RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J) DBB-B

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RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/2/2018 11:18:55 PM

Bif1961

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

That high speed dash may cause additional float damage to the Yorktown.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 361

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/3/2018 1:51:49 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

16 May 42

Near Rennell Island, Brit sub Truant fires 2 torpedoes at APD Shimakaze, but misses. 4 other APDs and CL Nagara are spotted. This task force came from Tanna.

Nearby, Dutch sub O19 spots CL Abukuma and DD Yunagi. 4 torpedoes are fired at Abukuma and 2 hit, but one is a dud. Later, Dutch sub KXVIII got 2 attacks on Yunagi, launching 2 torpedoes each time, but all missed.

A dozen Chinese P-43s sweep Lashio in Burma, finding 22 Zeros. Equal losses, about 4 each. It's worth noting that I see enemy movement eastbound out of Lashio toward Paoshan and China now. I know that the Imperial Guard Division landed at Rangoon, and that it railed out of Rangoon to the north. I don't know where it is now, but it could be heading east to China. Something at Lashio is at least appearing to start moving that way.

The enemy finally attacks the contested hex near Kweilin, starting with every bomber in the area hitting the Chinese troops in the wooded terrain.

42 Nells
26 Sallys
27 Lilys
12 Sonias
18 Sallys
18 Sonias
9 Lilys

I will not feel bad when the Allied bombers are used in great numbers later in the war.

The troops are softened up and kicked out of the hex to the north. The pocket is essentially closed now.

Ground combat at 77,53 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58553 troops, 525 guns, 299 vehicles, Assault Value = 1853

Defending force 18802 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 563

Japanese adjusted assault: 1236

Allied adjusted defense: 589

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1114 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 113 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Allied ground losses:
8692 casualties reported
Squads: 203 destroyed, 173 disabled
Non Combat: 211 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 9 (5 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment
63rd Division
3rd Division
15th Tank Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
15th Division
36th Division
11th Army
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
40th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
12th Group Army
22nd Artillery Regiment

The NZ 1st Fiji Battalion attacks at Tanna, causing minor casualties to the enemy engineers.

Ground combat at Tanna (120,157)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 782 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 33

Defending force 225 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 9

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+)
Attacker: leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Fiji Battalion

Defending units:
1st Engineer Co

I made a big mistake today. When we had the big naval battles at Koumac, the weather was bad and my bomber strikes on Koumac did not occur. I forgot to reset my B-17s in Australia, and 6 squadrons flew to Koumac today. The CAP was heavy, as always, and wasn't bothered with any sweeps. Of 48 B-17s, 9 were lost in air-to-air combat, 2 lost to flak, and 3 lost to ops. A costly oversight. Some Zeros were downed, as happens with the heavies. The airfield and port was bombed, but nothing was hit at all.

Allied carriers successfully dodged enemy subs and are (hopefully) leaving the area unobserved. SBDs were stationed at Norfolk Island and are lighting up enemy subs there, and may be giving the impression that the carriers are there. CL St. Louis has gotten out of the heavy enemy sub area also, headed to Sydney. CV Yorktown has done the same. I've been using full speed for both of them, and additional damage incurred has been insignificant. I have to save Yorktown, of course, but it's going to be a big morale lift to save St. Louis. I do enjoy the challenge of saving the badly damaged ships.

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(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 362

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/4/2018 8:38:14 PM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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17 May 42

Sub Truant is spotted by APDs near Munda, but is not hit.

Sub Pickerel is hit by a depth charge near Ndeni. The enemy task force has 3 heavy cruisers, a light cruiser, and 5 destroyers. I believe that the ships are heading north, and came from Luganville, but they could be heading to Luganville. Pickerel takes moderate damage and heads to Brisbane for repairs.

The enemy air got active on the Indian border today. 42 Oscars swept Dimapur, west of Ledo, followed by 36 more Oscars and then 54 Sallys bombed the airfield, escorted by another 30 Oscars. There is no CAP. Just some recon aircraft based there. The airfield takes moderate damage.

29 Nells from Daly Waters bombed the airfield at Cloncurry, in Australia. Cloncurry is the only base that can easily cover Normanton, should a landing occur there. Cloncurry's airbase is heavily damaged by the Nells flying at just 2,000 feet. There was no CAP. I'm sending an engineer unit there to help with repairs.

