to the approaches to Southern Honshu.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Nells go for PTs both days. I lose a few Nells and don't hit any PTs. They drop bombs instead of TT even though the HQ is full up and they are set correctly. Maybe due to the target this is chosen? One PT is listed 'dead in the water' after the attack. Hmmm.

I'll try putting some A6M5 on 1k ft naval attack from Ndeni to see if I can actually hit a few and at least make him protect them with fighters, if not move them back. I have to keep the Nells on at least to 11 hex distance from Lunga to be able to hit Vanikoro if he goes there.

Some AMs cleared a small piece of a sub-laid mine field at Terapo. Port Moresby still has 120 mines in spite of clearing efforts and degrading.

NORTH PACIFIC: Ampibs move to Dutch and Cold Bay and will begin picking up Naval Guard units tomorrow to transport back to the Kuriles. Only a portion of each will go. The other bit will remain on the Aleutians to prevent an early capture.

WEST OZ: The 'retreating' troops in Exmouth have now stopped moving. Huh. Very interesting. A bombardment is set and will hit in a few days. Emilys are moved in to provide deep search and subs patrol waters off of Exmouth, Carnarvon and Geraldton.

If he leaves these here I will consider reinforcing with 2 divisions and kicking the Aussies out. Their supply will be dire after a while here I'm sure, and if he really wants to let them wither that's great. I just want them to have to move away and come back again ether by land or by water. After a few days of air and sea bombardments I'll try an arty bombardment as well.

BURMA: Nothing.

CENTRAL PACFIC: Baker is now up to 165 AV behind 5.75 forts and growing with 8k supply. I've got a big shipment heading to Kwaijalen, and when that arrives more will be sent to Baker and Canton.

Three ships are spotted 3 hexes from Canton. I'm not sure if this is a CAP trap, the prelude to another invasion, or simple negligence. I need some DBs here, which are moving down to Truk now. In the meantime I have moved in 25 Frances and set them to 2k naval strike 10% search at 11 hexes for tomorrow. We'll see.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 3, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 19
G3M3 Nell x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
PT-156
PT-161
PT-152
PT-157
PT-153
PT-155
PT-159

Aircraft Attacking:
41 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 4, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Luganville at 120,150

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 19
G3M3 Nell x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
PT-156
PT-161
PT-152
PT-157
PT-153
PT-155
PT-159

Aircraft Attacking:
41 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

PT-181 dead in the water ... How did this happen?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reinforcements: A new recon group arrives and will move immediately to the South Pacific where it is sorely needed after recent withdrawals. More DBs will also move that way.

xAK Tsurushima Maru arrives at Tokyo
503 Ku K-1 arrives at Chiba
503 Ku T-1 arrives at Chiba

Losses: The Akatsuki went down at Kiriwina before it could be disbanded into port.

DD Akatsuki

Ships Sunk: None.

Previous report of sinking of SS S-47 incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Two groups of zeros will hold the fort in the Aleutians over the winter, with one Emily group, one group of Dinahs and one Kate group. I'm anticipating quiet here, btu a solid reserve will be kept and built through the next several months in the Kuriles for use in forward areas if there is trouble.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 11/28/2012 8:12:10 PM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1205

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 11/29/2012 6:35:54 AM

koniu

Posts: 2763
Joined: 2/28/2011
From: Konin, Poland, European Union
Status: offline

You should try strafing on 100ft those PT with Your fighters. on 1000ft LNav skill is required on 100ft strafe skill is used.
At lest You will get some hits from guns and 20mm cannon can do decent damage. An If You will be lucky maybe some 60kg bomb hits.

As for using torpedoes i am thinking about two reasons whey G3M not use them. Low supplies in base or 1000ft attitude, 1000ft is LowNav attack and in that mission secondary bomb load is used i think. Set them on 2000ft to use TT

< Message edited by koniu -- 11/29/2012 6:36:54 AM >

_____________________________

"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of War"

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1206

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 11/29/2012 1:58:26 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: koniu

You should try strafing on 100ft those PT with Your fighters. on 1000ft LNav skill is required on 100ft strafe skill is used.
At lest You will get some hits from guns and 20mm cannon can do decent damage. An If You will be lucky maybe some 60kg bomb hits.

As for using torpedoes i am thinking about two reasons whey G3M not use them. Low supplies in base or 1000ft attitude, 1000ft is LowNav attack and in that mission secondary bomb load is used i think. Set them on 2000ft to use TT

Today I have one group of 20 A6M5 on at 1k but if they don't work I'll try 100 ft next. I've had them drop from 1k to do some strafing before as well, but the reason I'm starting there is they have in the past seemed more likely to bomb from that level. Once the moon is bigger in the next week I also want to clear some out of Terapo with old DDs or a group of the faster Es. I don't dare now as it's around 20% moon.

For the torpedoes I'm pretty sure TT skill works at any level, although I'm very happy if someone clears this up and lets me know I'm wrong. During the replay I heard the TT drop splash but in the report it listed bombs, so it was a bit confusing. Their low nav skill is only in the 40s, so no surprise there were no hits. Lunga has I thikn 8k supply, so not too low.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to koniu)

Post #: 1207

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 11/30/2012 4:18:05 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

5 - 6 October 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: The Allied subs are getting active again.I lost a PB to the Tinosa near Guam and a Gozan 10 knot xAK delivering supplies to outlying bases in the Celebes. Two ASW TFs of two DDs each are sent to patrol the straits near Balikpapan. I plan to shut down all CS fuel convoys for a few days to reorganize and get upgrades for the Es. This should mean there are some extras as quality is increased, so I'll be able to make another dedicated sub hunter unit for the Central Pacific where a lot of subs seem active now.

Up in the Aleutians the RO-101 is nailed by an AM in the TF delivering supplies to Chirikof Island. The small sub may be a goner with 95 float damage and three hexes to traverse to make port at Cold Bay. We get them back later in the night however.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Not much on the menu here during these two days. The A6M on low naval attack from Ndeni did not fly, and Jocke moved back the PTs from Torres Islands anyway. This vector is definitely not in the major plans any time soon.

A sweep did go from Terapo to Lae and found our Tojo IIc to be a good match for the P-47s once the dive was over. Each side lost 9 planes on the day. Hopefully that means he lost some good pilots.

The HQ is a day away from the level 5 fields at Umboi island. This will give me much more fighter strength in the area and allow a close base for DB and TB to operate from.

Jocke tried a 4E ground attack at Port Moresby on the 6th which did virtually nothing. The level 5 forts and jungle seem to do well for these guys. Our AV in the base is back up to 864 now, and still growing, and supply is flowing from Buna, which is great news. There is 15k supply in Port Moresby now!

NORTH PACIFIC: I sent the DD Kishinami (which was escorting transports at Cold Bay) to Chirikof after the Emilies from Amchitka sighted what is likely a supply convoy there. It found 6 LST and two AM there and got right to work. Two TT sank LST-482 and then two more were heavily damaged and likely sunk with gunfire. One hit was put on an AM before the Allies escaped into the misty northern night. This has been an expensive base to maintain for the Allies.

WEST OZ: The Aussie troops look to be on the move again. At least they show movement. I don't trust it anymore. A BB bombardment hit and Helens continue to take flak losses while hopefully reducing supply from the plethora of AA firing back. I don't' want this army still sitting here in a few months when Jocke has enough CVs to comfortably land a few more divisions at Exmouth. For now I will use the fuel and Helen pools to keep working on their supply. Next turn I'll try a bombardment with ground arty as well.

BURMA: The British are coming!!! Troops at Akyb show a movement arrow toward Burma. This is it. Prome has gone level 6, but won't have time to try for level 7 I'm sure. I'l concentrate now on Bassein getting to 6 and getting rear bases like Pegu and Moulmein into better defensive shape. I'll still have a month or two before these troops get close, since I have made the decision to stay and fight in my bases. I could see the air campaign resume here at any moment though. All fighter units are on 40% CAP and most bases are covered. I need one more group to cover Prome, which I'll fly down from the HI. I'll also begin upgrading Helens to the IIb and get about 200 ready in rear areas. I also need more Tojo IIc upgrades, as only a few groups have gotten this plane. The Frank will also arrive and probably start building in mid-October.

I've been building Oscars like crazy for use in low bombing against isolated armor if he lets any hang out in the plains, and I've got a good pool of Nicks for low level attacks as well. There are enough pilots now for a good 3 groups, or 100+ planes for use in this role. I need to make sure I don't fly at the main body unless as a last resort considering the amount of AA he is likely to bring. But if he tries to swing armor to flank or use its mobility in the clear, that is when these will try to make their mark.

