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8-9 Apr 43 - 12/17/2016 10:07:12 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		8-9 Apr 43

Highlights – A couple of ground wins and the IJN Battleline is back.

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Shirakumo -old?)
CM : 1 (old)

Jpn ships unsunk:
DD: 1 (Teruzuki)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 35
Allied: 12

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 1 Attack, 1 ship hit (xAK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: IJN Battleline shows itself off Port Hedland again

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, the Makin convoy is ready to head to its destination and will depart next turn. Makin receives a fighter squadron to support (P-40E) and both CVE and CA TFs will accompany the transport convoy.

In SOPAC, IJN LBA raids Rekata Bay with a single strike of 84Z escorting 13 Bettys targeting the two LSTs there in a TF. Neither was hit, and CAP did well: 13Z and 4 Bettys downed in exchange for 2 P-39 and a Corsair. Still, facing 80+ escorts means that the raid did push through the 34 fighters on CAP and was able to make some attacks. Expect this force ratio to continue for a while in the Solomons. Elsewhere the Rossel Is Amph TF departed Noumea and the escorting CV and CA TFs will depart Luganville and Kira respectively next turn. Expect a battalion sized force on Rossel, while recon shows Deboyne empty of troops.

In SWPAC, still no response to the increase in traffic going into Gove. Shuttles will continue from Groote as another TF loads while another returns. Escorting DDs and PTs will provide cover. So far, so good. IJN seems to be focused on Port Hedland.

In WAUS, the IJN Batteline (maybe 4 BBs, CAs and escorts) appear off the coastal hex adjacent to Port Hedland where the 41st Div was moving out of. They didn’t bombard (L_S_T thinks it might be a bug, I figure they’re just too far away from the coast and about to bounce into the inland hex) and remained in place. I’m going to set Exmouth air on Naval attack next turn and see if they can get lucky as I don’t think the KB is in the area – PBYs haven’t seen anything but the BBs. In the air, escorted Sallys (30 Oscar, 55 Sally) and then a flight of unescorted Sallys (19) hit the 41st with minimal effect, and a pair of P-40K on LRCAP managed to down 4 Sally and a pair of Oscars for no loss. At the end of the two days, the 41st has moved inland, and will increase LRCAP – which will amount to a dozen planes if I’m lucky.

In China, another major attack on Lanchow was bloodily repulsed with 5606 to 1281 casualties reported. Better still was the IJA casualties included 43 engineer squads destroyed and forts remain at level 4. I’ll take it…

In India/Burma, 9th Aus Div’s attack goes in with good effect, pushing back the 41st Infantry Regiment with 1275 casualties against 144 Allied. While I had the US 112 CAV in reserve to pursue, the IJA managed to reinforce the hex before it could do so. So the Aussies will attack again next turn – I’m hoping these IJA troops aren’t two divisions…

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 781
10-11 Apr 43 - 12/21/2016 7:49:15 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		10-11 Apr 43

Highlights – Good day in the air in the Solomons; Aussie attack in Burma held

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 85
Allied: 15

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attack, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: Getting some intel from Japan proper (i.e., email from L_S_T) on difficulties in production – low stocks of fuel in the home islands shutting down production..IJN doing too much and burning too much fuel?

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, convoy with troops and a/c pulled from Attu and no longer needed in NOPAC begins loading in Adak for CENPAC.

In CENPAC, convoy arrives at Makin supported by CVE and CA TF, but no IJN response. Offloading continues. Recon does pick up a possible IJN CA TF at Ponape, will send subs to investigate.

In SOPAC, IJN LBA returns, this time attempting to disrupt a two LST convoy off Panggoe. Four strikes over two days, the first one of 72Z and 26B, but one of the four missed linking up with its escorts (13B). LRCAP isn’t enough to prevent the strikes from attacking targets (initially 2 P-38G, 4 ea P-40k and P-39, 6 Corsair) but the Bettys had bombs which missed. The cost was very high for trying to hit a pair of LSTs: 22Z and 23B lost in exchange for only a single Corsair, 5 P-39, and 2 P-40K. Will continue to push troops and supplies into Panggoe via landing craft and LSTs in order to push overland to Choisel Bay. No rush here. Elsewhere, the Rossel Is Amph TF will close on Rossel next turn, with Hellcats providing LRCAP off the Yorktown. 3 DDs will detach from the US TFs and attempt to engage and disrupt reported barge traffic near Shortlands. Should be a busy turn…

In SWPAC, NSTR – and that’s with a lot of traffic going into and out of Gove.

In WAUS, the IJN Batteline has pulled off the coast and wasn’t located by search. Allied ground troops were subjected to the now usual Sally raids, but this time it was a bit more costly. A single raid of 38 Oscar and 49 Sallys were met by a robust (for LRCAP at least) LRCAP of 7 P-38G and 3 F4F which shot down 7 Oscar and 4 Sallys at no loss. 6 more Sallys were lost to AA fire. Expensive raid this time.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, 9th Aus Div’s attack finds two IJA IN Regiments of the 48th Div and is held – both sides losing about 400 men. Further inland, the IJA hasn’t given up on Wazarup, and have reinforced the two RTA divisions previously engaged with an IN Bde, an IN Reg and 2 Tk Reg, plus assorted artillery of course. The defenders are a mixed bag of three understrength Bdes, but they are holding on, assisted by the level 3 forts which remain intact. IJA lost 1097 men vs. 794 Allied. With the current force ratio, unless I reinforce by paradrop – and I don’t want to do that, Wazarup will fall. That’s not a big issue from my point of view, my goal is to keep L_S_T engaged and attritted on the frontier.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 782
RE: 12-13 Apr 43 - 12/26/2016 5:15:29 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		12-13 Apr 43

Highlights – Rossel Is amphib goes in; PTs harass barges off Shortlands

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Amatsukaze – old)
PB: 1

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 18
Allied: 7

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 1 Attack, 1 ships hit (PB dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Rossel Is (SOPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Maiana (CENPAC – flipped)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, CENPAC bound troop convoy completes loading, will depart next turn.

In CENPAC, its quiet, although recon reports a tanker convoy at Truk – carriers instead perhaps? Shipping still heavy, apparently with cruiser cover at Ponape; subs just get a shot at a PB when they try to get close to find out more.