South of Noumea:

Sub attack near Isle of Pines at 116,163

Japanese Ships
SS I-9, hits 5

Allied Ships
xAP Matua, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Chaumont
APD Little

SS I-9 launches 2 torpedoes at xAP Matua

Mantua sinks soon after. It was empty, as the task force had just left Noumea after unloading support and vehicles with the Americal Division. I tried to look up information on Mantua, to give some historical perspective on this small Dutch transport, but could find none. It was one of the many ships that successfully escaped Java. There were a good number of small xAPs like Mantua that I moved to Melbourne. I like to use these ships for missions like sending men to Noumea, where they are going into a dangerous area, with sub and air threats. The ships are small and comparatively expendable.

In China, the enemy attacks at Nanning, which would open up the road and rail link from Vietnam all the way through China. A weak Chinese corp defends, but it was enough, for today.

Ground combat at Nanning (72,55)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3851 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Defending force 1625 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 72

Japanese adjusted assault: 115

Allied adjusted defense: 291

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment

Defending units:
89th Chinese Corps

Lots of Allied ship movement in the South Pacific, as you can see.

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(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 363

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/5/2018 9:31:36 PM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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18 May 42

South of Noumea, I-19 fires 4 torpedoes at destroyer Fanning, but misses. Fanning is escorting small transports into Noumea, carrying the last parts of Americal Division, 6th Marine Regiment, 2 USMC Field Artillery, and Wedge Donovan's 1st US CB unit.

Near Mergui, in the Indian Ocean, sub Sailfish fires 4 torpedoes at destroyer Nenohi, but misses. CS Mizuho is spotted. A seaplane carrier in the Indian Ocean. Hmmm. It doesn't get the alarm bells ringing like seeing a real carrier, but it's a step in that direction. KB has been missing long enough to be anywhere now. Ships not needed at Colombo decide to head north just in case.

Northeast of Noumea, I-26 fires 2 torpedoes at sub Thresher, but misses.

42 Nells bombed Clark Field on Luzon.

2 squadrons from Suva bomb Luganville's port, and find no enemy CAP:

Morning Air attack on Luganville , at 120,150

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
YO J-3999, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AV Kamoi, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
AG Mamiya, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Port fuel hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Morning Air attack on Luganville , at 120,150

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 4

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AV Kamoi, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Nice to have one of these surprise strikes work. From audio, something sank later in the day.

And the big news for today is that the enemy has retreated north from Noumea. It appears that we have succeeded in saving Noumea. We'll now watch to see if Aurorus extracts units from New Caledonia. Either way, it's a win in my book, especially when it's just May 1942. Remember, the historical Guadalcanal started in August 1942, with the Marine landing. It's still early.

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(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 364

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/5/2018 10:36:23 PM

Platoonist

Posts: 1342
Joined: 5/11/2003
From: Kila Hana
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quote:

ORIGINAL: apbarog

---and Wedge Donovan's 1st US CB unit.

The war is as good as won.

_____________________________

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Post #: 365

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/7/2018 2:18:17 AM

apbarog

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19 May 42

Sub Tambor spots a couple of xAKs and PBs near Ponape. 2 torpedoes are fired at xAK Ginyo Maru. One hits, and it's a dud.

Chungking gets the first enemy fighter sweep. 44 Zeros sweep, finding 10 P-43s and 10 Hurricanes. It's a slaughter. 10 Hurricanes and 3 P-43s lost. Just one Zero lost, and it's an ops loss. Maybe not even in this fight. My choice is to load up Chungking with all of the fighters at Ledo, or evacuate. I evacuate. The enemy has loaded up lots of fighters in northern Burma, and could sweep Ledo any day. I have lots of transports there, and I need to keep them flying the Hump, so I'll defend there. It's rough trying to defend against 45 plane squadrons. I need quantity and quality, and I'm lacking some of both still.

During the replay, enemy ships were spotted on the north coast of Mindanao, and also passing through the islands north of Luzon.

Note that all US subs have now completed their April '42 upgrades. The 2nd Marine Division has now formed at Noumea. Americal goes into rest mode there to train. Supply and some Americal vehicles are still landing there.

