RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Patience, and Firepower

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RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 9/27/2016 6:38:42 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

May 5th, 1944

So I attempted to land in the Andaman islands under cruiser and CVE support. I knew there was a good chance that the KB was in the area but I went for it anyway. It was a bad decision.

First, the Japanese sent in a pair of SCTFs into the fray at night:

quote:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 45,60, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo
DD Suzunami
DD Fujinami
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 37, and is sunk
DD Michishio, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 1
CL Gambia
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1
CL Newcastle, Shell hits 1
DD Arunta
DD Nizam
DD Paladin, Shell hits 1
DD Crosby
DD McKee, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hart, Shell hits 1
DD Kelvin]

RN just not able to hit those Japanese destroyers at night. To make matters worse, the IJN dodged both my cruiser task forces during the day:

quote:

Japanese Ships
CL Niyodo, Shell hits 2
DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 2
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 1
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CVL Hermes, Shell hits 5, on fire
CVE Ommaney Bay, Shell hits 9, on fire
CVE Savo Island, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
CVE Marcus Island, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
CVL Unicorn, Shell hits 4
CVE Begum, Shell hits 5, on fire
CVE Shah, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
DD Bennion
DD Bryant, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Mertz, Shell hits 1
DD Wilkes, Shell hits 1
DD Roe, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Balch, Shell hits 2, on fire
DE Donaldson, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Cauvery, Shell hits 1, on fire
DE Kistna, Shell hits 3

And after that they couldn't finish off the sole Japanese cruiser in the battle:

quote:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 45,60, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Niyodo, Shell hits 10, on fire
DD Kawakaze, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 27, and is sunk
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 26, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 1
CL Gambia, Shell hits 1
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1
CL Newcastle
DD Arunta, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Nizam
DD Paladin
DD Crosby, Shell hits 1
DD McKee, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hart, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Kelvin

Things went from bad to worse after that:

quote:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 45,60

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M4-Q Nell x 22
Ki-61-Id Tony x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M4-Q Nell: 2 damaged
G3M4-Q Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAK Clan Macneil
CL Ceylon
xAP Dunnatar Castle
xAP Rohna
xAK Carolinian, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Takliwa, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 45,60

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 111 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 44
N1K2-J George x 12
Ki-100-I Tony x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 25 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola
DD Pathfinder
CA London
CA Cumberland, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CL Emerald, Torpedo hits 1
CL Newfoundland
DD Petard

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 43,59

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 17
B6N1 Jill x 28
B6N2 Jill x 51
D4Y3 Judy x 50
N1K2-J George x 101

Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 35
Hellcat I x 15
F4U-1A Corsair x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 4 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 10 destroyed, 5 damaged
N1K2-J George: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair II: 1 destroyed
Hellcat I: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Ommaney Bay, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Hermes, Torpedo hits 1, Kamikaze hits 2, heavy fires
CVL Unicorn, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CVE Begum, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Newcastle
DD Bryant, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Balch, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DE Cauvery, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 43,59

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 12
B6N1 Jill x 32
B6N2 Jill x 29
D4Y3 Judy x 29
N1K2-J George x 87

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 2 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 5 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Achilles, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD McKee, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Arunta
CL Gambia, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CA Cornwall, Bomb hits 1
CL Newcastle, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hart, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Paladin, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Well that was a huge blow. The RN is destroyed. Both CVLs sunk and half the remaining cruisers sunk as well. After Rev Rico offered surrender, I wasn't really sure how hard he would play on. I guess this answered my question. Beautifully done. Does a lot to offset my cheap victory sinking a few carriers in Hong Kong.

Plans to take Andamans will need to be discarded. No amphibious outflanking manuevers will be possible in the Indian ocean for the rest of 1944 and perhaps longer. Instead, those units will be landed Ramree and march to Rangoon to help win the battle there. That's a very long march but without the British navy, there's no alternative.

The US Navy continues with its plans relatively unchanged. Despite these latest losses, King and Nimitz remained resolved to defeat Japan by early 1945 even without the help of their British allies.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 331

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 10/6/2016 8:00:32 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

May 15th, 1944

With the entirety of IJN assets being deployed in the Indian Ocean, landing at Marcus Island was not an issue. The navy suffered no losses. Firepower in the initial landing was pretty good:

quote:

Pre-Invasion action off Marcus Island (123,85) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

115 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania
CL Jeanne d'Arc, Shell hits 2
DD Vampire
DD Bancroft
DD Miller
SC PC-787
LCI(G)-455
LCI(G)-454
LCI(G)-453
LCI(G)-452
LCI(G)-451
LCI(G)-450
LCI(G)-449
LCI(G)-442
LCI(G)-441
LCI(G)-440
LCI(G)-439
LCI(G)-438
LCI(G)-437
LCI(G)-82
LCI(G)-81
LCI-447
DD L'Agile
LCI-448

Japanese ground losses:
577 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

The initial landing went well enough. Those LCI(G)s do a lot of damage in landings. Very useful for atolls.

