Bullwinkle58
Posts: 11302
Joined: 2/24/2009
Status: offline
|
June 30, 1942
Three Is Far Better Than Two
Back to the war after about ten days away. Odd feeling of clumsiness as I did the turn. Easy to forget not only plans but basic interface steps. For example, I completely forgot to look at or re-program any air in China. Just forgot the whole theater. As it turned out it didn't matter. Titanic naval battles in the Marshalls as SNAGLEPUSS moves forward, far bigger than originally conceived. At the same time the air war in Sumatra, Java, and Burma reaches frantic, hurricane strength as Japan strives to stop Allied moves that may be war-winners if they succeed. As end-of-month turns go this one was a humdinger.
1) First, the main event: the Marshalls. Recall that "yesterday" (ten days ago) a USN Air TF of three CVs (the extra fighter cover with three is extremely important today--hence the title above) came near Kwajalein with red TF icons at Kwaj, Roi-Namur, and Wotje. Imperfect recon, but DB strikes launched on the BB-led surface TF and scored two 1000-lb hits on the BB. The USN air is there to sanitize for many large, important TFs coming from the east at about the height of Wake, destined to garrison Eniwetok and make it safe and a platform for further endeavors both east and west.
After the carriers got off scot-free I had to decide whether to withdraw to a better blocking position to the NW, or to go deeper into the island chain and hunt precious IJN BB and DDs. As much as he's hurt me in cruisers I've hurt him in DDs. Any improvement on that score would help a lot in 1943. I knew that LBA in the Marshalls was pretty weak; tiny Jake attacks are not coming form a position of strength. I had seen one CVE about ten days ago, but nothing since. Air search from Eniwetok, plus 30% DBs on search from the three carriers, had found nothing. Nothing at all.
Then three IJN CVEs pop up to the south, almost due south of my carriers. And well within attack range for both sides. It's on.
I had radio chatter intel of action at Ponape yesterday. This might be their perch; don't know. But there they are. And they get off their attack first. This set off a day of wild furballs, multiple slashing attacks, and edge-of-the-seat replays. I watched every one in real time.
This is a screenie of the tactical situation.
Morning Phase
The first Japanese attack is strong. Initially it is met by only seven CAP Wildcats and my heart sinks. I am going to lose three carriers. But as the movie rolls the Wildcats hold, and then the late arrivals feed in, and feed in, and feed in. Gradually they burn through the Zeros and the slaughter then is something to see. The surviving attackers are so disrupted that no hits are scored. And the CAP survives to fight later in the day.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Bikini at 130,111
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
B5N1 Kate x 14
B5N2 Kate x 5
D3A1 Val x 10
Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 18
F4F-3 Wildcat x 28
Japanese aircraft losses (Per animation, these loses are severely FOWed understated.)
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 5 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Enterprise
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
And again . . .
Morning Air attack on TF, near Bikini at 130,111
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
E13A1 Jake x 2
Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 7
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Then, the response . . .
(All bombs 1000-lbers)
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ebadon at 130,115
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15 
Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
SBD-2 Dauntless x 12
SBD-3 Dauntless x 56
TBD-1 Devastator x 15
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 3
CVE Chuyo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
DD Yukikaze
DD Shigure
DD Yamagumo
DD Natsushio
DD Kuroshio, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
14 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
Taiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
Chuyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Hosho
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Taiyo
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Chuyo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Chuyo
Then the TBs, earlier disrupted and turned back, attack again in a non-coordinated fashion without escort.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ebadon at 130,115
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
CVE Hosho, heavy fires
CVE Chuyo, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
Afternoon Phase
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bikini at 130,111
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N2 Kate x 3
D3A1 Val x 3
Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 8
F4F-3 Wildcat x 19
Japanese aircraft losses (by animation, 100% of non-fighters destroyed)
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed
No Allied losses
And again, the response . . .
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ebadon at 130,115
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 6
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9
TBF-1 Avenger x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
DD Umikaze
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Taiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead
Chuyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese CVE
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Hosho
One squadron of DBs, for some infuriating reason, ignore multiple naval targets and a Naval primary tasking, and go to bomb sand at Wotje. Could have used you guys!
Afternoon Air attack on Wotje , at 135,115
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
Airbase supply hits 1
And there it ended. I still don't know exactly how many IJN carriers started the day present. The IJN squadron names could be FOWed, or Japan might have swapped units or overloaded. I need to study this before tomorrow. But my best guess is three CVEs were sunk. About 60/40 the DD hit does not make Truk. The hits on BB Hyuga did not penetrate, but combined with yesterday's ought to amount to at least 25 system damage and maybe some fires. The question is whether the Japanese withdraw now, or double-down. Mike has just spent a week in Vegas, so maybe the latter. I need to watch sorties as the USN has work still to do before they can head for Pearl. The other two Pacific carriers have 4 and 5 days respectively before they finish upgrades there.