SigInt says that the Botanko Heavy Gun unit is at Batavia. So it hasn't left Java, yet.

(in reply to Platoonist)

Post #: 366

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/7/2018 6:42:14 PM

Dirtnap86

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Joined: 10/3/2016
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quote:

It's rough trying to defend against 45 plane squadrons.

Preach it. The Tigers are about the only early war squadrons that can stand up to sweeps, and that's only because you have so many of them and they have great xp and skills, you can rotate em around.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 367

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/7/2018 7:56:40 PM

apbarog

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2 of the 3 Flying Tiger squadrons have P-40Es, and that pool is practically empty. The other squadron still has H-81s, which has a pool of replacements, but isn't the best choice to use. The pilots are still the best I have. If I lumped them all together, I could hold my own against a 45 plane elite Zero unit. But just one unit. Aurorus doesn't hesitate to send everything he has. That's kind of the situation at Ledo right now. I have lots of fighters there, and he has lots of fighters to the south, close. I expect a series of sweeps at any time.

(in reply to Dirtnap86)

Post #: 368

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/8/2018 1:56:40 AM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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20 May 42

Sometimes there are minor events in the game that just make you shake your head. I have a base unit at Noumea. At least, most of the unit is at Noumea. There is one vehicle left behind at Suva. I'd like to get that vehicle to Noumea. After all, the general needs his staff car! Tiny xAKL Mapele was at Vava'u, not far from Suva. But I couldn't find a small escort anywhere nearby. I didn't want to send a destroyer for such a small ship and mission. I am very diligent about having an escort ship in just about every task force. No point in losing ships, particularly cargo/transports, to subs fighting on the surface. The ship rarely survives. But Suva is only a few days sailing from Vava'u, so I decided to risk it without an escort. And wouldn't you know, I-168 found Mapele halfway to Suva, surfaced, and sank the ship. Just figures.

At Pago Pago, I-18 fired 4 torpedoes at DD McCall. McCall is with CA Louisville and some other DDs. All torpedoes missed. I-18 immediately tried again, and fired 2 torpedoes at DD Gridley, and missed. DD Maury got some minor damage on the sub. There was also a message implying that a midget sub was lost there.

PC Onondaga is on the way to Norfolk Island for ASW patrols. It finds I-8 on the way, but only gets a minor hit.

Near Tavoy, in the shallows, S-41 is spotted by a patrol boat escorting at least one xAK. The sub took a minor hit and will retire to Colombo.

On Mindanao, I see that there are more enemy units on the coast NE of Malaybalay, heading west to take the road to the contested mountain base.

In a mistake that worked out, 16 Blens bombed Myitkyina today, finding no CAP. There were almost 100 enemy fighters there yesterday. I forgot to reassign their earlier mission and almost lost them all. Almost, if the fighters had still been there. Or been flying. None spotted today.

A bit to the south, enemy bombers, escorted, bombed Paoshan in China. There's an increase in enemy units at the Japanese base to the west, but I don't have a good handle on the number of troops yet.

Between Woodlark Island and Rabaul, Brit sub Truant fired 2 torpedoes at medium tanker Nihon Maru, and one hits. The tanker is burning, but is empty.

Nookanbah, the inland base southeast of Broome, is taken by the enemy 23rd Nav Gd unit.

Allied forces attack at Tanna. Adding the Marine Raiders to the mix is helping to fight the engineers.

Ground combat at Tanna (120,157)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1811 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Defending force 267 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 44

Japanese adjusted defense: 3

Allied assault odds: 14 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
1st Fiji Battalion
26th Port Maint Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
1st Engineer Co

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 369

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/9/2018 2:43:37 AM

apbarog

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21 May 42

Sub Porpoise spots a task force near Ndeni, spotting 4 tiny yard oilers and 3 patrol boats. 2 torpedoes are fired at PB Kembu Maru. Both hit, and both are NOT duds! The patrol boat sinks.

Tanna gets a 45 Oscar sweep from Koumac, followed by a small naval strike from Luganville. I was wondering how long I'd get a free pass with unloading at Tanna.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tanna at 120,157

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A1 Val x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAP Van der Lijn, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Van den Bosch, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D3A1 Val bombing from 18000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Van der Lijn

Van der Lijn sinks. Unloading of troops had been completed. Van den Bosch will probably burn up in the size 1 port. The rest of the task force will leave, with just a small amount of supply still loaded. The movement of men and supply to Tanna saved the island base from an easy capture by an enemy engineer unit. The enemy's 1st Engineer Company is eliminated by attrition after the fight.

Ground combat at Tanna (120,157)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1803 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Defending force 193 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 26

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 26 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion
1st Fiji Battalion
26th Port Maint Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
1st Engineer Co

Allied high command declares that the tide has turned, with the brave defenses of Noumea and Tanna.

[edit: I forgot to mention that an enemy unit, divisional strength, has moved east of Lashio to the Chinese border, toward Paoshan. Keeping a close eye here.]

See the map for upcoming activities in another area.

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< Message edited by apbarog -- 2/9/2018 3:34:33 AM >

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 370

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/10/2018 4:16:13 AM

apbarog

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22 May 42

The enemy task force did go to Tabiteuea, but not to drop off troops. They are minesweepers, and they didn't find any mines. They did find sub Grampus waiting for them, but there was no engagement. So, no enemy troops yet, but the intention is certainly there. It is nice to see the level of caution being used by Aurorus. I've used mines here and there early on, and done enough to keep the threat in his mind. Lately, I've been stockpiling mines for future use.

In a curious related move, 6 Vals from Tarawa bombed Tabiteuea's port, finding no ships. The Cats are based nearby though, at another dot base. The 4 US destroyers rushing to Tabiteuea are spotted about 8 hexes to the SE. The minesweepers will undoubtedly not be there tomorrow, so I send the DDs east to Canton Island for fuel. Task forces are loading or are now enroute to Tabiteuea. It'll take about a week for everything to get close to the island.

Nanning in China gets the treatment today. Every enemy bomber in China (probably) hits troops there, and sweepers did their thing first. A big enemy division moved in to reinforce the weak one that tried to clear the town earlier in the week, and the base was lost to the enemy, easily.

Nells from Katherine bomb Aussie troops at Cloncurry, causing lots of disablements in the clear terrain. When they were bombing the airfield, it was just a nuisance. Causing 150 casualties in the clear terrain demands action, and a P-39 squadron is moved in.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 371

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/11/2018 3:01:00 AM

apbarog

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23 May 42

Very little combat report activity today. Sallys bombed Malaybalay on Mindanao. More enemy troops will be coming from Cagayan soon. Sallys bombed Clark. And the enemy regiment at Malaybalay did its daily artillery bombardment, to no effect. That's it.

The enemy minesweeping task force at Tabiteuea did leave, going back to Tarawa. The pioneer unit was successfully flown to Tabiteuea from Canton Island on Catalinas. Just 3 vehicles remain at Canton, and they are now loading for Canton, along with other units that are also loading.

Task forces from the south are moving north toward the Gilberts.

The enemy division moving east from Lashio in Burma toward the Chinese border is confirmed to be the Imperial Guard Division. Other units show movement that way also, but haven't left Lashio yet.

Americal Division, a couple of artillery units, and an armor unit have moved to La Foa from Noumea. They will do an artillery attack today. There's at least one enemy unit just north of La Foa. Noumea is all the way up to 34,000 supply now, which is outstanding.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 372

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/11/2018 4:26:45 AM

apbarog

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23 May 42- China

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RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/11/2018 4:27:41 AM

apbarog

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23 May 42 - The Gilberts

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RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/11/2018 1:20:37 PM

zuluhour

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Beware the reverse Midway in the Gilberts.........

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RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/11/2018 4:43:44 PM

apbarog

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I'm hoping that my good search coverage with Catalinas will give me warning. Bad weather, of course, can prevent that, but this isn't the worst situation to go into. The base is still mine, I have Catalinas right there, the closest enemy base is just a size 2, I'm using all of my working carriers, and I'm using a bunch of valuable APs for unloading.

I want to get there, unload quickly, and leave the area, to set up for the next operation.

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Post #: 376

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/12/2018 3:55:12 AM

apbarog

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24 May 42

PC Daphne is patrolling around Norfolk Island. I-16 found the ship and hit it with a torpedo, sinking her. I guess that counts as an ASW mission.

At La Foa, Aurorus notices the advancing US troops, and conducts an artillery attack. The Americans do the same. The Allies reconnaisance was apparently in error. Instead of fewer than 10,000 troops there, there are about 35,000 men there. The US troops turn around and start heading back to Noumea, in combat mode. The enemy could attack them, but I think that the terrain modifier would prevent a defeat here. I had a unit at Noumea start to move to La Foa, just to show movement and maybe confuse Aurorus as to my intentions. That unit won't move.

Ground combat at La Foa (114,159)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 29035 troops, 313 guns, 97 vehicles, Assault Value = 979

Defending force 12957 troops, 225 guns, 221 vehicles, Assault Value = 430

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
16th Division
9th Tank Regiment
4th Division
56th Engineer Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
4th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
Americal Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion

Task forces for the Tabiteuea mission continue to move to the target.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 377

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/12/2018 5:46:36 AM

apbarog

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My recon definitely failed me, but I wonder if Aurorus was laying a trap: retreating from Noumea, faking a general withdrawal north. Then, when I immediately started moving from Noumea, moving the divisions back into La Foa. Maybe. If I had probed to the north with anything less than what I did, there'd be a problem. I think the terrain will save me, but can't rule anything out. That would be a setback for the Americal Division.

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Post #: 378

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/13/2018 3:46:40 AM

apbarog

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25 May 42

Sallys bombed Malaybalay again. Sonias bombed Chinese troops in the southern pocket again. Enemy artillery attack at La Foa again, and the same at Malaybalay, again.

Little action but plenty of movement with action to come. Allied task forces continue to come together and advance toward Tabiteuea. Enemy minesweepers seen still at Tarawa. If things go right at Tabiteuea, we'll land all of our troops and leave without a major engagement.

CL St. Louis leaves Lord Howe Island to head to Sydney. CL Durban has slowly ticked upward in SYS and FLOT damage. It's still about 8 hexes from Auckland, moving a single hex a day. Still hoping for the best. It has made it this far.

Imperial Guard Division moved a hex into China today, moving toward Paoshan. It's now in the mountains. Now we'll see if it continues eastward.

< Message edited by apbarog -- 2/13/2018 3:47:58 AM >

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RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/14/2018 1:07:47 AM

apbarog

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26 May 42

South of Norfolk Island, I-7 spots a convoy with huge transports. 2 torpedoes are fired at xAP Rangitiki, but miss. Other xAP spotted are Rangitata and Largs Bay. Not spotted are Duchess of Belford and Noordam. DD Laffey is escorting. The convoy is headed back to the West Coast after unloading a US Army infantry division at Sydney. The position of the attack could be interpreted as shipping headed between Noumea and Auckland, and could be interpreted as big reinforcements headed to Noumea. The area around Norfolk Island is infested with enemy subs. I've now moved 2 SBD squadrons to the airbase there, and they are on ASW duty. A B-26 squadron has been on ASW duty all along. I was lucky not to lose a huge transport today.

Zeros from Luganville swept La Foa. There was no CAP. 21 Nells then attacked US troops at La Foa, with the Nells bombing from 2,000 feet. No troops were hit, and a bunch of Nells were damaged from antiaircraft fire.

45 Oscars swept Paoshan in China, followed by 54 Sallys bombing the airfield, doing moderate damage.

Just NW of Nauru Island, sub Trout spots xAK Tarushima Maru and a patrol boat, fires 2 torpedoes at the cargo ship, and misses.

Enemy ground troops at La Foa try a deliberate attack against the US troops:

Ground combat at La Foa (114,159)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31792 troops, 326 guns, 168 vehicles, Assault Value = 977

Defending force 12950 troops, 225 guns, 221 vehicles, Assault Value = 425

Japanese adjusted assault: 593

Allied adjusted defense: 715

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
424 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
254 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 25 (4 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Division
16th Division
9th Tank Regiment
56th Engineer Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
Americal Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion

It's about even losses, really, with the enemy squads disabled and some of everything disabled for the Allies. Over time, with constant attacks, and with switching divisions in and out of La Foa, the enemy could prevail here. But it would take time and swapping fresh units in. In the meantime, the Allies are advancing in another direction, back to Noumea.

One US carrier task force was spotted south of the Gilberts today. The armada will move toward Tabiteuea, stopping 2 hexes to the SE of the base.

The first CVE arrived today: CVE Long Island is at Panama.

An interesting piece of SigInt today: 1/1 Raid Regiment is at Taung Gyi in Burma. This base is in central Burma, and has an airfield size 1. The interesting part, to me, is that this is a fragment of the unit. Why is the unit fragmented? This isn't a case of being loaded on ships. Not sure what to make of this. Extreme ideas are that the unit was loaded on ships, and a fragment was left here, and the bulk of the unit is off somewhere else on a secret mission. Just a paranoid thought though.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 380

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/15/2018 12:56:11 AM

apbarog

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27 May 42

45 Zeros and 45 Oscars sweep Paoshan in western China.

Near Hengyang, in the Chinese pocket, lots of Sonias bomb Chinese troops in the woods, without escort. A dozen or so Oscars do sweep the hex later in the day. There is no CAP, but there will be tomorrow. P-40Es and Hurricanes are brought in from Ledo for a 4 hex LRCAP mission.

The Gilberts armada is now 2 hexes SE of Tabiteuea. Some task forces are spotted, but not the carriers, but they'd been seen yesterday. Lots of shipping will unload at Tabiteuea with the night phase. Remember, Tabiteuea is and has been a US base. The enemy hasn't come further south than Tarawa.

Just one enemy sub is spotted in the area today, well east of the armada. Carriers will stay in place, and will LRCAP Tabiteuea with a squadron tomorrow, and a couple of fighter squadrons will range CAP also. I want to unload ASAP and leave ASAP, then misdirect Aurorus as to which way they are retiring, to set up for the next operation.

Enemy carriers have not been seen in weeks. Plenty of SigInt of troops prepping for Luzon. Some troops that were used in Java are still there, including some of the good artillery. I think some of that is earmarked for Bataan.

Heavily damaged CL St. Louis pulls into Sydney today. Gravely damaged CL Durban gets to Auckland today or tomorrow. Hurrah!

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 381

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/15/2018 11:43:40 PM

apbarog

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28 May 42

Sub Haddock fires 2 torpedoes at xAK Kurogane Maru near Makin, but misses.

My CAP trap works, sort of, near Hengyang. 7 Hurris and 7 P-40Es intercept 12 Oscars sweeping. A couple of Oscars are downed. 57 Sonias then arrive unescorted, and 6 P-40Es intercept, but time to target was just 5 minutes, and no intercept actually occurs. The same happened with follow-on raids of 16 Sonias and 9 Sonias. A great chance to down some bombers, but it didn't happen.

Most troops unloading at Tabiteuea have done so. The good APs should leave tomorrow, with some xAKs staying to unload supply.

CL Durban is at Auckland with SYS 43/FLOT 73-60/ENG 18-14/FIRE 0. It had FLOT damage in the 90's when at Noumea, but it is now safe.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 382

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/16/2018 3:33:07 AM

BBfanboy

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: apbarog

26 May 42

An interesting piece of SigInt today: 1/1 Raid Regiment is at Taung Gyi in Burma. This base is in central Burma, and has an airfield size 1. The interesting part, to me, is that this is a fragment of the unit. Why is the unit fragmented? This isn't a case of being loaded on ships. Not sure what to make of this. Extreme ideas are that the unit was loaded on ships, and a fragment was left here, and the bulk of the unit is off somewhere else on a secret mission. Just a paranoid thought though.

A Raiding Regiment is a paratroop unit. He likely was flying it in and didn't have enough transport aircraft to lift all of it.

EDIT: PS - congrats on saving those cruisers. Like you, I like this "game within a game". When you succeed it gives you the comfortable illusion that you have control over some aspects of what happens!

< Message edited by BBfanboy -- 2/16/2018 3:35:38 AM >

_____________________________

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(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 383

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/18/2018 3:42:28 AM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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29 May 42

Sub Trout spots a carrier task force just NW of Nauru Island. 6 torpedoes are fired at CV Hiryu, but all miss. Sub Trigger then spots the same task force, which moved one hex to the NE, but there's no engagement. Hiryu is here, and probably not alone. This is danger close to Tabiteuea, so it's time to leave. It's worth noting that none of my subs got detection levels, so the carriers may have been approaching in silent mode.

