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RE: Wild Sheep Chase

 
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RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/21/2013 5:39:27 AM   
koniu


Posts: 2763
Joined: 2/28/2011
From: Konin, Poland, European Union
Status: offline 		Oscar from IIa and later versions has few advantage above Tojo. 2x250kg bombs(without drop tanks), bigger normal range and he is using Ha-35 engine(any player should have many factories of that engine and in `44 not many, if any, decent planes is using it).

Cheapest kami in game. It is only role i see Oscar in `44

< Message edited by koniu -- 2/21/2013 5:44:01 AM >

_____________________________

"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of War"

(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 1441
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/21/2013 10:41:00 AM   
obvert


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

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

I think the best plane to "overproduce" is the Oscar IV. 360 mph fast (decent), armour, 2x250 kg bombs (Kami) and 2 Ho-5 cannons in the centerline...better than a Frank r. This is probably the most versatile late war allied fighter. It has enough firepower to be able to shoot down a 4E, can be a great Kami, has a SR=1 and it's only 16 mph slower than the Tojo "c".... not bad


I'm really looking forward to seeing the difference those 2 Ho-5 make for this plane. It's slow, but still, the maneuver will help a bit and the versatility is great as you say.

Pax warned me a while back not to expect too much with that speed as most of the Allied fighters will be 50-80mph faster by the time it arrives. Aside from the slow speed, it's other achilles is it's low durability. Always the concern with the Oscar.

But ... if it can't perform as a fighter, just crash a few hundred into an air combat TF!


When you are trying to defend atolls ... actually anything smaller than Formosa (4AF's tied with RR), you have to use fighters with SR=<2. That means 1st or 2nd gen fighters. The problem is with the SR >=3 fighters is that you can't rotate them or get them enough rest. Once the allied bombers break through, that group is lost. With SR1 and SR2 fighters, you have a chance to recover many of them as the AF repairs. So this means Oscar/Tojo and Zero/George/Jack.

Against Bolts/Spits/Corsairs you are going to lose a lot of these early gen fighters (and pilots) trying to contest an atoll. I pick my places very carefully to make a stand becuase is it going to cost a lot. Now if it is just Hellcats, then it isn't so bad. Tojo and George/Jack can match up to the Hellcat ok. I transition a lot of groups around the map in '43. Tojo/George groups move to Pac Atolls that I have decided to defend with vigor. Frank groups upgraded from Oscar move to the Burma/DEI. IJN groups can't upgrade from George until Sam, and that is way far off in '43/'44. So some of these IJN groups will remain in the DEI for a while.

Oscar IV is a possible atoll defender. But, I generally have so many Tojo's from groups that have upgraded to Frank that I'm not building any more 1st gen fighters. I generally have stopped building Oscar in 42 with the Oscar IIA. Shortly after the Frank arrives and sure only 10 hex range, but that's only one hex short of the Helen full load range (11). Close enough for me. Yeah, the 2x20mm cl is better than the Tojo, but at 360mph against the Spit/Bolt +430mph they are both gonna die.* Why special build something when you have lot's of the other on hand?.

*Assuming the allied player and IJ player are comparable skill and are proficient with their air deployment tactics.



Great thoughts here Pax. I've continued building the Oscar mostly as a kami plane for the future, but I'm also trying to use it in roles other planes won't perform in as well, like escort. Also, it's maneuverability seems to be an advantage when being attacked in certain situations by sweeps, for example if it's layered with other fighters that can then dive in and hit attackers while they try to catch the dodging Oscars.

If I was to optimize everything, I would certainly be sticking to just a couple of airframes by now. I see the points many players, including you in multiple posts, have made about the benefits of streamlining production. In this game, because it is my first to this point in the war, I want to not only try to be successful in the game, but to learn about the different situations and airframes available. Maybe in the future I'll organize things slightly differently.

Still, for the most part I'm building more of the better airframes. I'm glad in certain instances to have tried things this way because I've discovered some types are more useful than other players seemed to indicate. The Jack for instance is a very good performer at this stage and in the J2M3 model can take on the escort role from zero line for LBA as it becomes less effective as a fighter over time.

For the defense of islands I definitely have found what you say to be true. I've in fact had to disband portions of groups stranded on islands after heavy Allied bombing. As I look forward there are certain areas I'd like to make a stand. If he is indeed coming for the Gilberts now I will fly a few fighter groups in to see how they do against the Hellcats. Because there are multiple bases there I can be more confident one will still be open after naval bombardment. I'll definitely choose the service 1 and 2 fighters exclusively for this.

_____________________________

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(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 1442
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/21/2013 10:48:59 AM   
obvert


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

ORIGINAL: koniu

Oscar from IIa and later versions has few advantage above Tojo. 2x250kg bombs(without drop tanks), bigger normal range and he is using Ha-35 engine(any player should have many factories of that engine and in `44 not many, if any, decent planes is using it).

Cheapest kami in game. It is only role i see Oscar in `44


It'll be an escort as well, especially with the Peggy and it's longer range and later Peggy (T) models in autumn 44.

One thing I've thought a bit about is Cruft's idea of using low naval attack rather than dedicated kami groups. In this situation many planes sacrifice themselves for the Emperor anyway, but you don't lose the group forever and some even can return from the attacks to go again.

Also I like the idea of having multiple ranges set, so if he sets up picket/screens in front of valuable TFs, some shorter legged planes might go for those, but longer legged 2E and TB types would go up to 10-12 hexes for the big stuff. I just see a lot of potential for the Allies to exploit the attack mission selection of the game by staying for instance just out of Oscar 2x250 bomb range if he knows that is your primary kami plane, in essence creating a CAP trap with DD/DEs or even lesser value ships. To be fair the Allies did do this to an extent, so I do need to figure out how to beat the tactic as I can't really argue it's not valid, even if the game sends 120 Oscars to their demise against a pair of AMs.

_____________________________

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Post #: 1443
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/21/2013 1:05:14 PM   
HansBolter


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quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert


quote:

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

I think the real problem that Joc had with the picket "ship" is that a minesweeper only marginally qualifies as a combatant type and a coastal minesweeper barely qualifies as a minesweeper.

Since technically it is a combatant ship type it falls with in you HR. However, the use of a coastal ship type of durability rating 1 operating independently 400 miles or more from the nearest coast seems a bit of a stretch.

For the Allies, sending short legged durability rating 1 ship types any significant distance across blue water necessitates teaming them with longer legged, higher durabilty ship types.

I'm not wagging any fingers of "shouldn't have", just explaining my take on why Joc seemed so put out over it.


I'm positive your assessment is right on.

The difference in our perception seems to be due to how I have learned to view certain ships based on use by the IJN. The main point as I saw it was that this type would have a naval crew rather than a merchant crew, but historically they did use pickets of these ship types at least up to 650 miles from port. Some were even smaller and less convincingly either 'combat' or 'ships.'

The only Allied minesweeper I've had direct contact with was a Bathurst Class, the HMAS Castlemaine in Melbourne. That feels very much like a combat ship. The Allied AMc seem to be little more than tugs or motor launches in some cases. I think there is a difference with the IJN.

The picket I used has acceptable range for use in ocean areas, at 2100. If it had been converted to a PB, (meaning only that it would have had + 2 x 13.2 mm MG + 1 x Type 95 DC) would he feel differently about it's appropriateness? In our conversation I did mention all of this, but he didn't really respond to it and just seemed annoyed. I get that, and I want to make sure we're on the same page. Pickets aren't a major part of my strategy either. I have only a handful in the Pacific and none in other areas.

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I actually think it's a pretty interesting item to discuss. The designations we use in game are Allied. They only apply loosely to the IJN types and get especially murky when concerning the auxiliary ships converted to many uses from a few basic types of merchants. The US sub chaser vessels were certainly not large and you wouldn't think they would be great for crossing the Pacific, but many players use them as escorts doing just that. It seems to me that if the capability to be in those waters consistently is there, and the ship is a naval designation, then it could be an early warning picket. If this seems odd I'd love to hear where others would draw the line.



Some very good points about how the same ship type designation represenst some very different ships types in both navies. The allied AMc's are definitely more like tugs than ocean going vessels. The Allies do have some rather long legged coastal craft such as some of the YMS's that have a 3400 endurance.

My take on the durability 1 coastal craft is that no matter if they have sufficient endurance to be able to operate in blue water is that the lack of durability should preclude extended use in blue water as the ship should be expected to accummulate system damage at a pretty good rate. If it is possible to operate durability 1 craft in blue water for extended periods then either the game isn't modeling the system damage they should suffer accurately or my take on suffering system damage for operating in blue water is misplaced. Since you have pointed out that the Japanese used "coastal" craft as pickets 650 miles out it is likely that my take on it is misplaced.

And yes, I do think he would have had less problem with it if it had been a PB since patrolling is the what one expects a PB to be doing. Mostly, I think it was just a slightly peevish, slightly petty overreaction to having his force discovered. We all get ticked off when things don't go according to plan.

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Hans


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Post #: 1444
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/21/2013 3:12:59 PM   
obvert


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

In So Pac the Allies are moving fast and the risk is not having second line defenses ready when they surpass the line of New Britain. Manus has about 250 AV, but all Naval Guard types, and that doesn't cut it against a division reinforced with tanks and engineers. I would like that base to hold for a while, so I'll try to add a brigade in before it's invaded. Not sure if that will happen. Kaveing has about 150 AV and needs another regiment or so to make that difficult. There are so many dot bases here though, so I'm not sure it makes sense to really add much more. He can also just land at Mussau Island or Rambuty and isolate either of these bases quickly.