In SOPAC, US DDs miss the barge convoy off Shortlands, but sink a PB. Four PTs did engage a large barge convoy, sinking at least one. Will send the DDs and PTs in again, this time to patrol all the way up to Torokina. Well off the NE tip of New Guinea, the Rossel Is invasion goes in, with bombarding ships and LBA hitting the reported SNLF company with good effect. Don’t expect much of a fight for the 53rd (Sep) In Reg, and support troops begin landing next turn. CVs remaining off Tagula Is providing LRCAP, including the debut of VF-42’s Hellcat in a combat role, but they weren’t challenged.

In SWPAC, NSTR.

In WAUS, no IJA air activity and the seas remain empty. The IJA garrison at Corunna Downs looks to be pulling out as the Allied troops close into the adjacent hex. US LBA will focus on hitting the IJA troops as they pull out.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, NSTR.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 783
14-15 Apr 43 - 12/30/2016 10:56:58 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		14-15 Apr 43

Highlights – Rossel Is taken; Heavies decide to go to Rabaul and pay a price

Jpn ships sunk:
xAP: 1 (old)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 14
Allied: 38

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Rossel Is (SOPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin: Fast convoy departs LA for Auck. CV Wasp’s VF-71 becomes the first to fully equip with 36 Hellcats (Yorktown’s VF-42 did not fully equip prior to the ship sailing) while Wasp undergoes refit.

In NOPAC, CENPAC bound troop convoy departs for CENPAC. Attu AF now level 2.

In CENPAC, Makin troop swap is complete and TFs begin heading back toward Tabit. CA TF will bombard Tarawa enroute back next turn.

In SOPAC, US DD TF (3DDs) catch barges off Shortlands, sinking 6, but two similar barge convoys avoid engagements. PTs similarly fail to successfully engage two encountered barge convoys. Still plenty of barge traffic is found in the upper Solomons by air search, and the DDs will again venture up to Buin to engage and disrupt operations. All Jpn bases have been aerial mined as well, and the DDs will also attempt to hunt the AMcs sweeping the mines. Goal is to disrupt barge supply to these bases. At Rossel Is, the US forces easily take the base on the first attack, which has one very bad impact. I neglected to limit the range of LBA hitting the defenders, so my highly initiative cyber pilots of the 90th BG decide to try and hit Rabaul ground targets at 6000 ft after the Rossel Is defenders were eliminated. End result is 13 B-24s lost: 8 to Zeros, 2 to Flak and 3 to Ops. Not a good day for the Heavies. Stupid mistake, I should know better! Anyway, Deboyne Island is next for amphib, landing a Marine Raider Bn and engineers on the reportedly undefended island. CV and CA TF will support, then CVs will begin journey out of Theater.

In SWPAC, its staying quiet as additional engineers and supply continues to be brought into Gove unchallenged.

In WAUS, LBA hits Corruna Downs defenders (Nav Gsn Unit) with moderate effect, but otherwise quiet. No IJA LBA attacks on Allied troops moving in the desert.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, continued heavy IJA attacks on Warazup by 30k+ troops against the 8k defenders are held, but the defenders won’t last long. I can afford losing Warazup, and it seems L_S_T is still focused on the India-Burma frontier. Supply convoy of four xAKs begin offloading at Akyab and surprisingly it isn’t challenged by IJA air.


(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 784
16-17 Apr 43 - 1/1/2017 5:30:53 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		16-17 Apr 43

Highlights – Deboyne Is taken, barge busting in the Solomons; Warazup falls to the IJA

Jpn ships sunk: None

Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 1 (I-35)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 15
Allied: 30

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attack, 1 ships hit (AK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Deboyne Is (SOPAC)

Bases lost:
Warazup (Burma)

Bases Liberated:
Deboyne Is (SOPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: IJN Reinforcement push to Port Hedland has CVEs in support, but KB doesn’t seem to be committed.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, focus continues to be pushing more engineers and supplies to Makin. This will shift shortly to the Nauru landings.

In SOPAC, US DD TF (3DDs), this time under Arleigh Burke again sortie on a barge busting raid up “The Slot” from Tulagi starting at Shortlands, then Buin and turning around at Torokina. This time, the DDs score well – in four separate engagements at Shortlands and Torokina, the DDs sink a total of 26 unescorted barges along the coast and return unhindered to Tulagi. Good raid! In the air, a squadron of B-25Ds perform low level barge busting for the first time, and sink 12 barges off Shortland and the Treasury Islands…A good 1-2 punch to make IJN resupply difficult in the Solomons. Off New Guinea, troops are put ashore at Deboyne Island which isn’t garrisoned, and the base is occupied. US CVs in support will now retire out of Theater; VF-42 and its Hellcats fly into Australia for operations in support of Gove/Darwin.

In SWPAC, Gove continues to grow, now a level 3 AF and supplies are approaching 10k.

In WAUS, in an interesting turn of events, the IJN looks to be pushing a major reinforcement convoy into Port Hedland (guess they could also be pulling troops out of course, but my bet is reinforcing right now). Troops convoy with CVEs in support draw the attention of Exmouth based LBA, which of course attack without fighters at 7 hex range (the P-38s and F4Fs are flying cover for the 41st Div inland). CAP does well, downing 9 SBDs, 7 PBYs, and 2 Beauforts with no loss. But the SBDs manage to put bombs into two AKs. Will put fighters over Port Hedland next turn, and send in the bombers again (including Heavies) – as well as subs. Just don’t have the luxury of a full court press though – don’t have the bombers, especially mediums to spare. Am surprised here – biggest troop convoy push to Port Hedland in a long, long while – but its only supported by CVEs with a fairly porous CAP – where’s the KB?? Lastly, US Heavies continue to hit Corruna Downs’ garrison hard, and the troops pull off the base – which should be occupied shortly by the advancing 41st Div and support elements.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, despite support from Heavies, the troops at Warazup lose the fight to hold the base in the second assault, losing 2800 men to the IJA’s 319. Was expected at this point – once I determined that L_S_T was committed to taking the base, I wasn’t going to stop a 30k sized force with three understrength Bdes.


(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 785
18-19 Apr 43 - 1/3/2017 6:16:28 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		18-19 Apr 43

Highlights – Busy turns at Port Hedland

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Hatsukaze)
AK: 1

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (Salmon – mine)

Air loss:
Jpn: 37
Allied: 36

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 5 Attack, 1 ships hit (PB dam)
SS Salmon sinks after hitting Jpn mine at Port Hedland

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Tarawa (CENPAC -flipped)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Tarawa flips to the Allied side – despite keeping a small LRCAP over the base, L_S_T succeeded in evacuating the estimated 5000 man garrison presumably by air. Other than committing LRCAP over bypassed bases, don’t see anything that can be done to prevent this evacuation in the future. And so far, LRCAP isn’t doing it – but I’ll have more fighters avail shortly, that should help. A good use of obsolete air frames perhaps.