After that, the Death star launched a giant air attack on the base:

quote:

Morning Air attack on Minamitorishima Naval Guard Unit, at 123,85 (Marcus Island)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 333
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 96
SBD-5 Dauntless x 187
TBF-1 Avenger x 99
TBM-1C Avenger x 120

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 13 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 25 (1 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Given that the defenders were in a level 6 fort, those are pretty good results. You'd think the defenders might be somewhat suppressed to ease the landings. Not true:

quote:

Ground combat at Marcus Island (123,85)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9508 troops, 145 guns, 260 vehicles, Assault Value = 379

Defending force 4596 troops, 87 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 113

Allied adjusted assault: 38

Japanese adjusted defense: 83

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 6)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
388 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4172 casualties reported
Squads: 143 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 53 destroyed, 67 disabled
Engineers: 41 destroyed, 42 disabled
Guns lost 46 (38 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 77 (31 destroyed, 46 disabled)

Assaulting units:
201st(Sep) Infantry Regiment
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
4th USMC Tank Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd USA Def Bn /2

Defending units:
13th Ind.Mixed Regiment
Minamitorishima Naval Guard Unit
35th JNAF AF Unit

Oh boy that's an awful result. The Japanese are on a bit of a roll of late. First destroying the RN and now smashing my invasion forces on the beaches. Luckily, I have reinforcements coming with tanks and a marine defense battalion. Carriers will continue to pound the base. My BBs will help soon.

Meanwhile, the damaged ships from the earlier carrier battle SW of Davao finally got to Pearl Harbor today. Long journey but they all made it in one piece (sub attacks almost nonexistent these days). A good 1/3rd of CV and fast BBs are currently being repaired in Pearl Harbor. Once they get back, I plan on using the Death Star to start pulverising Japanese cities with massive raids targeting aircraft factories, especially advanced fighters, to break Japan's ability to replace what will surely be massive losses.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 332

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 10/31/2016 4:47:00 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

May 31st 1944

Well after many weeks of almost nothing since the failed invasion of the Andamans, my summer 1944 offensive has finally begun! The plan: the invasion of Hokkaido and the Kuriles. The scale of the operation is massive beyond comprehension. Nearly the entire USN is involved here. No less than 12 divisions, ~12 regiments/brigades, 2 theatre HQs, 2 army HQs, and 3 corp HQs are involved. For weeks they had been assembling in the open north Pacific following the seizure of Marcus Island. A good 60% of the combat strength deployed in the center and south Pacific are part of this initial invasion force. To my knowledge this was done without the Japanese having a clue of my intentions. I even refrained from launch recon planes in an effort to conceal my true intentions as much as possible. This operation is the culmination of what I think is the most successful military strategy: a credible threat to the flank followed by a surprise devastating attack in the center before the enemy can react (took a page from Napoleon here). In this case, this meant months of campaigning towards the traditional targets of the Marianas and the DEI. I believed that continued attacks along the southern flank of the empire would create the illusion that I intended to win the war in those areas. SigInt has confirmed my thinking: significant Japanese units have been deployed in the DEI and CentPac to counter those attacks. Some bases in those regions are defended by 40k or more troops. Against that, it seems the Japanese have no more than 80k troops in all of Hokkaido and 20k in the Kuriles. My strategy seems to have caught the Japanese completely of guard. Not only have they refrained from any naval or air attacks: I don't even see IJA or IJAAF assets in the area! I had counted on massive numbers of Japanese squadrons launching wave after wave from their level 9 air bases in range of my landings but so far that threat is not materializing. Units have already landed at Paramushiro-jima in the north and seem to be in great shape of clearing the island within a week. And more landings will be coming:

The long term plan here is very simple: a strategic bombing campaign against Japanese aircraft manufacturing. I intend to bring the empire to its knees by crippling its ability to producing advanced fighters that have any hope of challenging my fighters. Part of my plan will involve taking important bases in open terrain in the mainland but I do NOT intend to get involved in heavy street fighting until much later. The idea is to destroy the weak points of the Japanese war machine before trying to smash the IJA in their strongholds.

< Message edited by Sangeli -- 10/31/2016 4:54:27 AM >

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 333

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 10/31/2016 5:25:27 PM

BBfanboy

Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline

quote:

Sangeli: This operation is the culmination of what I think is the most successful military strategy: a credible threat to the flank followed by a surprise devastating attack in the center before the enemy can react (took a page from Napoleon here).

Or for readers of this forum, the strategy that Nemo advised to Greyjoy in his initial PBEM. Here's hoping your air battles work the way they are supposed to. Greyjoy's great gambit was ruined by the air combat model not allowing enough CAP interceptions for the massive numbers of aircraft involved on both sides, so protection of and by carriers was unsustainable. Michael M significantly increased the number of interceptions the air combat phase can handle but AFAIK this could be the first time such aircraft numbers test it.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 334

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/1/2016 6:44:59 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

quote:

Sangeli: This operation is the culmination of what I think is the most successful military strategy: a credible threat to the flank followed by a surprise devastating attack in the center before the enemy can react (took a page from Napoleon here).