CENTRAL PACFIC: The Frances didn't find anything out in the Pacifcic after the small convoy was sighted near Canton Island. Too bad.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 5, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Balikpapan at 64,99

Japanese Ships
xAK Oigawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAKL Heiwa Maru
xAKL Hakuyo Maru
PB Mikitade Maru

Allied Ships
SS Snook

SS Snook launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Oigawa Maru
Snook diving deep ....
PB Mikitade Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 5 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 35000 feet

CAP engaged:
26th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 23 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th RAAF Base Force, at 50,129 (Exmouth)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 3rd Australian Division ...
Also attacking 7th RAAF Base Force ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 29
B-24D Liberator x 28
B-24D1 Liberator x 72
B-24J Liberator x 7
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 31
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 120

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 75 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 17

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
26th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
17 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 129 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October Oct 06, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Chirikof Island at 179,46

Japanese Ships
SS RO-101, hits 15, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
LST-482
LST-447
AM Sheldrake

SS RO-101 is sighted by escort
AM Sheldrake attacking submerged sub ....
AM Sheldrake fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Chirikof Island at 179,46, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Kishinami

Allied Ships
AM Motive
AM Sheldrake, Shell hits 1, on fire
LST-447, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
LST-477
LST-479, Shell hits 2
LST-480, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-481
LST-482, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 50% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
DD Kishinami engages LST-482 at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Kishinami engages LST-479 at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Kishinami engages AM Motive at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Kishinami engages LST-480 at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Kishinami engages AM Sheldrake at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
LST-481 , LST-480 , LST-479 screened from combat
- escorted by AM Sheldrake , AM Motive
DD Kishinami engages LST-447 at 6,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Exmouth at 50,129

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Kirishima
CA Maya
CL Naka
DD Asagiri
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Shirakumo
DD Wakazuki
DD Susuzuki
DD Teruzuki

Allied ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Ise

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Terapo at 96,127

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68, hits 1

Allied Ships
AM Latrobe

SS RO-68 launches 2 torpedoes at AM Latrobe
RO-68 bottoming out ....
AM Latrobe fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Latrobe attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th Australian Division, at 50,129 (Exmouth)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 97 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 5
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 53rd Australian Lt AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 5th Australian Division ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 14th Garrison Unit , at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-24D Liberator x 22
B-24D1 Liberator x 52
B-24J Liberator x 6
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 22nd Division ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Guam at 105,95

Japanese Ships
PB Kensin Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
SC Ch 36
xAK Tsukuba Maru
xAK Rokko Maru
E Mutsure

Allied Ships
SS Tinosa

SS Tinosa launches 2 torpedoes at PB Kensin Maru
E Mutsure fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Mutsure attacking submerged sub ....
E Mutsure fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Reinforcements: This is the second specialized kami plane now being researched in addition to the Myojo. I have no idea if either of these will be at all useful with late model Kates around. What I really could use (at least I think I could use) would be the Tsuragi, the Army version that could fill all of the late 1E LB units with 800kg bomb capability at 340mph to target! Can't hurt, right? It's still a ways off though.

EDIT: I just looked it up and the Toka gets to 380mph! So that one will definitely be useful. It's thin as paper, with a 21 durability, and stuck going strait with 19 maneuver, but with that speed some could make it to a target.

Aircraft Toka advances R&D

Losses: Haven't lost anything big in a while, but I'm concerned now that there is more sub activity since the TT should be working at 10% dud rate now.

Loss of xAK Oigawa Maru on Oct 05, 1943 is admitted
Loss of PB Kensin Maru on Oct 06, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: There should be another two LST showing up soon here. Although he gets a few hundred of these, it's still good to hit them and they go down pretty easily.

APA Heywood is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Sep 02, 1943
LST-482 is reported to have been sunk near Chirikof Island on Oct 06, 1943

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Ki-115 Tsuragi. A poor machine, but Japan wanted to make 8k a month! That would make a dent in the US fleet if they manage to get close enough I would think.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 11/30/2012 7:01:42 PM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1208

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/1/2012 2:45:36 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

BURMA: I've been building Oscars like crazy for use in low bombing against isolated armor if he lets any hang out in the plains, and I've got a good pool of Nicks for low level attacks as well. There are enough pilots now for a good 3 groups, or 100+ planes for use in this role. I

I'll be interested in how this works out for you. I'm not convinced at all it is a good tactic, but I'm open to evidence to the contrary.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1209

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/1/2012 2:49:56 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

This is the second specialized kami plane now being researched in addition to the Myojo. I have no idea if either of these will be at all useful with late model Kates around. What I really could use (at least I think I could use) would be the Tsuragi, the Army version that could fill all of the late 1E LB units with 800kg bomb capability at 340mph to target! Can't hurt, right? It's still a ways off though.

EDIT: I just looked it up and the Toka gets to 380mph! So that one will definitely be useful. It's thin as paper, with a 21 durability, and stuck going strait with 19 maneuver, but with that speed some could make it to a target.

When I was play testing late war both the Toga and Tsuragi were quite effective. Losses high, oh but wait, these are 1 way missions so they are all lost anyway! 800kg when it hits is a big boom. Even CV's only take 2 - 3 of these and will go under. BB's can be sunk as well.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1210

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/1/2012 2:56:57 PM

koniu

Posts: 2763
Joined: 2/28/2011
From: Konin, Poland, European Union
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

BURMA: I've been building Oscars like crazy for use in low bombing against isolated armor if he lets any hang out in the plains, and I've got a good pool of Nicks for low level attacks as well. There are enough pilots now for a good 3 groups, or 100+ planes for use in this role. I

I'll be interested in how this works out for you. I'm not convinced at all it is a good tactic, but I'm open to evidence to the contrary.

If they be not going to be effective in that role, at lest he will have lots of good kamikaze planes.
2x250kg should be effective against any ships expect BB i think.

_____________________________

"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of War"

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 1211

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/1/2012 3:43:21 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

This is the second specialized kami plane now being researched in addition to the Myojo. I have no idea if either of these will be at all useful with late model Kates around. What I really could use (at least I think I could use) would be the Tsuragi, the Army version that could fill all of the late 1E LB units with 800kg bomb capability at 340mph to target! Can't hurt, right? It's still a ways off though.

EDIT: I just looked it up and the Toka gets to 380mph! So that one will definitely be useful. It's thin as paper, with a 21 durability, and stuck going strait with 19 maneuver, but with that speed some could make it to a target.

When I was play testing late war both the Toga and Tsuragi were quite effective. Losses high, oh but wait, these are 1 way missions so they are all lost anyway! 800kg when it hits is a big boom. Even CV's only take 2 - 3 of these and will go under. BB's can be sunk as well.

I just re-read this and I meant "late model Judys" of course, but I'm glad to hear these will still add to the arsenal and have a chance to do something positive. I just read up on some of them and I guess they were tough to handle, maybe reflected by the low maneuver rate? The last Judy was designed with the kami role in mind also, which I didn't know. I'm pushing my test game ahead and I should be able to get kamis going soon to test out all kinds of things.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 1212

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/1/2012 3:49:20 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: koniu

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

BURMA: I've been building Oscars like crazy for use in low bombing against isolated armor if he lets any hang out in the plains, and I've got a good pool of Nicks for low level attacks as well. There are enough pilots now for a good 3 groups, or 100+ planes for use in this role. I

I'll be interested in how this works out for you. I'm not convinced at all it is a good tactic, but I'm open to evidence to the contrary.

If they be not going to be effective in that role, at lest he will have lots of good kamikaze planes.
2x250kg should be effective against any ships expect BB i think.

Exactly!

I just got interested when Cruft posed his idea of 'the swarm.' It's certainly not an everyday tactic for me, but if I could hit at the right moment, say just before an attack or in conjuction with a raid elsewhere, maybe it would slow things down and make his supply drain from fixing all the damaged machines. I'm up to 450 Oscar IIb now and I'll transition to the IIIa next month. Only about 2k to go to targets!

I'm also interested to see if the final model with the decent centerline 20mm could be effective if introduced well before it's historical date. It's still fragile, but with armor and accurate cannons it could be a good cheap second tier option for a number of roles.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to koniu)

Post #: 1213

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/1/2012 4:39:46 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

7 - 8 October 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: An converted minelayer E managed to put four hits, one a solid body shot on the Grunion near Balabac. It posted as sunk the next day, but I think it's still going.

SOUTH PACIFIC: The 4E brigade continues to hit Port Moresby troops, but it is having little effect and in the meantime most of the bases that were shut are recovering. I'm about to re-post fighters to Milne Bay, Salamua and Port Moresby itself, if for nothing else just to be annoying. Jocke is building a solid fighter defense wall at Terapo but is not using them offensively much at all yet. I'm sure that will change.

I threw a fun raid in on the 7th. He left no CAP at Koumac, so I sent the G3M3s in and obliterated the small support ships in the port. Not much to cheer about but fun, and gives a little poke maybe.

An unfortunate strike when Kates went for PTs near Torres Island, and most of my Rex group were toasted on escort duty. I shortened the range to only three hexes after.

Port Moresby is cleared of mines on the 8th. I send DDs to Terapo to stir things up, and get a good clutch of PTs for no losses, but later also get my larger CA led SAG blown out of the water by modern US CLs. The point of them being out on the front side of Milne Bay was to see if I could catch a shipment to Port Moresby that looked to be on it's way over. Instead the CL Cleveland and Denver with 6 Fletchers met our ships and the first night battle didn't go too badly. The next after they caught us in daylight was abysmal. I'll lose at least 2 DDs, the Abukuma and the Kako. I had hoped even these older CAs could do better, but no such luck. Bummer.