I've included numbers from a planning map of all of the dot bases in the area and their port/airbase stats. As it's easy to see, there is no hope of defending all of these, and he can pick any on them to turn into a fairly decent base. Especially Mussau and Rambuty, unfortunately.

My transports have turned to sending what I can to Truk and other bases in range on New Guinea as Rabaul becomes obsolete.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 2/21/2013 3:14:13 PM >

_____________________________

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Post #: 1445
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/22/2013 12:00:55 AM   
PaxMondo


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quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

... , but I'm also trying to use it in roles other planes won't perform in as well, like escort. Also, it's maneuverability seems to be an advantage when being attacked in certain situations by sweeps, for example if it's layered with other fighters that can then dive in and hit attackers while they try to catch the dodging Oscars.


I'm watching to see how this goes for you. You're using it like I use the Frank and the Shinden, so conceptually I see what you are doing.



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Pax

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Post #: 1446
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/22/2013 12:03:58 AM   
PaxMondo


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

ORIGINAL: obvert

It'll be an escort as well, especially with the Peggy and it's longer range and later Peggy (T) models in autumn 44.

Again, watching this. I've had very poor success with Naval attacks at over 10 hexes, and it seems like it is worse as the war moves on. Not saying they can't be done, but I have poor results. Either the planes don't fly (typical result) or if they do, they attacks are highly uncoordinated. The latter is ok IF there is no CAP present. If there is, really bad outcome.



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Pax

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1447
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/22/2013 10:22:22 AM   
obvert


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

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo


quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

It'll be an escort as well, especially with the Peggy and it's longer range and later Peggy (T) models in autumn 44.

Again, watching this. I've had very poor success with Naval attacks at over 10 hexes, and it seems like it is worse as the war moves on. Not saying they can't be done, but I have poor results. Either the planes don't fly (typical result) or if they do, they attacks are highly uncoordinated. The latter is ok IF there is no CAP present. If there is, really bad outcome.




While attacks at land-based targets will likely be more rare as time goes on as well, the Oscar is still the best for this escort role.

Against ocean targets, if I do have something approaching I imagine they will try to stay as far out as possible. It's interesting that the normal range of the Oscar IIIa is 8 hexes, while the IV goes down to 6 hexes. So I might want a good number of IIIa for kamis/low naval as the speed is good and that difference in range is critical.

It might be better as an escort as well with the extra few hex range which could at least give a chance at escorted attacks out to the 14 hex range of the Peggy against land/port. I'd like to keep groups differentiated as well, so using Oscars means they would get mostly the poorer quality rookie pilots, those trained with some low naval and some air skill, likely to 60 in both if possible.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 1448
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/22/2013 12:28:49 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		18 - 19 February 1944
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I've saved these last two reports for today as Jocke is taking his test and could potentially begin sending turns tonight or tomorrow again.

SUBS: I finally get a hold of one of the many subs hovering between Sabang and Phuket. The O20 takes several penetrating hits and will likely have to limp home to get patched up.

SOUTH PACIFIC: More MTBs wiped out by US DDs. I'll keep them right in Rabaul from now on. No sense wasting them one hex out if he's going to continue to be that aggressive. It's good play on his part, though, and I hope I can instill some fear of surface actions somehow again soon so that it doesn't continue. Not much hope of that at this stage though.

Right on cue (after my last post) Long island is taken by paratroops, further extending Allied influence. In a week or two CAP will be flying here. Cape Gloucester gets a visit from the 4Es on the 20th, and could be next on the menu.

My brigade reaches Hansa Bay but continues to be bombed and take tough losses even with level 3 forts in the jungle. Sigh. Not much I can do about that. Now I get the payback for what I was able to do in China.

WEST OZ: Katherine goes over to the other side in a proximity-based alliegence change. He must be marching and getting close now. I'm not reconning here as there really is no point. I'll just get out as I can and stall a bit if there is a chance to do so.

BURMA: Bombers hit the troops across the rail connection from Bassein. Allied troops were seen for one turn to be moving from the hex between Prome and Bassein to both Bassein and this hex across the river. Now after one day of bombing, and after I set an infantry and an armor division to move into Bassein, plus another division to help in the jungle hex, his movement has stopped according to my recon. I stopped mine as well. Cat. Mouse. Which of us is which? Rangoon is also crushed again, making sure those fields stay closed. The forts are at 6.7+ and might not have a chance to go higher I'm thinking.

CENTRAL PACFIC: Over the course of two days the Allied ships turned around (likely based on their discovery) and then turned around again. Now they look to be moving in no the Gilberts for real. My ships now have had to do the same, and are again fleeing toward Ponape. I'm thinking of adding some fighters to the Gilberts to mess with any airstrikes, but I'll have a look at what's coming and the first naval bombardments to see if that is feasible.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 18, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Torokina at 109,130, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-162, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB G-163, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
MTB G-164, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-165, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Charrette
DD Cotten
DD Franks
DD Hale

Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 28% moonlight: 2,000 yards

Morning Air attack on 1st Indpt SNLF Coy , at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 18
B-17E Fortress x 13
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 92
B-24J Liberator x 53
B-25C Mitchell x 45
B-25D1 Mitchell x 112
B-25G Mitchell x 17
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 24


Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
265 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 21st Division, at 55,51 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 22
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington B.X x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 36
B-26 Marauder x 25

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 11
Liberator B.III x 10
Liberator GR.III x 10
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 9
B-24D1 Liberator x 22
B-24J Liberator x 77
P-40K Warhawk x 24

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 25
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 95

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Long Island (100,124)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1000 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 58

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

Allied adjusted assault: 20

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Long Island !!!

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

Assaulting units:
503rd Parachute Rgt /1

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 19, 44
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Sub attack near Phuket at 47,71

Japanese Ships
E W-28
SC Ch 6
E W-21

Allied Ships
SS O20, hits 5

SS O20 launches 4 torpedoes at E W-28
O20 diving deep ....
E W-21 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-21 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-21 is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 17th Naval Construction Battalion, at 101,125 (Cape Gloucester)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes


Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 17
B-17E Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 79
B-24J Liberator x 50
B-25C Mitchell x 55
B-25D1 Mitchell x 101
B-25G Mitchell x 29
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 22


Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
131 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 55,51 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 21
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington Ic x 13
Wellington GR.VIII x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 24
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8
B-26 Marauder x 13


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 55,51 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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

Allied aircraft
Wellington B.X x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 10
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13
B-26 Marauder x 12
B-26B Marauder x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Wellington B.X bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Reinforcements: Lots of new air groups arriving. This is fantastic. More training for now, and once the DEI starts becoming a focus, they will be able to head down there.

E Kasado arrives at Tokyo
E Nomi arrives at Tokyo
ML G-216 arrives at Sapporo
MTB G-16 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
203 Ku S-1 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
203 Ku S-2 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
553 Ku K-1 arrives at Bihoro
553 Ku K-2 arrives at Oita
701 Ku K-1 arrives at Nagoya
23rd I.F.Chutai arrives at Tokyo

Losses:
Loss of MTB G-162 on Feb 18, 1944 is admitted
Loss of MTB G-163 on Feb 18, 1944 is admitted
Loss of MTB G-164 on Feb 18, 1944 is admitted
Loss of MTB G-165 on Feb 18, 1944 is admitted

Ships Sunk: None.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The new E start rolling in soon! Excited about that.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 2/22/2013 12:41:46 PM >

_____________________________

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

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1449
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/25/2013 10:31:36 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		20 - 21 February 1944
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: Pigs were seen flying near Babeldaob on the 20th. A PB, the Hirota Maru, forces a US sub to the surface in the open ocean and another PB, the Hokutai Maru sends it under with gunfire. The first mission of the Gabilan is a one-way trip.

While we were unloading a division at Sabang the Trespasser comes in and gets hit with 10 DCs, including a few direct. It should be slinking back to Ceylon. The Tautog is mildly damaged near the Chinese coast.

There are subs now in every major area of operations minus the shallow DEI. There are quite a few currently around the Marshalls and Gilberts, probably due to the op that seems to now have been cancelled. There are 3-4 subs reported 'HIT' every turn right now.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Not much happening. Just a lot of crushing the troops at Hansa Bay. Cape Gloucester is about to fall. Another few transports leave Rabaul with troops. Mostly small AA units. In the first attack on a North New Guinea base Wewak is hit by 100 Liberators unescorted and 20+ transports are lost. I had a group of Georges up here on 80% LR CAP but the commander didn't choose to get involved in this one.

WEST OZ: Troops are trying to flee back to Darwin to escape. I've decided to just evac everything. Feels weird to leave Darwin with no fight, but i know I can't win this one here anyway so I may as well get out now and start the defense of the DEI.

BURMA: Prome and troops near Bassein being bombed. It looks like still more are moving in from Ramree. Also one of his big stacks near Prome is showing some movement back. That could shake things up if it's real.

CENTRAL PACFIC: The 'invasions' turned around. Interesting. No ships to be seen. I'll take another chance to get to the troops and pull them back. Several troop convoys are now heading back to Tarawa and Abemama. Luckily they show no DL increase, while Tabiteuaea has a 5/9.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 20, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Sabang at 44,70

Japanese Ships
DD Mutsuki
DD Uzuki
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
SS Trespasser, hits 10

SS Trespasser launches 2 torpedoes at DD Mutsuki
DD Uzuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yayoi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yayoi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th South Seas Gsn , at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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


Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 18
B-17E Fortress x 18
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 66
B-24J Liberator x 49
B-25C Mitchell x 55
B-25D1 Mitchell x 112
B-25G Mitchell x 6
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
241 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 21st Division, at 55,51 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 9
Blenheim IV x 12
Blenheim VD x 13
Liberator II x 12
Liberator B.III x 3
Liberator GR.III x 12
Wellington Ic x 13
Wellington GR.VIII x 12
Wellington B.X x 13
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 18
B-24D1 Liberator x 23
B-24J Liberator x 80
B-25C Mitchell x 24
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
Liberator II: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Wenchow at 90,61

Japanese Ships
E W-29
E Yomogi
E W-7

Allied Ships
SS Tautog, hits 2

SS Tautog launches 2 torpedoes at E W-29
Tautog diving deep ....
E W-7 fails to find sub and abandons search
E W-29 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-29 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 21, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Babeldaob at 92,98

Japanese Ships
PB Hakkaisan Maru
xAK Ishikari Maru
xAK Iburi Maru
PB Kogyoku Maru
PB Hirota Maru
PB Hokutai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Gabilan, hits 7, and is sunk

SS Gabilan is sighted by escort
Gabilan diving deep ....
PB Kogyoku Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Hirota Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hirota Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Hirota Maru attacking submerged sub ....
SS Gabilan forced to surface!
PB Hokutai Maru firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Orchid Island at 87,68

Japanese Ships
PB Banshu Maru #18, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Kyo Maru #1
PB Kaiyo Maru #1
PB Choun Maru #18
TK Mutsuyo Maru
TK Tsukuba Maru
xAK Unyo Maru
xAK Yosyu Maru
xAK Tazan Maru
xAKL Miyako Maru
xAKL Tonegawa Maru
xAKL Anbo Maru
xAKL Nittatsu Maru
PB Tama Maru #8
PB Kyo Maru #12

Allied Ships
SS Triton

SS Triton launches 2 torpedoes at PB Banshu Maru #18
PB Tama Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #12 fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th South Seas Gsn , at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 36
B-17E Fortress x 21
B-24D Liberator x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 111
B-25G Mitchell x 17


Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Mitchell II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 21st Division, at 55,51 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 21
Blenheim IV x 12
Blenheim VD x 13
Wellington Ic x 13
Wellington GR.VIII x 12
Wellington B.X x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 46
B-25D1 Mitchell x 26
B-26 Marauder x 24
B-26B Marauder x 12

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wewak , at 96,119

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 99

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-56 Thalia: 8 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-II KAI Helen: 6 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 48
Airbase supply hits 25
Runway hits 205

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reinforcements: Loving these new groups.

E Nomi arrives at Tokyo
ML G-216 arrives at Sapporo
MTB G-16 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
203 Ku S-1 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
203 Ku S-2 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
553 Ku K-1 arrives at Bihoro
553 Ku K-2 arrives at Oita
701 Ku K-1 arrives at Nagoya
23rd I.F.Chutai arrives at Tokyo
LST T-107 arrives at Maizuru
MTB G-548 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
553 Ku K-1 arrives at Sapporo

Losses:
PB Banshu Maru

Ships Sunk:
SS Gabilan
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I'm starting to get a few of these together. I'd like a force of them in the DEI to counter quickly. If there is a chance to do that.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 2/26/2013 2:51:06 PM >

_____________________________

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

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1450
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/26/2013 3:44:52 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		22 - 23 February 1944
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: Sturgeon sinks an xAK coming from Rabaul toward Truk. Part of an engineer hit is likely lost, although there was extra room on the ships so some was probably saved as well. Tautaog takes 4 more hits near China. At Sabang a new Brit sub, the Stonehenge, takes 10 hits but looks like it'll get home. The O24 also stalks a troop convoy near Phuket and is hit 5 times by escorts.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Some Jills set to 5 hex TT nav attack went for a convoy moving near Arawe, but couldn't connect. No CAP was in play though. Interesting. Maybe there are more possibilities to sneak some attacks in now that forces are dispersing a bit.

Jacks traversing to North New Guinea hit some raids at Hansa Bay and didn't have to deal with sweeps. They took out some B-25 variants, but I still lost more than the Allies in this venture. I move them up to Aitape but kept them on LR CAP for the 23rd, but Lightnings then chewed them to pieces in sweeps.

Merauke was invaded. I've been waiting for this for a while. He looks to have enough to take this in a week or less. Maybe we can hold out longer. There are level 4 forts and almost 300 AV against a US Cavalry division and a regiment, for 500+ AV. He has to bomb though, and that hasn't happened yet. Maybe the jungles can help as well.

NORTH PACIFIC: There are 60k+ troops at Kodiak, so maybe this is some prep for the end of winter up here. I've got to start watching closely to make sure nothing big is moving through the middle Pacific or up North on it's way to the Kuriles. They are all garrisoned, but not as much as I'd like. Soon more troops arrive for a quick reserve up here though. The bases are certainly ready, all level 4 fields or above and at least level 4-6 forts with two HQa ready to support. I could put more planes out here in a few days than the Allies could bring by CV in total, at least right now.

WEST OZ: Oddly, in two days the units here which had been in strat mode for about a week ready to move (I thought) didn't go anywhere. After the first day they were at 14 movement, the next day they were crushed by tanks. No biggie, but something to note. Strat move won't guarantee escape in one day. You'd think the train could go more than 14 miles a day.

So Fenton goes down, and Darwin will be gone within the week. I've decided to keep a force at Bathhurst Island as that could be one more thing he'll have to prep for to invade. I've got barges moving troops in and supply from Darwin coming over the next few days. I have too much supply still there, unfortunately.

BURMA: Bombers hit Prome, but unfortunately the level 6 forts don't protect the troops there as they should. Looks like this might be a target soon. I'm ahead of schedule on the defensive line projections now, so I could eventually pull the forces here back to the jungle and feel good about that if he does re-allocate and really stack up to cross the river in.

Interestingly, my engineers seem to have won the short term battle with the Allied bombing campaign at Rangoon and have re-opened the base. It's at 0 fields 51 service damage now, and should be perfect in 2-3 days if left alone. I've moved 400+ fighters back in. This time all Franks, Georges and Tojos. They're layered for now from 31k to 12k over this hex only. So it'll take more than last time to effect a closure here I hope. The last opportunity came after a LR CAP attempt ruined half of the groups and their moral was way down. This time everyone is rested, ready and the quality is there. Fingers crossed.

I left 140+ fighters at Bangkok as this is now in range, so I at least want a deterrent there, even if they're mostly Oscars.

CENTRAL PACFIC: Troop ships are loading. I should only need two days to get out with the loads if all goes well. No DL rise yet. The whole area seems vacant out to Baker for now. Subs are still hanging around though, so that makes me nervous.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 22, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Emirau Island at 108,115

Japanese Ships
xAK Kyuma Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SC CHa-9
SC CHa-68

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon

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

SS Sturgeon launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kyuma Maru
Sturgeon diving deep ....
SC CHa-68 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Wenchow at 90,61

Japanese Ships
E Yomogi
E W-29
E W-7

Allied Ships
SS Tautog, hits 4

SS Tautog is located by E Yomogi
E W-29 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-29 fails to find sub and abandons search
E W-7 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sabang at 44,71

Japanese Ships
DD Hatakaze
E Naryu
SC Ch 3
AK Awazisan Maru
xAP Kokuryu Maru
xAP Horai Maru
DD Oite

Allied Ships
SS Stonehenge, hits 10


SS Stonehenge launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hatakaze
Stonehenge bottoming out ....
DD Hatakaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Oite fails to find sub and abandons search

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Phuket at 47,70

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 6
E W-28

Allied Ships
SS O24, hits 5

SS O24 is sighted by escort
O24 diving deep ....
E W-28 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-28 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-28 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 102,126

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 53 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 8
N1K2-J George x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Mustin
DD Hughes

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Manus , at 101,119

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 99
B-24J Liberator x 58
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-56 Thalia: 6 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 destroyed on ground

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

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

Airbase hits 88
Airbase supply hits 35
Runway hits 303 !!!

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 53rd Infantry Brigade, at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 14



Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 18
B-17E Fortress x 24
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-25D1 Mitchell x 120
B-25G Mitchell x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Mitchell II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 53rd Infantry Brigade, at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 3


Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Mitchell II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 55,51 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 21
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington Ic x 13
Wellington GR.VIII x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 46
B-25D1 Mitchell x 26
B-26 Marauder x 12

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 33rd Division, at 55,50 (Prome)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 12
Liberator B.III x 11
Liberator GR.III x 12
B-17F Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 30
B-24J Liberator x 91

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese ground losses:
458 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Fenton (76,126)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4304 troops, 0 guns, 631 vehicles, Assault Value = 349

Defending force 973 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 41

Allied adjusted assault: 286

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 286 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Fenton !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1286 casualties reported
Squads: 44 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/8th Armoured Regiment
2/9th Armoured Regiment
2/7th Armoured Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
1st Army Tank Regiment

Defending units:
3rd Raiding Regiment
13th Naval Const Bn /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 22, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Hansa Bay , at 97,121

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 19



Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(19 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 19 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hansa Bay , at 97,121

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 53rd Infantry Brigade, at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 1



Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 35
B-17E Fortress x 21
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 77
B-24J Liberator x 69
B-25C Mitchell x 61
B-25D1 Mitchell x 101
B-25G Mitchell x 6
P-38J Lightning x 1
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 33


Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
309 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd RTA Division, at 55,50 (Prome)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 12
Blenheim IV x 13
Liberator II x 3
Liberator B.III x 3
Liberator GR.III x 12
Spitfire VIII x 10
Wellington B.X x 13
B-17F Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 15
B-24D1 Liberator x 18
B-24J Liberator x 91
B-25C Mitchell x 39
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13
B-26 Marauder x 13


Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
353 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6989 troops, 44 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 295

Defending force 11729 troops, 142 guns, 204 vehicles, Assault Value = 521

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

Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
70th Infantry Brigade
57th Infantry Regiment
1st Engineer Co
5th Indpt SNLF Coy
52nd Construction Battalion
4th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cav Div /10

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

Ground combat at Cape Gloucester (101,125)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10663 troops, 217 guns, 205 vehicles, Assault Value = 393

Defending force 766 troops, 6 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 672

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 168 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Cape Gloucester !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
299 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Division

Defending units:
17th Naval Construction Battalion
A./50th JNAF Coy


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

Reinforcements:
39th Road Const Co arrives at Tokyo
ML G-217 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka

Aircraft D4Y4 Judy advances R&D (11/44)

Losses:
Loss of xAK Kyuma Maru on Feb 22, 1944 is admitted

Ships Sunk:
Previous report of sinking of SS Balao incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
SS Cod is reported to have been sunk near Daito Shoto on Oct 16, 1943
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I'm just about to get the Paul. Not sure this will do much for me at this point, but maybe they'll be a surprise or two. I kind of think of them as suicide planes even before kamis. I have to look through now and see how many groups can actually operate with them.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 2/26/2013 3:47:11 PM >

_____________________________

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

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1451
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/27/2013 2:06:37 AM   
PaxMondo


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

ORIGINAL: obvert
I'm just about to get the Paul. Not sure this will do much for me at this point, but maybe they'll be a surprise or two. I kind of think of them as suicide planes even before kamis. I have to look through now and see how many groups can actually operate with them.


Not many, and the Paul's range is so short it is hard to get them into position to be used other than in an ASW role.

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1452
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/28/2013 11:05:55 AM   
obvert


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

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo


quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert
I'm just about to get the Paul. Not sure this will do much for me at this point, but maybe they'll be a surprise or two. I kind of think of them as suicide planes even before kamis. I have to look through now and see how many groups can actually operate with them.


Not many, and the Paul's range is so short it is hard to get them into position to be used other than in an ASW role.


Well, it goes to 6 hex range with a 250kg bomb. Not too bad. It seems to be the only plane where the bomb load does not decrease at extended range.

I won't put a lot of faith in these of course!

_____________________________

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

(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 1453
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 2/28/2013 9:34:38 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		24 - 25 February 1944
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBS: O23 sinks an E converted from a CM. Another ASW ship lost. Near Merauke the RO-38 sinks AKA Titania, a rare valuable transport hit.

SOUTH PACIFIC: More crushing of the Hansa Bay troops. It's getting ridiculous now. The entire unit is slowly being destroyed solely from the air while now sitting behind level 3 forts in jungle.

WEST OZ: Aussie troops invest Darwin. It will fall on the 26th. Only 3 engineer vehicles are left in the base, although an unfortunate amount of supply was left for the Aussies. Damn.

This will change everything. Now I'll have to get all bases in the Southern DEI fully operational within a week.

BURMA: Troops are shifting. About 2k AV has left the main body hex North of Prome and some at least is shifting to the clear near Prome across the river. Looks like he'll try to cross into the city as there is an intensive bombing campaign against it currently. Our troops bombarded on the ground to find out what was left in the main stack and got a great result, with over 300 Allied squads destroyed or disabled for almost no Japanese losses. I'll keep this on tomorrow and begin to shift one more division out toward Prome. Rangoon is now fully operational with 500+ fighters again. Soon I'll take some stabs at the bombing a few hexes away.

CENTRAL PACFIC: The amphibious brigade at Abemama took a few turns to load onto transports. This, combined with a few other factors, led to a successful Allied strike on the TF, sinking about 10 good transports and two escorts. Two DDs should be able to scoot away.

I had planned to send in about 80 fighters to Abemama to guard against an Allied CV strike here, but supply ran low at Rabaul and I was one day away from getting the fighters over after a convoy came in to top it up. I thought of pulling out the transports with the loading unfinished but didn't pull the trigger thinking that Allied CVs weren't in the area and likely wouldn't arrive this aggressively, obviously a flank move. I was wrong. Hopefully I can use this minor defeat to plan a trap in the future, either for the CV based air or by getting the KB involved. Not an option this time however.

Either way I did get two Naval Guard units off the island, the hard way! They're now slated to show up in Tokyo in about a month!

The amphibious brigade will of course need more transports to extricate as the tanks and guns can't be flown out. That is annoying. I'll suspend any move to extract troops from Tarawa by sea and instead use air transports, which can move all of the units there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 24, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on 53rd Infantry Brigade, at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 21
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 100
B-24J Liberator x 58
B-25D1 Mitchell x 113
B-25G Mitchell x 17
P-38J Lightning x 3
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 30


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 32
B-25C Mitchell x 61
P-39N1 Airacobra x 21
P-40K Warhawk x 18

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 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 14
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 56

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Mitchell II bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 9th Garrison Unit , at 55,50 (Prome)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 21
Blenheim IV x 13
Liberator II x 11
Liberator B.III x 12
Liberator GR.III x 6
Spitfire VIII x 7
Wellington Ic x 13
Wellington GR.VIII x 13
Wellington B.X x 13
B-17F Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 25
B-24J Liberator x 85
B-25C Mitchell x 26

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd RTA Division, at 55,50 (Prome)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 13
Spitfire VIII x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 23
B-25D1 Mitchell x 26
B-26 Marauder x 26
B-26B Marauder x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed by flak
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Blenheim VD bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 25, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Merauke at 89,124

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
DD Doyle
DD Carmick
DD Meade
DD Hobby
DD Gillespie
DD Farenholt
DD Monssen
DD Gwin

Japanese ground losses:
325 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32
Port hits 22
Port supply hits 2

BB Prince of Wales firing at 57th Infantry Regiment
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Alabama

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Victoria Point at 50,64

Japanese Ships
E Natsushima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
E Kamome

Allied Ships
SS O23

SS O23 launches 2 torpedoes at E Natsushima
O23 diving deep ....
E Kamome fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 53rd Infantry Brigade, at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 30
B-17E Fortress x 19
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 72
B-24J Liberator x 39
B-25D1 Mitchell x 90
B-25G Mitchell x 15
P-38J Lightning x 5
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 27

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 33rd Division, at 55,50 (Prome)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 12
Blenheim IV x 13
Liberator II x 12
Liberator B.III x 3
Liberator GR.III x 9
Spitfire VIII x 8
Wellington GR.VIII x 13
Wellington B.X x 13
B-24D Liberator x 13
B-24D1 Liberator x 29
B-24J Liberator x 78
B-25C Mitchell x 26
B-25D1 Mitchell x 26

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
223 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd RTA Division, at 55,50 (Prome)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 50 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes


Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 9
Blenheim VD x 13
Liberator B.III x 9
Spitfire VIII x 11
Wellington Ic x 12
B-24J Liberator x 7
B-25C Mitchell x 12
B-26 Marauder x 12
B-26B Marauder x 13

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
77 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Blenheim VD bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Abemama at 136,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes


Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 155
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 31
SBD-5 Dauntless x 62
TBF-1 Avenger x 30


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Tokai Maru, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk
AK Kansai Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Aobasan Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Nankai Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Atutasan Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAP Teia Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Tacoma Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shikinami
DD Hatsuharu
xAK Hokkai Maru, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Wakaba, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Hawaii Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
4057 casualties reported
Squads: 116 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 136 destroyed, 144 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 60 (55 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Abemama at 136,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 51 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 60
SBD-5 Dauntless x 31
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Aobasan Maru, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
DD Shikinami
DD Wakaba, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hatsuharu

Japanese ground losses:
1239 casualties reported
Squads: 56 destroyed, 110 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 80 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (9 destroyed, 6 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Horn Island at 90,126

Japanese Ships
SS RO-38, hits 6

Allied Ships
AKA Titania, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
SC PC-1078

SS RO-38 launches 2 torpedoes at AKA Titania
RO-38 bottoming out ....
SC PC-1078 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC PC-1078 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Ground combat at 56,49 (near Toungoo)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5045 troops, 380 guns, 331 vehicles, Assault Value = 2819

Defending force 97609 troops, 1688 guns, 1924 vehicles, Assault Value = 2799

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
306 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

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

Reinforcements:

Aircraft Toka advances R&D (10/45)

Losses: Too many! Mostly Kyushus. Yuck.

Loss of DD Wakaba on Feb 25, 1944 is admitted
Loss of E Natsushima on Feb 25, 1944 is admitted
Loss of AK Hawaii Maru on Feb 25, 1944 is admitted
Loss of xAK Hokkai Maru on Feb 25, 1944 is admitted
Loss of AK Tokai Maru on Feb 25, 1944 is admitted
Loss of AK Aobasan Maru on Feb 25, 1944 is admitted
Loss of xAP Teia Maru on Feb 25, 1944 is admitted
DD Wakaba

Ships Sunk:
AM Bombay is reported to have been sunk near Port Moresby on Nov 09, 1943
AKA Titania is reported to have been sunk near Horn Island on Feb 25, 1944
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This is was not part of the plan, but of course a risk going way out here in what is now dangerous territory. I'm just mad I didn't have at least some fighter protection here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 3/1/2013 11:09:50 AM >

_____________________________

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

(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1454
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/1/2013 10:01:08 PM   
Chickenboy


Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline 		Chin up, Obvert!  Think about kamikazes!  What's up with them in early 1944, pray tell. 