In SOPAC, Oscars aggressively sweep Deboyne Island, presumably tied to bombers on Naval strike, but the US forces had already departed, and the sweeps come up empty. Oscars were based out of Torokina, which will be the target of a Cruiser bombardment raid next turn. Rossel AF construction continues, at 64% already – timing this to get the AF at level 1 or 2 before the first resupply and reinforcement begins loading at Kira next turn, then will be busy shuttling troops in with the newly arrived LSTs. 8th NZ Bde will begin shuttling via landing craft from Rekata Bay to Panggoe to begin its slog to take Choiseul Bay. Some risk here as once again, US fighters are stretched thin to cover.

In SWPAC, NSTR.

In WAUS, it was very busy at Port Hedland as US strike at the IJN troop offloading. A total of 17 raids come in, with very varied results. At extreme normal range for the Wildcat with drop tanks, and LRCAP of P-38s, the fighter cover wasn’t exactly “robust”. That said, a number of IJN ships were hit by SBDs and even Heavies. Tallies appear to be: CVE Chuyo hit by an SBD, but no fires or secondaries reported, DD also hit by an SBD and reported sunk, one AK hit by a at least half a dozen bombs from SBDs and Heavies, reported sunk, CM Itsukushima hit by strafing B-25Ds and likely sunk, and perhaps 3 additional AKs hit and left burning. Not a bad two day’s work. Of course, the Allies didn’t have it all their own way, and on the second day the fighters didn’t manage to escort a strike of Beauforts and SBDs, which were torn up. Tallys in the air: 12Z, 9 Nick, 8 Oscar against 7 F4F, 3 P-38, 3 SBD, 2 B-25D, 2 B-24D and 9 Beauforts. Expensive, but not prohibitive. Ships remain at the port, and offloading seems to be continuing, so the remaining planes will hit the target again. Lastly, that IJN CM did lay mines, one claiming the SS Salmon. On land, US troops will attack to take Corruna Downs next turn.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, NSTR.





Attachment (1)

< Message edited by IdahoNYer -- 1/3/2017 6:17:06 PM >

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 786
RE: 18-19 Apr 43 - 1/3/2017 8:52:39 PM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		I'd be very happy with those results at Pt. Hedland. Ships are worth a lot more than aircraft and will cost more HI and supply to replace.
Did any troops go down with the ships?

_____________________________

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 IdahoNYer)
Post #: 787
RE: 18-19 Apr 43 - 1/8/2017 6:01:29 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I'd be very happy with those results at Pt. Hedland. Ships are worth a lot more than aircraft and will cost more HI and supply to replace.
Did any troops go down with the ships?


No troops lost - he got his troops off the ships earlier, he was just offloading supply by the time of the air attacks.

(in reply to BBfanboy)
Post #: 788
20-21 Apr 43 - 1/8/2017 6:07:01 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		20-21 Apr 43

Highlights – Corruna Downs taken; Barge busting in the Solomons again

Jpn ships sunk:
xAK: 1

Jpn ships unsunk:
DD: 1 (Niizuki)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 20
Allied: 07

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attack, 0 ships hit (PB dam)
SS Snapper hits Jpn mine at Port Hedland

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Corunna Downs (WAUS)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, another big engineer heavy troop push is underway to Makin, and will depart Tabit next turn. CA TF, already at Makin, will sortie to bombard Maloelap as “distant cover”. With Makin AF at level 2, the CVEs will remain at Tabit. Once this troop push is complete, focus will aim at Nauru.

In SOPAC, US CA TF (2CA, DDs) enroute to bombard Torokina, sinks a barge convoy of 15 barges off shore prior to bombarding. DD TF (3DD)(which missed the barges) and CA TF bombardment goes well, AF dam at 33 with 9 Oscars destroyed on the ground. Will follow this up with another naval bombardment as well as a max effort by air – goal is to shut down Torokina AF, then shift focus to Buin. Once both of those AFs are shut down (as is Munda), conditions will be met to land on Vella LaVella.

In SWPAC, Gove AF now at level 4 and supplies surpass 10k. Time to start thinking air offensive over Darwin…

In WAUS, IJN pulls off Port Hedland, presumably to Broome outside of air attack range. Subs fail to penetrate the screen, and I fail to adjust sub patrol patterns which results in SS Snapper patrolling right into the identified Port Hedland minefield. Fortunately, although crippled, she should make port. Careless, just careless! Inland, Corruna Downs is occupied by Allied troops, and construction will begin on the AF ASAP. Heavy Bombers rest and prepare to shift focus and movement to SWPAC and Darwin.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, NSTR.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 789
22-23 Apr 43 - 1/11/2017 7:52:08 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		22-23 Apr 43

Highlights – IJN CVs found the hard way in the Indian Ocean

Jpn ships sunk:
xAP: 1 (old)
xAK: 1
xAKL: 4
AMc: 1
SSX: 1

Allied ships sunk:
CVL: 1 (Hermes)
DD: 1 (Napier)

Air loss:
Jpn: 55
Allied: 26

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attack, 3 ships hit (xAK, 2xAKL sunk)
SS Snapper hits Jpn mine at Port Hedland

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: IJN CV TF (probably 2-3CVs) trolling the Indian Ocean – likely looking for Cape Town convoys.

West Coast/Admin: Enterprise’s VF-6 changes out its F4F-3s for Hellcats; will take another week to complete the squadron.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, US CA TF (3CA, CL, DDs) and DD TF (4DD) sink two xAKLs off Torokina, and bombard with good effect. Bombers follow up (as do sweeps, but no CAP) effectively closing the AF with 86 damage and 11 Oscars reported destroyed. Recon reports a BB TF at Rabaul, so perhaps L_S_T will contest in the future? At any rate, bombers w/sweeps will hit Buna next turn while the fleet rests. Rossel Island AF now at level 1, and P-39s are flown in to provide CAP for approaching LST convoy.

In SWPAC, RAAF Hudsons hit barges off Buna sinking 5. Air search report a two small convoys approaching ports on the New Guinea north coast – will set a squadron of Beaufighters at Merauke to low naval and see if they can interdict.