A few Bettys did launch after to try for the injured Denver, but no luck. I was disappointed only one group sortied in one of the two phases out of two possible Betty groups and one of Jills. Still at least ours didn't get obliterated like the B-25D1s that came for our DDs. Our LR CAP at Terapo bled over and got most of them before getting into the drop zone, for a total of about 20 downed on the day!

WEST OZ: The troops at Exmouth did in fact leave the hex, which is great news. I will now withdraw my Helens for some rest. If he pauses again I'll start up the bombardment anew.

I've just noticed that there seems to be no CAP at Perth, and 40 ships including numerous subs look to be in port. I'll try a long strike here too if the situation is the same in a few days.

BURMA: I'm evacuating the good engineer unit from Ramree Island, and the garrison force there is due to withdraw in 40 days or so. I hope he sends something there to attack before that, but if not, no great loss. I might throw a small SNLF there to make him take it with something.

Otherwise, just digging. Working on the Raheng/Pisanoluke area now as the rear defenses must be improved. I don't get any new engineers for another 4-5 months, so I'm going to have to bring some in from somewhere to get the upper Malayan Peninsula working and get some of the Thai bases moving as well. Always so much to do!

CENTRAL PACFIC: I just looked ahead. My last commitment of troops to the area will be some South Seas garrison units that some with some nice goodies, like tanks. They will fit nicely at Wotje, Mili and some other bases across the area that are just slightly short. By mid-44 I hope to either be fighting here if Jocke decides to try again, or shifting forces back if he decides it's not worth the effort.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 7, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Balabac at 70,83

Japanese Ships
E Saishu
TK Jinei Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grunion, hits 4

SS Grunion launches 2 torpedoes at E Saishu
E Saishu fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Saishu attacking submerged sub ....
E Saishu fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Torres Islands at 120,147

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 7
N1K1 Rex x 6

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
N1K1 Rex: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
PT-77
PT-80

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 91st Infantry Regiment, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 28
B-24D Liberator x 23
B-24D1 Liberator x 65
B-24J Liberator x 9
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 5

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Koumac , at 113,156

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
ACM YP-131, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
ACM YP-133, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LCVP 592P, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
45 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 8, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TF 164 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Ships
AM Latrobe
AM Gladstone
AM Ballarat

54 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Terapo at 96,127, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Murasame
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
PT-121, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-142, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-143, Shell hits 1
PT-144
PT-145, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-146, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-147
PT-148, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Improved night sighting under 71% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 71% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Keene W. gains tactical advantage
DD Yamakaze engages PT-145 at 8,000 yards
DD Murasame engages PT-121 at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
PT-146 collides with PT-144 at 96 , 127
PT-148 sunk by DD Yamakaze at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Yamakaze engages PT-147 at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Murasame engages PT-147 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Murasame engages PT-147 at 8,000 yards
Keene W. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-144 at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT-147 at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 99,132, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 2
CA Kako, Shell hits 6
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yudachi
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
CL Cleveland
CL Denver, Shell hits 2
DD Fletcher
DD Abbot, Shell hits 1
DD Aulick
DD Bache, Shell hits 1
DD Chevalier
DD O'Bannon

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
CL Denver engages CA Kako at 23,000 yards
CA Kako engages DD Chevalier at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CL Denver engages CL Abukuma at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
CA Kako engages CL Denver at 12,000 yards
DD Chevalier engages DD Kiyonami at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Cleveland engages CA Kako at 5,000 yards
CA Aoba engages CL Denver at 5,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Fletcher at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Kako engages CL Denver at 10,000 yards
CL Cleveland engages CA Kako at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CA Kako engages CL Denver at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
CL Cleveland engages CA Kako at 18,000 yards
DD Bache engages DD Kiyonami at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
CL Cleveland engages DD Natsugumo at 22,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CL Denver engages CA Aoba at 26,000 yards
Range increases to 28,000 yards
CA Kako engages DD Fletcher at 28,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
CL Cleveland engages CA Kako at 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 99,132, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 6
CA Kako, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 5
DD Uranami, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CL Cleveland, Shell hits 3
CL Denver, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Fletcher, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Abbot
DD Aulick, Shell hits 1
DD Bache, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Chevalier
DD O'Bannon, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
Vaughn W. crosses the 'T'
CA Kako engages CL Denver at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Aulick at 12,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Bache at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CA Kako engages CL Denver at 8,000 yards
CA Aoba engages CL Denver at 8,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD O'Bannon at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Aulick at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Kako engages CL Denver at 7,000 yards
CL Abukuma engages CL Cleveland at 7,000 yards
Hisamune, Yonejiro orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Kako engages CL Cleveland at 7,000 yards
DD Uranami engages DD Fletcher at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages DD Fletcher at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Denver engages CA Aoba at 11,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Fletcher at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Aoba engages CL Denver at 10,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Aulick at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Kako engages CL Cleveland at 6,000 yards
DD Yudachi engages DD Fletcher at 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 4
N1K1-J George x 7
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 20
B-24D Liberator x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 51
B-24J Liberator x 6
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 14th Garrison Unit , at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 1
N1K1-J George x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 5
B-24D1 Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 97,131

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Murasame, Shell hits 14
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Kawakaze

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
5 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 99,132

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9
J2M2 Jack x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD O'Bannon
CL Denver, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 97,131

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 6
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 9

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
902 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
26th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 97,131

Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 5
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 6 destroyed

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

Reinforcements: None.

Losses: Not a great day for the IJN. Only the 3rd CA lost, but still I'd like to take more down on her way out.

CA Kako
Loss of DD Natsugumo on Oct 08, 1943 is admitted
CL Abukuma
DD Shiratsuyu

Ships Sunk:

LCVP 592P is reported to have been sunk near Koumac on Oct 07, 1943
ACM YP-131 is reported to have been sunk near Koumac on Oct 07, 1943
ACM YP-133 is reported to have been sunk near Koumac on Oct 07, 1943
Previous report of sinking of SS Grunion incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
SS Snapper is reported to have been sunk near Donggala on Jul 13, 1943
PT-121 is reported to have been sunk near Terapo on Oct 08, 1943
PT-142 is reported to have been sunk near Terapo on Oct 08, 1943
PT-145 is reported to have been sunk near Terapo on Oct 08, 1943
PT-146 is reported to have been sunk near Terapo on Oct 08, 1943
PT-148 is reported to have been sunk near Terapo on Oct 08, 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CA Kako. At least she went down shooting.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 12/1/2012 4:50:21 PM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1214

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/2/2012 3:00:14 AM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

I'm also interested to see if the final model with the decent centerline 20mm could be effective if introduced well before it's historical date. It's still fragile, but with armor and accurate cannons it could be a good cheap second tier option for a number of roles.

For me, they are just too slow. They're giving up +80 on speed against allied front line fighters and that is just too much. Frank is best until the Ki-94 comes along. 94 though is a slow climber, so you really have to have your CAP layered to be able to use it.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1215

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/2/2012 10:10:10 AM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

I'm also interested to see if the final model with the decent centerline 20mm could be effective if introduced well before it's historical date. It's still fragile, but with armor and accurate cannons it could be a good cheap second tier option for a number of roles.

For me, they are just too slow. They're giving up +80 on speed against allied front line fighters and that is just too much. Frank is best until the Ki-94 comes along. 94 though is a slow climber, so you really have to have your CAP layered to be able to use it.

Definitely. I wouldn't see them handling sweeps at all, but more in the range of LR CAP over shipping, escort, and protection for rear area bases.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 1216

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/2/2012 12:28:17 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

9 -10 October 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: The 10th was a day for subs. Several major attacks and some good for both sides. The Aspro, a new sub, hits the Nisshin Maru, a Tonan Whaler class TK in the open ocean off Formosa. It tried once, couldn't hit, then came up again. One TT only, but the ship has 43 fires, so it might be a goner. I'll try for HK on cruise. Sucks to lose one of these monsters. This is the first ship hit in a convoy including an AV.

The S-45 tries for an AK near Attu, but gets nailed by the Akigumo escorting and looks to be done for this war. Then one of my other troop carrying AKs gets hit on the surface, it's escort in a separate TF apparently not in the hex.

One AK downed with troops gone. The escort did pick up a contingent though, and so the plan is still on and they will move to the Kuriles to set up shop.

RO-64 goes nuts and takes out two Ams in separate attacks in the Terapo hex after sitting there lurking for days.

The Tally Ho nails a 14 knot Toho class that was part of a massive supply drop at Rangoon. 150k supplies delivered in the past 5 days. At least 7 British subs are sighted in the approaches and ASW is on its way out to see what can be done.

Finally, two groups of Es honed in on a sub hunting in a rather stationary patrol near Nagasaki. They hit it and forced a surfacing, which I love. Confirmation is absolute when the deck gun is in action. Two down for the day!

SOUTH PACIFIC: Our DDs ran into a lone US DD near Port Moresby that was damaged in the fight of the previous day. Ours had no ammo after tangling with PTs, so the fight was short and uneventful after the long lance barrage missed. Makes me wonder if this was escorting the Denver, which maybe sank? There were 5 Seagull lost on the ground, so I'm guessing that could have been it.

I tried a sweep of Torres Island to see what Cap was there, and hit a wall of Spitfires. Tojos held their own, but I'm not going to be happy to see the Mk VIII soon. Each side lost 9 on the day. At Port Moresby 4Es continue to hit troops.

A few things made Jocke not very happy during these two turns. Apparently he had a rather large LR CAP flying over some APDs moving to drop a unit at Port Moresby. First some Jills flew in and got an attack as only 3 Lightnings decided to protect the ships, but all TT missed. Then a small portion of my Bettys flew and did get two torp hits, sinking two APDs with troops on board. Also on the 9th Nells hit LSTs at Gove in spite of CAP of Hellcats, knocking out some support and guns from the look of it. Now I have no idea what height he was really flying them, but the combat report said 15k, and my flight came in at 2k, so pretty low, with only 8 minutes warning. I then had Jakes (!) hit two more LST to add insult to injury, and the Hellcats didn't get a shot coming in or out. Maybe early electronic jamming devices on the Allied radios?

NORTH PACIFIC: The forward three bases in the Aleutians have been partially stripped. Now for the middle bases. Construction units on these will go to other areas, like NG and Thailand. I'm sure the crews will thank me for the shane of weather.

WEST OZ: The above account for Gove is really all of the action in the area. I foresee some 4E hits soon on Darwin. The only problem with his mass strategy with 4Es is that it leaves some areas completely untouched and in constant operation.

BURMA: It's ominous right now. It feels like the moment when the door swings open to Mordor and the troops start marching out with Nazgul flying overhead.

CENTRAL PACFIC: All quiet. One Frances group is here and escorts will join in a month. Maybe. I might just leave it to the ground troops.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 9, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 98,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Murasame
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD O'Bannon

Improved night sighting under 78% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 78% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Amatucci, S.T. crosses the 'T'
DD O'Bannon engages DD Kawakaze at 11,000 yards
Amatucci, S.T. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Torres Islands , at 120,147

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 37

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 6 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Gove at 82,127

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 13

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged (On the way out the Hellcats hit em)
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
LST-458
LST-457, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-461, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-456

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 93,132

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 7
J2M2 Jack x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
APD Kilty
APD Manley

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
35th FG/39th FS with P-38H Lightning (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Australian Division, at 50,129 (Exmouth)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 8
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 5 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

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

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 53rd Australian Lt AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Division ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Torres Islands , at 120,147

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 156 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 25
B-24D Liberator x 22
B-24D1 Liberator x 56
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Portland Roads at 93,132

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
APD Little, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Gregory, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
APD Sands

Allied ground losses:
363 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 28 disabled

Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
35th FG/39th FS with P-38H Lightning (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000

(Could these really have been at 31k?)
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Gove at 82,127

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 7

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 12

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
LST-456, Bomb hits 3, on fire
LST-458, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 10, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Buldir Island at 156,48

Japanese Ships
xAK Zuiko Maru
DD Akigumo

Allied Ships
SS S-45, hits 8, heavy damage

SS S-45 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Zuiko Maru
DD Akigumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Akigumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akigumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Laoag at 79,68

Japanese Ships
TK Nisshin Maru #2
E Yugao
SC Ch 43
SC Ch 30
AV Kiyokawa Maru
AK Sydney Maru
TK Tonan Maru #3
TK Tonan Maru #2
TK Nisshin Maru
TK Kyokuyo Maru
DD Namikaze
E Hoko
E W-18

Allied Ships
SS Aspro

SS Aspro launches 2 torpedoes at TK Nisshin Maru #2
Aspro diving deep ....
DD Namikaze fails to find sub and abandons search
E Hoko fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-18 fails to find sub and abandons search
E Hoko fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Laoag at 79,68

Japanese Ships
TK Nisshin Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
SC Ch 43
SC Ch 30
AK Sydney Maru
TK Tonan Maru #3
TK Tonan Maru #2
TK Nisshin Maru #2
TK Kyokuyo Maru
DD Namikaze
E Hoko
E W-18

Allied Ships
SS Aspro

SS Aspro launches 2 torpedoes at TK Nisshin Maru
Aspro diving deep ....
DD Namikaze fails to find sub and abandons search
E Hoko fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-18 fails to find sub and abandons search
E Hoko attacking submerged sub ....
E Hoko fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Terapo at 96,127

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68

Allied Ships
AM Gladstone, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AM Latrobe

SS RO-68 launches 2 torpedoes at AM Gladstone
AM Latrobe fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at 98,131

TF 399 troops unloading over beach at 98,131 (one hex from Port Moresby)

We agreed to allow non-base landings for HQs due to fragmentation of the unit during landing at bases. Apparently Jocke tried this and it works. I'm sure it works less after your transports are torpedoed!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 228 encounters mine field at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Ships
DMS Elliot
DMS Wasmuth
DMS Long
DMS Dorsey
DMS Lamberton
DMS Trevor
DMS Zane

72 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Agattu Island at 153,51

Japanese Ships
AK Nitisan Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-44

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SS S-44 attacking on the surface

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Phuket at 48,67

Japanese Ships
xAK Tamahoko Maru, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Meiu Maru
xAK Gyoko Maru
E Mikura

Allied Ships
SS Tally Ho

SS Tally Ho launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Tamahoko Maru
Tally Ho diving deep ....
E Mikura fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Terapo at 96,127

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68

Allied Ships
AM Ballarat, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AM Latrobe

SS RO-68 launches 2 torpedoes at AM Ballarat
AM Latrobe fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Gove , at 82,127

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 27

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
VMF-111 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 15
G4M1 Betty x 20

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 9 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
APD McKean
APD Colhoun, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Brooks
APD Manley, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Kilty
APD Humphreys

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
18th FG/78th FS with P-38G Lightning (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 (I think his LR CAP is a bit to high even though it's here in such small numbers)
Raid is overhead

Massive explosion on APD Manley

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 12
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
APD Kilty
APD McKean, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
18th FG/78th FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 21
J2M2 Jack x 12

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 3 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
APD Barker, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Brooks, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Humphreys
APD Kilty
APD John D. Edwards, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
APD Crosby
APD Stringham, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
18th FG/78th FS with P-38G Lightning (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,131

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 31
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Sands
APD John D. Ford
APD Crosby

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Terapo , at 96,127

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 37

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 22
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 13
F4U-1 Corsair x 41
F6F-3 Hellcat x 91

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 10 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 32000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 13 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VRF-2F with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 14 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 25000 and 36800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 13 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
VMF-123 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VMF-441 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
No.54 Sqn RAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 29000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
318th FG/73rd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 32000 , scrambling fighters between 23000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes

The lowest CAP seems to be at 15k. This is what lets some of my strike get through at 1k, and made Jocke not happy with CAP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Terapo , at 96,127

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 42
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 15
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 9

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 20
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 12
F4U-1 Corsair x 41
F6F-3 Hellcat x 82

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 3 damaged
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 10 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

(Same CAP levels seen above)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Terapo , at 96,127

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 157 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 32

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 20
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 12
F4U-1 Corsair x 40
F6F-3 Hellcat x 80

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-44-IIc Tojo sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Terapo at 96,127

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68

Allied Ships
LCT-378
LCT-376
LCT-370
LCT-178
LCT-173
SC-648
SC-646

SS RO-68 is sighted by escort
SC-648 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Saishu To at 100,56

Japanese Ships
E Wakamiya
E Hishu

Allied Ships
SS Corvina, hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage

SS Corvina is located by E Wakamiya
E Wakamiya fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Wakamiya attacking submerged sub ....
SS Corvina forced to surface!

E Hishu firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

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

Reinforcements: Coming up next month!

Aircraft Ki-84a Frank advances R&D

Losses: And maybe the big tanker.

Tamahoko Maru
Loss of AK Nitisan Maru on Oct 10, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: A pretty good haul. Not going to replace my CA though.

APD Gregory is reported to have been sunk near Portland Roads on Oct 09, 1943
APD Little is reported to have been sunk near Portland Roads on Oct 09, 1943
LST-457 is reported to have been sunk near Gove on Oct 09, 1943
LST-461 is reported to have been sunk near Gove on Oct 09, 1943
APD Barker is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 10, 1943
APD John D. Edwards is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 10, 1943
APD Colhoun is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 10, 1943
APD McKean is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 10, 1943
APD Stringham is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 10, 1943
APD Brooks is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 10, 1943
AM Ballarat is reported to have been sunk near Terapo on Oct 10, 1943
AM Gladstone is reported to have been sunk near Terapo on Oct 10, 1943
SS Corvina is reported to have been sunk near Saishu To on Oct 10, 1943
SS S-45
LST-456
LST-458

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The E are making their resence known, but not because they are 'super.' (I don't think I have yet the version known as 'Super E'). More because of good coordination between ASW air and sea elements and over-saturating known patrol areas before they are altered.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 12/2/2012 12:31:49 PM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1217

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/2/2012 1:38:33 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

It's ominous right now. It feels like the moment when the door swings open to Mordor and the troops start marching out with Nazgul flying overhead.

Well, you are late 43 now ... Burma is definitely on the table ... in fact I think he is 6 months late with this ... good playing on your part.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1218

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/2/2012 11:17:27 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

11 - 12 October 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: A lot of sub action near Port Moresby as APDs are hunted by the myriad of diverse subs in the area, and then they in turn drop a few on the subs. No one is seriously damaged. Near Hong Kong the Aspro gets a few hits the day after her glorious introduction nailing my tanker, which sank the on the 11th.