Near Onotoa, I-24 spotted 3 US destroyers, and fired 6 torpedoes at DD Farragut, but missed.

30 Zeros from Tarawa swept Tabiteuea, and found 11 F4F-3As and 34 F4F-4s capping the amphibious and escort task forces there. The combat report showed approximately even losses, but actual losses were 7 F4F-4s, 6 F4F-3As, and 6 Zeros.

With all troops and support unloaded at Tabiteuea, and enemy carriers within one day's travel, the supply convoy and cruiser escorts will leave, as will the Allied carriers. The fast APs left during the day already, and are already leaving the area. Tabiteuea will be left to build and fend for itself for awhile.

The Imperial Guard Division is now adjacent to Paoshan in western China. It appears to be alone, and the other units at Lashio appear to have not left Lashio. With the forts at Paoshan, and the mountainous terrain, the base is safe against the lone division.

The enemy's Southern Army HQ is reported to be at Magwe. This is a forward deployment of the HQ, and could support an enemy offensive into India from there. It could be further south if the intentions of the enemy were just to defend Burma.

An enemy infantry division moved NW from La Foa, and was replaced with an infantry regiment.

With the upcoming June 1st turn, many ships will be due upgrades. Lots of cargo ships, and support ships. Most ships not needed in the next operation will upgrade immediately.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 384

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/18/2018 5:33:56 PM

apbarog

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I think you are right BBfanboy. That raiding regiment was previously further south, in Thailand, before the enemy went to Burma. It was probably being flown to the front. I think I've done a pretty good job covering potential paratroop drop bases behind my lines, so I'm not too concerned. I'm not seeing a general offensive towards India, yet.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 385

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/19/2018 4:18:12 AM

apbarog

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30 May 42

South of Norfolk Island about 4 hexes, 4 huge Allied transports are carrying an infantry division to Sydney. Midget sub SSX Ha-8 spots xAP Wakefield, fires 2 torpedoes, but misses. Then I-16, in the same hex, fires 6 torpedoes at xAP Mount Vernon, and gets one hit. Mount Vernon is now SYS 17/FLOT 33-17/ENG 0/FIRE 0, so it should be ok, and will procede to Sydney on its own, going a bit slower. The other 3 ships now make full speed to port. Got to get the division landed. 3 destroyers are patrolling these waters, but haven't found any of the many subs here yet. It was interesting to see a midget sub being used in mid-ocean.

In the pocket in southern China, near Hengyang, the enemy air force concentrates. There is one Chinese corp here in the woods, and no CAP. This is the hex that I CAP trapped yesterday but failed to intercept. Today, many enemy show up:

11 Oscars
27 Nates
26 Oscars
27 Sallys
27 Lilys
33 Sonias
29 Sallys
9 Sonias
3 Nates
18 Sonias
11 Nates
13 Sonias
9 Sonias

No sign of Hiryu near Nauru Island today. All Allied shipping left Tabiteuea. Carrier SBDs lit up a sub or two while withdrawing south. Today, all Allied ships ground their search and ASW planes and change course.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 386

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/20/2018 12:17:59 AM

Blackhorse

Posts: 1983
Joined: 8/20/2000
From: Eastern US
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apbarog,

I read this gripping AAR over the weekend. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. I've gleaned a lot of tips on how to play this monster. The New Caledonia actions read like the actual Guadalcanal campaign, but on steroids, and months earlier. Have you seen a substantial increase in the experience for your ground units on the island?

Key question: where are Wedge Donovan and the Fighting Seabees these days?

_____________________________

WitP-AE -- US LCU & AI Stuff

Oddball: Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
Moriarty: Crap!

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 387

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/20/2018 12:56:27 AM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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Thank you Blackhorse. I'm not much of a writer, so I let the day-to-day actions tell the story.