In WAUS, US P-40Ks out of Exmouth sweep Port Hedland at extended range with drop tanks (7hex range) and do surprisingly well against heavy Zero CAP; 27 Zeros lost in exchange for 4 P-40s which really surprised me considering the range.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, last turn air search detected a single ship heading into the Indian Ocean from the direction of Sumatra. Figured it was another AMC raider on an anti-shipping raid and sortied a small TF (CVL, CA, 3DD) to run it down. Of course that AMC turned out to be part of the KB – estimated 2-3 CVs which promptly sunk the CVL Hermes and a DD. Shropshire and a DD are damaged, but with some luck, should make it back to Colombo (fingers crossed). Will sortie some subs out of Colombo, scatter two KVs out on anti sub patrol near Diego Garcia, and re-route a big tanker convoy heading to Colombo from Cape Town, due to arrive on map next turn. Figure that’s what the IJN CVs are trolling for – the big Cape Town convoys. Fortunately, except for the cyber crew of the Hermes of course, the IJN CVs presence is now known, and we can clear the seas of convoy traffic.





Attachment (1)

< Message edited by IdahoNYer -- 1/11/2017 7:58:00 PM >

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 790
RE: 22-23 Apr 43 - 1/12/2017 5:39:52 PM   
jwolf

 

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline 		Ouch!! Good move by LST there. But that does pretty much concede carrier superiority, for a while at least, to your side in the Pacific, right?

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 791
RE: 22-23 Apr 43 - 1/13/2017 1:43:31 AM   
AMaf

 

Posts: 6
Joined: 9/28/2016
Status: offline 		No TB's may mean it's a group of CVL/CVE's, some of the IJN small carriers do not carry torpedoes.

(in reply to jwolf)
Post #: 792
RE: 22-23 Apr 43 - 1/13/2017 3:28:10 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Ouch!! Good move by LST there. But that does pretty much concede carrier superiority, for a while at least, to your side in the Pacific, right?


Truly, I haven't seen an IJN flattop in the Pacific in a very, very long while! Normally they've been operating in the eastern Indian Ocean off Port Hedland - what surprised me was him probing for convoys off Diego Garcia.

In any case, I'm holding my CVs back until I get the Wildcats replaced with the Hellcat. Still doing some slow advances with LBA only.

(in reply to jwolf)
Post #: 793
RE: 22-23 Apr 43 - 1/13/2017 3:30:53 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: AMaf

No TB's may mean it's a group of CVL/CVE's, some of the IJN small carriers do not carry torpedoes.



L_S_T commented in his email that he was perplexed why his TBs didn't fly, and in one combat report segment I saw a reference to Zuikaku. So my bet it was Zuikaku and Shokaku with another CV, Zuiho perhaps, on a raid.

My bet is the rest of his PH Vets are at Singers getting their 4/43 refit.

(in reply to AMaf)
Post #: 794
24-25 Apr 43 - 1/14/2017 4:18:59 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		24-25 Apr 43

Highlights – IJN CVs look to be departing Indian Ocean

Jpn ships sunk: None

Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 1 (I-171)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 08
Allied: 22

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 5 Attack, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: IJN CV TF (probably 2-3CVs) look to be headed out of the Indian Ocean in the direction of the straits between Java and Sumatra.

West Coast/Admin: Slow convoy departs LA for Auck

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Tabit is busy again as Nauru Amph begins loading. Maloelap hit by Tabit based PB4Ys and Makin based Venturas – goal here is to draw attention to the Marshalls and begin reducing the AF at Maloelap. Nauru first, then will shift to landing at Mili next – Maloelap is on the list, but probably about a month away.

In SOPAC, Buin is hit hard by both Heavies and Mediums, closing the AF. No CAP. Ships begin heading to pick up points (Tulagi and Lunga) for the Vella LaVella landings. LSTs land engineers at Rossel Is without opposition. So far, all going according to plan.

In SWPAC, RAAF Hudsons and Beaufighters find Oscar CAP at Hansa Bay covering xAKs offloading. No hits are scored, and CAP downs 8 Beau and 7 Hudsons for no loss. Lesson learned the hard way that the New Guinea North Coast has fighter cover. And for now, fighters can’t be spared as Allied fighters (and bombers) are concentrating to hit Darwin for the first time in a massed raid – scheduled in a couple of turns as Heavies and P-38s are brought back from WAUS.

In WAUS, NSTR.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, IJN CVs spotted last turn by Addu and Diego Garcia are tracked by British Catalinas to have turned back toward Java/Sumatra. Currently about 14 hexes off Diego Garcia, and no further strikes were launched, although two British KVs were sighted by search planes. I’m moving subs at speed towards the Sunda Strait, my one Dutch sub usually patrolling in that area departing due to replenishment. Not sure if that’s L_S_T’s route of course, but it’s a shot. Elsewhere, quiet on land in Burma as Allied airforces replenish.


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Post #: 795
26-27 Apr 43 - 1/18/2017 6:29:30 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		26-27 Apr 43

Highlights – IJN back and bombarding; Lanchow holds off two more attacks

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-25)
xAK: 1

Allied ships sunk:
SC: 1
YO: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 38
Allied: 23

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attack, 1 ship hit (xAKL dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: IJN heavy surface units operating out of Rabaul

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Maloelap continues to draw attention of US Navy Heavies out of Tabit. Nauru Amph TF completes loading, and with supporting elements will depart Tabit for Nauru next turn.

In SOPAC, US CA TF (3CA,CL,DDs) bombards Shortlands with moderate effect, and bombers returned to hit Torokina. While the naval force wasn’t opposed, the air attacks found a Zero and Nick cap - and of course some Heavies went in ahead of the P-38 sweeps and F4F LRCAP. Still, Torokina was effectively hit, and the base reported to be shut down, and air losses weren’t bad: 14Z and 11 Nicks lost to a P-38 and F4F, 2 B-17s, a B-24 and a B-26. I’m guessing the CAP was actually LRCAP out of Rabaul as it was fairly inconsistent. While I concentrated on the upper Solomons, L_S_T focused on Rossel Is, sending a BB TF (BB, 2CA, CL, DDs) to bombard which found and sunk a pair of YOs and escorting SC delivering fuels. The bombardment was moderate, and didn’t close the AF, but will delay it reaching level 2. With more transports bringing engineers enroute to Rossel, the CA TF and PTs will deploy to Rossel to provide cover. Subs will also concentrate - will be interesting to see if L_S_T continues to try and hold off the expansion of Rossel.