_____________________________


(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1455
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/1/2013 11:19:16 PM   
obvert


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

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Chin up, Obvert!  Think about kamikazes!  What's up with them in early 1944, pray tell. 


Chin's still up. I just give it a punch every once in a while after a turn like that!

So about kamis. I think they will activate when he gets within 20 sea hexes of Saigon, the HI or Formosa, right? Do they also auto-start at some set date if he hasn't run over one of these boundaries?

_____________________________

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

(in reply to Chickenboy)
Post #: 1456
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/6/2013 10:56:48 AM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		26 - 27 February 1944
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sorry for the lack of updates. I was out of town and then got a bad stomach bug for a few days. Back on track now.

SUBS: A few good attacks against the Grunion near Formosa. One SC lost to the Sunfish.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Hansa Bay is invaded with one US division. A few weeks ago I would have been pretty optimistic about this place holding. Before getting bombed mercilessly each day by 300-400 planes, this base would have had about 220 AV with a very strong brigade holding up behind three forts in +2 terrain. After bombing we had 42 AV of highly disrupted troops that fell against one deliberate attack. So much for slowing things down. At this rate it'll take only a month or two to conquer all of Northern New Guinea. Not what I was hoping for. The KB may have to show itself soon.

WEST OZ: Darwin falls. I hate that he has so much supply to use here. The entire game should change now. The Southern DEI is open for business. I have a lot of nearly prepared bases and almost ready air groups. I really need one more month. I guess if Merauke can hold for a few weeks it could give me that. He's strangely quiet there, and I wonder if a second wave will invest that base soon.

BURMA: Bombardments show there is a lot of shifting around of troops. More are leaving the hex near Toungoo. Not sure where they're headed. Yet. The other big stack that saw some troops leave now looks like it's getting reinforced with some others. I'l sit tight there, but I feel this could be a feint. Either way, I have fairly good recon of hat's moving where on this side, so I should have a few days to react, and he has to cross rivers to breach any lines, so that'll take more time.

CENTRAL PACFIC: I've got some tank units being removed from the Marshalls. No sign of Allied activity.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 26, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Iriomote at 91,63

Japanese Ships
E Yomogi
E W-29

Allied Ships
SS Grunion, hits 2

SS Grunion is located by E Yomogi
E W-29 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-29 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-29 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Iriomote at 91,63

Japanese Ships
E Yomogi
E Manju

Allied Ships
SS Grunion, hits 4

SS Grunion is located by E Yomogi
Grunion diving deep ....
E Manju fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Maloelap at 135,118

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 39, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
SC Ch 7
xAK Zuiko Maru
xAK Tsukuba Maru
E Kuri

Allied Ships
SS Sunfish

SS Sunfish launches 2 torpedoes at SC Ch 39
Sunfish diving deep ....
E Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Hansa Bay (97,121)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

25 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
DD McCalla
DD Nicholson
APA Barnett
DD Frazier


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

CL Honolulu firing at 53rd Infantry Brigade
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
B6N2 Jill x 27

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 11
P-38J Lightning x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 59

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 14 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
APA Henry T. Allen, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Montpelier
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
DD Caldwell
APA W.A. Holbrook, Bomb hits 1
AKA Betelgeuse

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 53rd Infantry Brigade, at 97,121 (Hansa Bay)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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


Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 28
B-17E Fortress x 17
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 84
B-24J Liberator x 37
B-25D1 Mitchell x 91
B-25G Mitchell x 15
P-38H Lightning x 11
P-38J Lightning x 17
F6F-3 Hellcat x 22
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 27

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 38th Division, at 56,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 21
Blenheim IV x 13
Blenheim VD x 13
Liberator II x 12
Liberator B.III x 11
Liberator GR.III x 12
Spitfire VIII x 19
Wellington Ic x 13
Wellington GR.VIII x 13
Wellington B.X x 13
B-24D Liberator x 13
B-24D1 Liberator x 19
B-24J Liberator x 73
B-25C Mitchell x 47
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
B-26 Marauder x 25
B-26B Marauder x 13

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 2 damaged
Liberator B.III: 1 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
Wellington GR.VIII: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 55th Division, at 56,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 7
B-24D1 Liberator x 7

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 destroyed by flak
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 97,121

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B6N2 Jill x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 11
P-38J Lightning x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 59

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3295 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Defending force 10396 troops, 211 guns, 207 vehicles, Assault Value = 382

Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
53rd Infantry Brigade
4th South Seas Gsn
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
13th JAAF AF Coy
3rd FF Const Unit
46th Nav Gd /2

Defending units:
6th Infantry Division

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

Ground combat at 56,49 (near Toungoo)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5008 troops, 380 guns, 331 vehicles, Assault Value = 2816

Defending force 97499 troops, 1687 guns, 1924 vehicles, Assault Value = 2781

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 10 (3 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled

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

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4320 troops, 0 guns, 636 vehicles, Assault Value = 354

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 212

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 212 to 1 (fort level 6)

Allied forces CAPTURE Darwin !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/7th Armoured Regiment
2/9th Armoured Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2/8th Armoured Regiment
1st Army Tank Regiment

Defending units:
111th Naval Const Bn /13

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

Ground combat at 60,47 (near Mandalay)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 20023 troops, 166 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 966

Defending force 11371 troops, 80 guns, 264 vehicles, Assault Value = 362

Assaulting units:
50th Indian Para Brigade
3rd New Chinese Corps

Defending units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
39th/A Division
2nd Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 27, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 12
Liberator B.III x 6
Liberator GR.III x 15
B-17F Fortress x 5
B-24D Liberator x 18
B-24D1 Liberator x 31
B-24J Liberator x 85

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
260 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Liberator II bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at 57,49 (near Toungoo)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2350 troops, 154 guns, 176 vehicles, Assault Value = 2337

Defending force 76798 troops, 1306 guns, 1252 vehicles, Assault Value = 2863

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

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

Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10420 troops, 211 guns, 207 vehicles, Assault Value = 385

Defending force 3470 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Allied adjusted assault: 172

Japanese adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 57 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Hansa Bay !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1202 casualties reported
Squads: 113 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 80 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (15 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 5
Units destroyed 1

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

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

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

Reinforcements: Our first 'super-E' arrives. Many more to come in the next month.

MTB G-549 arrives at Shimizu
E No.2 arrives at Tokyo
LST T-108 arrives at Niigata
ML G-218 arrives at Shimizu
I.33-1 arrives at Hamamatsu
I.35-1 arrives at Hamamatsu
86th JAAF AF Coy arrives at Tokyo

Aircraft M6A1 Seiran advances R&D (9/44)

Losses:
Loss of SC Ch 39 on Feb 26, 1944 is admitted

Ships Sunk:
Previous report of sinking of BB Colorado incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of SS Peto incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The even numbered and the odd numbered Es seem nearly identical, except for speed. Are they both considered 'Super?' Or is the 'Super' from how many we get and the fact I can now put these into strong ASW teams of four ships with 8 ASW rating?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



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 #: 1457
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/6/2013 7:38:32 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		28 - 29 February 1944
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SOUTH PACIFIC: Saidor is nailed by 4Es and must be next. It's very methodical down here. This is fine, but I need to evac Rabaul at some point and that point is soon I'm thinking.

WEST OZ: A group of Kittyhawks is taking out all of the bags I used to get troops to Bathurst Island from Darwin. Most are now gone. I'll get a group of Jacks in to see if he's still keen and try to pick some off.

BURMA: The 4Es and masses of 2Es are nailing the troops near Lashio with abandon. They've dropped from 362 AV to around 330. I don't have any additions to send, so here's hoping he decides to attack soon before they're totally incapacitated. One thing up my sleeve is a tank regiment dug in here, which should do well agains the Chinese across the barbed wire. I don't think there's more than one or two anti-tank guns within 100 miles. I'll try to buy out another 1/3 division from the split one near Lashio on the border, but it won't arrive for about 10-12 days at the soonest.

Other areas appear less contested right now. He's still shifting stuff around. I may try one sweeps over here tomorrow to shake things up. I've got about 160 Franks all rested up at Rangoon.