Or for readers of this forum, the strategy that Nemo advised to Greyjoy in his initial PBEM. Here's hoping your air battles work the way they are supposed to. Greyjoy's great gambit was ruined by the air combat model not allowing enough CAP interceptions for the massive numbers of aircraft involved on both sides, so protection of and by carriers was unsustainable. Michael M significantly increased the number of interceptions the air combat phase can handle but AFAIK this could be the first time such aircraft numbers test it.

Well, that must have been a while ago with an earlier patch. The latest official patch is VERY friendly towards CAP and really nerfs LBA. As of yet, the Japanese have launched NO air attacks against me! Hell, I don't even see fighters scrambling to defend Japanese air space! The only opposition at all so far have been CD guns and mines. Granted I haven't yet landed in Hokkaido to trigger Kamikazees but still it's been very anticlimatic. Assuming my Hokkaido landings go well I will probably stop paying attention to pilots and other micro-manangement issues and just worry about beating down Japan. A big part of this is certainly that I've given the IJN such a beat down they have very little left in the tank to counter me. The IJN can field about ~250 carrier planes, 2 BBs, 2-5 CAs, and maybe 4-7 CLs. Though I definitely could see Rev Rico trying to lure me into a false sense of security and launching an all out kamikaze attack once it gets triggered.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 335

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/2/2016 5:55:02 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

June 2nd, 1944

Well, it's been another two days and there have been no attacks on Allied ships! The landings are going very well. I've lost a few ships to CD guns and mines but nothing bad at all. However, today the Japanese decided to bring fighters in and surprise me with a CAP trap:

quote:

Morning Air attack on Sapporo , at 120,51

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 39
N1K2-J George x 57
Ki-84a Frank x 154

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 4 destroyed, 10 damaged

Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sapporo at 120,51

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 34
N1K2-J George x 101
Ki-84a Frank x 144

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 176
SBD-5 Dauntless x 63
TBF-1 Avenger x 16
TBM-1C Avenger x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 18 destroyed, 11 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 destroyed
TBM-1C Avenger: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
PB Minowa Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL P-83
AMc Genchi Maru
AMc Toseki Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Mogami maru #9
AMc Mogami Maru
AMc Banshu Maru #51, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Fumi Maru #5, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Hino Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Those two air battles plus a bunch of SBDs shot down during the search phase cost me over 100 planes. Not much I can do to counter that. Sending in some CVE based Corsairs to sweep some Japanese bases in an attempt to clear the air a bit. But CAP traps could happen at any base so it may not work. But hey, as long as my ships aren't being attacked I am very happy. An a side note, these are also the first A2A losses for B-29s. So far I have kept them under wraps. Going forward, I will use B-29s to strike the bases in southern Japan while my B-24s attack closer to home. Can't wait to turn Hokkaido into one massive air base to crush Japan :)

Here is the current map:

As you can see, I have landed (and launched attacks) in three different bases along the Kuriles. The only ones with air bases I might add. Should be able to get Etoforu tomorrow and the other bases soon after. Won't be long until P-47s are clearing the air over northern Japan :)

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 336

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/2/2016 5:44:00 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

Well, so much for not losing ships today! I'm not going to divulge everything yet, but just so you get a taste for what happened, here is the first battle over the Death Star:

quote:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 28
A6M8 Zero x 58
B6N2 Jill x 15
N1K1-J George x 20
N1K2-J George x 47
Ki-84a Frank x 21

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1A Corsair x 127
F6F-3 Hellcat x 341

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 11 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Mind you, that was the first strike. There would be many more to come. And some of them would hit their mark.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 337

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/3/2016 6:57:04 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

June 3rd, 1944

Just days before the Allies would land in Normandy, the USN fought the largest engagement in the war against Japan in covering their own invasions of Hokkaido. The Japanese launched an all out attack on my carrier forces. LBA, KB, you name it. Even Ki-27 Nates got involved! Unfortunately, the USN was not able to launch any strikes against the KB. Probably because of the lack of detection needed to react to it an 8 hex strike. Here are some screenshots of the strikes in action:

There are just too many strikes to post! But I attached the replay anyway. Here are the strikes that actually hit ships:

quote:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 36
D4Y1 Judy x 30
D4Y3 Judy x 36
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36
Ki-84a Frank x 32

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1A Corsair x 117
F6F-3 Hellcat x 315

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 17 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Essex
CVL San Jacinto, Bomb hits 1
BC Renown
CVL Cabot, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Bunker Hill

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 129
G3M2 Nell x 35
G4M1 Betty x 35
P1Y1 Frances x 9
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 18
Ki-84a Frank x 17

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1A Corsair x 116
F6F-3 Hellcat x 279