In SWPAC, a quiet turn. Allied air forces complete repositioning at Gove and Groote to strike at Darwin next turn.

In WAUS, I switched my Exmouth based PBYs from night to daylight, and forgot to take them off naval strike in addition to search - and of course they found a task force at Derby covered by Zeros, losing 3 without scoring a hit.

In China, two more attacks on Lanchow are held, but forts are finally being reduced. First attack causes 4900 IJA casualties and reduce forts to level 3, second day’s assault is a shock attack, and causes 4700 IJA casualties and reduces forts to level 2. Total Chinese losses were about 2800 men. No question Lanchow’s fall is imminent, but it has been a thorn in L_S_T’s side for a while, drawing the attention of his entire China based airforce and over 65k men. For a fight in China, I’ll take anything that takes the IJA time and destroyed units.

In India/Burma, NSTR.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 796
RE: 26-27 Apr 43 - 1/18/2017 7:38:46 PM   
Jorge_Stanbury


Posts: 4320
Joined: 2/29/2012
From: Toronto and Lima
Status: offline 		I still don't understand what was he doing in the Indian Ocean... it is way too expensive in fuel to try to pocket big convoys, and too much a gamble that he would pocket something big... I mean you could had found it with subs or xAKLs, and then the full investment in fuel goes wasted.

Losing Hermes and assorted cruisers/ destroyers is not a big loss for you in 1943


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Post #: 797
RE: 26-27 Apr 43 - 1/18/2017 11:45:55 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I still don't understand what was he doing in the Indian Ocean... it is way too expensive in fuel to try to pocket big convoys, and too much a gamble that he would pocket something big... I mean you could had found it with subs or xAKLs, and then the full investment in fuel goes wasted.

Losing Hermes and assorted cruisers/ destroyers is not a big loss for you in 1943





I'm scratching my head too Jorge....then again, if he found an Abadan tanker convoy out there, it would have been painful...

(in reply to Jorge_Stanbury)
Post #: 798
RE: 26-27 Apr 43 - 1/19/2017 1:23:57 AM   
Jorge_Stanbury


Posts: 4320
Joined: 2/29/2012
From: Toronto and Lima
Status: offline 		Thinking about it, it won't be a bad idea to keep some xAKs/ xAKLs doing convoy runs on places with low air search;

I am totally against keeping pickets of small freighters, as it exploits the game mechanics (the gamey one xAKL per hex line), but small convoys of supply/ resources can help avoid surprises without being too gamey

and yes, pocketing a tanker convoy would be like winning jackpot, but it would be a lot more likely that you will detect him (or his ASW patrols) way before he goes close (as you did actually, if wrongly identified as AMCs)... and once detected, all convoys turn back at flank speed

< Message edited by Jorge_Stanbury -- 1/19/2017 1:25:09 AM >

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Post #: 799
28-29 Apr 43 - 1/23/2017 12:11:06 AM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		28-29 Apr 43

Highlights – Lanchow finally lost.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-180)
xAKL:

Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: (I-156)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 58
Allied: 33

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attack, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Lanchow (China)

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, Five Navy PB4Ys attack shipping off Paramushio-jima, first Allied air strike against targets in Japan; no hits scored and one PB4Y failed to return. Light CAP provided by Rufes.

In CENPAC, Nauru Amph TF along with accompanying CVE and CA TF arrived at Nauru without interruption. Will begin invasion next turn. Allied LBA begins softening up defenders; B-24s out of Ndeni hit port facilities and Venturas out of Tabit hit defending Naval Guard unit.

In SOPAC, Arleigh Burke’s DD TF (4DDs) bombards Buka with minimal effect, and sink 4 barges off the coast. PTs raid single barges operating off Torokina and Buin, sinking two of three engaged; PTs attacked by Vals off Buin, with one boat damaged by a miss. Rossel Is back to full operation, and the two AKs offloading, overwatched by the CA TF, aren’t attacked.

In SWPAC, Allied LBA hits Darwin in daylight for the first time with reasonable effects. Hellcats combat debut sweeping, along with P-38s do well against Zero CAP and the Heavies heavily damage the AF, but don’t knock it out. At the end of two days, 15 A6M3s are shot down in exchange for 6 F4Fs, a P-38, 2 Hellcats and a B-24 lost. 2 Zeros and 6 Kates destroyed on the ground as well. Will hit Darwin again next turn.

In WAUS, its quiet, although a sizable IJA force (12k men) appears to be heading out from Port Hedland to Corruna Downs - I’ve got a recovering US Div there, but also two fresh Aus Bdes plus support. Will hit the IJA force with air next turn and see what’s there.

In China, Lanchow final falls in the first assault with 40k+ Chinese lost. Expected. Not pleasant, but expected. They held far longer than I thought, and held off a number of attacks. Figure L_S_T will shift gears to take Changsa next, then finally focus on Chungking. Could be the other way around of course, not that it matters, can’t do much about it without supply.

In India/Burma, Allied probing fighter sweeps with a squadron of P-38s engage the George for the first time over Rangoon. 4 P-38s are lost against 5 Zeros - no Georges are shot down. Corsairs sweep Mandalay and find Oscar CAP, but lose 5 Corsairs to 10 Oscars - range likely the reason for the more than expected Allied losses. Burma continues to be the heaviest concentration of IJA airpower in the Pacific Theater, and will be a tough nut to crack.

quote:

Ground combat at Lanchow (81,34)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 56921 troops, 668 guns, 940 vehicles, Assault Value = 1731

Defending force 32433 troops, 128 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 316

Japanese adjusted assault: 1292

Allied adjusted defense: 147

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lanchow !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1693 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (3 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
40865 casualties reported
Squads: 1461 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2072 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 143 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 129 (129 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 11

Assaulting units:
35th Division
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
59th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Tank Regiment
116th Division
3rd Tank Division
4th Cavalry Brigade
19th Tank Regiment
29th Ind Engineer Regiment
7th Ind Engineer Regiment
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Cavalry Brigade
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
22nd Ind Engineer Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
Mongol Garrison Army
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind Engineer Regiment
8th Ind Engineer Regiment
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
24th Ind Engineer Regiment
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
36th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
8th War Area
5th New Chinese Corps
15th Group Army
57th AT Gun Regiment
6th Chinese Base Force
8th Chinese Base Force

(in reply to Jorge_Stanbury)
Post #: 800
Apr 43 Summary - 1/24/2017 2:37:49 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		April 43 Summary

A pretty quiet month overall, with limited major actions, except for the major aerial furball over Magwe at the beginning of the month. Good gains in CENPAC and SOPAC, but lost some ground in Burma and of course Lanchow in China. Considering the CVs are pretty much stood down receiving the Hellcat, I’ll take it. May should see an increase in tempo a bit as the Hellcats are fielded and the CVs get back to sea by month’s end. Lack of fighters is still the major hold up to more aggressive operations, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Naval losses for the month very light for both sides; IJN losing only 2DD and 2SS as compared to the Allies losing only a DD and an SS. In the air, not a bad month for the Allied Cause, 901 for Jpn to 547 Allied – but the Allied fighter loses are still being made up at month’s end.

