RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A)

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A)

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RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 2/11/2015 5:12:13 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 13: December 18, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Philippines

As with yesterday, we start with the sweeps. The first wave of 19 Zeros guts the Allied CAP, the next 9 forces the remainder to the ground, and then the bombers arrive.

[timg]http://lpix.org/1939705/bombers.png[/timg]

Their targets: the Manila airfields, runways and support facilities, along with aircraft on the ground. The first wave reportedly does excellent damage to the hated B-17s:

quote:

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
G3M2 Nell x 13
G4M1 Betty x 42

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 4 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 5 damaged
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 18 damaged
PBY-4 Catalina: 7 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 5 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 31

Followup waves of Nells and Sallies do quite well, reporting more damage to the airbase facilities, runways, and aircraft.

Borneo

Unfortunately, a contingent of B-17s took off in the morning before our attack on Manila and hit Miri.

quote:

Morning Air attack on Miri , at 64,87

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 14

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 3 damaged

Oil hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 3000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 5000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Far Pacific

Our Betties based in the Marshalls spot and launch an attack against what I believe is an American resupply effort for Wake Island.

quote:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 136,98

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis

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

CAP engaged:
VMF-211 Det with F4F-3 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 100 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Raid is overhead

They all miss, as do Taiho and Chuho�s Mabels and Kates, annoyingly.

quote:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 136,98

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
B5M1 Mabel x 13
B5N2 Kate x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis
xAK Florence D.
DD Mugford

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x B5M1 Mabel launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Our CVLs will continue on to Yokohama, but maybe their presence will be enough to scare the Allied TF away. I�m still not really sure what to do about Wake but prolonging the fight suits me right now.

Home Islands/China/Etc.

[timg]http://lpix.org/1939708/Image 021.png[/timg]

A poor Chinese headquarters unit has become separated from the troops it commands and gets smashed by the IJA 15th Division. Other, more stalemate-y fights are taking place in the north, around Kaifeng.

Back home, we do more tinkering with R&D and aircraft factory production behind the scenes. I�m starting to understand the system, more or less, and am working out what future models of aircraft I want to focus on.

Also, we sweep a bunch of mines at Hong Kong, clearing the harbor for use. The 33rd Division, recent conqueror of the city, will be the spearhead of our invasion of Java - we�ll be concentrating shipping at Hong Kong for that operation.

Aircraft Losses

Another good day of attrition. Not so many losses on the ground as I�d hoped, but there should be a bunch of damaged aircraft down there.

< Message edited by Alikchi -- 2/11/2015 6:12:39 PM >

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Post #: 31

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 2/11/2015 5:13:35 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

quote:

People have entire spreadsheets of information on Japanese production over at the Matrix forums if you'd like to check that out.

Yeah, I've been reading all the threads and tutorials I can find. I'm still almost certain I'm going to **** something up.

We're quite a few turns ahead of the LP at this point - New Year's 1942. The IJNAS already have tweaked/advanced aircraft in this mod, so I'm focusing on accelerating Army stuff.

For the Navy, I want to advance to the armored and up-engined Zero variants ASAP - the A6M5, then the A6M8. Along the way I'll pick up the N1K1 as a stopgap until the A7Ms start arriving, hopefully in mid-44. As for bombers, I'm investing heavily in the P1Y1 Frances and ASW patrol aircraft. I hate submarines.

The Army aircraft should be pretty typical for the next few years. My goal for 42 is to bring all Oscars and Nates (that aren't training aircraft) up to Oscar Ic standard and start cranking out Tojos ASAP. I'm heavily invested in the Ki-84 Frank as well, and hope to transition to them in late 43.

The real surprise I have for Windy, though, is the Ki-201 Karyu - basically an Me-262 copy. I'm throwing a lot of resources at this project in the hopes of being able to contest the air in late 44 and early 45.

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Post #: 32

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/14/2015 7:50:45 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 14: December 19, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

I forgot the combat report, sorry! The replay should be a fun watch this time, though.

Philippines

The third day of our air assault on Manila. The enemy has been worn down considerably already. 20 Nates go in first to wear down the enemy CAP. Then the Zeroes and Betties start appearing overhead.

No aircraft appear to challenge the third wave. Our Betties and Nells have clear runs on the airfields and harbor. Wave after wave of bombers hit Manila.

Then, the coup de grace:

Akagi and Kaga are back from the Home Islands, rested and resupplied. Their pilots attacked Manila Bay on December 7 and are happy to finish the job. Vals go for the airfields while Kates and Mabels drop heavy bombs on the damaged ships.

A few Fortresses fly from Manila to counterstrike, but are shot up by the CAP and miss their bombing runs.

All in all, a successful day. I believe the airfield at Manila is unusable and will take days to repair, consuming lots of supplies in the process. I don�t think Oklahoma and Nevada are sunk, but they�re so damaged that they�ll be useless for combat for a long while. It�ll be a struggle for Windy to get them safely out of Manila.

Borneo/Malaya/South China Sea

Off to the west, our Nells and Betties based in Saigon spot a British task force east of Mersing. What are they trying to do out there?

I suppose I�ll never know. In the first attack, heavy cruiser Cornwall takes a torpedo hit and the Dutch destroyer Piet Hein is sunk. The next wave appears to sink light cruisers Dauntless and Ceres. A decent haul. Maybe we can finish off the damaged Cornwall tomorrow?

We make launch a series of attack on Kuantan airfield. The Floatfire CAP fights valiantly, but we do alright ourselves. A second wave of Lilies reports 28 hits on the field.

I�ve been launching a lot of recon missions with Dinahs over Singapore. You can see the results here: a LOT of fighters and bombers. Windy is conserving his Spitfires and Whirlwinds for something big. To the southeast, you can see our invasion of Singkawang about to go in, 2000 troops with decent cover. Singkawang has a nice airfield; I intend to use it to cover my upcoming invasion of Palembang.

Far Pacific/Wake Island

We try another attack on Wake. It�s a slaughter, despite our numerical superiority. I begin making more concrete plans to pull the 144th out.

The Kido Butai has finished its long loop and reports nothing. Back to Truk.

Aircraft Losses

Not as many aircraft destroyed as I�d like, but I know we�ve damaged a huge number on the ground at Manila.

< Message edited by Alikchi -- 3/14/2015 8:52:22 PM >

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Post #: 33

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/14/2015 10:53:33 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 15: December 20, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Philippines/Celebes

Heavy cruisers Haguro and Myoko lay in a heavy bombardment of Davao, smashing up the port and setting fires in the city. Hopefully this softens the place up for Japanese troops, which are Coming Soon.

Further north, things are going well! Our subchasers report heavily damaging or sinking American submarine S-36, and our troops are making progress in Luzon. They capture Lingayen this turn - another step closer to Manila.

We continue to hit Manila. The Americans manage to get 10 fighters into the air to defend the base in the morning, and they manage to shoot down a couple of Betties that become separated from the main group.

It isn�t enough. The big wave from Formosa arrives, and some of them are loaded with nasty 800kg bombs.

quote:

Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
G3M2 Nell x 14
G4M1 Betty x 50

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 3
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 26, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD John D. Edwards, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Boise, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CL Nashville, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Marblehead, Bomb hits 1
DD Parrott, Bomb hits 1
AV Langley, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AS Holland, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
23 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
9 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th PG/3rd PS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
24th PG/17th PS with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Raid is overhead
24th PG/20th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
35th PG/34th PS with P-35A (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

Followup raids do additional damage. I�m not letting up the pressure. This is the fourth straight day of attacks and I will continue them until that airfield is closed. It already is in quite bad shape - the B-17s didn�t show their faces today. Either they�re almost all damaged/destroyed or the facilities to service them have simply been blown up.

Meanwhile, we�re struggling at Manado, on the northern tip of Celebes. Our 2000 troops are having no luck dislodging the 1500 Dutch defenders. More are being rerouted to help take the place.

Malaya/Borneo

Our invasion of Singkawang begins in the early morning, and by the end of the day we�ve unloaded the full 1900 men. With only 900 defenders, we expect to take this place fairly quickly.

The Dutch submarine O20 torpedoes and sinks xAK Tatumiya Maru southwest of Cam Ranh Bay. Naughty Dutch with their functioning torpedoes.

We keep up the pressure on Kuantan, and the troops continue marching south. Hurry up, guys.

Oh, one last thing:

Our Saigon boys spot the survivors of yesterday�s attack limping back towards Singapore. Betties launch.

quote:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Djemadja at 53,82

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Ceres, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CA Cornwall, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Van Ghent
DD Kortenaer

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

If Cornwall doesn�t sink I�ll be very impressed by British damage control.

Far Pacific

Desultory shelling at Wake. South of Truk, our invasion of Rabaul is just a few days out. I�m cutting it a little fine with that number of troops, but hopefully it�ll be enough.

Home Islands/etc

I shut down production of the Lily, Ida, Nell and Nate to conserve resources.

The South China Sea is absolutely full of Japanese shipping:

(1) Palembang Invasion force and covering warships.
(2) Akagi and Kaga, which will assist with said invasion.
(3) The 38th Division being loaded onto troop transports at Hong Kong. Next stop: Java.
(4) Our rapid advance in the north of Luzon�
(5) .. and our slightly slower one in the south.

Aircraft Losses

Attacking this hard and consistently is taking its toll. I�ll have to give my pilots and their machines a break soon.

_____________________________

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Post #: 34

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:35:41 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 16: December 21, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Relatively quiet day.

Philippines/Celebes

The bombers go in for Manila as usual and encounter only a trickle of enemy fighters. More runway hits.

We landed the 21st Independent Mixed Brigade at Roxas and took the town this turn. They�ll march around and take the rest of the island of Panay for us.

Malaya/Thailand

We continue to bomb Georgetown - an infantry regiment is marching to take the place. Also hit is Kuantan. I believe Windy is in the process of pulling his aircraft out of here. The base is no longer tenable.

At Bangkok, a full division of Army troops is disembarking. They will be taking part in our invasion of Burma. The roads are horrible and railroads non-contiguous, so don�t expect to hear much about this for weeks and weeks�

Borneo

British bombers flying from Singapore actually manage a hit! They drop a bomb on one of our transports off Singkawang. Singkawang falls to a shock attack today, incidentally, and in decent condition. A couple of days and we should be good to fly aircraft in.

I chart out the path of our Palembang invasion force using waypoints. This should hopefully keep them out of range of torpedo bombers from Singapore and within range of Zero cover from Singkawang.

China

Every day, small groups of Army aircraft bomb Japanese troop concentrations.

Fighting continues at the rail junction northeast of Kaifeng (misspelled as Keifeng on the map) - the Chinese are bringing in reinforcements, and so are we. In the north, our advance on Sian is moving forward. In central China, our army going after Changsha has begun to march. No action in the south.

Sunk Ships

Here�s what has been sunk in the past week or so. Note that fog of war applies - Intel might have gotten a few of these wrong.

Aircraft Losses

Those 139WH-3s and B-339Ds are Dutch aircraft destroyed on the ground at Singkawang, presumably damaged machines that couldn�t be flown out. Ignore them and our losses are even for the day.

_____________________________

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Post #: 35

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:36:27 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 17: December 22, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Another missing combat report because I�m a dumb idiot.

New Britain/New Guinea/Marshalls

The invasion of Rabaul begins. Light cruisers Furutaka and Kako suppress the coastal defence batteries as the Maizuru 1st SNLF hits the beaches.

Philippines/Celebes

A single wing of Betties raid Manila Bay again and pepper the ships there with bombs. Even 60 kg units will do decent damage to destroyers. Another Betty raid focuses on the airfield.

All the other bombers are resting - and it is well-deserved. We�ve stood down the Malaya aircraft too for a break.

In the south, a hefty pile of troops are successfully landed at Davao. More are coming. Once the full 7000+ are on land, we�ll take the base.

We�ve flown in a wing of Betties to Jolo to support our moves into southern Borneo, Celebes and so on. Today, they launch their first mission - an air strike on the Dutch defending Manado.

Borneo

Blenheim bombers repeatedly fly out of Singapore to hit our ships anchored off Singkawang - they miss and get shot up by flak for their trouble. A single Swordfish flying at extended range does manage a solid hit with a 500 pound bomb.

Shioya is a specialized landing ship, built on the same modular hull as the Chitose seaplane carriers and other craft - designed to be easily converted to Junho light carrier standard. We need to be careful with them.

China

A deeper look at the situation.

1 The line of advance for our army marching on Sian. Decent roads and no opposition so far.
2 Ongoing battle northwest of Kaifeng, both sides trickling in reinforcements.
3 Line of advance for the army I�m assembling at Wuchang. I want to besiege Changsha.
4 Just a divisional advance here but I think I can at least take Chuhsien.

Here�s the army we�ve put together in Wuchang. Everything but the 40th Division will be marching on Changsha. I won�t be too bothered if I don�t take the place. Mostly, I just want to put China on the defensive so I don�t have to devote too much energy or too many resources to this front.

Aircraft Losses

_____________________________

(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 36

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:37:32 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 18: December 23, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Philippines

All aircraft here stand down. It�s time for rest & resupply. I�m also making good progress building up airfields on Luzon that will serve until I take Clark Field for myself.

Something interesting happens in the dark hours of the morning:

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Calapan at 78,79, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Tokiwa Maru
xAK Malta Maru
xAK Konzan Maru
xAK Kuritake Maru
xAK Sinkyo Maru
xAK Koyu Maru
xAK Zuiko Maru

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CL Nashville
DD Alden
DD Edsall, heavy damage
DD John D. Edwards, heavy damage
DD Parrott
DD Chew
DD Stewart
DD Scout
DD Thanet
DD Thracian

Reduced sighting due to 25% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 25% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 9,000 yards...
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Japanese Amphibious TF evades combat

I run into these guys off the north coast of Mindoro. My transports are just passing through - I believe this TF was the one returning from dropping off troops at Roxas on Panay.

Now, I�m not sure what he was trying to do. I don�t think he was trying to escape, as I don�t spot these ships in the morning. I doubt he was trying to actually engage in combat with banged-up ships. Maybe he just wanted to pull them out of Manila to save them from further air attacks on the port? I dunno.

In the south, we take the recently-bombarded Davao with a nice pile of troops. The Miura Detachment will be pulled out to help more in the East Indies - the remaining troops will finish securing Mindanao for us.

Celebes

Cruisers Haguro and Myoko perform a nice nighttime bombardment of Manado, inflicting decent casualties on the Dutch. In the day, we perform a deliberate attack that fails, but does inflict more casualties on the defenders than ourselves. I�m optimistic.

Borneo

More air attacks on the Japanese shipping filling the sea around northern Borneo. As with yesterday, only the Swordfish are low and slow enough to actually hit anything.

quote:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 56,88

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
APD Aoi, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Swordfish I bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Aoi should be fine if the fires don�t consume her. APDs are valuable ships - well, I�m Japan, all ships are valuable. But APDs are useful.

Here�s a look at the area:

1 - Palembang, the objective. A huge amount of oil is produced here. I need this place captured and in good condition to win the war. I thought I�d have to wait until Singapore fell to safely move in, but I feel like I can make this work. The less time Windy has to fortify the place, the better.
2 - Akagi, Kaga, and a surface action group. They should be enough to hold off any naval attack the Brits and Dutch can throw at us. The carriers will also do the service of being the preferred target of the British and Dutch bombers, who will fly into the elite Zero CAP and get chewed to bits. Hopefully.
3 - The actual troops - a large-ish brigade, should be plenty to take the place. Another surface combat group for escort. Oh, and a final transport group loaded with aviation support units. Palembang has a nice airfield, and I need to use it to keep its facilities from being bombed like Miri.
4 - Army troops marching east to take that edge of Borneo. No hurry.

Far Pacific

At Rabaul, we launch our first attack after some ineffectual bombing by Truk-based Betties. As I�d feared, the Maizuru 1st SNLF isn�t enough to take the place. I arrange for the Kavieng troops to reinforce the attack, and if that�s not enough, another SNLF - but that�ll take time. For now, at least I�m contesting the hex.

Our submarines are finally getting back into the action:

I have a bunch of subs off the coast of Australia, trying to choke the Torres Strait and keep Windy from fortifying Port Moresby too much. Some are also in the south - like here, a little north of Brisbane. This is our first success. RO-34 sprays Canopus� deck with 25mm fire before shelling the **** out of the poor vessel. Not a confirmed sinking - we run out of ammo - but looking pretty badly hurt.

Aircraft Losses

When I said I was giving everyone a break, I wasn�t kidding. Only four aircraft were lost in the Pacific today. I seem to have all the initiative in the air right now.

_____________________________

(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 37

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:38:17 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 19: December 24, 1941

Quiet day, wheels turning, things in motion.

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Malaya

Twas the night before Christmas, and --

GOD DAMMIT

Borneo/Sumatra

Akagi and Kaga move within range of British bombers from Singapore. As I�d hoped, they fling themselves suicidally at Zero CAP.

The final count is 10 bombers downed. No hits scored.

China

The Chinese go for a deliberate attack in the hex northwest of Kaifeng. Dug in on good terrain with strong leadership, we do pretty well.

Ships Sunk

Oklahoma has appeared on the list, as well as Tennessee. I don�t believe the latter.

Aircraft Losses

I could get used to loss ratios like this.

_____________________________

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Post #: 38

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:38:51 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 20: December 25, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Getting back in the saddle after nearly being killed by goons with Everclear in Wisconsin.

Australia

My subs have a good day off the east coast of Oz.

Two ships likely sunk. Also note the many Alied TFs off Rockhampton. Don�t know what they are, but they make me wonder.

[timg]http://lpix.org/1951579/subpositions.png[/timg]

Subs are settling into patrol zones. I�m going to be recalling my bigger I-boats - the ones capable of carrying midget subs. I have a fun plan for them.

Malaya/Borneo/Sumatra

Dutch bombers fly from Batavia to bomb my approaching Palembang invasion forces and run into long-range CAP sent from Kuching. The Zeroes massacre the outdated Dutch bombers.

Here�s a big view of the situation here:

1 - The Palembang invasion force. I expect them to begin landing either next turn or the one after.
2 - A division with lots of artillery support. The base it will land at is Merak, on the tip of Java and just a hex away from Batavia. I was initially planning to consolidate and set up the airbase at Palembang before trying to get a foothold on Java, but why not go all-in while I�ve kicked the door open? Still, it�s risky.

Other Theatres

Bombardments and marching and so on. Pretty quiet; all eyes on the East Indies.

Aircraft Losses

Nice.

< Message edited by Alikchi -- 3/19/2015 12:38:50 AM >

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Post #: 39

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:40:46 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 21: December 26, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Australia

It�s I-5�s turn to score a victim.

Then I-173. A torpedo brings the Iron Knight to a stop. I-173 surfaces and sprays the deck with 13.2mm machine gun fire. Then another torpedo to finish off the target.

There�s a lot of unescorted shipping off Australia right now. I wonder what Lord Windy is doing?

Malaya/Borneo/Sumatra

Our invasion fleets sweep into Palembang as the day begins. The tip of the spear, a surface combat force including four heavy cruisers, one CL and four destroyers, runs into a tanker convoy escorted by the Royal Navy light cruisers HMS Dragon and HMS Durban. I suspect the tankers were attempting to evacuate oil.

quote:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Palembang at 48,91, Range 25,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
CA Maya
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
CL Kuma, Shell hits 1
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Yukikaze
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze

Allied Ships
CL Dragon, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
CL Durban, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
TK Strix, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
TK Semiramis, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Manvantara, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
TK Iris, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
CA Atago engages TK Iris at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages TK Iris at 24,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Durban at 24,000 yards
CA Maya engages TK Iris at 24,000 yards
CA Takao engages TK Manvantara at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards
CA Atago engages CL Durban at 23,000 yards
Magazine explodes on CL Durban
CL Durban sunk by CA Maya at 23,000 yards
...
Range closes to 14,000 yards
TK Iris sunk by DD Tokitsukaze at 14,000 yards
...
CL Dragon sunk by CA Maya at 9,000 yards
...
TK Strix sunk by CA Takao at 9,000 yards
...
TK Semiramis sunk by DD Asakaze at 8,000 yards
TK Manvantara sunk by CA Takao at 8,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

There�s no escape from the confined space of the harbor. Durban�s magazine explodes early in the battle after a 20cm shell hit by Maya. Dragon goes down fighting but sinks anyhow, and the tankers are finished off shortly thereafter.

Akagi and Kaga are on bug zapper duty again, waving their butts at the Brits south of Singers. The RAF obliges by launching strikes from Singapore with inadequate Buffalo escort. It�s a very lopsided fight. Followup strikes by RAAF Wirraways and RAF Vildebeest biplanes are suicidally brave but fail to make an impact.

The Dutch send bombers after our ships disembarking troops at Palembang, but Zeroes deal with them handily as well.

At Palembang itself, our destroyers bombard the enemy and duel with coast defense guns. We take a few hits in the process. Still, they�re suppressed well enough. Our boys land successfully and in large numbers. We expect to take the place shortly.

Meanwhile in northern Malaya, the IJAAF continues to bomb Georgetown with no opposition.

Philippines/Celebes

Our advancing troops take Clark Field. We�ll be transferring in engineers and aviation support dudes shortly so we can repair and take advantage of the fancy American facilities.

On Celebes, we�ve been landing additional troops at Manado. With today�s shock attack we finally take the damn place. I have been consistently underestimating the number of troops required to take these bases - we�re still stalled at Rabaul.

China

50,000 Chinese soldiers overwhelm my paltry defense here.

quote:

Ground combat at Hwainan (89,50)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 54247 troops, 347 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1801

Defending force 7127 troops, 52 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 261

Allied adjusted assault: 1208

Japanese adjusted defense: 42

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Hwainan !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3584 casualties reported
Squads: 104 destroyed, 133 disabled
Non Combat: 62 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 32 (17 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
1453 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 141 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
84th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army
31st Group Army

Defending units:
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th RGC Ind. Brigade
7th RGC Temp. Division

We�re railing in troops to try to counter this army - I�m concerned.

Aircraft Losses

Massacre of the innocents.

_____________________________

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Post #: 40

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:42:01 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 22: December 27, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Australia

I-22 fires a spread of six torpedoes at a destroyer and misses. HMAS Stuart doesn�t take it lying down and makes an effective depth charge run. Time for our sub to slink home.

I-5 gets a measure of revenge. The Australians send some gunboats out to hunt Japanese subs - the Swan is torpedoed for her trouble.

Borneo/Sumatra/Java

Our aircraft have been reporting Allied shipping hanging out around Batavia for a few turns now. Given the anemic response of the Dutch to the Palembang invasion - and the destruction of a large part of their bomber force in the past few days - I decide to send Akagi and Kaga down to say hello.

A single Dutch fighter rises to challenge our strike force and is brusquely knocked down. Kates, Mabels and Vals streak in.

Two strikes go out and we do a decent amount of damage. Light cruiser Glasgow is almost definitely sunk, heavy cruiser Canberra is hammered badly, and a few merchant ships and destroyers take painful hits as well. If I�m disappointed about anything, it�s all the misses on HMS Exeter. That�s a nasty ship, a River Plate veteran, and I�d like it sunk.

I�ll pull Akagi and Kaga back towards Cam Ranh Bay now. They�ve done great work in the past few days but I don�t want to run them down.

The Americans have resumed their B-17 strikes on Miri at Borneo - I suppose the airfield at Manila has been repaired enough at this point. Our Nates are enough to keep them away, though. The Ki-27 doesn�t have the firepower to actually take town a Flying Fortress - they�re barely fast enough to catch one - but the poor USAAF crews have such low morale that they turn back under fire.

South at Tarakan, we�ve started landing troops. They�re not doing so hot. Without adequate bombardment, the Dutch 75mm and 120mm gun crews are having a field day blasting away at our transports. At 7,000 yards with a stationary target, it�s hard for them to miss. Zenyo Maru sinks outright. This is another attack we�re gonna have to reinforce, I suspect.

Et Cetera

An S-boat sinks one of our transports. I do more industrial tweaking and start shifting troops around in Manchukuo. I�m going to be pulling the most experienced ones out via Korea to reinforce the far Pacific.

Aircraft Losses

< Message edited by Alikchi -- 3/19/2015 12:42:02 AM >

_____________________________

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Post #: 41

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:43:55 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 23: December 28, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Borneo

The Tarakan guns shoot up another one of our transports, and a parachutist attack on Bandjermasin has stalled. Annoying. Tarakan will need reinforcement - an attack by the Naval Guardsmen that have managed to land fails.

Sumatra

Palembang falls! The 4th Independent Mixed Regiment takes the place intact. A whole bunch of support troops begin landing shortly afterwards. With size 4 port and airfield, Palembang is an awesome base, and probably the future home of our bombers currently in Saigon.

The Brits keep launching strikes at our shipping and our Zeroes keep chewing them up. Wirraways and Vildebeests are particularly roughly handled.

Java

With all those ships still concentrated around Batavia, I decide to send Kongo and Haruna to see if they can pick anything off.

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Batavia at 49,97, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CL Jintsu
DD Kaosame
DD Hatsushimo
DD Akishimo
DD Asashimo

Allied Ships
CVL Hermes
CL Danae
CL Mauritius
DD Vampire
DD Banckert
DD Witte de With

Improved night sighting under 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 75% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 13,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 14,000 yards...
Range increases to 15,000 yards...
Range increases to 16,000 yards...
Range increases to 17,000 yards...
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
Range increases to 19,000 yards...
Range increases to 20,000 yards...
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Allied Air Combat TF evades combat

Super frustrating! We were extremely close to catching these guys, but the radar (presumably on HMS Hermes) gave them enough warning to escape.

Elsewhere

I detached a couple of heavy cruisers to bombard the Dutch base at Ambon in the eastern DEI. They run into a small task force of Americans on their way back to Palau:

quote:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Namlea at 76,108, Range 22,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Kurama
CA Ashitaka
DD Akatsuki
DD Hibiki
DD Sagiri

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Chew, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Stewart, Shell hits 28, and is sunk

Easy money.

In China, one of our larger armies encounters an isolated enemy corps on the road to Changsha. We nearly wipe it out and continue heading west.

Aircraft Losses

I don't know where those P-40E losses came from..?

_____________________________

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Post #: 42

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:45:14 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 24: December 29, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Java

With nothing appearing capable of stopping me, I decide to send Kongo, Haruna and their escorts to Batavia again tonight.

We run into Hermes et al once more and this time do some damage. I believe at least one of those shells that hit the CVL was a fat 36cm one from Kongo.

Anyways, we shoulder past them and find Canberra, Perth, two destroyers and a bunch of transports and maul this group too. A good night�s work.

Daylight comes with a surprise! Akagi and Kaga are back, I couldn�t resist taking another shot. Or maybe they reacted back into strike range, I can�t remember. Anyways, more air strikes from their pilots, more damage. I believe we finish off several damaged ships here.

Under the cover of all this naval action, I have succesfully landed the IJA 38th Division, two engineer regiments, and four artillery units at Merak. Next turn we�ll take the place (it�s undefended) and start marching on Batavia, just next door! I�m saving up political points to pull a second division out of Korea to help.

Borneo

A last desperate attack by my paratroopers fails at Bandjermasin. I will be shipping in some naval troops to finish taking the place. The paras will be supplied by airdrop.

The B-17s are still going after Miri so I�ve told our Formosa bombers to hit Manila again. Gotta keep em quiet.

New Britain/New Guinea/Solomons

Some bad timing going on here. I sent a small fast transport force south to reinforce the Rabaul attack. A couple CLs, an LSD, some APDs and a few conventional cargo vessels. They start unloading the 2nd Independent SNLF Company in the early hours of the morning.

Daybreak comes and oh hey look there�s a USN carrier within strike range. Here come the Dauntlesses.

They sink two APDs, damage another and bruise the LSD Shiushu - another one of those valuable ships that can be converted into a light carrier. It�s just one strike, thankfully, or I would have probably lost them all. I break up the task force by speed, so that the faster ships (the LSD and two CLs) have a better chance of escaping.

This is all happening within a day�s steaming of Truk. The whole Kido Butai is there, repairing after their very long trip through the far Pacific. I�m sending the four healthiest carriers south at high speed. Maybe we can catch the Americans off-guard? They�re still using Buffalos which means they�re vulnerable as ****.

China

Ow ow ow I think I�m gonna lose Ichang. Outnumbered, my division there is getting mauled. Things are better by Kaifeng, where an ill-advised shock attack grants my boys easy targets.

Aircraft Losses

Nice and low, but now I really am pulling back Akagi and Kaga. For real.

_____________________________

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Post #: 43

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:46:48 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 25: December 30, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Big day, another carrier battle!

Far Pacific

December 30 begins with an interesting (if one-sided) fight. Last week I sent out the AMCs (armed merchant cruisers) Kinryu Maru and Kongo Maru off to do some deep-ocean raiding - hopefully hit a few convoys.

Well, they hit a convoy today, all right, south of the Phoenix Islands. Unfortunately, it�s escorted by four cruisers and five destroyers.

Our AMCs manage to close in and get a single hit on an AP - this convoy must be carrying a full division at least, that�s a LOT of big APs. Kinryu Maru takes several shells for her impertinence. When daylight comes, American carrier aircraft - Wildcats, Buffalo and Dauntlesses - appear overhead and bomb our boats to smithereens. Well! At least I know where another one (?) of his carriers is.

Philippines

Yesterday, I mentioned in passing that I would be ordering bomber strikes on Manila to keep the airfield down. They go out - without escort. I forgot that I�d set their escorting fighters to �stand down� and recover their fatigue a few turns back.

The USAAF fighters have a field day chewing up Betties over Manila. It�s a big mess and I lose a lot of them. A wing of Sallies show up without escort, too. Altogether we lose 16 Betties and 13 Sallies today, although not all of them over Manila.

On a more positive note, our troops are starting to reach the Manila and Bataan hexes.

Java/Borneo/Sumatra

We send in four heavy cruisers to Batavia and they sink a transport fleet with torpedoes. The enemy really has no defense here.

As expected, our troops take Merak with no opposition and start marching on Batavia.

New Guinea/New Britain/Solomons

Kairyu, Hiryu, Koryu and Soryu blitz south with their escorts. They make it to the western side of New Britain, just north of Cape Gloucester. The aircraft go scouting and what do you know: we are in a target-rich environment.

There appear to be at least two American carriers or carrier groups operating down here. They continue to bomb our transports at Rabaul, although thankfully the really valuable stuff (the LSD and two CLs) have made their escape in the night.

Japanese carriers begin flinging machines skyward.The first strike to go out is Zeroes and Vals, hitting ships spotted in Port Moresby harbour. These include the battlecruiser Australia, whose anti-aircraft guns take a fearful toll of the Vals. We only manage three hits on the battlecruiser, none of which appear to do much damage. Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide is not so lucky. She catches fire with the first hit, drawing Vals to her like moths, and is almost surely sunk. The poor RAN is really getting hammered this game�

Then the big strike goes out - Kates, after an American carrier revealed to be the USS Lexington. The Kates receive an unfortunately smallish fighter escort; the Zeroes have been partitioned out to ALL the strikes, including the ones against Port Moresby and the various allied transports floating around here for some reason. Another significant contingent stays behind to protect the CVs from a possible counterstrike. So: 54 Kates go in with 13 Zeroes as escort. Another 27 Kates separate from the main group and arrive with no escort whatsoever. One more caveat: this is an extended-range strike, meaning the Kates do not carry their deadly torpedoes or 800kg ballbuster bombs, but rather 250kg ticklers.

All that said, we do alright. There aren�t enough Zeroes to keep the Buffalo CAP off, and they shoot down quite a few Kates, but once we make it through the hits start trickling in. Three bombs smack Lexington in the first wave, and four more in the second, leaving the ship on fire and suffering heavily. I�d like to think we sunk it, but I have too much respect for American damage control. We�ve probably knocked the carrier out for five or six months at most.

More strikes go out - against cargo ships heading north and northwest towards Guam. This strikes me as bizarre. If he�d known or suspected there was going to be a carrier battle today, having a bunch of expendable ships floating around is a clever-but-gamey tactic. It certainly succeeded in diverting a bunch of my aircraft today. I don�t think Lord Windy is that kind of player, though.

Tomorrow we�ll cruise around to the southeastern side of New Britain. I expect Lexington to be running south as fast as she can. Maybe we can catch the other American carrier if she sticks around?

Aircraft Losses

A rough day for us. The heaviest single day of losses in the air war so far - and much of them unnecessary. At least the Kates died well, if you can call getting gunned down by tubby F2As dying well.

_____________________________

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Post #: 44

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:47:41 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 26: December 31, 1941

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

A relatively quick and quiet day. Keeping this update short, I need sleep.

Philippines

Operation #Vengeance4Betties begins. I sweep the hell out of the Manila airspace with Zeroes. P-40s rise to meet us and get shot down in lopsided numbers.

At Bataan, I roll the dice and hope for a lucky result with a shock attack by the 48th Recon Regiment. It doesn�t pay off. Going defensive until the 65th Brigade comes up to help. We need this hex to effectively isolate Manila.

New Britain/New Guinea/Solomons

The Americans have vanished entirely. No sign of the carriers whatsoever. We try for a deliberate attack at Rabaul and are repulsed. Another SNLF will be sent to help here.. :sigh:

China

Northeast of Kaifeng, we hold, this time against a deliberate attack. At Ichang, though, we�re getting hit hard. Our division there is getting knocked around badly and there�s not much I can do about it.

Aircraft Losses

**** yo Warhawks.

_____________________________

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Post #: 45

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:48:48 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 27: January 1, 1942

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Short update to kick off the new year! January 2 will follow soon.

Philippines

More sweeps over Manila. Losses aren�t as lopsided as yesterday, but it helps.

On the ground, things suddenly look nasty. He has a BIG army at Manila - 80,000 men to men to our 30,000 - and I haven�t arrived in good order. The Allies begin attacking to push me out of the hex. The casualty ratio isn�t bad today but I won�t be able to hold out too long. I�m going to have to rethink my strategy for the siege of Manila - and it�s definitely going to end up being a siege, not a battle.

Borneo

Jolo is built up enough and the Betties there are rested enough that I�m comfortable using them. I send them after ships docked at Tarakan and they score a few nice hits.

Further west along the southern coast, the important oil center of Balikpapan falls. I�m really quite pleased with the progress in the East Indies. Tarakan and Balikpapan�s coast defence guns put up a valiant effort though, I�ve lost a few transports.

Aircraft Losses

_____________________________

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Post #: 46

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:49:13 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 28: January 2, 1942

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Far Pacific

I-21 gets very lucky! The heavy cruiser USS San Francisco steams into her sights west of Samoa and the captain reports two solid hits.

Philippines

I reactivate a mishmash of Army bombers and sent them after Bataan. As has been stated in the thread, once we take the peninsula and clean the minefields, we�ll be able to sail right into Manila Bay with battleships and hammer the city into submission. Given the number of troops the Americans have available, it�s a necessary prerequisite.

Malaya/Sumatra/Java

I�ve been stuffing Palembang full of air support units, engineers, base forces, aircraft and supplies. Today we unleash the Zeroes, Nells and Betties. The first wave goes for Singapore.

Now that�s a heavy CAP. The Japanese fighters are actually outnumbered for once and don�t perform well. A fair few bombers make it through but are too disrupted to do much damage. I decide to launch fighter sweeps in the future to clear the air before I try sending bombers in again.

A simultaneous attack hits Batavia port. The Dutch fighters are kept away and our bombers skim over the anchorage dumping 60kg and 250kg bombs everywhere. One of those 250kg bombs penetrates HMS Hermes� flight deck and causes a fuel storage explosion. The 60kg bombs take out turrets, radar mounts and other subsystems with lucky hits.

China

Holy **** that�s a lot of Chinese at Luchow. I feel like I�m being outplayed by Lord Windy in this theatre. Maybe it�s just that my heavy punches (at Sian and Changsha) are taking longer to connect.

Aircraft Losses

The Brits (and Australians and New Zealanders) were rough on the Nells today.

_____________________________

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Post #: 47

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:50:01 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 29: January 3, 1942

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Philippines

I�m an idiot!

I decided to ship in the headquarters of the 21st Air Flotilla from Formosa to Clark Field a few turns back. I figured that I could land them on the western hex side of Clark, facing the South China Sea.

Instead, the transports attempted to sail past Bataan and Manila Bay to land at Clark. They did not survive the American minefields and coastal defence guns.

A couple of ships are barely afloat. I�ll be beaching them and saving as many troops as I can. Still, yeesh. This is embarassing.

Malaya

As promised, we start sweeping Singapore. 42 Zeroes from Borneo go out today and do quite well! 8 Hurricanes, 7 Buffalo, 5 Whirlwinds and 4 Spitfires are shot down.

Celebes

A big invasion convoy, escorted by battleships Nagato and Mutsu, is en route to Makassar. If anything I�ve overshot on troop numbers this time, and included quite a few aviation support units and base forces with the invasion force proper. I want to turn Makassar into a nice Betty/Zero base.