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 16 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 5 destroyed, 14 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
P1Y1 Frances: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Torpedo hits 2
CV Bunker Hill
CVE Barnes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVE Shipley Bay
CVE Ranee, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Saginaw Bay, Torpedo hits 1
CVL San Jacinto
CVL Cabot, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BC Renown
DD Irwin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 95 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 24
A6M8 Zero x 35
D3A1 Val x 27
N1K1-J George x 10
N1K2-J George x 48
Ki-27b Nate x 114
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 11
Ki-84a Frank x 27

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1A Corsair x 100
F6F-3 Hellcat x 216

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 19 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-27b Nate: 8 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 43

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 9
F4U-1A Corsair x 50
F6F-3 Hellcat x 96

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 18 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
CLAA Raleigh
CVL San Jacinto
BC Renown, Torpedo hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 11
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 26
Ki-48-IIc Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 5
F4U-1A Corsair x 15
F6F-3 Hellcat x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVL San Jacinto, Bomb hits 1
CV Bunker Hill
CVE Barnes, on fire
CVE Shamrock Bay

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 59

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 1
F4U-1A Corsair x 14
F6F-3 Hellcat x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 8 destroyed, 24 damaged
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 7 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Bunker Hill
CVE Barnes, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Saginaw Bay
CV Essex, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVL San Jacinto
CVE Shipley Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVE Shamrock Bay

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13
Ki-46-III Dinah x 50

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 5 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 6 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Rudyerd Bay, Kamikaze hits 1
CV Bunker Hill, Kamikaze hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 32,560 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 45

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 18 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Essex, Kamikaze hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Rudyerd Bay
CV Bunker Hill, Kamikaze hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 3
CVL San Jacinto, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Daly, Kamikaze hits 1
DD Caldwell
DD Young

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 30
Ki-46-III Dinah x 27

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 12 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVL San Jacinto, on fire, heavy damage
DD Caldwell, Kamikaze hits 1, heavy damage
DD Duncan
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire
DD Daly
CV Essex, Kamikaze hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
DD Alden, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
DD Gwin, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bunker Hill, Kamikaze hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Cabot, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
DD Young, Kamikaze hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 114 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 57

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 24 destroyed
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CV Bunker Hill, Kamikaze hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Rudyerd Bay, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
DD Morrison
DD Caldwell, Kamikaze hits 2, and is sunk
DD Daly, Kamikaze hits 3, and is sunk
CVL San Jacinto, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, Kamikaze hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Duncan, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
DD Young
DD Gwin, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 32

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 16 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BC Renown, heavy fires
CVE Rudyerd Bay, on fire
CVE Natoma Bay, on fire
CV Bunker Hill, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Young
CVE Ranee, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Shipley Bay, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, heavy fires, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 3
Ki-48-IIc Lily x 24

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 damaged
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 4 damaged
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Natoma Bay, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BC Renown, heavy fires
DD Brooks, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CLAA Raleigh, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 115 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires
DD Ellet, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL San Jacinto, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Essex, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Bunker Hill, Bomb hits 1, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 30

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 12 destroyed
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 22 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed
TBM-1C Avenger: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 3, heavy fires
CVE Shamrock Bay, Kamikaze hits 1
CVE Rudyerd Bay, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Essex, Kamikaze hits 2, and is sunk
CVL San Jacinto, Kamikaze hits 3, and is sunk
DD Ellet, on fire
DD Brooks, on fire
CVE Shipley Bay, Kamikaze hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 84 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 8 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, Kamikaze hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Brooks, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 8 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CLAA Raleigh, and is sunk
DD Ellet, Kamikaze hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Brooks, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-36 Ida x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-36 Ida: 5 destroyed

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Kamikaze hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Brooks, Kamikaze hits 2, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
BC Renown, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Saginaw Bay
CVE Shamrock Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

The afternoon phase was less memorable:

quote:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kushiro at 123,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 20
B6N1 Jill x 46
B6N2 Jill x 43
D4Y1 Judy x 27
D4Y3 Judy x 50
N1K2-J George x 118
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 10
F4U-1A Corsair x 45
F6F-3 Hellcat x 146

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 6 destroyed, 7 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 5 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 9 destroyed, 5 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 10 destroyed, 4 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 6 destroyed, 11 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 14 destroyed by flak
N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Bataan, Torpedo hits 1
CVL Langley
CV Intrepid
BB Massachusetts
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1
CV Wasp II
BB Alabama
CV Saratoga, Torpedo hits 1
CV Enterprise

Wow. That was serious carnage. Interestingly, I did just fine against the KB strikes. But after dozens and dozens of raids my CAP disappated and opened the door for kamikamzes. And many of them found their mark. Heaviest losses for the USN to date by far. Until now I had lost only a single USN CV; today I lost two. I had four roughly equal CV fleets and one of them was completely destroyed. And many of my CVEs were crippled. But was it worth it? Definitely! Despite my heavy losses, I came out about equal on VPs:

1800 Japanse planes shot down in a single day! Absolutely insane. Most of my losses were useless bombers sunk aboard CVs.