I lost the I-177 when she was forced to surface by an SC and gunned down. Then the Dace added some insult by hitting a brand new E near approaches to Tokyo and sinking her with no effective retaliation.

Our DDs found Dorado near Tarakan and put two light hits on her on the 12th. The I-160 took out the APD Manley that had been hit by Bettys and was trying to limp to Terapo.

SOUTH PACIFIC: A night bombing campaign has begun in the South Pacific. Jocke sent his 4Es to hit Woodlark at night, destroying about 5 planes and getting 14 damage on the fields. Not much I can do about it, but I sure prefer this to the daylight variety.
These strikes came in on the 12 as well, doing a bit more damage, up to 34 on the fields, and taking out another 8 planes. I am now building the only night-fighter available, the Irving-S, but that group will be another month before it's filled out.

The APDs skedaddled, as seen by our submariners, and now another troop drop looks to be on its way to Terapo. Strikes are on stand-by but I actually set them a few hexes too short so they wouldn't go for just a few LSTs or even PTs. I've got good intel on the OZ bases and when I start to see APAs and BBs I know something big is about to happen. A lot of shipping is farther South, but mostly small stuff and a SAG by the looks of it are at Portland Roads.

I did move an Oscar group to Port Moresby, but it was manhandled by Lightnings and P-47s on the 12th. The LR CAP is also torched here but still, I'd rather him focus these here than elsewhere.

WEST OZ: The G3M3s from Exmouth hit Perth easily and there was no CAP! Not an amazing strike, but it has to be annoying. Dropped 3 on an AS, hit two DMS hard, both with 'heavy damage,' and left two subs also with 'heavy damage.' Because I had moved them and set them to strike the next day I wondered if they'd go at all, so to get 24 planes to target is a great day. Tomorrow it's Mai Tais in Darwin.

BURMA: I just checked and there is 280k supply in Burma now according to tracker! That outta hold out for a few weeks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 11, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Port Moresby at 98,131

Japanese Ships
SS RO-100, hits 3

Allied Ships
APD John D. Ford
APD Humphreys
APD Kilty

SS RO-100 launches 2 torpedoes at APD John D. Ford
APD Humphreys attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Port Moresby at 98,131

Japanese Ships
SS I-6

Allied Ships
APD Humphreys
APD Kilty

SS I-6 launches 4 torpedoes at APD Humphreys
I-6 bottoming out ....
APD Humphreys fails to find sub, continues to search...
APD Kilty fails to find sub and abandons search
APD Humphreys fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hong Kong at 78,66

Japanese Ships
DD Urakaze
xAK Koto Maru
xAK Tasmania Maru
DD Yugiri

Allied Ships
SS Aspro, hits 3

SS Aspro launches 2 torpedoes at DD Urakaze
DD Yugiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yugiri attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tandjoengselor at 70,95

Japanese Ships
DD Oshio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Amagiri
DD Arare

Allied Ships
SS Grouper, hits 2

SS Grouper launches 2 torpedoes at DD Oshio
DD Amagiri fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Arare attacking submerged sub ....
DD Arare fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 14
B-24D1 Liberator x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

(Many more fragments after this)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Liberator II x 9
Liberator B.III x 7
Wellington Ic x 15
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24D1 Liberator x 18
B-25C Mitchell x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IV bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

(Many more fragments after this)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Terapo at 95,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-177, hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SC-646
LCT-378
LCT-375
LCT-359
LCT-177
LCT-172
SC-648
SC-636

SS I-177 launches 2 torpedoes at SC-646
SC-648 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-648 attacking submerged sub ....
SC-648 is out of ASW ammo
SS I-177 forced to surface!
SC-646 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-646 firing on surfaced sub ....
Contact with submarine is lost

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Aogashima at 113,67

Japanese Ships
E Amakusa, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
E W-7

Allied Ships
SS Dace, hits 1

SS Dace launches 2 torpedoes at E Amakusa
Dace diving deep ....
E W-7 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-7 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-7 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Perth , at 49,147

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 57 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
AS Griffin, Bomb hits 3
xAK West Cawthon, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
SS Tarpon, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage
DMS Hovey, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS O19, Bomb hits 4, heavy damage
DMS Southard, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 7000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 12, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Sandakan at 71,88

Japanese Ships
DD Oshio
DD Amatsukaze
DD Amagiri
DD Arare

Allied Ships
SS Dorado, hits 2

SS Dorado is located by DD Oshio
DD Amagiri fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Arare attacking submerged sub ....
DD Arare fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Woodlark Island , at 104,133

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 15
B-24D1 Liberator x 24
B-24J Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

(About ten more fragments)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington Ic x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

(About 12-15 more fragments)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Terapo at 96,128

Japanese Ships
SS I-160

Allied Ships
APD Manley, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

APD Manley is sighted by SS I-160
SS I-160 launches 2 torpedoes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 5
N1K1-J George x 10
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 21
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 99

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet
21 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet
14 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet
17 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
902 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
68th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 12 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Salamaua , at 98,127

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 2
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 35000 feet

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

Reinforcements: All new subs are heading to the meat grinder off of Port Moresby. The Tony Id is going to be ready by 1/44 at east. Not a game changer, but I might use it more with a service rating of two, even though the Frank will also be around. They are good for the small non-sweeping kinds of groups especially.

SS RO-36 arrives at Fukuoka

Aircraft Ki-61-Id Tony advances R&D - 2/44

Losses: I hate losing ASW ships to subs, but I guess it happens.

Loss of E Amakusa on Oct 11, 1943 is admitted
Loss of SS I-177 on Oct 11, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: Jocke was not pleased to lose all of these APDs. I said I would gladly trade my CA and CL back for them, and he said he actually would like that trade. I sometimes forget that every DD cannot be a fast transport as with the IJN.

APD Manley is reported to have been sunk near Terapo on Oct 12, 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

USS Barry (APD-29) I just read up a bit about the APDs in the war. Wow. A lot of action for some of these ships, especially the Manley. From Guadalcanal to Okinawa.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to PaxMondo)

Post #: 1219

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/3/2012 9:48:25 AM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

NORTH AUSTRAIA
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This area is most definitely the focus of Allied moves in the near future. Jocke has invested the islands to the NE of Darwin and is building them quickly. I do have an HQ with G3M3s at Darwin and I've been able to hit a few resupply and troop drops in the area.

Merauke is really the key to further advances. While he is focused on building Terapo and winning Port Moresby I'm frantically trying to build forts here, and I'll be posting more men there if I can get forts to level 4 and I still hold the base in a month when reinforcements arrive. It's got 450 AV now, but one garrison unit is set to withdraw, as I had predicted this base would be gone before now.

The Western New Guinea dn lower DEI island bases are building and will be getting garrisons in just over a month with the multitude of brigades that arrive in November. Taberfane has a regiment now but other than that it's pretty thin here. I think there is time, as I predict he'll hit Merauke first, then go for Darwin. He shows no indication of moving overland to Darwin, so I wil move my division back soon and hold the city as long as possible. Other air HQs are in Ambon and in Biak, but cover most of the area with TT capability.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The KB is based in Koepang to react to either the North or South until 4Es get in range of that base. With Exmouth secure fore the moment and Darwin not yet threatened it could be a while.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 12/3/2012 9:49:51 AM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1220

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/3/2012 10:17:56 AM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

EASTERN NEW GUINEA
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This area is the immediate Allied focus, as seen in the extensive use of 4Es to neutralize air bases in area and the large naval presence in NE OZ. This includes the 3 fast BBs bombarding Port Moresby occasionally and a CL led SAG, plus innumerable smaller craft and amphibious ships.

Terapo is built and functioning as a an advanced fighter base. So far he has not introduced bombers here. I have to tread carefully as I know this could be next, so fleet movements and troop/supply drops must all be CAPed. The new HQ at Umboi will help these matters a lot, as now I have a place for 100+ fighters to defend the area and/or provide escort.

His 4Es have kept a number of bases closed indefinitely, but lately he has changed tack and has both bombed troops at Port Moresby and has begun night bombing Woodlark Island, figuring this is where many of my strike planes originate, apparently. This base actually supplies 5 other bases with TT as well, so I still have good capability to strike in the area. Milne Bay and Port Moresby are now flyable again, so I've begun basing fighters in each; an escort group in PM and a crack group of Tojo IIc in Milne Bay.

Port Moresby is a stalemate on the ground. I'm waiting for another big troop drop here with a few more divisions, but maybe he is still deterred by my air force? He did drop an HQ next to it on a jungle hex. We discussed and I okayed an HQ drop on any hex to combat an HQ bug present in this version, which does something to HQs when landed in base hexes but not in non-base hexes. I don't understand, but it's all fine with me either way, especially if I get 8 or so APDs as part of the deal!

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___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

There is almost no surface force in the area currently after the recent clash with the US Navy. A 2 CL 4 DD force is sitting on patrol near Milne Bay, and some DDs are also near, but other surface vessels are upgrading at Singapore and it'll be another month before significant forces return to the area. Air forces and subs will have to hold the line for now.
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Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 12/3/2012 10:20:23 AM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1221

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/3/2012 10:45:43 AM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

VP and INFO
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Here is a look at some information for the game so far.