Overall this was a big win for the USN, at least in the short run. If the Eniwetok convoys get through Kwaj and Roi-Namur are pretty much lost to Japan, and Ponape is sitting vulnerable.
2) Elsewhere in SNAGGLEPUSS elements of the 2nd Marine Raiders are air-lifted onto a vacant, untaken Ocean Island. Supplies are sent to parachutists and Raiders on Makin and Arorae and Bikini. On NG, the Kangas are loaded on SST and sent north to probe islands near Yap for a gap to the Marianas. In the Marshalls, I need an air base deep in the chain to make the 50% parachutist rule work for the forward line of bases (Wotje, et al.) I have seen in other AARs that the naval fortresses there are push-overs to parachutists if forces can be landed without facing the CD.
3) Minesweeping is underway at Bataan. Manila will soon be a major fleet asset for the IJN.
4) In Sumatra and Java the air campaign continues at frantic levels with heavy losses to Japan from AA. Palembang's forts continue stalled at 26% to Level 6. At Soerbaja light CAP counters heavy Oscar sweeps and the AF continues to be open and fully operable. Naval strikes mounted from there and Oosthaven score hits:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Banjoewangi at 57,107
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 4
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
xAK Uga Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Six other naval strikes fail, however, with light Allied losses.
The 32nd TF group makes good progress toward landing at Oosthaven. Oklahoma's float planes sight another sub, so Japan knows they are there. They should make Oost either tomorrow or the next morning after that. If Japan shifts just a portion of the Bomb Bettys hitting PBang to Naval there will be a slaughter; fingers crossed Mike is focused on closing the AF instead. The FAA fighters would hurt Netties a lot; he might be waiting for one huge escorted effort on the last day. Tomorrow will tell.
5) In Burma the advancing spearhead for Pegu is tested again. I think he has recognized this one is an existential threat to Rangoon. The force advancing on Rangoon--much larger--is being left alone. The Pegu "plug" is being hit hard every day. The Allies put up LRCAP as is possible over this stack, but they are still bleeding. Even so, they come ahead.
Morning Air attack on 46th Indian Brigade, at 56,52 , near Pegu
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
G3M3 Nell x 45
G4M1 Betty x 16
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 56
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 2
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
196 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Also attacking 1st Burma Division ...
Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 12th Group Army ...
Also attacking 1st Burma Division ...
Also attacking 46th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Burma Division ...
Also attacking 46th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Burma Division ...
Also attacking 46th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Burma Division ...
Also attacking 46th Indian Brigade ...
Morning Air attack on 46th Indian Brigade, at 56,52 , near Pegu
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 26
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Morning Air attack on 21st Chinese Corps, at 56,52 , near Pegu
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 66
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 3
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 17 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 3 damaged
Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 46th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 46th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 21st Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 21st Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 46th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 21st Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ..
Morning Air attack on 254th Armoured Brigade, at 56,52 , near Pegu
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 22
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 3 damaged
Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Also attacking 50th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 254th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 50th Chinese Corps ...
Morning Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 56,52 , near Pegu
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 46
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
So, June ends. Next month the Allies get another welcome up-tick in some aircraft models. The AA Pool is about to dump into the general pools. Needed relief. Efforts to make the Aleutians strong continue unmolested with great assistance by the Canadians at the forefront. A full squadron of S-boats is now operating out of Dutch Harbor, patrolling inside the Kuriles arc.
Chittagong is a large port now, taking a flood of supplies from Calcutta in either 20,000- or 45,000-point chunks. This phasing appears to optimize Calcutta's production rate, making the load phases pretty fast. It flows inland easily from Chitt.; no adverse monsoon effects have been noted.
The Big Stack has re-supplied to full "white" status in every LCU. It is one hex removed from its road-entry point and half-way to Paoshan. No pursuit from Tsuyung is seen.
The Operations report gives helpful info such as "Unit '11th Cavalry (Hrse)' changes name to '10th Cavalry (Hrse)'"
And the war goes on.
 Attachment (1)
< Message edited by Bullwinkle58 -- 8/9/2013 7:57:12 PM >
_____________________________
The Moose
|
Printable Version
RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwin... - 
Have to get back up to speed; Mike had a turn in my box this AM. 
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread