RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/22/2018 6:40:49 AM

apbarog

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

14 Aug 42

Seal spotted an xAK task force near Phuket but missed PB Heiei Maru #7 with 2 torpedoes.
Cuttlefish fired 2 torpedoes at xAKL Tenposan Maru northwest of Jaluit. One hit, but it was a dud. The xAKL was escorted by an PB and just left Jaluit. That's 2 dud hits for Cuttlefish in 3 days.

With enemy cruisers spotted at Lunga, I didn't put aircraft on Ndeni. 42 Bettys and 43 Zeros showed up and did moderate damage to the airfield. I think that OPilot is on to my game there. I want to keep Ndeni operational as I will be flying paras from there to Tassafronga on invasion day. I tasked one of my cruiser groups for the invasions to go to Luganville instead of escorting the armada. I'll go to Ndeni and protect it, and then bombard Lunga prior to my other ships getting in range to do so.

The enemy, having captured Clark and Manila on Luzon, is now moving towards Bataan.

Almost no bombing in China today. I moved P-40s to Changsha.

Bandoeng is down to 2,300 supply. Bataan has been completely out of supply. Both have held for 8 months.

There's an enemy task force 5 hexes northeast of Kusaie Island. It shows 4 or 5 ships, and one is reported to be a CM. They came from Kwajalein most likely. It may be an incoming bombardment to Kusaie, but it may be something else. A bit close for the start of a bombardment run, unless it didn't move as OPilot planned. A small transport task force is one hex southwest of Kusaie, and has the rest of a Marine defense unit on it, and it was spotted. I'm running it into Kusaie. The last attempt like this was destroyed by battleships. If I do get to unload some at night, they may get hit by Bettys during the day. I didn't put fighters there due to low supply.

Ships from Brisbane, Koumac and Noumea are headed to the rendezvous point northwest of Koumac. They will all be within one hex of the spot tomorrow. AOs are there to top off any fuel tanks. Most don't need the fuel. Some from Koumac may, as it had no fuel recently when its task forces were forming. Noumea was hogging the fuel for its many ships. Lots of tankers are unloading at Noumea now.

My plan is to approach Guadalcanal from the south, getting to Rennell Island on D-1. That's 3 hexes from Lunga but 4 from Tulagi. We'll invade the next day.

(in reply to CaptBeefheart)

Post #: 571

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/23/2018 4:09:41 AM

apbarog

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

15 Aug 42

Dutch sub KX is guarding the bend near Milne Bay. It spotted a tanker with 2 destroyers and a patrol boat. Destroyer Nowaki got a depth charge hit on KX, which will head to Townsville and then Brisbane for repairs.

O23 spotted an enemy task force inbound to Kusaie from Ponape but didn't get a shot, and didn't get hit by the destroyers. I had a good idea that I wasn't going to like what happened next.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kusaie Island at 125,118, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Hyuga
CL Tatsuta
DD Asakaze
DD Harukaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
xAP Princess Charlotte, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
xAKL Nicarata, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAP Van den Bosch, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1724 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 75 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 63 (61 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)

The bulk of a Marine defense battalion is lost. I hated to see this happen but it's my own fault. I'd already had a small task force destroyed at Kusaie in this way. This time, like the last, my ships were seen south of Kusaie and OPilot knew they were inbound. Yesterday I posted that I was going to force the ships in anyhow. So I was burned twice. No more shipping into Kusaie, except for the fast transport destroyers and the SST subs, all carrying supply. I considered turning these ships around after being spotted, but I decided that they'd come all this way and were just one hex from unloading.

The ships were expendable. Princess Charlotte is a tiny short-ranged transport. Van den Bosch is one of those small Dutch transports I've spoken of. Losing the bulk of a unit wasn't good though.

The battleships then bombarded the base and caused moderate to heavy damage to the facilities, and most importantly, destroyed all of the supply except for 8. The troops there are going to go hungry often, that's for sure.

I could easily set a trap for these battleships, but all of my forces are concentrating on Guadalcanal now. I do have subs around Kusaie, like O23, but no luck with them so far. Maybe they'll get a battleship eventually.

18 Bettys then hit Kusaie, causing minimal damage.

I guessed Changsha for my P-40s in China and came up empty. Minimal bombing there today, all in the north.

Ships are headed to the rendezvous point, coming from Brisbane, Noumea and Koumac. Nothing spotted so far.

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< Message edited by apbarog -- 11/23/2018 4:10:29 AM >

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 572

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/24/2018 12:01:09 AM

apbarog

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

16 Aug 42

AM Abraham Crijnssen spotted enemy mines just northwest of Luganville. They will be swept soon.

Between Buka and Rabaul, S-27 fired 4 torpedoes at AO Ashizuri. One hit, setting the tanker on fire. There was no fuel on it though. However, in the afternoon, S-27 attacked again, firing 2 torpedoes and getting 2 hits, sinking the AO.

Sian and Kweilin were enemy bomber targets in China today.

SigInt says that the 16th Infantry Division is planning to attack Darwin. So an attack here is finally coming, most likely.

6 units are spotted heading towards Bandoeng. This could be the final stand for the Dutch there. There's still some supply, over 2,000, but it is dwindling. Maybe the enemy can make one more costly attack before supply runs out. The Dutch have slowly weakened over time, with constant bombing and artillery attacks, and the occasional enemy deliberate attack. It's been quite an epic defense. All due to the mountains and hoarding the supply there when Batavia and Soerabaja were about to fall.

"Spotted enemy carriers" audio but not seen on the map again. Some destroyers again on the map 2 hexes northwest of Ponape. These have to be the enemy carriers, lurking there.

The storm gathers south of the Solomons.

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(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 573

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/24/2018 10:18:59 PM

apbarog

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

17 Aug 42

Still enemy subs around Ceylon, but a bit further out now. Plenty of ASW ships are out looking, as well as a few squadrons of aircraft.

The war is a big chess match. Actually, it's a collection of many smaller chess matches. My plan at Ndeni worked, with limited results.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ndeni at 120,143, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 16, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Kuma, Shell hits 1
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 1
DD Yamagumo, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
CA Chicago, Shell hits 1
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Raleigh, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Detroit
CL Trenton
DD Case
DD Shaw
DD Flusser, Shell hits 1
DD Downes, Shell hits 1
DD Reid

Day 1 I saw the enemy cruiser force at Lunga. Day 2 I moved fighters to Ndeni as bait, as OPilot has bombarded there a couple of time before. US cruisers started to move towards the area. Day 3, OPilot stayed at Lunga, but my planes stayed at Ndeni, and he didn't see any ship protection there. I had moved the US ships to a point southeast of Ndeni, unseen. Day 4 I moved the ships to Ndeni and so did he.

[edit: Note that if I had thought one turn further ahead in the chess match, I would have put divebombers at Ndeni and hit the enemy ships still in range. I feared the bombardment though.]

The Japanese were outgunned but fought bravely. Ashigara fought a valiant action, causing most of the hits to the US ships. Results were fairly even but even is always an Allied win. Ashigara is believed to have sunk on the way back to Lunga. 2 Jakes and 2 Petes were lost "on the ground" today. Raleigh was gravely damaged. I like to save my ships, but Raleigh was too far gone with SYS 62/FLOT 96/ENG 14/FIRE 0. Ndeni is just a size 1 port, so no hope. New Orleans and Downes will head to Luganville and then elsewhere for repairs. The rest will bombard Lunga tonight. Gun ammo is slightly used up, but most torpedoes are expended. With the armada approaching from the south, I wanted a bombardment.

I-4 spotted a ship minelaying task force leaving Sydney. It is destined for the Solomons, to mine bases after they are taken.

Enemy troops start to enter Bataan. And rested and reorganized enemy troops start to reenter Bandoeng, coming for a deliberate attack. Both bases' days are numbered. And it's a low number.

Broome was attacked by Nells from Koepang. It's interesting to note that A6M3 Zeros escorted, the first time I've seen them on Timor. They may be the unit that was at Port Moresby. Another indication of increased interest there, and maybe a Darwin invasion soon.

Most of the US fleet is approaching the Solomons from the south.

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< Message edited by apbarog -- 11/24/2018 10:20:42 PM >

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 574

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/24/2018 10:26:49 PM

BBfanboy

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

August 1942 - the start of a tipping point where Allied ships and aircraft can challenge for command of the sea and air. Always interesting to see two well-matched players go at it in this period of time. I like your results so far - good luck in your big invasion ops!

_____________________________

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 apbarog)

Post #: 575

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/25/2018 10:55:51 PM

apbarog

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

18 Aug 42

DMS Perry finished clearing the mines northwest of Luganville. This is important because the Luganville to Lunga route is becoming busy with bombardment task forces.

Near Munda, S-42 fired 2 torpedoes at PB Syozui Maru but missed. Mostly patrol boats in the slot. Hope it isn't a distraction for my carrier bombers.

Lunga is bombarded to good effect.

Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 25 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 10 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CA Louisville
CL Trenton
CL Detroit

Japanese ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 25
Port hits 3

Most of the Bettys are damaged. Cruisers retire towards Luganville and will shuttle back and forth as needed.

Battleships Ise and Fuso bombard Kusaie Island, doing minimal damage to the airfield and causing 180 casualties. I consider this a good turn of events. These battleships now have to rearm, and are probably headed back to Truk for that. That keeps them out of the Solomons for a couple of extra days.

I-160 sank tiny HDML 1101 west of Colombo. The other 1100 HDMLs continue to hunt for subs. Well, not quite that many.

Ndeni is swept by Zeros from Lunga. The CAP does well against the first wave.

Morning Air attack on Ndeni , at 120,143

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Then the newer airframes with undoubtedly the best pilots tear into the defenders.

Morning Air attack on Ndeni , at 120,143

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 4 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Total air losses were 17 A6M2 Zeros and 4 A6M3 Zeros, for the loss of 11 P-400s and 9 P-40Es. But I'm happy that the Zeros went to Ndeni. There was no CAP at Lunga when the B-17s arrived. They did moderate damage to the airfield and destroyed a few planes and damaged many more. A total of 7 Bettys were lost, 6 on the ground.

DB-7s go for Portland Roads at 1000 feet. The Zeros intercepted but never engaged the bombers.

Morning Air attack on Portland Roads , at 91,132

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 1,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
DB-7B x 14

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6

Then B-26s tried their luck at 9000 feet and got massacred. 9 B-26s lost.

9-B-17Ds bombed Tulagi's port and did minimal damage. Again, no CAP from Lunga. 9 LB-30s then followed.

Afternoon Air attack on Tulagi , at 114,137

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Yamagumo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 3

And finally, a tribute to the brave Dutch defenders at Bandoeng on Java. I'd go back and tally the enemy lost trying to conquer them, but it would take a lot of digging. [edit: Now that's funny! I meant that it would take work to go back and tally the losses, looking at all of the old posts. Not that I'd have to dig up the enemy to count them. Unintended doublemeaning but a good one!] I'd estimate over 1000 squads destroyed and more disrupted over the 8 months of defending the mountain base. I expected it to be a thorn in the side of the enemy, but never dreamed that it would hold for so long. Supply there started out over 40,000 and ended up around 2,000 when the base fell. As I've said before, the enemy should have encircled the base, controlled the hexsides, pinned the Dutch there with minimal forces in the mountains, and forgot about them. OPilot had no idea how well supplied they were, though.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 42091 troops, 532 guns, 318 vehicles, Assault Value = 1184

Defending force 19344 troops, 150 guns, 37 vehicles, Assault Value = 175

Japanese adjusted assault: 1102

Allied adjusted defense: 397

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bandoeng !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1007 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 108 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 51 disabled
Guns lost 12 (3 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
23625 casualties reported
Squads: 166 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1598 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 217 (217 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 51 (51 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 15

Assaulting units:
48th Engineer Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
2nd Formosa Inf. Regiment
19th Ind Engineer Regiment
65th Brigade
16th Division
3rd Ind Engineer Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
1st KNIL Regiment
2nd KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Regiment
KNI Zeemacht
Andir ML Base Force
A-III-Ld AA Battalion
IV Landstorm Cdo
HQ I KNIL Division
1st Cav Regiment
VLG-V Sup Groep
KNI Leger
ABDA
ML-KNIL
Mobiele Battalion
VkA-1 Sup Afd

Lots of enemy units, especially artillery, are now freed up to go do something else. I'll be watching SigInt closely for these units.

In the Coral Sea, the Guadalcanal armada has great luck and is in severe storms today. Nothing is spotted! I altered the planned approach to Guadalcanal a bit, getting the armada within 7 hexes of Shortlands tomorrow, where enemy ships are. The ones that survived Ndeni. Naval bombers are reset to a range of 7 hexes, with one squadron of fighters escorting. Shouldn't be needed though, as Shortlands and Buin still don't have an airfield.

All ship search planes are activated, as well as some on ASW. Others will recon landing spots and nearby islands. B-17s will again hit Lunga, and will expect all the Zeros that weren't there today. Hopefully another cruiser bombardment tonight will help with the Zero problem.

Nervous times for the Allied commander. So many ships at risk. I believe that enemy defenses on Lunga are about a division with support. I'm landing 2 divisions with armor and artillery. It won't fall immediately. Tulagi should fall quicker, with a weaker defense expected and a division landing there.

OPilot will be traveling again this week, from Wednesday to Sunday, so we may have a cliffhanger with the Guadalcanal invasions.

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< Message edited by apbarog -- 11/25/2018 11:45:09 PM >

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 576

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/26/2018 7:25:29 AM

PetrOs

Posts: 260
Joined: 11/11/2006
Status: offline

Good luck! I hope you can pull a good invasion there!

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 577

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/26/2018 11:00:23 PM

apbarog

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

19 Aug 42

An enemy patrol boat hit a mine at Kusaie Island. Maybe it was looking for ships sneaking into Kusaie. Battleships Ise and Fuso bombard Kusaie for the second night in a row, doing very minor damage. Island supply is at 300 but all units have supply.

The biggest change in the area is that CVEs are spotted at Ponape. There could be a counter-invasion of Kusaie in the works. US APDs are loading supply at Nauru for another run into Kusaie, if possible.

Allied ships bombard Lunga to good effect, and will return to Luganville.

Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 23 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 15 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
C5M2 Babs: 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CL Tromp
CL Sumatra
CL Java

Japanese ground losses:
368 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 1

LB-30s and B-17Ds from Koumac hit Shortland's port, doing very minor damage but hitting no ships. 3 Rufes were on CAP.

B-17s then bombed Lunga's airfield, doing damage to planes and facilites and destroying some aircraft. 23 A6M3 Zeros were on CAP to begin the day. They barely damaged the B-17s and Zeros were downed.

Then, the surprise. Carriers north of the Solomons! The Japanese strike first, at range 7. (Good thing I had adjusted my bomber range from 6 to 7 yesterday. I had hoped to hit ships at Shortlands, but they were gone. Instead, a carrier battle at range 7!)

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rennell Island at 112,139

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N2 Kate x 42

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 101

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 29 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

The Allied fighters have no problems with the strike. Just one Kate survives to drop a torpedo, and the plane is shot down by flak.

It was a weak strike. I discovered why next. Just 2 enemy carriers. Unfortunately, a lot of Allied planes aborted their mission on the counter-strike. Weather was thunderstorms over the enemy.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 116,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 55 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
CV Zuikaku

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
16 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

There were just enough F4F-3s so that the last one was fighting the last Zero on CAP, leaving the bombers unscathed. However, despite 36 SBDs dropping bombs, none hit.

In the afternoon, we try again, again with a limited strike.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 116,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
DD Arare
CVL Ryujo
CS Chitose

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

The Zeros did get to the bombers this time. Still, 17 SBDs dropped bombs and none hit.

Then an unescorted strike.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 116,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Bombers lost but one bomb hit. Then another unescorted strike, which found just a few Zeros still on CAP.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ontong Java at 116,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Hatsukaze

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Just one hit out of 18 this time. And that was it for the day. Weather saved Zuikaku. Ryujo is burning but no telling how bad the damage is. SBD pilots were trained sufficiently, generally between 60 and 70. I think weather was the main factor. This happened with the earlier battle in the Gilberts too. A non-decisive battle. 3 US big carriers and 2 British carriers against Zuikaku and Ryujo could have resulted in a big win. Instead, it's a strategic win, it appears, with the invasions about to occur.

Seeing just one CV and one CVL here, and CVEs at Ponape, I have to think that the previously damaged big carriers are out of action and repairing somewhere. Lesser damage could be being repaired at Truk. More damaged carriers are probably heading back to or at Japan.

Total air losses for the day were 24 Kates, 21 A6M2 Zeros (7 on the ground at Lunga), 13 A6M3 Zeros (3 on the ground at Lunga), 2 Bettys on the ground at Lunga, and 2 Babs, also on the ground at Lunga. US losses were 18 SBD-3s, 18 F4F-3s (escorting), 5 F4F-4s, 1 B-17E and 1 B-17D. 10 US pilots were KIA.

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(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 578

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/27/2018 9:07:54 PM

apbarog

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

20 Aug 42

Sian continues to get enemy attention.
35 Oscars sweep.
25 Lilys and 33 Sonias bomb with 27 Oscars escorting.
25 Helens bomb with 42 Tojos escorting.

Lunga is bombarded.

Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 30 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M3 Zero: 5 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
C5M2 Babs: 1 damaged
C5M2 Babs: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico

Japanese ground losses:
651 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 7
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Tulagi is bombarded.

Night Naval bombardment of Tulagi at 114,137

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB West Virginia

Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 14
Port supply hits 2

Here's the opposing forces on Lunga:

Ground combat at Lunga (114,138)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7794 troops, 55 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 285

Defending force 28578 troops, 439 guns, 407 vehicles, Assault Value = 899

Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
83rd Naval Guard Unit
Kure 3rd SNLF
88th Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
6th Indpt SNLF Coy
43rd JNAF AF Unit
13th Naval Construction Battalion
17th Naval Construction Battalion
38th JNAF AF Unit
23rd Air Flotilla
46th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
2nd Marine Division
754th Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
97th FA Bn /1
2nd RAA Med Arty Rgt /2
2nd USMC FA Bn /1
43rd Base Group
223rd FA Bn /1

and Tulagi:

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2702 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 99

Defending force 3413 troops, 15 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 249

Assaulting units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Bandasan SNLF
5th Naval Construction Battalion
55th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
Americal Infantry Div /7

Tassafronga is taken with the help of paras. It was undefended.

Troops land at Lunga, Tulagi and Tassafronga. Paratroopers drop on Tassafronga from Ndeni.

B-17s bomb the airfield and troops at Lunga. Others bomb the port and troops on Tulagi. Destroyer Yamagumo is hit by 3 bombs and sunk in port at Tulagi. Carrier strikes hit enemy troops on Lunga and Tulagi in the afternoon.

Artillery will bombard at Lunga while other troops recover disruption from landing. Americal continues to unload at Tulagi from regular xAPs and will rest today also. Seeing favorable odds at Lunga, I don't think it will take long to take the base. With Tassafronga captured today, there will be no escape for the enemy. Followup units for Lunga begin to load at Noumea. I'd held off with Lunga followup units because I thought that Lunga could be a protracted campaign. I think not now.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 579

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/28/2018 6:18:36 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
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I have the next turn but haven't watched the replay yet. OPilot is traveling and won't be back home until Sunday, so I'm trying to pace myself with the turn. I'll probably watch the replay on Wednesday or Thursday, and work on the turn through Saturday.

Some things that I've noted recently include a Glen sub looking at Diego Garcia for the first time, and where all of those units, mostly artillery, on Java will go now that Bandoeng was lost. The enemy is now at Bataan but hasn't tried a deliberate attack yet, waiting for another unit or two that is moving from Clark. Bataan won't last long with zero supply.

The defense around Sian is important too. It seems that I'm doing better with my transports flying supply into China now that I've tried the suggestion to put them on 20% rest and fly them every day. I had been flying them 100% and resting occasionally, mostly during bad weather.

Will there be an enemy counter-invasion at Kusaie Island? There were CVEs at nearby Ponape for the first time. And if my Guadalcanal invasion continues to go smoothly, what next? I could go hunting around Kusaie, but that's risky so close to Truk. I should send 2 US carriers to Sydney for a 10 day refit, and probably will. Also, one of the Brit carriers has to withdraw in less than 2 weeks, so it will definitely head to Sydney soon.

Shortlands and Buna are ripe for the taking, with no airfields, but Australian troops aren't nearly prepped enough for that. I do want to take the islands by Milne Bay, and Milne Bay itself, to start to cut off Port Moresby. Horn Island is enemy held, so OPilot still has that route, but Marines are prepping for that also.

Lots of options. I want to keep the pressure on during this part of the war, when both sides can attack. Given enough time, that will go away for the Japanese. For now though, after Bataan falls, OPilot has options for about 4 divisions-worth of troops and lots of artillery. He can push from Burma harder, or do more in Australia, or reinforce China for the knockout blow. My guess is China. We'll see.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 580

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/28/2018 7:36:45 PM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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Watched the replay. Fairly uneventful. Landings continue at Lunga, Tulagi, Tassafronga, Rennel Island and Kirakira without any enemy intervention. B-17s bombed both Lunga and Tulagi at 6000 feet and encountered no flak. Lunga was bombarded with a small cruiser force. Troops on both islands will deliberately attack.

There are many subs just southeast of Guadalcanal. I may have my many task forces exit the area by going around the west side of the island and then south, instead of going directly southeast towards Luganville. Besides the torpedo threat, OPilot could drop mines in the shallow water there. I-31 was sunk at Tulagi, hit by 3 depth charges in the shallow water.

Mines were discovered southwest of Luganville, on the route from Noumea, and at Kirakira.

Sian was bombed heavily again.

I'll be taking my time with this turn, having 4 days to complete it.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 581

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/28/2018 9:05:31 PM

BBfanboy

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

Don't forget to transfer the best FAA pilots from that withdrawing CV to the British general reserve pools. Or, if you don't think it too gamey, fly off the air group and just send away the carrier. While you are at it, offload the rum rations too!

_____________________________

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 apbarog)

Post #: 582

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 11/29/2018 8:32:45 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
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If the carrier isn't going to return to the Pacific, I don't have a problem with flying off its aircraft before the ship withdraws.

I'm slowly working on the turn. OPilot reports that he will be returning Monday instead of Sunday.

I noticed that today OPilot did recon on a couple of dot bases that have remained Allied: a base west of Rabaul, and another base on an island southeast of Rabaul. He may think that I'm sneaking troops into them. I did so at Rennel and Kirakira, but I don't think they were ever observed. He knows they are there now because I'm dropped lots of troops by ship on both. Both will have airfields going in a week or so.

I have some P-38Fs in the pool now. I'm looking for squadrons that can use them. I see one or two on the US mainland, but they are permanently restricted, so I won't use them there. I get a P-38F squadron in 2 or 3 months, but I believe that it is restricted also. I will be doing a comprehensive check of every unit on the map in the next few days, so I'll look for a squadron that can upgrade to it. Tracker helps, but shows what a squadron upgrades to next, not all of the future upgrades, and none upgrade immediately to P-38Fs.

Remember that this is a PDU OFF game.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 583

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/1/2018 9:02:36 PM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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Slowly working on the turn, looking at every unit everywhere. I noted some units that aren't needed in their current locations. Some artillery, some engineers, some base forces. They'll be put to use elsewhere.

I did come up with an overland attack plan for Portland Roads. I started prepping 3 Australian brigades, as well as 4 artillery units, 2 armor units, a AA and a HQ for the attack. Almost all are Australian units. I don't want to walk over the long slow trail to Portland Roads, but I will do so. I'll also man the dot base just southwest of Portland Roads, and build it to help pull supply and to build an airfield. This work will be vulnerable in the open terrain.

I haven't decided if I will push this offensive soon, or wait to coordinate other activity in the Solomons. I want to draw more enemy troops into Portland Roads if I can, and then cut them off when Port Moresby is isolated. This may be done with a landing at Milne Bay and at Horn Island. We'll see.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 584

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/2/2018 1:52:49 AM

BBfanboy

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

Coen is a safer place to base your aircraft than Portland Roads. It cannot be bombarded by sea. And if he invades by sea it will take him a few days to get to Coen whereas PR can be gone in the day after landing. At Coen, all you have to defend against are paratroops and IJ bombers.

_____________________________

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 apbarog)

Post #: 585

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/2/2018 2:00:06 AM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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The enemy took Portland Roads awhile ago. Coen autoflipped to the enemy recently, but isn't occupied. The Japanese have 5 or 6 units at Portland Roads now, and the airfield is building and up to a size 2. 1/3 of the 4th Infantry Division is there for sure.

I didn't want to go after Portland Roads because of the exposed approach. He has can use bombers from Horn Island and Port Moresby. I also wanted to wait and see if he was trying to draw me north onto the bad terrain, and then land behind me at Cooktown or Normanton.

So I'm preparing for an overland move to Coen and Portland Roads, but I'm not sure when and if I'll go through with it. I will be moving bombers back to Charter Towers soon. They all went to Luganville and are helping hit Lunga and Tulagi, but that mission could end soon.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 586

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/4/2018 12:27:16 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
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22 Aug 42

Troops and supplies continue to land at Lunga, Tulagi, Tassafronga, Rennell Island and Kirakira. This is the third day of landings, and the third day that my carriers have stayed in place adjacent to both Lunga and Tulagi, covering both. I don't like staying in the exact same place, but I did so in this case because the positioning was optimal, covering both major landings and being in shallow water, and because I never do it. Maybe it was less predictable that I would do it. Anyhow, there was no enemy intervention. There are many subs to the southeast though.

US destroyers hunt subs southwest of Pearl Harbor. It's not on a route that I'm using, but no harm in going after the subs and showing activity where my convoys aren't going.

Northwest of Guadalcanal, S-34 fired 2 torpedoes at already heavily damaged sub I-31, but missed.

Allied cruisers bombarded Lunga with decent results.

Mineclearing continues at Kirakira. Based on the number of mines there, Kirakira may have been the next logical invasion spot expected by OPilot.

AMs get a depth charge hit on RO-66 outside of Townsville. Enemy cruisers have gone back to Horn Island. Enemy fighters at Portland Roads, which is a size 2 airfield.

Sub attack near Gardner Island at 150,142

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
TK War Sirdar, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
KV Quesnel

SS I-21 launches 4 torpedoes at TK War Sirdar

War Sirdar and another tanker were hauling fuel from Christmas Island to Tabiteuea.

The tanker sinks later in the turn, with fires out of control. In real life, War Sirdar was damaged near Batavia in February 1942, alongside Perth. Perth wasn't able to take on fuel from the damaged tanker. If it had, it would have taken part in the battle of the Java Sea. War Sirdar was attacked again days after that encounter, set on fire, and stranded near Batavia. In March, the Japanese salvaged the ship and it made many trips to Palembang. US sub Bluegill attacked the ship in March 1945, and the tanker was beached at Cape Varella. A week later, a crew from the sub landed and blew up the ship.

Sian gets major enemy air attention again today. A downside of holding a big base with 100,000 troops is that the base pulls in lots of supply, which is then bombed.

B-17s from Luganville hit troops at Lunga. Lunga is attacked and falls in the first attempt.

Ground combat at Lunga (114,138)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26961 troops, 463 guns, 423 vehicles, Assault Value = 901

Defending force 13744 troops, 91 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 271

Allied adjusted assault: 752

Japanese adjusted defense: 149

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Lunga !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1966 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 139 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 46 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 35 (7 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Division
41st Infantry Division
754th Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
43rd Base Group
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
2nd RAA Med Arty Regiment
2nd USMC FA Bn /1

Defending units:
87th Naval Guard Unit
83rd Naval Guard Unit
88th Naval Guard Unit
Kure 3rd SNLF
6th Indpt SNLF Coy
23rd Air Flotilla
17th Naval Construction Battalion
38th JNAF AF Unit
43rd JNAF AF Unit
13th Naval Construction Battalion
46th JNAF AF Unit

With Tassafronga already in US control, the enemy has nowhere to retreat and heads into the jungle at Lunga. The estimate is 18,000 men stranded there. A US sub will mine Lunga tonight. A big CM task force will mine Lunga within a week.

Tulagi is attacked for the first time.

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8018 troops, 164 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 360

Defending force 5001 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 98

Allied adjusted assault: 143

Japanese adjusted defense: 118

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
439 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division

Defending units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Bandasan SNLF
5th Naval Construction Battalion
55th JNAF AF Unit

Tulagi will hold for awhile, but Americal will take the base with repeated attempts.

Artillery will bombard at Lunga today, with the infantry divisions and armor resting. Americal will rest on Tulagi for a day.

Most invasion shipping will leave Tassafronga, Lunga and Tulagi today. A few ships will continue to unload supply. Ships with unit fragments still loaded will unload at nearby Rennell Island, to be shipped to their final locations on smaller ships later. Carriers will move south also, covering Rennell Island. A big convoy with followup units for Lunga is north of Koumac now. If Lunga's airfield is operational when it arrives, the carriers will retire to Sydney for refit and repairs.

The replay again had the audio for enemy carriers spotted, but none were seen on the map. There's a task force at Ponape that shows multiple destroyers. This is probably the CVE task force seen recently there. I think that enemy troops have been rushed to Ponape, which is a good move. I've had a division prepping for Ponape, but I'm not going there soon. I'll allow Kusaie Island to be the enemy point of interest while I'm working the Solomons.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by apbarog -- 12/4/2018 1:57:21 AM >

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 587

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/4/2018 8:09:51 PM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
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23 Aug 42

Some supply still being unloaded at Tulagi and Lunga, with no enemy action.

SST Nautilus hit an enemy mine at Kusaie Island. I have 3 transport subs hauling supply into the island. Damage is severe, with SYS 36/FLOT 69-47/ENG 27-12/FIRE 0. It is disbanded into the size 1 port. Kusaie gets enemy recon every day, so Nautilus will probably be bombed soon. I could bring fighters in, but supply is still critical and is under 1000. APDs did just drop off some supply. They continue running fast transport missions from Nauru Island.

With OPilot dropping mines at Kusaie, maybe he isn't intending on bombarding there again. I do spot small carriers at Ponape, with about 60 fighters and 60 bombers. They've been spotted there off and on for over a week, and OPilot knows they've been spotted. I wonder what their mission is. Bait? Or just lingering while covering reinforcements to Ponape.

Enemy troops at Lunga are bombed by B-17s, as are ones still holding Tulagi. Americal attacked again at Tulagi, getting an exact 1 to 1 attack.

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7888 troops, 164 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 343

Defending force 4681 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 80

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Allied adjusted assault: 133

Japanese adjusted defense: 133

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
179 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division

Defending units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Bandasan SNLF
5th Naval Construction Battalion
55th JNAF AF Unit

Forts were dropped to zero. We're wearing down the defenders. All units on Lunga will attack today, and Americal will attack again.

Withdraw and maneuver continues around Sian in China. OPilot may be going to try to flank Sian from the southwest. Enemy troops are moving into the Chinese occupied woods there. Supply is critical in China now. Sian wants over 10,000 supply, with all the defenders there. It has less than 1,000, although the units are supplied.

Allied carriers will head south from Rennell Island. 2 US carriers will upgrade at Sydney, and Formidable will withdraw there.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 588

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/5/2018 7:20:31 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
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24 Aug 42

An Allied cruiser force bombarded Tulagi. It was protecting the landing but isn't needed any longer, so it bombarded on the way out. Over 400 enemy casualties and significant damage to the port and supply.

Imphal is targeted by enemy bombers. Minor damage in bad weather. Over 80 Oscars supporting. It's pretty clear that to go up against enemy aircraft, I need to have about 100 fighters to do well. Whether that be in Burma or at Sian in China. I can do so at places like Ledo, but OPilot doesn't attack there. And in China it is impossible to support so many planes with the critical supply situation.

Here's what Sian got today:

Morning Air attack on Sian , at 83,41

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 41
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 5
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 5
Ki-51 Sonia x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 53

and

Morning Air attack on Sian , at 83,41

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 20

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

and

Morning Air attack on Sian , at 83,41

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 20

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14

B-17s hit troops at Lunga and Tulagi. Enemy troops on Lunga were reduced some today.

Ground combat at Lunga (114,138)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26608 troops, 463 guns, 423 vehicles, Assault Value = 851

Defending force 12084 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 158

Allied adjusted assault: 594

Japanese adjusted defense: 99

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2306 casualties reported
Squads: 54 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
179 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Division
754th Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
43rd Base Group
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
6th Port Maint Engineer Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
2nd RAA Med Arty Regiment

Defending units:
88th Naval Guard Unit
Kure 3rd SNLF
83rd Naval Guard Unit
6th Indpt SNLF Coy
38th JNAF AF Unit
23rd Air Flotilla
17th Naval Construction Battalion
13th Naval Construction Battalion
43rd JNAF AF Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
46th JNAF AF Unit

And Tulagi was attacked again by the Americal Division.

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7854 troops, 164 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 336

Defending force 4089 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Allied adjusted assault: 64

Japanese adjusted defense: 115

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
379 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division

Defending units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Bandasan SNLF
5th Naval Construction Battalion
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
55th JNAF AF Unit

Disruption is high in both place now, so we'll rest tomorrow. Note that a significant part of Americal's support didn't land at Tulagi, even with 3 days of landing, since I used ordinary xAPs there. A part of the troops are on Rennell Island, and the rest are headed back to Noumea. Both parts will eventually join the parent group on Tulagi.

Allied carriers have headed south and are not spotted as they head towards Sydney. Nautilus didn't repair at all at Kusaie's port, in readiness mode. As it can't make it to safety as is, I put it in pier mode and I'll hope for the best concerning getting bombed.

2 damaged British battleships are leaving Bombay for Capetown. Both have repaired all of the SYS damage but have significant FLOT damage to fix. Yorktown is preparing to leave Vava'u for Sydney, with 10 SYS and about 43 FLOT damage.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 589

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/5/2018 8:20:16 PM

apbarog

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

25 Aug 42

Supply continues to unload from a few xAKs at Tulagi. The big convoy with lots of support units arrives at Lunga and will start unloading tonight. A strong cruiser force is guarding. The runway at Lunga is now repaired enough for use, so a P-40 squadron is sent there to CAP.

Kukong was the enemy target of choice today in China.

The Japanese continue to bombard with artillery at Bataan.

Allied troops at Lunga bombarded with artillery today. Americal on Tulagi will attack tomorrow.

An elite P-40 unit will sweep Portland Roads. No bombing today, but B-17s are at Charter Towers and bombing will begin soon, hitting Portland Roads and the troops headed south from there. All clear terrain south of Portland Roads, so it's time to make the most of home field advantage in northeastern Australia.