But with the Allies having landed two full armies Hokkaido without any troop losses upon ship, I cannot help but to declare victory. Sure I lost a bunch of ships, but what are those ships for if not to cover an invasion of Japan? This was unquestionably the most dangerous day of the war and I survived with most of my forces still intact. It will take time for Japanese air units to reinforce with new planes and by that time all my ships will have unloaded. And all of this done before the Allies land in France despite the "Germany first" strategy :)

The only real regret I have is that I was unable to launch strikes to finally finish off the remaining KB. But even here they were not much of a factor; their greatest contribution was clearing the sky for kamikazes.

And for those curious, here is the latest VP screen:

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Sangeli -- 11/3/2016 7:00:51 AM >

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 338

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/3/2016 3:06:53 PM

jwolf

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline

What a bloody day!! Asking in ignorance here -- can the Japanese still mount any sort of air attack? More Kamikazes?

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 339

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/3/2016 3:58:08 PM

BBfanboy

Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline

Those attacking Japanese aircraft suffered losses but were by no means completely destroyed. He may not have as many kamikazes left but there are lots of aircraft left to threaten the Allied fleet.

It looks like a close run thing to me - stay and both sides suffer attrition to a huge degree, pull out and leave a lodgement to fend for itself until the Allied carriers can replenish and LBA can establish itself on Hokkaido. The new bases in the Kuriles will help with island-hopping aircraft in.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 340

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/3/2016 5:10:03 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf
What a bloody day!! Asking in ignorance here -- can the Japanese still mount any sort of air attack? More Kamikazes?

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Those attacking Japanese aircraft suffered losses but were by no means completely destroyed. He may not have as many kamikazes left but there are lots of aircraft left to threaten the Allied fleet.

It looks like a close run thing to me - stay and both sides suffer attrition to a huge degree, pull out and leave a lodgement to fend for itself until the Allied carriers can replenish and LBA can establish itself on Hokkaido. The new bases in the Kuriles will help with island-hopping aircraft in.

Well, I was of the opinion that as a percentage the Japanse lost more planes than I did. Many of my planes from the sunk carriers landed in Soviet territory and I promptly rebased the fighters back on the remaining carriers. I also sent the 6 CVEs protecting the Kurile landings to replace the damaged CVEs at Kushiro and the CV Lexington is joining the Death Star from Pearl Harbor. And lastly, I know the Japanse have some supply issues making replacing and repairing planes more difficult. Therefore, I was pretty confident the Japanese would not launch any more air strikes, and even if they did, I would be able to stop it. So I resolved to stay put at least a few more days.

On a related note, I have decided to decrease the number of bombers in CVE and CV groups and up the fighter count, especially with CVEs. Hard to find a use for those Avengers anymore with their 1000 lb bomb load and limited IJN targets left.

< Message edited by Sangeli -- 11/3/2016 5:11:16 PM >

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 341

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/3/2016 5:19:09 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

June 4th 1944

As I had expected, the Japanese did not launch any air attacks enabling my ships to unload more troops. In the Kuriles I continue to make slow progress:

quote:

Ground combat at Shimushiri-jima (132,51)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1472 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 30

Defending force 5272 troops, 95 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 223

Assaulting units:
1st Kurile Coastal Artillery Regiment
37th Const Co
55th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
Fiji Brigade
16th Canadian Brigade
7th Marine Def Bn /3

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

Ground combat at Paramushiro-jima (137,47)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9124 troops, 145 guns, 139 vehicles, Assault Value = 365

Defending force 5899 troops, 65 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 52

Allied adjusted assault: 25

Japanese adjusted defense: 117

Allied assault odds: 1 to 4 (fort level 5)

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

Japanese ground losses:
429 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 12 (10 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
18th Combat Engineer Regiment
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
8th NZ Brigade
14th Canadian Brigade
10th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
I Corps Artillery

Defending units:
Nanking Naval Guard Unit
Kyuko Naval Guard Unit
13th Indpt SNLF Coy
3rd Naval Construction Battalion
Kitachishima Fortress
54th JNAF AF Unit

Mind you I already have Etorofu. Going to take a few more turns for the rest but I'm pretty happy in the fact I brought just enough to take each base but not too much as to be wasteful.

In Hokkaido itself I captured Kushiro:

quote:

Ground combat at Kushiro (123,53)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 62826 troops, 1323 guns, 1114 vehicles, Assault Value = 2295

Defending force 13259 troops, 136 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 394

Allied adjusted assault: 4129

Japanese adjusted defense: 239

Allied assault odds: 17 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kushiro !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
6371 casualties reported
Squads: 104 destroyed, 166 disabled
Non Combat: 123 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 46 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 118 (96 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 37 (37 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
1732 casualties reported
Squads: 37 destroyed, 163 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 42 (5 destroyed, 37 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Canadian Brigade
38th Infantry Division
93rd Infantry Division
33rd Infantry Division
27th Infantry Division
I Corps Cmbt Engineer Regiment
31st Infantry Division
18th Canadian Brigade
Eighth US Army
47th Coastal Artillery Regiment
11th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
265th Coastal Artillery Regiment
XI US Corps
Pacific Ocean Areas
VII US Amphib Force
XI Corps Artillery

Defending units:
7th Division
73rd Field AA Battalion
177th JAAF AF Bn

You can thank the fact I have a corps, army, and theatre HQ here for the very high adjusted AV. These troops will march to take the rest of Hokkaido but I will need to find them targets in Japan for them to make landings. Though I may set some to take Hokadate in the far south of Hokkaido in order to gain control of the strait.