Et Cetera

Remember Hyuga getting pasted by Dauntlesses in the far Pacific? She�s finally safe and sound at Tokyo shipyard right now, undergoing major repairs. Expect her back in action around June.

Speaking of the distant seas, we�re dropping off a base force at Tabiteuea. I want to build an interlocking series of Betty/Zero bases with decent airfields to project power in this region.

We remain stalled at Tarakan, Rabaul, Wake, Ambon, and Bataan. I hope for all but Bataan and Wake to fall soon - reinforcements are coming.

Aircraft Losses

_____________________________

(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 48

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/18/2015 11:51:23 PM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 30: January 4, 1942

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Malaya/Singapore

Many, many waves of Zeroes and Oscars sweep Singapore airspace. The Brits put up a tougher fight than the Americans at Manila have, generally, with the Spitfires and Hurricanes giving their defense some backbone. Still, we�re grinding them down. I hope to make the place untenable for aircraft by the time our troops arrive - we�d be able to bomb unmolested every day.

Philippines

I try a bombardment attack at Manila and am punished for it by American artillery. This is a bad place to be. The enemy counterattacks and inflicts 3000 casualties. If he keeps that up, I�ll be kicked out of the hex.

A deliberate attack at Bataan does poorly as well.

DEI

North of New Guinea, light cruiser Nagara and a pack of destroyers take out a lone transport.

The 38th Division has almost marched to Batavia to begin the siege there. Lots of independent artillery units are tagging along as well.

An invasion force approaches Kendari, and reinforcements are about to hit the beach at Ambon.

Aircraft Losses

Grinding them down...

_____________________________

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Post #: 49

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/19/2015 12:49:40 AM

Jorge_Stanbury

Posts: 4320
Joined: 2/29/2012
From: Toronto and Lima
Status: offline

Kudos for your AAR!

reading it, make me want to start a new game as Japan!!. This of course will need to wait as I am busy in my Allied, PBEM game... maybe against the AI

Happy hunting, I am signed

(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 50

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/19/2015 2:08:38 AM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Kudos for your AAR!

reading it, make me want to start a new game as Japan!!. This of course will need to wait as I am busy in my Allied, PBEM game... maybe against the AI

Happy hunting, I am signed

Thank you very much!

I'm not actually very good at this game, despite being around from the beginning, but my opponent is relatively new too. I imagine this all must look terribly amateurish to this forum.

_____________________________

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Post #: 51

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/19/2015 6:33:10 AM

FeurerKrieg

Posts: 3397
Joined: 6/15/2005
From: Denver, CO
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

quote:

ORIGINAL: veji1

Are you the Alikchi who did the Iron Storm scenario for the old WITP ?

Yes! Ages and ages ago.

I remember our fun, but brief, playtest of Iron Storm. I dug that AAR up a couple months ago and was reading through it. Been a few years now...

_____________________________

Upper portion used with permission of www.subart.net, copyright John Meeks

(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 52

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/19/2015 12:27:05 PM

ny59giants

Posts: 9869
Joined: 1/10/2005
Status: offline

Soerabaja - An important base for Allied players. Ideal to service Dutch and American subs and reload larger warship's main guns. IMO, you should get some recon on base and plan to hit port hard when able.

Dutch have two things going for them in war - subs and CD guns. You need CAs or BBs embedded with your transports when invading places like Tarakan, Balikpapan, and Ambon unless you want your transports to get sunk.

_____________________________

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Post #: 53

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/19/2015 1:34:35 PM

Jorge_Stanbury

Posts: 4320
Joined: 2/29/2012
From: Toronto and Lima
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Kudos for your AAR!

reading it, make me want to start a new game as Japan!!. This of course will need to wait as I am busy in my Allied, PBEM game... maybe against the AI

Happy hunting, I am signed

Thank you very much!

I'm not actually very good at this game, despite being around from the beginning, but my opponent is relatively new too. I imagine this all must look terribly amateurish to this forum.

Few people is really good at this game; most of us are just enthusiastic amateurs.

Moreover, you are playing a custom scenario; so the "canned" strategies might not work here. Just be open minded to try whatever makes sense for your game

(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 54

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/21/2015 4:18:51 AM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

quote:

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

quote:

ORIGINAL: veji1

Are you the Alikchi who did the Iron Storm scenario for the old WITP ?

Yes! Ages and ages ago.

I remember our fun, but brief, playtest of Iron Storm. I dug that AAR up a couple months ago and was reading through it. Been a few years now...

It was a good time! Good to see you're still kicking around.

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Post #: 55

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/21/2015 4:20:54 AM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 31: January 5, 1942

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Subs

Ah god dammit. The fires burn out of control and Shiriya cannot be saved.

TOO MUCH TUNA

Noooooo

Malaya/Singapore

The sweeps have done enough damage that I�m pleased to send the bombers in from Palembang again. We do very well - quite a few hits on the runway. Many aircraft are destroyed on the ground, including five Spitfires!

DEI

[timg]http://lpix.org/1964885/sorong.png[/timg]

Kendari and Makassar invasions are progressing well. Scouts report a gang of Allied ships hanging around Sorong for some reason. The IJN will pay them a visit in the morning.

New Britain

Our final batch of reinforcements for Rabaul are almost there. I expect to take the damn place this time. It�s a second SNLF, 60 AV.

Central Pacific

I�ve given up on Wake. The evacuation force is heading that way, escorted by the KB (all six carriers are seaworthy enough). We�ll pick up the survivors and come back another day. Maybe we can sink the Allied ships reported to be hanging around the place in the process.

Sunk Ships

The most valuable (by points) ships reported sunk in the Pacific War so far.

Aircraft Losses

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(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 56

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/21/2015 4:21:28 AM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 32: January 6, 1942

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

DEI

Sorong! A bunch of USN refugees from the Philippines are hanging out here for some reason, including the Galloping Ghost of the South China Coast.

They�re brave, but they aren�t equipped to fight Nagara and her destroyer pals. Down they go.

Our division & change arrives at Batavia and launches an artillery bombardment.

We�re significantly outnumbered, but I doubt the Dutch have the power to actually push us out of the hex, like the Americans have done at Manila. It looks like Windy has pulled almost everything mobile on Java over here, too. I plan to slip an SNLF around the city and start capturing the island behind the KNIL�s back.