The enemy cruiser force is now back at Horn Island from Port Moresby. Another cruiser force is spotted there, with APDs in it. Something moved along the coast last night, between Portland Roads and Horn Island.

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Post #: 590

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/6/2018 9:32:46 PM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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26 Aug 42

APD Stewart hit a mine at Kusaie Island and sank soon after. Stewart was part of a dozen APD fast transport task force delivering supply to Kusaie. Supply is now over 1,000. I'll suspend deliveries until the mines are swept. A small sweeper is en route.

Comilla, east of Chittagong, got an enemy bombing today. This is new. Comilla is the next inland base on the rail line from Chittagong. There's just a few recon based there.

Sian got the daily mass bombing. Henyang was attacked also.

The elite P-40 squadron swept Portland Roads, finding 27 A6M2 Zeros. The Warhawks did well, downing 11 Zeros for the loss of 2 of their own. Unfortunately, ace pilot Cpt. R.A. Sloan was KIA. Lt. R.T. Hanson got 3 kills for a total of 5, becoming a new ace. This squadron has a number of aces.

The enemy attacked a retreating corp in China. The Chinese will move out of the hex in a day or two and should survive.

Ground combat at 83,39 (near Sian)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14934 troops, 122 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 438

Defending force 11276 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 217

Japanese adjusted assault: 184

Allied adjusted defense: 439

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
297 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
9th Division

Defending units:
35th Chinese Corps

Tulagi was captured.

Ground combat at Tulagi (114,137)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7812 troops, 164 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 331

Defending force 3999 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 55

Allied adjusted assault: 287

Japanese adjusted defense: 64

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tulagi !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
514 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division

Defending units:
1st Indpt SNLF Coy
82nd Naval Guard Unit
Bandasan SNLF
5th Naval Construction Battalion
55th JNAF AF Unit

B-17s from Charter Towers will bomb Portland Roads, without escort or sweepers. A squadron will hit the enemy troops that are moving south of Portland Roads.

There's now 2 squadrons of fighters at Lunga, as well as an SBD squadron, which is temporarily on ASW duty, to deal with all of the subs in the area, and maybe appear that US carriers are still in the area.

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(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 591

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/7/2018 11:34:52 PM

apbarog

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

27 Aug 42

I-25 is hit by 2 depth charges from KV Dawson near Enderbury Island. There's a lot of subs west and south of Canton Island.

B-17s hit the airfield at Portland Roads, finding no CAP. One A6M2 Zero is destroyed on the ground, and there's minor damage to the airfield now. 6 B-17s hit the 4th Division/B on the trail going south from Portland Roads. 114 casualties in the clear terrain. Time for some payback with hitting troops in the clear terrain. More squadrons are assigned to the same missions tomorrow.

Bataan finally is lost.

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37476 troops, 385 guns, 235 vehicles, Assault Value = 1123

Defending force 17134 troops, 113 guns, 20 vehicles, Assault Value = 207

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 557

Allied adjusted defense: 111

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bataan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
796 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
24413 casualties reported
Squads: 453 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1595 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 129 (129 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 28 (28 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 22

Assaulting units:
24th Infantry Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
21st Division
38th Division
2nd Engineer Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
1st Ind Engineer Regiment
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Constabulary Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regiment
4th Marine Regiment
31st Infantry Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regiment
4th Constabulary Regiment
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Far East USAAF
III/Prov'nl SPM Grp
194th Tank Battalion
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
35th Avn Sup
Clark Field AAF Base Force
US Forces Far East
Asiatic Fleet
Bataan USN Base Force
Manila Bay Defenses
24th PS FA Regiment
24th Avn Sup
II/Prov'nl SPM Grp
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

Bataan held until the end of August 1942. OPilot chose to bypass Luzon early on. This strategy worked for him because I chose not to try some type of mission to rescue or reinforce Luzon. I did think about it. I decided that it's just too far and too risky. It would take incredible luck to get there unspotted, and even in that case, getting to safety afterwards would be very difficult. I thought that such a mission would be too costly. It would probably have been a carrier-losing operation. Instead, the troops on Luzon are lost as expected.

3 Philippine divisions are in the jungles of northern Luzon. They sit there, with no supply, forcing OPilot to go off-road to clean them out. He could just ignore them. We'll see what he does.

Cleanup attacks continue on Lunga and Tulagi. Some troops on Tulagi were wiped out by attrition today. Base support for Tulagi start to load at Luganville.

Allied carriers get to Sydney. 2 US carriers go into a 10 day upgrade. British carrier Formidable withdraws. Many ships will repair very minor SYS damage.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 592

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/8/2018 12:01:29 AM

Bif1961

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

The Bastards of Bataan held on a few months longer, did his minimal Luzon offensive benefit him?

< Message edited by Bif1961 -- 12/8/2018 12:02:09 AM >

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 593

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/8/2018 12:11:40 AM

apbarog

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

In my opinion, he gained the opportunity to accomplish something earlier but squandered the opportunity getting bogged down at Bandoeng on Java.

I still feel like there's more offensive left in the enemy though. There's been multiple heavy activity reports at Koepang on Timor, and there's a sub off the coast of Perth for the first time. There was a Glen-sub watching Diego Garcia.

I think that Darwin is about to get hit, but I thought that earlier in the war too.

I'm hoping that my Gilberts and Solomons campaigns have OPilot thinking defensively. Those troops on Java and now on Luzon will go somewhere, I just don't know where that will be.

My gut feeling says that some will go to Hanoi and strike north into western China. It's slow going, but practically undefended. The Chinese don't have the troops to make another front there. Both OPilot and I have recently read a book about the Flying Tigers, so he is aware of the role those western bases played. And he does daily recon of those western China bases even now.

(in reply to Bif1961)

Post #: 594

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/8/2018 11:51:38 PM

apbarog

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

28 Aug 42

Many enemy minesweepers clear mine at Bataan, and finish clearing the field.