Something weird is going on in Bihoro. I have much less AV than I expected and I don't have any of my HQs aside from my theatre!

quote:

Ground combat at Bihoro (123,51)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27933 troops, 610 guns, 225 vehicles, Assault Value = 1001

Defending force 10080 troops, 108 guns, 159 vehicles, Assault Value = 419

Allied adjusted assault: 584

Japanese adjusted defense: 595

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 5)

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

Japanese ground losses:
904 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 122 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 21 (2 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
563 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 66 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Division
3rd Motor Brigade
4th Marine Division
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn Regiment
148th Field Artillery Battalion
North Pacific
225th Field Artillery Battalion
41st Infantry Div /2
767th Tank Bn /3

Defending units:
91st Division
22nd Tank Regiment
24th Air Defense AA Regiment
27th JNAF AF Unit
73rd JAAF AF Bn

I could have sworn more units were supposed to land here. Might be one of my fleets was not set to unload. No matter, I already have 3k AV in Hokkaido. Should be enough to take the rest of the island.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 342

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/3/2016 6:15:15 PM

pontiouspilot

Posts: 1127
Joined: 7/27/2012
Status: offline

I agree with your assessment to date. It takes big gonads not to be put off by that day! The key to overall success will be getting in quick LBA CAP. Without that the boys on the ground could get a bit hungry.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 343

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/15/2016 5:38:54 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

June 16th 1944

All the troops made it ashore but have slowed down because of lack of supply and Japanese air attacks. As I pulled back my fleet, the Japanese took control of the air over Hokkaido. I have yet to contest their fighters and bombers. It seems the entire Japanese air force is here. But with 5k AV already landed on the island, I am not concerned. At this moment I am consolidating the Kuriles getting engineers and base units into place. I also have a number of supply convoys coming this way. Given the success so far, I have decided to go "all in" for northern Japan. Planned invasions in the South Pacific have been called off and units given new destinations in Japan. No sense taking jungle bases when there are juicy Japanese bases in 1x terrain that have a 50x multiplier for the Allies. But due to a shortage of xAPs, its gonna take a long time to make this happen. I definitely have regrets about using xAPs so liberally in landings...I lost way too many to CD guns.

(in reply to pontiouspilot)

Post #: 344

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/19/2016 6:13:46 AM

KenchiSulla

Posts: 2948
Joined: 10/22/2008
From: the Netherlands
Status: offline

Are you able to use land based air to cover incoming supply ships? You do need most of them to come in and unload....

_____________________________

AKA Cannonfodder

"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.�
� Primo Levi, writer, holocaust survivor

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 345

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/19/2016 4:30:49 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: KenchiSulla
Are you able to use land based air to cover incoming supply ships? You do need most of them to come in and unload....

Not yet. The Japanese are hitting Etofuru which is my closest air base in the Kuriles. And I'm having to deal with sweeps like this:

quote:

Morning Air attack on Etorofu , at 128,52

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 36
N1K2-J George x 182

Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang x 23
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F4U-1A Corsair x 19
F6F-3 Hellcat x 183

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 9 destroyed

Things are not going as well as I hoped in large part due to poor planning getting logistics and base units into place. I don't have enough engineers, aviation, an naval support to host large numbers of fighters in the Kuriles yet. And I don't want to risk my fleet covering mere supply convoys. I fear I will have to dig into the forests of Hokkaido for a few more weeks if not a month before I am ready to push forward again. I may send some small supply convoys in without air cover but only to stave off troop starvation. Right now the Japanese are building up a fortress at Hokadate to secure the strait but leaving the rest of the island to me (though I am not going to leave the forests to secure them for a while). I have a corps, army, and theatre HQ with a few divisions prepping for Hokadate because that base is very important. I think the wiser course is to take it slow, build up a secure base of operations, and rely heavily on LRCAP + destroyers to cover supply convoys in a few weeks. The Japanese can send 2000+ planes at me in a day...I can't afford a misstep with my main fleet.

(in reply to KenchiSulla)

Post #: 346

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/21/2016 9:04:31 PM

Bif1961

Posts: 2014
Joined: 6/26/2008
From: Phenix City, Alabama
Status: offline

If his sweep was only spotted 20 NM out it seems you have no radar there?

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 347

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/22/2016 8:37:59 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961
If his sweep was only spotted 20 NM out it seems you have no radar there?