INTEL: I figured that the IJN CVs were in refit/upgrade during the month (they’re due in 4/43), and was surprised to see at least two in the Indian Ocean. So, going into May, I have no idea where the KB is, or where L_S_T will show the flag. I do anticipate continued air and surface threat in the upper Solomons/NE New Guinea and of course Port Hedland.

SUBWAR: Not doing much here, and losses are still due to good IJN ASW efforts coupled with a solid ASW air umbrella. Still, the threat of US subs remain, and provide a threat should the IJN set sail. IJN subs are fewer and fewer, and those that do show up are usually quickly dispatched.

West Coast/USA/Rear Areas: Fighter production actually goes down to 415 in May with the F4F being replaced by the FM-1 - less planes per month and a poor replacement. Still short fighters of all types, with few in the pools after the bloodletting over Magwe. Pilot pools are getting better, but US Army bomber, Australian and British pools are still low. Really attempting to conserve forces and build up.

NOPAC. Has become a quiet backwater in the Aleutians. Other than probing long range bomber patrols, not doing anything exciting here. More US subs are patrolling northern Japanese waters now, operating out of Amchitka.

CENPAC. Gilberts are now firmly secure, and once Nauru is secure, will slowly invest in the Marshalls - with forces available. With only CVEs and CA support, one small island at a time will be the focus, starting with Milli to get a foothold.

SOPAC. Same story as last month - slow and steady progress in the Solomons. Rekata Bay has expanded to a major fwd base, and will be the primary base to support the next jump up the chain - Vella La Vella. I expect this to be contested by both air and surface forces. Rossel continues to expand, and has become the focus of IJN heavy units, while US surface units have focused on barge busting and bombardment of IJN bases in the Northern Solomons. Once Rossel is offensively capable, will build up Deboyne and then land forces at Woodlark Island next.

SWPAC. Progress here is more of base buildup than forward expansion. Gove is now an offensive platform (finally!) and along with Groote as a bomber base, has started to neutralize Darwin. I’m surprised that L_S_T hasn’t contested this build up more, and I’m good with that! The question is what next? Immediate plan is to take Wessel Is off Gove, but after that, it’s a long jump to the next potential target. And I’m not ready to commit heavy naval forces here as I don’t have adequate fighter cover to risk it. Gotta think on this one a bit.

WAUS. Well, L_S_T still loves holding Port Hedland. Surprised me by reinforcing the base! I’m good with it, its still costing him ships, and it will fall. Not soon of course, but taking Corruna Downs is a good first step. Slow progress here, but WAUS isn’t a priority theater for me - at least for naval support. The question for me now is whether I can get Corruna Downs AF up and supply the forces there overland. If I can do that, I can project fighter cover over Port Hedland and Broome. If not, back to the drawing board.

Burma/India. Not the best month in Burma. “Fortress” Magwe’s air power proved to be too tough to attritt in the long term - although losses weren’t unfavorable, L_S_T could replace losses, and I couldn’t - especially British losses. So I’m not quite ready to hit Magwe head on, at least not yet. Need to nibble around the edges, and will probe other bases, try to draw his fighters out, and protect the bomber force. Tall order. On the ground, Warazup finally fell to the IJA. So, we’ve got a good stalemate right now along the India/Burma border. Not entirely unwelcome, but will have to consider some other options.

China. Well, Lanchow finally fell, leaving Changsa and Chungking next. Supplies are still non existant and there isn’t much that can be done. Attrition to the Air Transport bridge exceeds replacements, so supply situation won’t improve. Will focus as much as possible on holding those two bases, and see what develops.





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Post #: 801
RE: Apr 43 Summary - 1/24/2017 3:49:25 PM   
jwolf

 

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Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline
quote:


SWPAC. Progress here is more of base buildup than forward expansion. Gove is now an offensive platform (finally!) and along with Groote as a bomber base, has started to neutralize Darwin. I’m surprised that L_S_T hasn’t contested this build up more, and I’m good with that! The question is what next? Immediate plan is to take Wessel Is off Gove, but after that, it’s a long jump to the next potential target. And I’m not ready to commit heavy naval forces here as I don’t have adequate fighter cover to risk it. Gotta think on this one a bit.


My admittedly naive view is that you can't do much in this area unless you have secure communications through the Torres Strait, which is to say that you need to take Port Moresby first. I'm curious what is your thinking here.

In general, LST has played carefully so hasn't lost a lot of heavy assets, and that will make it difficult to push forward very far.

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Post #: 802
RE: Apr 43 Summary - 1/24/2017 10:36:58 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		Jwolf - L_S_T abandoned contesting the Torrez Strait when I took Horn Island and Merauke back in '42. Was expecting a tougher fight with air from Moresby, but it never developed. So Moresby remains a "hard target", but its not on my list. I'll bypass.

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Post #: 803
30 Apr - 1 May 43 - 1/24/2017 10:48:46 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		30 Apr - 1 May 43

Highlights – Nauru Island taken, IJN visits Rossel again and Allied air finds the IJN off Port Hedland.

Jpn ships sunk:
CL: 1 (Yubari)
DD: 2 (Teruzuki, Ariake)
DMS: 1
SS: 1
TK: 1

Allied ships sunk:
PT: 5
xAKL: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 92
Allied: 40

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Nauru Is (CENPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Nauru Is (CENPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: IJN heavy units sortie from Rabaul.

West Coast/Admin: First P-47 squadron arrives! Will head to India/Burma via Cape Town - should get there around the time production starts. And the venerable F4F-4 goes out of production!

In NOPAC, Navy PB4Ys again attack shipping off Paramushio-jima, with no losses to either side.