There has been very little combat on New Caledonia, actually. The enemy pushed south from Koumac, had superior numbers, but knew that it didn't have the numbers to take Noumea, so didn't really try. I was then able to reinforce and supply Noumea to it's stacking limit, but don't have the forces to move to La Foa and attack north. So not much combat, so not much experience gained. The 2nd Marine Division, now fully formed, is very experienced. The Americal Division is not, and has been in rest mode at Noumea since the enemy pulled back to La Foa. Americal is therefore gaining some experience slowly through training.

Wedge Donovan, with the 1st US CB's is still at Noumea, helping to dig in and build the airfield and port. Once the enemy saw Wedge coming at them with his bulldozer, they turned tail and retreated to La Foa. Yes, he has won the war. So far.

(in reply to Blackhorse)

Post #: 388

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/20/2018 6:09:53 AM

apbarog

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31 May 42

Near Jaluit in the Marshalls, sub Grayback fires 2 torpedoes at xAK Kurogane Maru. One hits, but it is a dud. The only other ship spotted is a patrol boat.

Near Funafuti, south of the Gilberts, I-168 fires 2 torpedoes at DD Balch, but misses. The enemy sees Prince of Wales, 5 cruisers, and 5 destroyers during the night phase. This is one of the carrier task forces. The attack happened at a fortunate spot for me. It's exactly at the point where I doglegged the carrier task force paths. It looks like they are heading due south of Tabiteuea, towards either Pago Pago or Suva. But they are not. The carrier task forces are not spotted during the day.

I don't remember enemy air attacks at Chittagong before today. 45 Zeros swept, finding 27 P-40Es, one of the Flying Tiger squadrons. 6 P-40s are lost, and no Zeros are shot down. This is the best I have to offer for pilots. 54 Sallys with 30 Oscars escorting arrive. 2 Oscars are downed. The bombers targeted ground units, and mostly hit the fortress unit there. Clear terrain but light rain. 150 casualties. I have to either load up 100+ fighters, or leave. For today, I leave. The AVG squadron needs time to recover, and rails to Madras. Finally, 42 Oscars arrive with a late sweep, downing a couple more P-40Es.

Enemy recon looks at Calcutta for the first time.

The hex near Hengyang gets the enemy treatment again today. Many fighters and bombers.

Many ships go into refit today. Lots of Australian infantry units upgrade.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 389

RE: Wedge Donovan Wins the War: Apbarog(A) vs Aurorus(J... - 2/21/2018 6:21:07 AM

apbarog

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1 Jun 42

S-31 spots a task force of tiny yard oilers near Luganville.

Sub Plunger spots an xAK and a PB near Makin, fires at the PB, but misses.

The isolated Chinese corp near Hengyang gets all of the fighter and bomber attention in China again today.

The enemy squadrons that hit Chittagong yesterday hit Imphal today. 3 groupings: Sallys with Oscars escorting, sweeping Zeros, and sweeping Oscars. There was no CAP, and the airfield took minor damage. Will be hard to stop with over 100 enemy fighters committed, and guessing where the next strike will be. At least the strikes seem to be being done just because they can be, not part of some offensive.

S-23 sinks a tiny minesweeper near Rangoon.

And the big news for today: Luzon is finally invaded by the enemy, with SNLF units landing at unoccupied Naga and Atimonan. Bataan is heavily defended, and still has 20,000 supply. Manila is lightly defended. All of the other units, mostly Philippine units, are in the inland jungle hexes of Luzon. They have been resting for 6 months, and have become somewhat capable units with good morale and somewhat better experience. They will have to be dug out of the jungle, off of the roads. This will take time, but it will happen, as they will run out of supply quickly once isolated. For me, Luzon is already a win. Skipping the early Luzon landing didn't make a significant difference to the war, in my opinion. And Luzon will hold out as long as possible. Whatever forces attack there now aren't being used elsewhere. And it will take some divisions to conquer. (SigInt just today says that 38 Division is planning for Bataan). It's too early to know, but a landing at Luzon now means less of a chance of a big invasion of Australia or India.

It has crossed my mind over the past few months to put together a Luzon rescue armada, but it just doesn't make sense. It probably wouldn't be a war winning move, with, at best, it prolonging the defense of Luzon, and it could very easily be a war losing move, risking the fleet and lots of cargo ships far from safety. Fun to think about, but not something I'd be comfortable doing.

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