Ya, no radar. As I mentioned earlier I didn't get enough base units here. Some are on their way but it might be a few weeks until they are in place. In retrospect I should have brought fewer LCUs to make room for base units in the second wave.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 348

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/25/2016 8:56:50 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

June 21st 1944

Well I brought some P-47s to Etorofu to beef up their air defenses. There is a BIG difference between P-47s and F6F-3s:

quote:

Morning Air attack on Etorofu , at 128,52

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 23,276 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 40

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 43
F4U-1 Corsair x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 16 destroyed

Untouchable! Here was the final butchers bill:

Pretty clear LBA P-47s are what I need here. Building up bases in the Kuriles will allow me to deploy more of them to protect my reinforcements to Hokkaido.

< Message edited by Sangeli -- 11/25/2016 8:58:04 PM >

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 349

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/25/2016 9:28:35 PM

BBfanboy

Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline

Great result - that should give him pause!

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 350

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/27/2016 12:47:07 AM

Capt. Harlock

Posts: 5358
Joined: 9/15/2001
From: Los Angeles
Status: offline

quote:

Well I brought some P-47s to Etorofu to beef up their air defenses. There is a BIG difference between P-47s and F6F-3s:

The P-47 was the most expensive fighter of WWII -- and it was still the most-produced American fighter. Evidently they were worth the cost.

_____________________________

Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?

--Victor Hugo

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 351

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/28/2016 1:38:31 AM

Bif1961

Posts: 2014
Joined: 6/26/2008
From: Phenix City, Alabama
Status: offline

According to the Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft there ere 3 more P-51s produced than P-47s, 15, 686 vice 15,683. I am a big fan of the Jug and it's only short coming compared to the P-51 was range to escort heavy bombers deep in to Germany. It might be why so many P-47s found themselves in the Pacific after the introduction of the P-51 in Europe.

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)

Post #: 352

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 11/29/2016 8:27:40 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bif1961
According to the Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft there ere 3 more P-51s produced than P-47s, 15, 686 vice 15,683. I am a big fan of the Jug and it's only short coming compared to the P-51 was range to escort heavy bombers deep in to Germany. It might be why so many P-47s found themselves in the Pacific after the introduction of the P-51 in Europe.

The P-47D-25 has really good range actually; 11/13 with drop tanks. Have to check what the P-51D is in comparison. I haven't really used the P-51 much yet. Once I get my airfields built up in the Kuriles you will see them in battle. I think there is a big gap in P-47 production so the P-51 will have to replace them.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 353

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 12/1/2016 1:53:26 AM

Capt. Harlock

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From: Los Angeles
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quote:

I am a big fan of the Jug and it's only short coming compared to the P-51 was range to escort heavy bombers deep in to Germany.

Have a look at the P-47N -- admittedly introduced too late to do much in the ETO.

_____________________________

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(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 354

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 12/1/2016 4:18:34 PM

Bif1961

Posts: 2014
Joined: 6/26/2008
From: Phenix City, Alabama
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Production of the P-51B/C started in the summer of 1943 at Inglewood, CA and were conducting long range escort of ETO bombers by late 43 early 44. That would be 14 months before the appearance of the P-47N, which you stated appeared too late to have any need to be deployed to ETO as the war was all but over by then. What was not sent to ETO was sent to the Pacific and to the benefit of those units there to have such a great weapon as the P-47s.

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)

Post #: 355

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 12/5/2016 5:33:07 AM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
Status: offline

June 28th, 1944

Well, the KB disappeared a while ago. I suspected Japan might try to interdict my supply lines but I thought I would be able to detect a move early. I was wrong:

Ouch. But the appearance of the KB outside northern Japan presents an opportunity. LBA only cannot stop the Death Star. So I am sending it to bombard the coast of Japan and cover convoys to Hokkaido. Since the landings, I have beefed up the number of fighters considerably in my CV groups. I've also switched from 4 CV groups to 3. I have noticed that naval strikes often may target only a single fleet at a time so I decided to beef them up to increase their CAP. All in all, I expect to perform much better against Kamikazes than I did in the giant bloodbath which resulted in an nearly entire TF of the Death Star being sunk.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 356

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 12/5/2016 10:26:14 PM

pontiouspilot

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I hope there was only K-rations in those!!

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Post #: 357

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 12/5/2016 11:59:57 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
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quote:

ORIGINAL: pontiouspilot

I hope there was only K-rations in those!!

And some engineers. But I have plenty of those. It's the plane losses that really matter...took another beating this turn. 300 Allied planes for 500 Japanese planes in a series of suicidal naval strikes that failed to do much damage. Probably should only use naval strike when I think the KB is nearby.