From what I can tell, the ship losses on the Japanese side are still somewhat moderate. I feel very lucky to have lost only 3 CVs, 3 CAs and no BBs so far. There have been many more close calls, and although I've endured about 5-6 successful Allied TT attacks by sub against CVs, none have resulted in a loss of the ship (so far). Where is the praying symbol when I need it?

The air losses are about 3k over Jocke's Allied losses. This is significant, and i may still pay for negligence in using the best pilots especially so freely, but I feel the longer I can hold him back the better. He seems to have a healthy fear of my air assets, and that is exactly the affect I'd like to produce, even if it results in greater losses. Consistent strikes will make him have to cover and worry every time he tries something.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I have to get a tracker game loaded for the Allied so I can see the totals again. Even though I feel I've done fairly well against his navy, I know it's all made up 3-4 times over in late 43-45.
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Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 12/3/2012 10:46:57 AM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1222

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/3/2012 11:08:09 AM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

ECONOMY
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Here is a look at things economically.

The oil is getting scarce, and I'm running convoys intensely just to give Japan about 3-4 weeks of oil for the refineries. Overall at 500k oil, some of which is in places that don't seem they'll ever release it, (like Urumchi), so the days of all refineries operating will be over soon.

I've drained Palembang to around 50k fuel and 20k oil and holding there, sending all for distribution to Singapore. At Singers i've got levels down to around 500k fuel and 50k oil now. Manila is the other major hub and is at about 100k fuel and 20k oil now. Babeldaob has 50k oil from New Guinea that I only remove periodically.

Otherwise supply levels seem sufficient. Fuel numbers aren't bad, as far as I can tell. I'm going to bump up resources in the HI anticipating more difficulty doing this in the future. I'd like to have half a year's worth surplus there and ready to use at least. I'm just adding a bunch of engine factories to get ready for a build-up of airframes in 44, so that will eat supply for a few months.

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Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1223

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/3/2012 11:49:08 AM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

13 - 14 October 1943
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SUBS: A lot of Allied sub misses today, luckily, including on an empty AP near Biak just after it dropped off an HQ. RO-60 takes a shot at the 5 DMS that have been mine-sweeping Port Moresby for the past few days, but misses. They leave after the 13th, finally. All mines gone.

SOUTH PACIFIC: The only news here is that some very shiny fast BBs hit Port Moresby, doing minimal damage. The terrain and forts are really protecting these guys well. It'll be a hard nut to crack without a few more divisions, I think.

P-47s hit the Tojos at Lae again on the 14th, getting 7 Tojos for 5 Thuds. Again, the Tojo holds it's own well, even flying at 15k only against higher sweeps. Hellcats hit Port Moresby taking out Oscars at a 2:1 clip, then Lightnings blew through about 7 for no losses. Still, 4 Oscars showed up to harass a bombing run which got no hits against dug-in troops. Well done.

BURMA: At Mandalay the Jacks on night CAP on the 13th suffered at the extremely accurate defensive fire of the bombers, losing 7 Jacks to NO bombers downed! Plus more planes destroyed on the ground as the CAP did little to throw off aim either. Again, I prefer this to the day version with 4Es, but it seem slightly inaccurate. Flak did nothing, fighters did nothing and were destroyed doing it, and the bombers hit the base. Oh, well.

Same story on the 14th, but the Jacks move out to rest up and replenish. The fields are left at 37 damage and 23 to the service. Another 5 fighters destroyed.
CENTRAL PACFIC:

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 13, 43
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Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 15

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 8
Liberator B.III x 6
Wellington Ic x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 3 damaged
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Wellington Ic bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Zuikaku-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes

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Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 6

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 43
B-26 Marauder x 6
B-26B Marauder x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 13 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14
Port hits 8

BB Prince of Wales firing at 22nd Division
BB Massachusetts firing at Port Moresby
BB Indiana firing at 22nd Division

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 14, 43
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Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 11
Liberator II x 9
Wellington Ic x 12
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 18
B-25C Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Blenheim IV bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

... + many fragments

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Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 30

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 33000 feet

CAP engaged:
26th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 20 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Lae , at 99,126

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 10

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

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Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 32

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
68th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 15 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000
Raid is overhead

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Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet

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Afternoon Air attack on 22nd Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 23
B-24D Liberator x 23
B-24D1 Liberator x 53
B-24J Liberator x 7
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

NO DAMAGE!

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Reinforcements: This is one of those big base forces with DP guns and all. I'll be sending it to the Southern DEI area. The subs will be moving to the Coral Sea.

TK Kikusui Maru arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
13th Base Force arrives at Maizuru
AMc Wa 22 arrives at Tokyo
AO Takasaki arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
SS I-179 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
SS I-183 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
SS I-185 arrives at Hiroshima/Kure
SC Ch 45 arrives at Hakodate
SC CHa-68 arrives at Kumamoto

Losses: None.

Ships Sunk: None.

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___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Armament and Vehicle pool points have been building in anticipation of extensive reinforcements beginning in Novemebr. I'll see what those do to the pools and then assess what to do for the preparation for even more in 44-45. Right now Armaments are at around 75k and vehicles at about 35k.
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Attachment (1)

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1224

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/3/2012 12:35:57 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

15 October 1943
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A BIG day!!!

SUBS: Jocke hit Port Moresby at night again with BBs, but this time it was the slower ones. The I-2 gets the first shot in, firing 4 TT at DD Monssen, missing all but not getting hit much after, luckily.

After the bombardment the I-174 fires 2 at DD Russel. Then the I-172 pops in and nails Arizona with 2 out of a spread of 4 TT. That's what we were looking for!

No damage listing in the report, but in the replay engine damage was noted after one TT hit.

Up North on the approaches to Tokyo the Dace again appears, sinking a rather useful Kyushu AK. This time the escorts did their job, and extensively pounded the sub, forcing it to the surface and then shelling it mercilessly until it sank. Banzai!

SOUTH PACIFIC: The bombardment of Port Moresby was decent, with even the DDs letting loose, but not spectacular. After the Arizona was slowed by 2 TT though the TF became very vulnerable hung out in the middle of the Coral Sea in daylight.

The first to get a run were 30 Jills from two nearby bases no New Guinea that coordinated but left their escorts behind somehow.

I feared the worst when P-38s showed up in force on LR CAP, but probably due to 'heavy rain' some Jills came through the squalls to make a strike on the slowed ships and got 3 TT into the Colorado!

That certainly will not improve Jocke's mood. He's been very uneasy about planes getting through CAP lately.

Anyhow, two more strikes went in at the BBs in the afternoon, one with escorts that got 3 TBs through to attack the Idaho, but all missed. The last strike of 9 solo Jills was wiped out.

For tomorrow I've got every sub in range heading that way, both to the hex they're in now if they can make it during the night phase, and to the area around them toward Cooktown and Cairns. There should be 10 subs at least getting in the path, which likely means I'll lose a few. The Frances are moved to Rossel Island and escorts are there with them. The G3M3s are transferred to Woodlark but could fly anywhere with their 19 allocated range, so I hope my commander makes the right choice! Should be interesting.

A group of Bettys from Rabaul really wanted to get into the action, but flew into a wall of CAP at Terapo instead of at the BBs. I think they were out of range to be fair, but at Terapo they were after some LSTs and DDs and I lost about 20 plus another 25-30 escorts. Yuck. The IJN pools need some topping up.

BURMA: No night bombing today.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 15, 43
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ASW attack near Port Moresby at 97,130

Japanese Ships
SS I-2, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Monssen
BB Idaho
DD Gwin
DD Waller
DD Dale
DD MacDonough
DD O'Brien
DD Russell

SS I-2 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Monssen
I-2 diving deep ....
DD Dale fails to find sub and abandons search
DD MacDonough fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Russell attacking submerged sub ....
DD Russell fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB Arizona
BB Colorado
DD Dale
DD MacDonough
DD O'Brien
DD Russell
DD Mustin
DD Hobby
DD Monssen
DD Gwin
DD Waller

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 21
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

BB Idaho firing at 22nd Division
BB Arizona firing at 22nd Division
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Colorado
BB Colorado firing at 22nd Division
DD Dale firing at 22nd Division
DD MacDonough firing at Port Moresby
DD O'Brien firing at 22nd Division

Sub attack near Phuket at 48,68

Japanese Ships
DD Kisaragi
DD Satsuki
DD Uzuki

Allied Ships
SS Trusty, hits 1

SS Trusty launches 2 torpedoes at DD Kisaragi
Trusty diving deep ....
DD Satsuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Uzuki attacking submerged sub ....
DD Uzuki is out of ASW ammo
DD Uzuki is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Aogashima at 113,67

Japanese Ships
AK Kagu Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Shigure
xAP Shanghai Maru
xAP Tenzan Maru
xAP Kobe Maru
DD Sawakaze
DD Hayate
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
SS Dace, hits 30, heavy fires, heavy damage

SS Dace launches 2 torpedoes at AK Kagu Maru
DD Sawakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayate attacking submerged sub ....
DD Sawakaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hayate fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayate attacking submerged sub ....
SS Dace forced to surface!
DD Oboro firing on surfaced sub .... the sub was hit with mostly 25mm guns, about 10-12 times, until at last Oboro came in to sink it with 2 12.7cm rounds
Sub slips beneath the waves

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Sub attack near Port Moresby at 97,131

Japanese Ships
SS I-174

Allied Ships
DD Russell
BB Idaho
DD Hobby
DD Monssen
DD Dale
DD MacDonough
DD O'Brien

SS I-174 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Russell
DD Dale attacking submerged sub ....
DD MacDonough fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Russell fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Dale attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-174 eludes ASW attack from DD Dale
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Port Moresby at 98,132

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Arizona, Torpedo hits 2

No extra explosions or anything here, so maybe these didn't do too much damage. The one report was engine damage, so that helped later with the airstrikes being in range.