To reinforce the Batavia attack proper, the 28th Division has begun loading at Fusan in the southern tip of Korea.

Another force is passing unmolested through the Java Sea already, with troops set to occupy the island of Flores. Also: Kendari falls, and a deliberate attack at Tarakan destroys the fortifications of the place. Not much longer now.

Malaya/Singapore

Our troops are racing south with no opposition. Tank regiments are leading the way. We capture an undefended Kuala Lumpur today.With control of the railway, we can now send our footsloggers south much more quickly.

Philippines

MacArthur�s huge American/Filipino army pushes us out of the Manila environs. We went in half-cocked and paid the price for it. Our boys will rest and refit at Clark, and when we return, we�ll do it right.

Not pictured: Betties go in before the fighter sweeps over the city and get roughly handled by Manila�s brave remaining aerial defenders. A bad day over here in general.

Aircraft Losses

I�m really bad with Betties and Nells. Geez. Doing okay otherwise.

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(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 57

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/21/2015 4:22:35 AM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 33: January 7, 1942

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

China

**** is developing all over the place here.

1 - Our march on Sian is developing nicely, with no real opposition
2 - At the crossroads northwest of Kaifeng we continue to hold our ground. 71,000 Chinese troops attack 16,000 Japanese and our repulsed. Multiple divisions of reinforcements are only a mile away from entering the hex. If he goes for another assault tomorrow he�ll be in for a surprise.
3 - The Chinese capture Luchow, badly mauling the 116th Division and accompanying units. We simultaneously take Hwainan to the northeast.
4 - Battle east of Changsha continues. It�s a stalemate, with roughly 40,000 troops on both sides. We have reinforcements on the way, but they may have to be diverted to Hankow, which the Chinese appear to be marching on.
5 - Get thee hence to the Southern Resource Area.

Philippines

We try another deliberate attack at Bataan and are again repulsed. The full 21st Division is a few days� march away from reinforcing the assault - that should clear the place out. We can then start clearing out mines.

At Clark, the units repulsed from Manila are switched to �rest� mode to take on replacements. It�ll likely be a few weeks before we return to the Philippine capital. That�s okay. It gives us time to repair the airfield and facilities at Clark and bomb Manila to pieces.

Malaya

A major air raid pounds Georgetown from the air while the 41st Infantry Regiment lays in an artillery bombardment on the ground. The Brits have evacuated the place apart from their static fortress unit so it shouldn�t be long now.

Sweeps over Singapore continue. The RAF does well today, shooting down a few Oscars.

Sumatra

Our troops are fanning out across the island from Palembang. Today we grab Lahat.

Celebes

Makassar falls to a shock attack. With its excellent port facilities and airfield - and support troops already in place - I expect it to be a very important base in the near future. Engineers immediately get to work prepping the place and expanding where necessary.

Northern Pacific

Yes, this theatre exists! It�s time to do some planning. I�ve started dropping off engineers at Paramushiro Jima (1) to build the place up, but I need to take some of the Aleutians or Windy will be able to build up heavy bomber bases and bother me. The question is how far to go? Taking Attu (2) alone is a bad idea - the place would be easy to isolate and take. Historically, the Japanese stopped at Kiska (3). I think I�ll go for Adak (4) - those extra few hexes of distance between it and Umnak (5) could provide a measure of security.

Aircraft Losses

The 2:1 loss rate in our favor is leaning more towards 3:2 now, with the fighting over Manila and Singapore the principal culprits.

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(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 58

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/21/2015 4:23:12 AM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 34: January 8, 1942

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

Philippines

Nagato, Mutsu and friends are returning to Formosa after their bombardment at Makassar and happen to blunder into an American task force south of Palawan.

The Americans are caught by surprise. Boise is a brave one and goes down fighting, badly damaging Agano with 6� shells and laying fire into the battleships as well. It�s not enough.

40cm shells send her down. Brooklyn-class CLs are nasty fighters and I�m glad we caught Boise at such a disadvantage.

Malaya/Singapore

Another major raid on Singers by the Palembang boys. 36 hits on the runway are reported and we knock out many aircraft on the ground. Unfortunately, I underestimated the Singapore flak. The Nells fly low for increased bombing accuracy and are torn up. Goddamn they�re fragile.

Georgetown falls.

Borneo

A deliberate attack at Tarakan reduces enemy fortifications to 0. Not much longer now.

Central Pacific

Our long-range scouts report some kind of Allied task force (1) east of the Marshalls. We sortie Unho, Junho, Harima and Inaba from Truk (2) to head that way. Meanwhile, Kido Butai and the Wake Island evac force are just a few days out (3).

Aircraft Losses

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(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 59

RE: SBD Dauntless fodder - Alikchi (J) vs Lord Windy (A) - 3/21/2015 4:24:08 AM

Alikchi2

Posts: 1785
Joined: 5/14/2004
Status: offline

Turn 35: January 9, 1942

>>VIDEO REPLAY<< >>COMBAT REPORT<<

China

As I�d hoped, the Chinese go for another deliberate attack at the (88, 43) crossroads, not realizing that my reinforcements have arrived. 67,000 of them attack 85,000 Japanese soldiers. Our men inflict huge casualties. This battle is now winnable.

Philippines

Not much happening here - more artillery bombardments and aerial bombings. We�re making decent progress at Clark: airfield runway damage is down to 34.

Agano is limping home, she�ll need some time pierside.

DEI

A string of bases fall on Borneo: Samarinda, Sambas and Pontianak. Tarakan should fall within a few days, the Dutch troops there are played out. Djambi (on Sumatra) falls to an armoured recon regiment, as well. All these bases falling means quite a few Dutch aircraft are captured on the ground, particularly at Pontianak.

Also, our marines begin landing at Ruteng, which is undefended.

New Britain

Rabaul falls! ****ing finally. It�ll be a bit before it�s actually useful - we need to ship in engineers and other support troops. Still. Thank Christ.

Central Pacific

The allied ships spotted yesterday have vanished - probably moved out of our air search radius. Our Wake evac force should arrive tomorrow.

At Truk, the 40th Brigade is well-rested and prepping for an invasion of Port Moresby. Now that Rabaul is dealt with, Moresby is next on the list.

Aircraft Losses

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Post #: 60

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