< Message edited by Sangeli -- 12/6/2016 12:02:23 AM >

(in reply to pontiouspilot)

Post #: 358

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 12/6/2016 4:58:36 PM

Sangeli

Posts: 1132
Joined: 3/29/2012
From: San Francisco
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June 28th, 1944

Another bloody day in the air. I sent my Death Star forward to draw Japanese air attacks. Overall my CAP did a very good job stopping the Japanese. Only a single Ki-48 Lilly got a hit on a ship: a 100 kg bomb on the CV Wasp. But on the other side, my CV strike planes went against some ships sitting in Ominato. Here are some combat snippets (but by no means are these all the strikes):

quote:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Shikotan at 125,55

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 10
A6M8 Zero x 33
D4Y3 Judy x 2
N1K2-J George x 30

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 23
FM-2 Wildcat x 81
F4U-1A Corsair x 200
F6F-3 Hellcat x 335

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 4 destroyed
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Shikotan at 125,55

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 24
Ki-48-IIc Lily x 27
Ki-84a Frank x 52

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 9
FM-2 Wildcat x 30
F4U-1A Corsair x 111
F6F-3 Hellcat x 117

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 11 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 13 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-48-IIc Lily: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-84a Frank: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 1
BB Massachusetts
CVL Princeton
CV Saratoga

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-48-IIc Lily releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 4 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
1 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 4 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
2 x Ki-48-IIc Lily releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 4 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
1 x Ki-48-IIc Lily releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 4 x 100 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hakodate at 119,53

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 35
A6M8 Zero x 6
A6M8-J Zero x 36
N1K1-J George x 10
N1K2-J George x 40
Ki-84a Frank x 33
Ki-100-I Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 55
SBD-5 Dauntless x 27
TBF-1 Avenger x 44
TBM-1C Avenger x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8-J Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 11 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 16 destroyed, 7 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak
TBM-1C Avenger: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Hikari
CA Kurama
CL Niyodo
DD Kagero

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ominato at 119,54

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 73
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 31
SBD-5 Dauntless x 54
TBM-1C Avenger x 48

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 8 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires
CM Asadori, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
CM Maeshima, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
CM Ajiro, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
CMc Kurosaki, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Kashi
DD Kuwa, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Nara, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Kaede, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ominato at 119,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 32
A6M8 Zero x 2
N1K1-J George x 6
N1K2-J George x 19
Ki-84a Frank x 30
Ki-100-I Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 85
SBD-5 Dauntless x 13
TBF-1 Avenger x 8
TBM-1C Avenger x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 12 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Kuwa
DD Kaya
DD Kaede, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nara

And the total butchers bill:

Pretty unfortunate day for pilots on both sides. I think I got pretty unlucky with the BB Fusu. I have sunk bigger battleships with less bombs; the BB Musashi went down in the Gilberts after 6 1000 lb bombs. My Hellcats continue to get obliterated and losses are hard to replace. I've been pressing FM-2 Wildcats into CVE CAP because of this shortage and they REALLY suck. They have a top speed of about 330 MPH which makes them worse than even the A6M2 Zero. Even in a CAP role they tend to get shot down a lot. But having upsized the number of fighters aboard my carriers and heavy Hellcat losses, they will continue to be used throughout 1944. USN fighter quality has similarly suffered. I'm putting <60 exp pilots on those worthless Wildcats and Hellcats are usually piloted by 60-70 exp crews. Much unlike the USAAF where I have about 500 >70 exp pilots in the pool or being used in rear area CAP in obsolete planes. The USAAF is really the superior air force in basically every way. The P-47s and P-51Bs have a 40 MPH advantage over both the N1K2-J and the Corsair and even my older P-38s have a 20 MPH advantage.

Yet the battle was a success in another measure in that it absorbed 1000+ Japanese planes on naval strike and shooting down 500 of them. Large convoys have been sent to unload supply at Kushiro in Hokkaido to try to rectify the horrible supply situation there. As a result, I have finally based fighters in the base with some cruiser and Fletcher fleets to guard the water. Between CAP and LRCAP I probably only have 250 fighters guarding Kushiro but I hope that after those severe Japanese losses they will call off air attacks for at least a few days. I've also pulled back my Death Star 3 hexes east of Kushiro with range 5 naval strike (Ominato is 7 hexes away). So if they do launch strikes, it won't be against ships in port protected by heavy CAP. I'm still fairly worried about bombardment of Kushiro, however. My surface fleets continue to underperform against the IJN. And even though the BB Fuso took 8 bombs, it still may be ready to sortie offensively this very turn. That being said, I predict the Japanese will go on the tactical defensive aside for fighter sweeps at Kushiro. But this time I have P-47s and P-51Bs guarding the air space and previous results indicate they are nearly untouchable. But even if my convoys do unload in Kushiro, I really doubt that will be the end of that fight. Rev Rico tends to go down swinging which means for heavy fighting for the air and sea around the base.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 359

RE: Straight Into the Teeth: A Story of Logistics, Pati... - 12/7/2016 4:39:04 PM

Bif1961

Posts: 2014
Joined: 6/26/2008
From: Phenix City, Alabama
Status: offline

Oddly in WWI the naval aviators were the better trained, especially prior to the war and through most of it as well. Also Naval aviation was used primarily from carriers which engaged in short confrontations and then went back for rest and resupply. Unlike Army aviation which stayed in the area for much longer doing daily operations. Army Aviation did not use a tried and true unit replacement on par with the Navy or even the Marines. The massive expansion of Army aviation in 1942-43 also caused piltos to have far less flying hours then Naval aviators.

(in reply to Sangeli)

Post #: 360

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