In CENPAC, Nauru Amph goes in without interference from air or naval assets, and although ground units (82nd Naval Guard Unit) are defeated, US Army engineer battalion takes heavy losses against the fort level 4 defenders. Base is taken in the first assault, and defenders eliminated in the second’s. Much of the now empty transports will return to Tabit as focus will start to shift to the Marshalls.

In SOPAC, just missed a nice sized naval engagement off Rossel Is as the US CA TF (3CA, CL, DDs) covering a pair of AKs offloading moved off when the AKs finished - which is apparently when the IJN showed up (BB, 2CA, CL, DDs) to bombard - brushing aside the two PT squadrons, sinking 5, and sinking a pair of xAKLs which just showed up. Three LSTs in two other incoming TFs were missed, and the bombardment effects were light. Zero sweeps were met by CAP as the AF was still fully operational, and the P-39/F4F CAP losing 14 to the Zeros losing about 10. Meanwhile, Bettys strike at PTs off Panggoe instead of the transports off Rossel, and a good size Corsair/P-40K/F4F CAP which does fairly - 16 Zeros lost to a P-40K, a Corsair, and an F4F. Zeros and Bettys look to be coming out of Rabaul, so the upcoming ops against Vella La Vella may be dicey. Will recall VF-42 and its Hellcats from SWPAC to assist.

In SWPAC, Allied LBA hits Darwin again and meets no CAP and light flak. AF should be shut down and a pair of Kates and Zeros were destroyed on the ground. Will expand airstrikes to Katherine AF as well as hitting Darwin again, this time both AF and Port will be targeted. B-25s strike at low level against transports at Hansa Bay on the north coast of New Guinea without loss to either side - but are met by half a dozen Oscars on CAP. Will sweep Hansa with P-38s next turn. Gove is fully built up and established as a major base (Level 5 AF/Level 2 Port, 12k supply), and transports continue to push in fresh troops and supply.

In WAUS, an interesting turn. On the landward side, both Allied and IJA airpower focuses on hitting ground troops in the Corruna Downs area, neither protected by CAP. US bombers pound the two Naval Guard Units in the open desert, causing over 700 casualties with no Allied loss. IJA Sallys, heavily escorted by Oscars hit the US 41st Div at Corruna Downs. No CAP, but two AA Bns knock down 7 Sallys and the bombers do little damage to the division. The big news is on day two, an IJN fast transport run to Port Hedland loiters a bit too long, and is found by Exmouth based LBA in daylight. SBDs and B-25Ds do good work with no fighter opposition, claiming the sinking of CL Yubari, two DDs and a DMS. I’ll take it!
I expect the remaining ships to be gone by first light, but a few subs may get lucky.

In China, NSTR - to include no IJA LBA hitting targets.

In India/Burma, Allied air continues to gently probe IJA fighter disposition in Burma. A single P-40K squadron sweeps Mandalay, and does OK against robust defending Oscar CAP, downing 12 for 8 lost. Wellingtons hit the bastion Magwe at night and surprising don’t find any CAP and therefore do very well at 6000ft. The two squadrons over two days destroy 12 Oscar, 4 Tojo and 5 Tonys on the ground. Still don’t have the fighter strength to go head on against Magwe, so will continue to nibble around the edges. Meanwhile, Allied transports continue to shuttle supplies into Akyab without enemy air strikes.





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Post #: 804
RE: 30 Apr - 1 May 43 - 1/25/2017 2:45:45 PM   
jwolf

 

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline 		That's a nice result against the IJN near Port Hedland. Maybe the balance of power is slowly shifting your way in this theater.

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Post #: 805
2-3 May 43 - 1/28/2017 4:37:35 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		2-3 May 43

Highlights – Bettys hit shipping off Rossel Is; Allied subs get feisty.

Jpn ships sunk:
DD: 1 (Ushio - reportedly by collision off Milne Bay)
SS: 1 (I-173)
xAK: 2
xAKL: 1

Jpn ships unsunk:
DD: 1 (Ariake)
SS: 1 (I-154)

Allied ships sunk:
LST: 1 (First LST lost!)

Air loss:
Jpn: 53
Allied: 22

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 10 Attacks, 5 ships hit (2xAK sunk, xAKL sunk, 2xAK dam)
SS Pogy makes 4 separate attacks in the Yellow Sea hitting 3 of the 4 xAKs!

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin: Slow convoy departs LA for Auck.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, with Nauru falling, Navy bombers (forgot to change mission) hit ground targets in Kusaie Is, Roi, and Mili which should keep L_S_T guessing as to the next target - which is Mili. Troops begin loading for Mili as transports from Nauru return. Will need Mili AF to continue advance into the Marshalls. Still no air or naval opposition in CENPAC.

In SOPAC, IJN LBA (42Z, 16B) finally attack something other than PTs, hitting a small convoy with two LSTs off Rossel Is, sinking one LST at a cost of 9Z and 9B by CAP, which lose 3 F4F and no P-39s. Rossel AF reaches level 2. Will continue to build up Rossel as Vella La Vella preparations continue.

In SWPAC, Allied LBA hit both Katherine and Darwin with moderate effect, and meet no CAP. Looks like L_S_T has removed LBA other than recon/search from NE Oz (7 Dinahs destroyed on the ground at Katherine) - surprised he’d concede Darwin so quickly as his main port. Looks like his center of gravity in OZ is more to the west - Broome.

In WAUS, Allied LBA continue to hit the two Naval Guard units in the desert by Corruna Downs - this time protected by a weak LRCAP which does little to protect the units, but do cause casualties to Allied fighters operating at their max range to provide sweeps and LRCAP themselves. 5 Kitty IIIs and 5 F4Fs are lost in exchange for 3 Zeros and 10 Nicks while the bombers continue with good effect on the ground troops. Meanwhile Corruna Downs is slooowly expanding toward a level 1 AF - shortages of engineers and supply slowing progress.

In China, IJA sweep Chungking with Tojos finding no Allied CAP. Expect the bombers to follow shortly.

In India/Burma, NSTR.


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Post #: 806
4-5 May 43 - 2/1/2017 6:47:48 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		4-5 May 43

Highlights – Good day in the air in SOPAC as IJN LBA come calling.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 2 (I-153, I-165)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 141
Allied: 32

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: IJN heavy units (BB, 2CAs?) come out of Rabaul to Shortlands…..curious.

West Coast/Admin: Fast convoy departs LA for Auck.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, Mili invasion TFs finish loading, and will begin moving to staging areas at Tarawa and Abemama. Will move to Mili next turn with CVE and CA TFs. LBA begins softening up Mili. Do not anticipate any enemy reactions.

In SOPAC, with last turn’s LBA strike at Rossel, I rotated out the worn down P-39 and F4F squadrons with fresh P-40k and P-39 squadrons to provide CAP for the CA TF (3CA, CL, DDs) moving there - I figured it might draw attention, and it certainly did. Five separate strikes over two days (89Z/45B, 18Z/13B, 81Z/16B, 81Z/18B, 56Z/3B) are met by a CAP never exceeding 24 fighters, succeed in hitting CA Vincennes with a single torp (19/16(8)/1(1)). The CAP does very well (totals a bit later), and the ships AA does extremely well, knocking down 25 Bettys - seemingly all attacking bombers were at least damaged during the replay. The Zeros were operating at under 10,000 ft and extended range, which certainly helped the defending CAP. Three Betty/Zero strikes (16Z/12B, 8B, 3B) also targeted shipping off Rekata Bay, and were met by Corsairs and Wildcats which chewed them up pretty well with no friendly loss. Between the Rekata and Rossel strikes, the IJN air lost 68Z and 51B! CAP losses were only 7 P-39 and 3 P-40k. A solid two day’s work. The key takeaway here is that the major IJN airstrike had the Zeros at 12hex range - extended range with drop tanks, and the target was a “hard target” - a naval task force - ships with good experience and plenty of newly installed 40mm AA. A much better prospect than having these same planes hit the TF landing troops at Vella La Vella in a few days. With some luck, this broke the back of the Betty force - or at least L_S_T’s willingness to use it against naval targets. Lastly, an IJN TF (BB, 2CAs, DDs?) was sighted at Shortlands, and attacked by unescorted SBDs which lost 4 to a weak 3 plane Zero CAP. 14th MAG Corsairs were occupied over Rekata Bay instead of escorting the SBDs - an opportunity missed. Surprised to see the heavy units this far forward in the Solomons, clearly in US SBD/TBF range. My guess they are staging for another run at Rossel Is. I’ll have PTs waiting, but clearing out the US CA TF as 5” ammo is pretty well dry after the Betty beat down. I’m also moving in some TBFs and additional SBDs to try and catch the IJN at sea, and increasing potential fighter escort cover. Damaging the BB Hiei and removing that threat before landing at Vella will go a long way,

In SWPAC, Allied LBA again hit both Katherine and Darwin with moderate effect, and meet no CAP. Much activity at Gove as light shipping is gathered to land troops across at Wessel Is - only 2xAPs will be used, the rest LSTs and LC - escorted by DDs and AMs only. Another low budget operation.

In WAUS, Allied LBA again hit the two Naval Guard units in the desert by Corruna Downs - which had slightly better LRCAP support and less Allied fighter cover. The results were disappointing with 6 Kittys, 3 F4Fs, 4 B-24D and 2 B-24s lost in exchange for 5 Oscars and 2 Nicks and moderate damage to the ground troops - bombers need to rest, the results aren’t warranting the losses or fatigue.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, NSTR






Attachment (1)

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 807
RE: 4-5 May 43 - 2/2/2017 4:48:19 PM   
Macclan5


Posts: 1065
Joined: 3/24/2016
From: Toronto Canada
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

4-5 May 43

Highlights – Good day in the air in SOPAC as IJN LBA come calling.

Air loss:
Jpn: 141
Allied: 32



Plus operational losses flying at extended range with flak damage.

Good day indeed.

The TBFs and SBDs are just what the doctor ordered if your opponents strategy is to "counter punch" with fast SCTF bombardment runs. Nice surprise waiting for you Mr Tojo.

Even moderate damage on any of the heavies (BB CA) will make defending Munda / Shortlands by "Air only" out of Rabul very tenuous.

_____________________________

A People that values its privileges above it's principles will soon loose both. Dwight D Eisenhower.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 808
6-7 May 43 - 2/7/2017 7:36:30 PM   
IdahoNYer


Posts: 2616
Joined: 9/6/2009
From: NYer living in Boise, ID
Status: offline 		6-7 May 43

Highlights – Pretty quiet; IJA LBA begins focusing on Chungking.

Jpn ships sunk:
CA: 1 (Kako - reportedly sunk by a single PBY torp off Merauke 25Feb43 - who knew??!!)
E: 1 (W-26)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 20
Allied: 19

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 10 Attacks, 3 ships hit (E sunk, xAK, xAKL dam)

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv:
Arorae (CENPAC)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated:
Arorae (CENPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: IJN BB TF pulls out of Shortland, location unknown.

West Coast/Admin: NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, US IN Bn lands to secure Arorae, evacuated by the Jpn and the last atoll to be secured in the Gilberts. Mili invasion TFs link up at Mili, and will land next turn. US LBA begins focused ground support against the Mili Naval Fortress.

In SOPAC, its quiet as the IJN pulls off from Shortland - assumed to be back in Rabaul, but that’s a guess. B-24s hit Rabaul port at night, putting bombs on a sub (RO-106) and two small AGs, no CAP and no Allied loss to Flak. Troops begin loading for Vella La Vella on ships at Lunga, and landing craft at Tulagi. Primary TFs will stage at Tulagi, and the barges will stage at Rekata. Air forces largely rest in preparation of covering invasion.

In SWPAC, Darwin and Katherine again hit with no opposition, and Allied bombers need to rest as focus now shifts to supporting landing at Wessel, which will launch next turn. A true “Operation Shoestring”, with only two xAPs and DDs as the largest warship.

In WAUS, while I wanted the bombers to rest, I forgot one B-17 squadron which went against the IJA forces adjacent to Corruna Downs and lost 5 of 10 planes to fighter cover. Not good. Construction continues on the AF there, now at 60%. Supplies still critically low.

In China, the IJA airforces return and begin heavy raids against Chungking AF, heavily supported by fighter sweeps. Not much can be done, unless I want to fly in P-38s to Kumning and fly LRCAP. Not yet anyway.

In India/Burma, NSTR

(in reply to Macclan5)
Post #: 809
RE: 6-7 May 43 - 2/7/2017 8:02:13 PM   
jwolf

 

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

Not much can be done, unless I want to fly in P-38s to Kunming and fly LRCAP.


Hard to believe that would be effective at that distance. Especially vs. enemy sweeps.

(in reply to IdahoNYer)
Post #: 810
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