CENTRAL PACFIC: Two tank units got out okay and a third is nearly loaded. This will be good for the next line on New Guinea and in the Carolines.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 28, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Bathurst Island at 76,123

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 19

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IV: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
LB-1004, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-166, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-1003, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-527, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-525, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-529, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-530, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-1001, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Kittyhawk IV bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 39th/A Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Overcast

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


Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 21
Blenheim IV x 13
Blenheim VD x 13
Liberator II x 3
Liberator B.III x 9
Liberator GR.III x 6
Wellington GR.VIII x 13
Wellington B.X x 13
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 18
B-24J Liberator x 59
B-25C Mitchell x 38
B-25D1 Mitchell x 11
B-26B Marauder x 13

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 2 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Blenheim IV bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bathurst Island at 76,123

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
LB-521, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-517, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-167, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-516, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-168, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-520, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-519, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-522, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Kittyhawk IV bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 29, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on 3rd Naval Construction Battalion, at 99,124 (Saidor)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes


Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 17
B-17E Fortress x 22
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 98
B-24J Liberator x 70
B-25C Mitchell x 43
B-25D1 Mitchell x 114
B-25G Mitchell x 30
P-38J Lightning x 5
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 33


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Bathurst Island at 76,123

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 39

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
LB-528, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-523, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-170, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-518, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-526, Shell hits 3, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
LB-524, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
LB-1002

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Kittyhawk IV bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 13
Liberator II x 3
Liberator B.III x 9
Liberator GR.III x 9
Wellington Ic x 13
Wellington GR.VIII x 12
Wellington B.X x 13
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 9
B-24D1 Liberator x 16
B-24J Liberator x 60
B-25C Mitchell x 22

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
154 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Blenheim IV bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 8th Tank Regiment, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Severe storms

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

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 13
B-25D1 Mitchell x 24
B-26 Marauder x 25
B-26B Marauder x 13

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 2 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:
12 x Beaufort I bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Reinforcements:
MGB G-221 arrives at Nagoya
1st Mobile Brigade arrives at Yenki
4th Amphibious Brigade arrives at Asahikawa
10th Exped.Force arrives at Kiamusze
E No.1 arrives at Tokyo
E No.3 arrives at Tokyo
E No.8 arrives at Tokyo
E No.10 arrives at Tokyo
TK Baiei Maru arrives at Nagoya
MTB G-550 arrives at Nagoya
SC CHa-77 arrives at Kagoshima
32nd Ku T-1 arrives at Singapore
302 Ku S-1 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
302 Ku S-2 arrives at Chiba
522 Ku K-1 arrives at Chiba
522 Ku K-2 arrives at Chiba

Aircraft B7A2 Grace advances R&D

Losses:
Loss of LB-166 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-167 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-168 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-516 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-517 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-519 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-520 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-521 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-522 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-525 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-527 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-529 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-530 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-1001 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-1003 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-1004 on Feb 28, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-169 on Feb 29, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-170 on Feb 29, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-518 on Feb 29, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-523 on Feb 29, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-524 on Feb 29, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-526 on Feb 29, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-528 on Feb 29, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-1002 on Feb 29, 1944 is admitted

Ships Sunk: None.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Many groups got a lot bigger as of today, some from size 12 to 49! Others just size 42 to 49. A few got smaller. Overall it looks like I'll be fielding quite a few more planes. Not having realized this, I now need to build up some pools of the better fighters and downgrade a few groups to a previous model. Luckily I have a lot of those around. One of the main groups at Rabaul will now get the Tony Id as I'd like to see how it does in a bigger more experienced group against top competition.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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 #: 1458
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/7/2013 12:33:51 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		1 - 2 March 1944
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rabaul: DEVASTATION! The end has come.

SOUTH PACIFIC: One of the biggest and most coordinated raids so far hit Rabaul on the 1st of March. This of course had to coincide with my sweeps of ALL Franks to New Guinea to try to hit LR CAP over Salamua (completely ineffectively). Just bad timing. A great and gutsy move by Jocke and very well put together, with all units achieving success and contributing to the overall effect.

The day began with sweeps by Corsairs and Lightnings. The F4U-A1 ate up nearly everything. The P-38J suffered at the hands of the strong CAP. Then a coordinated sweep of 177 Hellcats did very well, and another coordinated mass sweep of 150+ Corsairs and Lightnings got about 5:1. Overall, without the Franks I was pretty happy with the performance of the CAP, especially since the Franks would have occupied the top altitude setting and fought hard against these sweeps to start.

When the bombers came in we got 27 minutes warning. Still very little was done against the bombers before the raid. This is what has been frustrating me endlessly, and where a plane like the B-25D1 really makes a difference, fighting off the CAP with guns that should only be used for strafing, especially when there are 100 in the groups attacking. Later there is another isolated raid by them in which they take out more fighters than the next raid of mostly 4E. Few fighters were able to get close to the bombers and they hit the fields hard.

When he hit Rangoon earlier the situation was very similar. A level 9 base, 150+ 4E and 200+ 2E bombers following multiple sweeps, level 6 forts. In that situation there was little flak present and still the base was left with only 57 damage on the fields and was open the next day for CAP. This time it was 100% damaged!!. How is that possible in one day with a level 9 base that had a ton of flak, good supply, a good CAP and during a 'heavy cloud' day? The flak was especially ineffective, even with radar equipped units, many 88mm and 12cm flak guns. Very frustrating. Also frustrating that many of the planes that were on missions that day were destroyed on the ground, even thought they would have been flying literally all day to reach their targets. Including around 50+ Emilys flying to Truk and back! Oh well.

I have brought this on myself in some ways. I know I was overstacking, and the only reason is that it has been the only way to hope to defend against this kind of raid. Jocke has continually based up to 700 bombers in Port Moresby (and Portland Roads before that) with at least 300 fighters defending them. Thus they fly coordinated and now even sweeps are massively coordinating.

My feeling is that any level 9 base should hold for at least one day. It is a representation of multiple fields, as I understand it, and flying planes out should at least be possible after a big raid like this. As it is, I now have a serious problem. I decided to take a hit and do something that Jocke has since shown concern about, but for me seems the only somewhat 'fair' method of dealing with the situation now.

I withdrew all air units that would withdraw. They will appear back in Tokyo, for the most part, in 60 days. That is taking one on the chin in a real way in 44, in my opinion. But it's the only way I can see to use the groups again without letting them sit and wait until the base is taken, which could be as long at least, and after which I would be forced to buy them back. That seems too far an abstraction. I have the pilots, the planes can be manufactured, and those groups should be able to reform much sooner in my opinion, but this is the only somewhat acceptable option the game allows.

I don't really care about the airframes, for VP or otherwise. After he expressed concerns I offered to go back and keep the groups there for one more day so he could wipe the airframes, then withdraw them. He decided to play on, so here we are. I'd be interested to hear how others deal with this or imagine they would. The only other option would be to disband the groups, but then they would be gone for 120 days, and that is beyond reason and plausibility. Let me now what you all think.

Now Rabaul wil be effectively abandoned, even though there are still many units here and this is the only thing keeping any of the bases nearby functioning. I will likely lose all of these units, but there is no need to lose ships trying to save them either. It's kind of a relief, as now he'll have to move into more difficult waters.

WEST OZ: Jack's tangled with Kittyhawks, each losing a plane near Darwin. Merauke is bombarded by fast BBs. It still has 260 AV but no supply left now. Interestingly, this was the first action showing Iowa and New jersey in action. Yikes! Good to get my two BBs out of Rabaul now. This TF could have wrecked everything there and sunk a bunch of ships.

BURMA: My Frank sweeps in Burma were slightly more successful, but only hit a few planes. It was a positive result, so I might try more of this, especially since they coordinated. Nice to get a few Spits down especially. Three were listed destroyed on the day.

Jocke's bombers again hit the troops near Lashio. More minor damage this time, luckily. I did decide to buy another piece of the 39th division, which will head over as soon as possible.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 1, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 27
J2M2 Jack x 36
J2M3 Jack x 30
N1K1 Rex x 9
N1K1-J George x 40
N1K2-J George x 19
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 84

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 2 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 20 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
452 Ku S-1 with N1K1 Rex (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 34645.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 25 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
Akagi-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 22 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
Hiyo-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
958 Ku T-2 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 19 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 36750.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
77th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 21 scrambling)
7 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 34 minutes
85th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 21 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 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 30 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 25
J2M2 Jack x 34
J2M3 Jack x 27
N1K1 Rex x 5
N1K1-J George x 40
N1K2-J George x 19
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 82

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 6 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 23
J2M2 Jack x 33
J2M3 Jack x 26
N1K1 Rex x 5
N1K1-J George x 39
N1K2-J George x 18
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 79

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 177

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 35000 feet
38 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 35000 feet
36 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 35000 feet
35 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 35000 feet
25 x F6F-3 Hellcat sweeping at 35000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 18
J2M2 Jack x 29
J2M3 Jack x 23
N1K1 Rex x 3
N1K1-J George x 38
N1K2-J George x 14
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 73

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 46
P-38J Lightning x 53
F4U-1 Corsair x 35
F4U-1A Corsair x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet
17 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet
17 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet
7 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet
20 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet
18 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet
23 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet
20 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 16
J2M2 Jack x 28
J2M3 Jack x 18
N1K1 Rex x 3
N1K1-J George x 36
N1K2-J George x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 54

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 35
B-17E Fortress x 21
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 94
B-24J Liberator x 72
B-25C Mitchell x 38
B-25D1 Mitchell x 100
B-25G Mitchell x 17
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
J2M3 Jack: 2 destroyed on ground
N1K1 Rex: 3 damaged
N1K1 Rex: 2 destroyed on ground
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed, 22 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 13 destroyed on ground
D4Y2 Judy: 23 destroyed on ground
H8K2-L Emily: 8 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 26 destroyed on ground
H8K2 Emily: 21 destroyed on ground
L2D2 Tabby: 22 destroyed on ground
B6N2 Jill: 11 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-III Dinah: 7 destroyed on ground
Ki-61-Id Tony: 20 destroyed on ground
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 14 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-II KAI Helen: 8 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 10 destroyed on ground
D4Y1-C Judy: 7 destroyed on ground
J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Mitchell II: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 8 destroyed, 7 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 88
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 101

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13
J2M2 Jack x 14
J2M3 Jack x 6
N1K1 Rex x 2
N1K1-J George x 23
N1K2-J George x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 32

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Banzai! - Eiichi I. in a Ki-44-IIc Tojo rams a B-25D1 Mitchell for the Emperor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 8
J2M2 Jack x 10
J2M3 Jack x 5
N1K1 Rex x 1
N1K1-J George x 21
N1K2-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 12
B-25G Mitchell x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 45,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 6
J2M2 Jack x 8
J2M3 Jack x 3
N1K1 Rex x 1
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 13