BB Idaho
DD Monssen
DD Dale
DD MacDonough
DD O'Brien
DD Russell

SS I-172 launches 4 torpedoes at BB Arizona How about maybe 6 TT???

I-172 diving deep ....
DD Dale fails to find sub and abandons search
DD MacDonough attacking submerged sub ....
DD O'Brien attacking submerged sub ....
DD Russell fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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ASW attack near Terapo at 96,127

Japanese Ships
SS RO-68, hits 7

Allied Ships
AM Latrobe

SS RO-68 is sighted by escort
RO-68 bottoming out ....
AM Latrobe attacking submerged sub ....
AM Latrobe fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Latrobe fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Latrobe attacking submerged sub ....
AM Latrobe fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 97,136

Weather in hex: Heavy rain The weather most likely helped a number of Jills get through undetected by the P-38s and make a run.

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 30

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Torpedo hits 3, on fire Again, engine damage was the only 'extra' during the replay. I'll take it!

BB Idaho
BB Arizona

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
12 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
35th FG/39th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes
35th FG/41st FS with P-38H Lightning (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
347th FG/67th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

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Morning Air attack on 14th Garrison Unit , at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 29
B-24D Liberator x 29
B-24D1 Liberator x 80
B-24J Liberator x 7
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 10

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Terapo at 96,127

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 15
G4M1 Betty x 21
N1K1-J George x 10

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 13
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 26
F6F-3 Hellcat x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
N1K1-J George: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
LST-450
DD Walke
DD Voyager

CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 32000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 38800.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-2F with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-123 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-441 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
No.54 Sqn RAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
318th FG/73rd FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 97,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 10
B6N2 Jill x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Idaho

CAP engaged:
35th FG/39th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
35th FG/41st FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
347th FG/67th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 97,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
35th FG/39th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes
35th FG/41st FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 79 minutes
347th FG/67th FS with P-38H Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 61 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Terapo at 96,127

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 7
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 42

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 13
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 26
F6F-3 Hellcat x 56

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

Reinforcements: Every DD that comes into the queue gets an acceleration now.

DD Hayashimo arrives at Kobe

Losses: At least the sub went down next to it.

Loss of AK Kagu Maru on Oct 15, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: We'll likely know more tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

SS Dace is reported to have been sunk near Aogashima on Oct 15, 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The I-172 gets the prize today. Here is her sister the I-171 looking shiny shortly after completion in Kobe in 1935.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 12/5/2012 11:48:59 AM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1225

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/6/2012 4:39:58 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

16 - 17 October 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: None of the subs made contact with damaged BBs during the night or the day phase, and no sign was seen of which direction the undamaged BB Idaho went with her escorts. I-122 was hit hard by AM Skylark and might not make it back home.

SOUTH PACIFIC: None of the reports for night search or day search show evidence of BBs in the area between New Guinea and NE OZ. All that are left in the area are ASW TFs hunting my subs. What does this mean, based on yesterday's events?

Maybe the BBs were not as badly damaged as I would suspect and made it to port. This would be strange, as with 3 TT hits, Colorado at least must have been slowed to half it's speed, which would mean it couldn't make it to port in one day. Arizona was also slower than usual after an engine damage hit, so I would doubt she could make it at anything less than full speed either. Nothing is reported in port in either Cooktown or Cairns ports. So, we have a mystery.

Both ships are listed as sunk, but no ground losses were seen to Kingfishers on the day. I don't trust it, but i see few other possibilities based on the other evidence.

At Port Moresby another tank unit was landed plus 3 Arty units. They might not have all of their gear though as the Kitakami and Oi came in with five DDs and took apart the LSTs dropping the units. At least six were sunk or in sinking condition. I lost another 35 planes when Judys went for small ships at Terapo and my good Tojo IIc decided to to escort. Not great. But the Nells and Frances did sortie for the right ships and took out another LST, and strangely the Nells used bombs again in spite of TT being plentiful at the HQ.

Allied AV at Port Moresby is at 1000 to our 850. Not enough to take the base most likely. The arty will try to break us down first I'm sure.

WEST OZ: Gove makes level 3 fields for the Allies.

BURMA: Meiktila is moving right on toward level 6 forts. Most other bases are at level 5 or 6. Bassein is still at 4.5+ and Pegu is at 3.8+ which both worry me.

CENTRAL PACFIC: I'm starting to get concerned with bases like Marcus not having sufficient garrison. I've diverted a brigade I was sending to Kusai Island and it will go to Marcus.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 16, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Milne Bay at 101,134

Japanese Ships
E Fukue
E Tsushima

Allied Ships
SS Permit, hits 2

SS Permit is located by E Fukue
Permit diving deep ....
E Tsushima attacking submerged sub ....
E Tsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Portland Roads , at 91,132

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 16

Allied aircraft
P-70 Havoc x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 8 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 7000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
15th FG/6th NFS/C with P-70 Havoc (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes

Some CAP have air radar

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 3
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 21

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 19
F6F-3 Hellcat x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
902 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 29000.
Raid is overhead
68th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 15 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 15
P1Y1 Frances x 6
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VF-37 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
VMF-441 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
No.54 Sqn RAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 50 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 9
B6N2 Jill x 10
J2M2 Jack x 2
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 96,136

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 15
P1Y1 Frances x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Gillespie

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 2
D4Y2 Judy x 10
J2M2 Jack x 2
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y2 Judy: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
D4Y2 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Walke
DD McCalla
LST-18

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 56 NM, estimated altitude 1,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 1
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 26
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 24
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 44
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 12

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed, 18 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
LST-452
LST-451, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Voyager
DD McCalla
DD Walke
LST-20
LST-450, Bomb hits 1, on fire
LST-18
LST-467, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 15 (5 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
20 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 22nd Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 3
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-24D Liberator x 23
B-24D1 Liberator x 48
F6F-3 Hellcat x 10
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 22nd Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 1
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 2
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell x 18
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 22nd Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 1
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 2
B-24J Liberator x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 9
B6N1 Jill x 16

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD McCalla
LST-23, Bomb hits 1
DD Voyager

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B6N1 Jill bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cooktown at 95,138

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 2

Allied Ships
AM Wagga
AM Skylark

SS I-172 launches 2 torpedoes at AM Wagga
I-172 diving deep ....
AM Skylark fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Skylark attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22190 troops, 154 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 847

Defending force 25682 troops, 447 guns, 600 vehicles, Assault Value = 1021

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
91st Infantry Regiment
6th Garrison Unit
47th Engineer Regiment
22nd Division
14th Garrison Unit
31st Fld AA Gun Co
16th AA Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co
22nd JNAF AF Unit
6th Shipping Engr Rgt /1

Defending units:
1st USMC Corps Tank Battalion New unit just landed. Looks like we got a few guns and vehicles before they were unloaded.
25th Infantry Division
1st Marine Division
754th Tank Battalion
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
1st USMC Tank Battalion
I US Amphib Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 17, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invasion Support action off Port Moresby (98,130)

138 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Walke
DD McCalla
LST-450
DD Voyager
LST-20
LST-19
LST-18

DD McCalla firing at 22nd Division
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 98,130, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Arashi
DD Ariake
DD Shinonome
DD Akebono
DD Tachikaze

Allied Ships
DD McCalla, Shell hits 1
DD Walke, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Voyager, Shell hits 2
LST-18, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LST-19, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
LST-20, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
LST-23, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
LST-450, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
LST-451, heavy damage
LST-452, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-467, Shell hits 11, and is sunk

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Improved night sighting under 78% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 78% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
CL Oi engages DD Voyager at 9,000 yards
CL Kitakami engages DD Voyager at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Voyager at 7,000 yards
DD McCalla engages DD Ariake at 7,000 yards
DD Ariake engages LST-19 at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Oi engages DD McCalla at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Tachikaze at 4,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages DD McCalla at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Oi engages DD McCalla at 2,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Tachikaze at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
LST-467 sunk by CL Oi at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Ariake engages LST-19 at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Oi engages DD Voyager at 2,000 yards
LST-18 sunk by DD Arashi at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD McCalla at 4,000 yards
DD Voyager engages DD Shinonome at 4,000 yards
DD McCalla engages DD Ariake at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Tachikaze engages DD Voyager at 6,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Akebono at 6,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Milne Bay at 101,134

Japanese Ships
E Fukue, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
E Tsushima

Allied Ships
SS Sealion

SS Sealion launches 2 torpedoes at E Fukue
Sealion diving deep ....
E Tsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tsushima attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Cairns at 92,140

