Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
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9/1/43
Thin Man: Very interesting D-Day at Kwaj. I get most of what I wanted, some things go awry, and I don't get a few things that I wanted.
On the "awry" account, Allied fighters do not fly any sweep or bombing missions. The former is particularly troublesome as it leaves the transports open to CAP when they bring in the 'chutes battalion. Also, the bmobardment TF, which began the day just three hexes from Kwaj, did not bombard until the afternoon part of the turn. This gives John's shoreguns a bit of a reprieve, but the shoreguns do little damage and the afternoon bombardment is very strong, shutting down the airfield (85% damage) and effecitvely targeting the garrison.
The amphibious assault begins early. The amphibs unload all troops and only one APA takes hits from a shore gun.
During the attack phase, the ajusted AVs of both forces are very low. So the Allied attack really messed up the defenses, but lack of preparation for the Allies lets the Japanese off the hook. Forts are six and aren't touched by the assault, which comes of at 8:14 (1:2) with John losing 10 combat squads and the Allies losing 42 combat squads. The defenses consist primarily of 2nd Maijura Assault Div. with various support units.
The failure to drop forts is the main concern. But the Allied troops are ashore in fairly large numbers with alot of supply. With the power of bombardments and the disruption already inflicted, I don't think the Japanese garrison has any chance of successfully counterattacking. Reducing those forts is a longterm proposition. But to save Kwaj, John will have to (I think) commit carriers and/or Kongos.
All troops were landed, so I'm debating whether to keep a few supply ships in place to offload more (though the units are already way oversupplied). The two BBs in the bombardment TF are down to 61% ammo, so they can't be used in that capacity. I haven't checked the two BBs imbedded in the amphib TFs to see how their main gum ammo is, but if that wasn't expended fighting the shore guns, then I'll consider unsing them in another bombardment tonight.
This attack has confirmed what I"ve seen previously - strong garrisons on 6k stacking limit atolls are highly susceptible to attacks supported by strong bombardments. Lack of prep was the only negative factor here, and I don't expect future attacks to involve a lack of prep.
No sign of Steroid KB. Mini KB remains posted at Wake Island.
Death Star is posted just east of Kwaj. All TFs are freshly refueled and all show 100% sorties (with one or two exceptions in the high 90s). So we're ready to fight if John is ready to fight.
BB Alabama arrived at Pearl. It will join BB Washington and CA Indianapolis to form a reinforcing TF heading to the Marshalls.
What happens next will be determined by John. Probably he will react strongly and send KB and Kongos. If so, we'll see if he's willing to commit more forward this time. On the chance that he doesn't commit his carriers (for instance, if fuel is more of a concern than I realize), then the reinforcing BBs will allow me to send in more bombardment TFs. I will also see if AE and Nav Support allow main gun replenishment at Jaluit, which is a levle four port.
Of equal importance, supply continues to offload at the islands. Maloelap, Mili and Jaluit all have 30k+. I'm still working on Ailinglaplap and Wtoje. I plan to attend to Tarawa if Kwaj sucks in all enemy forces, creating an opening further south. If not, I'll use LSTs and barges to attend to it.
Very interesting opening. The failure of the airforces to fly and the lack of prep were critical. But in many ways this was a pretty good opening to the assault.
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RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent - 
They help with your recovery there too.
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