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 71

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
15 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
18 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 198

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
Spitfire VIII x 48
P-40K Warhawk x 74
P-40N5 Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
42 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet
38 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet
38 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet
33 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet
33 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.67 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
No.81 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
No.113 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
No.261 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 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 33 minutes
51st FG/25th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 12 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 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
23rd FG/76th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 12 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 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
80th FG/90th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 12 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 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
80th FG/459th FS with P-40N5 Warhawk (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
311th FBG/528th FBS with P-40N5 Warhawk (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 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 1, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Naval bombardment of Merauke at 89,124

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BB New Jersey
BB Iowa
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
DD Doyle
DD Carmick
DD Meade
DD Hobby
DD Gillespie
DD Farenholt
DD Monssen
DD Gwin

Japanese ground losses:
626 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 35
Port hits 22
Port supply hits 4

BB Prince of Wales firing at Merauke
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB New Jersey

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

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

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 13
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 65
B-24J Liberator x 55
B-25C Mitchell x 41
B-25D1 Mitchell x 93
B-25G Mitchell x 25
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 9


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 15
Runway hits 48

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Bathurst Island at 77,123

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 6



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IV x 31


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
LB-155, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-163, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LB-161, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-164, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-157, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-156, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-158, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-162, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-160, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-159, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-165, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LB-154, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Kittyhawk IV bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb
14 x Kittyhawk IV bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
381 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead

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

Reinforcements: Stil more air groups arriving. I have a question though. CV groups withdrawn now using non-CV planes are listed to re-appear on the CV they started on. Will they be allowed to come back elsewhere, or even on the CV if cleared off and in port?

302 Ku S-2 arrives at Tokyo
522 Ku K-1 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
522 Ku K-2 arrives at Hiroshima/Kure
34th JAAF AF Bn arrives at Changchun
MTB G-17 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
14th Air Fleet arrives at Tokyo

Aircraft A6M5c Zero advances R&D

Losses:
Loss of LB-154 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-155 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-156 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-157 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-158 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-159 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-160 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-161 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-162 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-163 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-164 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted
Loss of LB-165 on Mar 02, 1944 is admitted

Ships Sunk:

SS Amberjack is reported to have been sunk near Rangoon on Jan 03, 1944
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A graveyard of planes is left around Rabaul. One of the other frustrating things is that they all took replacements the day after the attack as well, so that adds another a massive amount of planes to the ones Jocke thinks I gained from withdrawing units. Ideally that would not happen the day of an attack in a closed field. How would they have gotten there? That would be about 60-70 planes in the following groups.

201 Ku S-1 at Rabaul takes N1K1-J George replacements
151 Ku T-1/A at Rabaul takes D4Y1-C Judy replacements
151 Ku T-1/B at Rabaul takes D4Y1-C Judy replacements
932 Ku T-2 at Rabaul takes D4Y2 Judy replacements
Zuiho-2/B at Rabaul takes B6N2 Jill replacements
Chikuma-1 at Rabaul takes E13A1 Jake replacements
14th Sentai at Rabaul takes Ki-49-IIb Helen replacements
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by obvert -- 3/7/2013 12:47:09 PM >

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Post #: 1459
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/7/2013 12:43:07 PM   
HansBolter


Posts: 7704
Joined: 7/6/2006
From: United States
Status: offline 		You asked how others feel or I wouldn't be offering this opinion that I know won't be well received.

Withdrawing or disbanding squadrons to escape the fate of being destroyed in place on an airfield that is decimated is just about as gamey an exploitation as is possible.

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(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 1460
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/7/2013 1:05:48 PM   
obvert


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

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

You asked how others feel or I wouldn't be offering this opinion that I know won't be well received.

Withdrawing or disbanding squadrons to escape the fate of being destroyed in place on an airfield that is decimated is just about as gamey an exploitation as is possible.


I am interested in other opinions. I especially value those of experienced vets as yourself. I would ask for a bit more of a defense of your statement, as this move in no way has been made to get away with anything or game the system. In fact it's been done to approximate what I believe would be a realistic outcome of something like this raid.

Please explain how this is gamey in respect to actual real world conditions as represented in game. As I say, I'm not interested in saving planes, and only a small number of the total destroyed would be withdrawn with the groups. That includes many added that turn 'magically' by the game as replacements immediately after the raid, when nothing supposedly could fly in or out.

I'm simply interested in being able to use the groups again.

Doesn't it sound plausible to reform a group after it's planes are destroyed, since the pilots are nearly all okay and able to be removed in ways that are very concrete, such as by ships leaving the port?

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Post #: 1461
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/7/2013 1:15:07 PM   
Speedysteve

 

Posts: 15998
Joined: 9/11/2001
From: Reading, England
Status: offline 		My view on it would be if by withdrawing/disbanding the groups out of harm's way you'd be circumventing their guaranteed destruction I would not be happy with it.

As in if there's planes that are undamaged and can fly, fly them out of harm's way as could have been done IRL. If they're sitting their damaged then IMO it is a 'gamey' thing to do by warping them in a cloaking device to safety.

My 2p

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Post #: 1462
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/7/2013 1:25:43 PM   
HansBolter


Posts: 7704
Joined: 7/6/2006
From: United States
Status: offline 		The game already has a mechanism for restoring destroyed squadrons. One has to buy them back with PPs and wait six months to get them back in an opeartional state.

Withdrawing them allows one to avoid the total destruction, avoid the victory points to one's opponent for destroying them, avoid the PP cost of buying back the sqadron and shorten the six month wait to two months.

That's why I see it as an exploitation. Airfields that become sufficiently damaged to prevent flying out should also prevent withdrawal, but the rules aren't structured that way.

As for getting the pilots out on ships as an explanation for how it might be done I am all for that, not just the pilots but the damaged planes and also the ready planes that can't fly out because the field is too damaged. If you loaded the squadrons on ships and physically transported them out, with all the inherent risks of sinking that entails, then I would be cheering that as a bold and desperate move to get out what you can before it's destroyed. I agree with Speedy's assessment of the withdrawal/disbanding being tantamount to warping out under a cloaking device.

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(in reply to Speedysteve)
Post #: 1463
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/7/2013 1:25:48 PM   
obvert


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

ORIGINAL: Speedy

My view on it would be if by withdrawing/disbanding the groups out of harm's way you'd be circumventing their guaranteed destruction I would not be happy with it.

As in if there's planes that are undamaged and can fly, fly them out of harm's way as could have been done IRL. If they're sitting their damaged then IMO it is a 'gamey' thing to do by warping them in a cloaking device to safety.

My 2p


Most of the planes, or well over half anyway, were healthy planes, but wouldn't fly out due to the 100% field damage. The first time I've encountered that. My method previously was to do as you say, then disband the remainder of the groups, losing the planes. I offered to go back and just let him destroy the damaged ones the next day if that made more sense, but he chose to go on.

Also, about 60-70 planes came IN as replacements to groups during the turn after the raids! So that's a bunch of damaged planes I have no control over arriving, which shouldn't have been able to arrive, and were added to the groups, damaged of course.

For me though, as I say, it's not about the planes. I don't care about the planes for VPs or for their use. It's at tops 150, and I could produce them fairly quickly, or lose that many in the next sweep over a big base. By 44 a Japanese player is almost numb to losing large amounts of airframes. I'll happily turn off the requisite factories for two weeks to make up the amount if that makes sense. Really, I want the groups. I can't wage a war if the groups are abstractly locked in a base from which they can't escape.

Perhaps I should have waited a day and asked Jocke before making the move, but as we all know, human emotion plays a part and frankly I was frustrated after the turn. We had had discussion about this before and I reasoned that the penalty of having to wait two months is severe enough to warrant withdrawing the units.

After his concern over the airframes I offered, and still leave open the offer to go back and leave them for the next raid to destroy before withdrawing the groups. It sincerely just wasn't the main focus for me at the time.

< Message edited by obvert -- 3/7/2013 1:28:40 PM >

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Post #: 1464
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/7/2013 1:32:23 PM   
obvert


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

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

The game already has a mechanism for restoring destroyed squadrons. One has to buy them back with PPs and wait six months to get them back in an opeartional state.

Withdrawing them allows one to avoid the total destruction, avoid the victory points to one's opponent for destroying them, avoid the PP cost of buying back the sqadron and shorten the six month wait to two months.

That's why I see it as an exploitation. Airfields that become sufficiently damaged to prevent flying out should also prevent withdrawal, but the rules aren't structured that way.

As for getting the pilots out on ships as an explanation for how it might be done I am all for that, not just the pilots but the damaged planes and also the ready planes that can't fly out because the field is too damaged. If you loaded the squadrons on ships and physically transported them out, with all the inherent risks of sinking that entails, then I would be cheering that as a bold and desperate move to get out what you can before it's destroyed. I agree with Speedy's assessment of the withdrawal/disbanding being tantamount to warping out under a cloaking device.


Would leaving the groups to be destroyed, then withdrawing the groups work for you?

As is I will tell Jocke I'll turn off Helen, Frank, N1K1-J, Tojo IIc, Emily, Emily-L and Jake production for one week to make up the difference. Does that sound fair and not too gamey? That's 175+ airframes not made.

Paying PPs is for destroyed squadrons on a ship where the pilots, the commander and all go down. That is not the case here, and I wouldn't ask anything similar of my opponent if indeed I ever could destroy and isolate his air groups on land. If indeed this were the way it 'should' be that should almost have to be discussed beforehand, because any player would likely not be keen to place large numbers of planes on an island base and try to defend it. Being able to withdraw a group and reform after 60 days makes more sense to me and allows an abstract equivalent to how things would be likely done in reality.