Japanese Ships
SS I-122, hits 15, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AM Skylark

Captain of SS I-122 elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
I-122 bottoming out ....
AM Skylark fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Skylark attacking submerged sub ....
AM Skylark fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 97,130

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 15
A6M5 Zero x 26
G3M3 Nell x 16
P1Y1 Frances x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Walke
DD Voyager
LST-452, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LST-20, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
16 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Terapo at 96,127

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y2 Judy x 10
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 23

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 13
F4U-1 Corsair x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y2 Judy: 4 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 13 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
SC-643

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 97,130

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
B6N2 Jill x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
LST-451, heavy damage
DD Walke, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22168 troops, 154 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 844

Defending force 26196 troops, 488 guns, 636 vehicles, Assault Value = 1034

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th Garrison Unit
47th Engineer Regiment
22nd Division
91st Infantry Regiment
14th Garrison Unit
22nd JNAF AF Unit
16th AA Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co
31st Fld AA Gun Co
6th Shipping Engr Rgt /1

Defending units:
754th Tank Battalion
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
1st Marine Division
1st USMC Corps Tank Battalion
25th Infantry Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
I US Amphib Corps
148th Field Artillery Battalion

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

Reinforcements: A plethora of new subs arrive in about 2-3 weeks. I'm thinking to create an early warning stem in the Central Pacific. Concentrating so much on the New Guinea and DEi the middle Pacific has a lot of large holes to exploit. I can defend them but I have to know early on

SS I-184 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka

Aircraft Ki-43-IIIa Oscar advances R&D

Losses: None.

Ships Sunk: At least we're causing some damage for advances.

LST-18 is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 17, 1943
LST-19 is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 17, 1943
LST-23 is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 17, 1943
LST-450 is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 17, 1943
LST-452 is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 17, 1943
LST-467 is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 17, 1943
Previous report of sinking of SS Spearfish incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Did the Colorado and the Arizona both go down? It may be some time before I know for sure.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 12/7/2012 8:52:51 AM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1226

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/6/2012 9:41:21 PM

jrcar

Posts: 3613
Joined: 4/19/2002
From: Seymour, Australia
Status: offline

Obvert is there enough room at Marcus for a bde? I agree it is an important base, usually have a CD gun unit of some type, a baseforce or similar with airsupport to support Float planes and 1-2 Naval Garrisons.... otherwise your SLOC to Truk / Rabaul can be easily interdicted without much warning...

Cheers

Rob

_____________________________

AE BETA Breaker

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1227

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/7/2012 9:49:54 AM

Empire101

Posts: 1950
Joined: 5/20/2008
From: Coruscant
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

Did the Colorado and the Arizona both go down? It may be some time before I know for sure.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Are they not showing up in any Naval Search reports?

I would have thought that two or three torps would have slowed them down quite a bit, but hopefully sent them to the bottom! Keeping my fingers crossed......!

_____________________________

Our lives may be more boring than those who lived in apocalyptic times,
but being bored is greatly preferable to being prematurely dead because of some ideological fantasy. - Michael Burleigh

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1228

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/7/2012 9:51:04 AM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: jrcar

Obvert is there enough room at Marcus for a bde? I agree it is an important base, usually have a CD gun unit of some type, a baseforce or similar with airsupport to support Float planes and 1-2 Naval Garrisons.... otherwise your SLOC to Truk / Rabaul can be easily interdicted without much warning...

Cheers

Rob

Good point. Yes, there would not be enough for a brigade. I just looked at it and it's the 13th Independent Regiment, so a bit smaller than a brigade at a stacking cost of around 3k. All I have is a construction unit there now, but the forts are up to 5.6+, so the regiment should give some security for now. Then there would be room for another Naval Guard or something later.

There is also a 9 plane group of Jakes scanning the oceans supported by and AV in port, and 4 midget subs to ward off any small incursions or try to get lucky with a raiding surface group.

I've just moved a 4 plane Mavis group from Funafuti to Wake to get a more extended search ability into the area. The two plane Betty fragment is here as well.

Other than that, there are Mavis at Canton Island and a group of Jakes in the Marshalls. That's it. I've gone sparse in the Central Pacific at least until more groups come online. Jocke's failed attempt at Canton taught me two things:

1. These atolls are tough if prepared well and maxed out in the garrison.

2. The limited support and great distance between islands makes any air defense of the outliers very diluted and not strong enough even to hurt a CVE led invasion force.

3. Any surface force should be small and quick, built for only raiding and getting out fast if the enemy leaves a door open. I have a 4 DD force at Kwaejalein for this purpose.

4. The more he does to the West of Truk/Marcus, the better in late 43 onward. I would encourage activity out here and hope that some of the well-prepared defenses would be challenged at this point. As we move forward, if nothing is happening out here by April or so of 44 I'll begin to reallocate forces back to the Carolines and Marianas, or before even if there is a breakthrough somewhere.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to jrcar)

Post #: 1229

RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 12/7/2012 1:02:25 PM

obvert

Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline

18 - 19 October 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: Subs around Port Moresby pick off several more stragglers from the surface and air battles of recent days as they attempt to get back to safety. The Ro-65 and I-174 both knock off LSTs and the I-23 misses a smoking DD Voyager before I-153 sends two fish into DD Walke which had already taken one from the air the day before.

An ASW TF hits the KXII near Moulmein, but the sub strikes back, sinking a small 11 knot PB and we can't locate it to hit back. I'd like to get a few of these British and Dutch subs while he's risking them in the shallows.

SOUTH PACIFIC: The IJA units at Port Moresby are doing well in spite of all going on around them lately. I hope that the air strikes and surface incursions not only weakened some Allied units coming ashore, but hit the ships before they could deliver all of their supplies. I'm getting a good stream over the Owen Stanleys, so my units are in supply for a good long time.

All air strike units in the area were stood down to recover from the past few days efforts. At Port Moresby Corsairs came in and nailed Jacks and Oscars for 10 planes with no losses. I've stood these down for tomorrow as well. I'll keep them up intermittently.

NORTH PACIFIC: All forward bases have had guard units reduced and the fragments are on the way back to the Kuriles. The construction units will also be moving out, as all bases have reached level 4 forts.

WEST OZ: I'll have to keep good tabs on movement through the Gulf of Carpenteria until proper garrisons are in place in the Southern DEI. I'm alternating recon at Mornington and Gove to see anything developing and give the KB time to react.

BURMA: I've still not upgraded Tojo units to the IIc here. I should have one starting tomorrow. I'm building 160 a month, but the groups in the South Pacific have taken all of the planes so far.

CENTRAL PACFIC > DEI: After really looking at this area I realize that most of the forts are built and some of the bases will not require base forces moving forward. About 4 engineer units and 2-3 base forces will be shifted back to the DEI to garrison and build up islands between Timor and new Guinea. I'm wary of paratroops and raider units landing at dot bases and the Allies attempting sneaky buildups. It'll be hard to sustain anything like that, but it would be annoying, and my major garrison troops don't arrive for 4 more weeks. A regiment a week is moving in though and more air units are arriving soon as well. They will likely be set up as training units in Ambon, Koepang and Biak until needed for combat in forward bases.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 18, 43
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Sub attack near Port Moresby at 97,130

Japanese Ships
SS I-23

Allied Ships
DD Voyager

SS I-23 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Voyager
DD Voyager fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Moresby at 97,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-65

Allied Ships
LST-451, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Voyager

SS RO-65 launches 2 torpedoes at LST-451
DD Voyager fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Port Moresby at 96,129

Japanese Ships
SS I-174

Allied Ships
LST-20, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Voyager

SS I-174 launches 2 torpedoes at LST-20
DD Voyager fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Night Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 91,128

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
SC-707
LCT-131

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Sub attack near Port Moresby at 96,129

Japanese Ships
SS I-153

Allied Ships
DD Walke, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

SS I-153 launches 2 torpedoes

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ASW attack near Moulmein at 54,57

Japanese Ships
PB Daitei Maru
SC CHa-48
PB Hozugawa Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXII, hits 5

SS KXII is located by PB Daitei Maru
PB Hozugawa Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Daitei Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Daitei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Moulmein at 54,57

Japanese Ships
PB Daitei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
SC CHa-48
PB Hozugawa Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXII

SS KXII launches 2 torpedoes at PB Daitei Maru
KXII bottoming out ....
PB Hozugawa Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 19, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 14
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
902 Ku S-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
68th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

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

Reinforcements:The next service 2 George is advancing nicely.

Aircraft N1K2-J George advances R&D - 5/44

Losses: I've converted many Kiso-E to ACMs and only a few are working as escorts or ASW. In the shallows they should still be effective, and one did drop five light hits on the KXII, but then one was sunk as well. I've still not figured out the magic formula to make the 10 knot SC do anything, even though they have the 8 ASW rating.

Loss of PB Daitei Maru on Oct 18, 1943 is admitted

Ships Sunk: Good to finish a few more off.

DD Walke is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 18, 1943
LST-20 is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 18, 1943
LST-451 is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Oct 18, 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Sims class Walke in August 42.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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< Message edited by obvert -- 12/7/2012 1:04:22 PM >

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to obvert)

Post #: 1230

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RE: Wild Sheep Chase