You have to consider we have a lot of abstracts in game that when analyzed don't make perfect sense logistically. This would include pilot and plane reinforcements, commander movements, and even the appearance of PTs and mini-subs at bases long isolated.

< Message edited by obvert -- 3/7/2013 2:30:30 PM >

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Post #: 1465
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/7/2013 2:22:58 PM   
HansBolter


Posts: 7704
Joined: 7/6/2006
From: United States
Status: offline 		I'm not really sure where I stand on what you offer as a compromise, but then I'm also not really the one who matters.

If by waiting till they are destroyed and then withdrawing them you mean wait till they have zero planes (all planes destroyed and not the squadron) and then withdrawing the squadron, I still feel somewhat the same way, maybe not as strongly though.

If the squadron is unable to fly out, either because the airfield is too damaged or it has no planes to fly, then it should default to the only method of getting them off the island is to transport them out by ship.

In my current Ironman game I have a squadron on Koepang that was reduced to zero planes. I've left it sitting there until I can ship it out. It just seems like the right way to play it.

The point you make about the squadrons being more importanat than the planes is revealing. One way the Allies can overcome the plethora of airframes in the Japanese inventory is to isolate the squadrons themselevs rather than trying to attrite a staggering pool of replacements. What you are doing is circumventing the only real method the Allies have to attrite their enemy in a meaningful way.





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Post #: 1466
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/7/2013 2:45:29 PM   
obvert


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

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

I'm not really sure where I stand on what you offer as a compromise, but then I'm also not really the one who matters.

If by waiting till they are destroyed and then withdrawing them you mean wait till they have zero planes (all planes destroyed and not the squadron) and then withdrawing the squadron, I still feel somewhat the same way, maybe not as strongly though.

If the squadron is unable to fly out, either because the airfield is too damaged or it has no planes to fly, then it should default to the only method of getting them off the island is to transport them out by ship.

In my current Ironman game I have a squadron on Koepang that was reduced to zero planes. I've left it sitting there until I can ship it out. It just seems like the right way to play it.

The point you make about the squadrons being more importanat than the planes is revealing. One way the Allies can overcome the plethora of airframes in the Japanese inventory is to isolate the squadrons themselevs rather than trying to attrite a staggering pool of replacements. What you are doing is circumventing the only real method the Allies have to attrite their enemy in a meaningful way.



We'll have to just disagree on this one. It's too abstract and not at all how something would play out in reality. If that squadron was isolated, the pilots would be snuck out by sub or flying boat and the group reformed elsewhere. Two months is a long estimate I think for how long it would take for a nation under attack, like the Japanese.

At any rate this would have to be HRed as this is a valid feature of the game that exists and works. It's a great discussion and one that needs to be worked out it looks like.

Anyone who has played the Japanese will be quick to point out the many ways the Allies have to attrit and more, decimate Japanese airframes. Jocke complains of having low pools, but this is all relative isn't it? I make what I need, and not too much because there are consequences to doing that. I make less than what Japan was historically producing, in fact, to save HI, and thus fuel. I usually have just more than 100 fighters in my pools for frontline airframes, and 2E bombers might have less than 100. I currently have 12 Jills and 23 Judys for the current models in my pools! I would bet the Allies usually have a lot more of these respective airframes types.

The Allies destroyed over 450 airframes in the air and on the field in one attack on March 1! For the loss of around 100-110 of they own. That is surely a way to do more than attrit. If players are having trouble doing this in their games, look at how Jocke is massing elements. Sure there is vulnerability in overstacking, but it works by now when I can't realistically touch his bases and it gives nearly perfect coordination if not using the new beta patch. So, maybe it's matter of tactics.

Historically the Japanese did withdraw certain groups that were depleted, and later brought back those or newly formed groups to replace them. Would any Allied player like to limit the number of groups available to the Japanese side? Just change the OOB? Do you think the Japanese would not have formed new groups with those pilots saved from the Rabaul debacle, (all able to be sent to pools abstractly and immediately in game, which is another strange thing. Luckily I can imagine they got on ships and left port that day), and instead just fought with less? I doubt that would have happened, and I don't think it's an appropriate use of PPs when any other withdrawal doesn't require them.


< Message edited by obvert -- 3/7/2013 3:38:27 PM >

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Post #: 1467
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/8/2013 3:36:06 AM   
PaxMondo


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

lot'sa things to respond to here.

quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert
My feeling is that any level 9 base should hold for at least one day. It is a representation of multiple fields, as I understand it, and flying planes out should at least be possible after a big raid like this.


OK, here I will take the opposite side from you. A level 9 AF could be closed in one day, and the numbers of 2E and 4E that the allies committed here would do it. He had enough flights of enough bombers to close a lot of fields in one day.

Your description and analysis is accurate and there is no real defense, neither in game or in real life. When you see 2 - 4 AF's build up in 4E range, as IJ you have to consider abandoning your position or committing the KB. There are no alternatives. Rabaul was assaulted like that IRL ... so you have to expect the game to allow for the same tactic and outcome. Soon the allies will be able to do this with their Death Star of CV's ... with the same outcome.



quote:

ORIGINAL: obvert

As it is, I now have a serious problem. I decided to take a hit and do something that Jocke has since shown concern about, but for me seems the only somewhat 'fair' method of dealing with the situation now.

I withdrew all air units that would withdraw. They will appear back in Tokyo, for the most part, in 60 days. That is taking one on the chin in a real way in 44, in my opinion. But it's the only way I can see to use the groups again without letting them sit and wait until the base is taken, which could be as long at least, and after which I would be forced to buy them back. That seems too far an abstraction. I have the pilots, the planes can be manufactured, and those groups should be able to reform much sooner in my opinion, but this is the only somewhat acceptable option the game allows.

I don't really care about the airframes, for VP or otherwise. After he expressed concerns I offered to go back and keep the groups there for one more day so he could wipe the airframes, then withdraw them. He decided to play on, so here we are. I'd be interested to hear how others deal with this or imagine they would. The only other option would be to disband the groups, but then they would be gone for 120 days, and that is beyond reason and plausibility. Let me now what you all think.

Now Rabaul wil be effectively abandoned, even though there are still many units here and this is the only thing keeping any of the bases nearby functioning. I will likely lose all of these units, but there is no need to lose ships trying to save them either. It's kind of a relief, as now he'll have to move into more difficult waters.

In contrast to others comments, I do NOT see this as gamey at all ... rather it is exactly what both the allies and the IJ did MANY times during the course of the war. All you did was have your pilots get on an air transport to return the HI where they have to be reformed (after home leave) with new equipment.

To my understanding the 60 day withdrawal is in the game for this reason. You used it exactly as intended.

The re-purchase of air groups with PP's is for when the group was actually destroyed, mostly when sunk enroute either in Transport or in action on a CV. Losing an airgroup in this circumstance is different, the group wasn't withdrawn in an orderly fashion pilots/mechanics may actually have been lost.

Just my thoughts...

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Post #: 1468
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/8/2013 6:08:31 AM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline 		I'll wade in here with this thought. Just how many VP's for destroying the damaged aircraft are we talking about here? If you can convince me the VP's lost to the Allied cause from withdrawing these groups to avoid destruction is worth more than the strategic impact of these air groups being out of the fight for two months, you might make a convert out of me.

As a compromise, you could replace all the experienced pilots with rookies and leave the unit to it's fate. Jocke gets his VP's, you save your pilots. You could then try the suggested removal of the air unit by sea transport or wait for airframes to get repaired and begin re-basing the unit.

Personally, I don't see an issue. Withdrawing a unit for two months isn't exactly getting a free pass. It's out of the fight. I don't see this as gamey, or an exploit, that's how withdrawal works regardless of the state of the unit, by design. An oversight? Maybe, but not something a player should have to beat himself up over.

I obviously care about what is decided since I'm playing Jocke as well.

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Post #: 1469
RE: Wild Sheep Chase - 3/8/2013 8:30:51 AM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		Thanks for the comments gents. About the possibility of closure, I guess I've never had it happen that the field was so far closed no planes could be flown out. Live and learn! I definitely have always seen the possibility of the Allies effectively closing the base for ops, and I know in Rangoon I may have gotten a tad bit lucky to be able to fly after similar raids a few months before. I simply thought I'd be able to do as I have done and fly out portions of groups to reform without the penalty of 60 days, disbanding and losing the other planes left damaged.

I see the withdrawal option as you do Pax, an approximation of the time to get things in order after disorder and then reform with new machinery. The issue as Joseph points out is the planes, and the potential VPs for planes. Just gets a bit tricky as we can take replacements through a closed base (or over great distance immediately at any time in game) so there is just always going to be an abstraction going on with this function, and the more clear each side is about what happens the less one feels cheated if a bunch of planes disappear overnight that they thought were dead meat.

The thing with pilots Joseph is that I could just take pilots out and leave the groups empty as well. No need for rookies even.

Jocke has been very balanced in his response to this, and I think sees this as a place where there is no perfect solution, but several provided by devs. So really he and I are mostly interested in what other players have done and how two players work out the right system for their type of game. I'm sure you two will have a short exchange once more opinions/examples are out there.

It seems only a few are responding to the thread in the main forum that I opened, though. Maybe they're wary of stating their own practice in an open forum? Or just don't see the issue with it? Not sure.

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Post #: 1470
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