Sian gets hit hard again. Over 100 enemy fighters on escort and sweep. I'm starting to second-guess my plan for holding Sian. This upcoming big fight is occuring just when the supply status in China is becoming a crisis. Sian has little supply and wants over 15,000 of it. Half of the defenders are low on supply. Maybe it would be better to just move out into the wooded terrain and defend there, with or without supply. I do fear the enemy's offensive, though, when Sian can pull in and supply all the enemy's units in the area. Right now, the supply train is long for the enemy north of Sian.

6 B-17s hit Milne Bay and 6 LB-30s hit Tagula Island. Both targets are level 1 airfields and didn't have CAP today. Just a nuisance raid or two. 5 B-17s hit the 1/3 of the 4th Division south of Portland Roads again, causing 85 casualties today. A small armor unit is at Coen now, with about 25 tanks and nothing else.

Another attack by the Americal Division at Tulagi gets 4 to 1 odds and causes 136 enemy casualties, and no losses for the attacker. We'll keep finishing them off. Same for Lunga, with rest here and there.

I'm starting to move troops for a coastal offensive south of Chittagong. I will show a flanking maneuver inland, in the jungle, and threaten the big enemy stack. Both sides have sizable forces there, but neither side can gain an advantage in the jungle. I'm bring a US division, a Brit division, and a huge Chinese corp (once it gets its components back together). I'll stack the battle hex to the limit and flank to the east.

I don't expect a big win there, but I want to start fighting back into Burma. If nothing else, make the enemy commit more troops and supply there. And maybe get some of the enemy aircraft out of China.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 595

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/9/2018 9:12:59 PM

apbarog

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

29 Aug 42

Enemy minesweepers clear out all of the mines at Manila, opening up the port to be able to ship units out. AM Matai is slowing clearing enemy mines at Kusaie Island.

An enemy task force at Ponape is now headed to Truk.

A patrol boat hit S-40 with a depth charge just outside of Port Moresby. Damage is moderate and the sub will head to Brisbane for repairs.

Seadragon spotted DD Akizuki and CM Ukishima just north of Kavieng. The first attack missed the destroyer with 2 torpedoes. One later in the day hit the minelayer with a torpedo but it was a dud.

Catalinas were moved to Ontong Java, well north of Tulagi, and a support ship will arrive there today. The island was never captured by the enemy. This will provide better coverage north and northwest of Tulagi.

I reiterate the importance of having so many Catalinas available at the start of the war, with no Pearl Harbor attack. I think it is very important for the Japanese to destroy as many as possible at Pearl Harbor. It certainly isn't as flashy as hitting battleships, but the Cats can make a big difference. Early on, OPilot sent his carriers southeast into the Gilberts, long before the Allies had any troops in the area. It looked like a raid towards Pago Pago or the vicinity. I had 4 sets of Catalinas with support ships scattered in the Gilberts, and KB was spotted repeatedly. With surprise lost, they retreated back towards Truk, having burned fuel and accomplished nothing.

The big air groups that hit Sian every day hit Changsha today, for something different. I noticed that they are all based at Nanyang, which is now a level 8 airfield and not on a rail line. I'd love to hit the base with a bunch of B-17s. OPilot is extremely diligent at using recon. Many Chinese bases get recon every day, including many behind the lines. There's no sneaking planes in without being noticed. Changsha is really the only place to base B-17s anyhow, and he looks at that every day. I'm tempted though. Maybe soon.

B-17s hit Portland Roads and the infantry south of it at Coen. Airfield damage was moderate to severe at Portland Roads, in clear weather and no CAP. 165 enemy casualties to the 4th Infantry Divison at Coen.

Americal attacked again at Tulagi, and continue to clean up the enemy stragglers left in the jungle, where another enemy unit was wiped out by attrition today. The Allies did an artillery attack at Lunga and will deliberately attack today.

B-26s were brought into Lunga to hit enemy troops at Munda. B-24s will make their first appearance flying from Tarawa to hit Kwajalein's port. 2 squadrons of them.

I'm starting to send troops out of Sian to the west. They are moving into a hex that has a limit of 35,000 so the troops will retreat in stages.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 596

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/10/2018 4:38:58 AM

apbarog

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

30 Aug 42

Enemy mines are finally cleared from Kusaie Island. 11 APDs went to Tabiteuea for supply, and start to head towards Kusaie. They had been running from Nauru, but I knew I had some time to clear the mines, so I sent them to the bigger base this time.

However, enemy CVEs are spotted 2 hexes northwest of Ponape again, and this time there is a battleship group with them. They are 10 hexes from Kusaie, so too far for a night bombardment and withdraw to Ponape. But they are (probably) coming.

I-32 is prowling the edge of the map near the exit to Aden. It spots an xAP and destroyer Griffin, and Griffin hits the sub with a depth charge.

Enemy landing at Busuanga, southwest of Manila. More cleanup.

Pickerel fired 2 torpedoes at PB Kamitsu Maru near Port Moresby. One hit but it was a dud. Pickerel got multiple dud hits on damaged cruiser Kinugasa in March, and a dud hit on I-173 in July. Nothing else to show for Pickerel so far.

I-4 is 3 hexes southeast of Sydney, and spotted a big cargo task force inbound to Sydney. It didn't get a shot, and the escort didn't hit the sub either. More ships are assigned to hunt this sub down, and a bomber squadron is assigned to ASW duty out of Sydney.

Back to the usual bombing at Sian.

B-17s bomb troops at Coen again, causing 194 casualties to the 4th Division/B.

12 LB-30s hit Portland Road's airfield, doing little damage in bad weather.

A squadron of B-26s from Normanton hit the 1st Ind. Tank Co at Coen, causing 28 casualties, destroying 7 vehicles and disabling 16 in this small unit.

B-26s from Lunga hit troops at Munda, discovering that the unit there is III/19th Naval Guard Unit, another small unit. There is no enemy base at Munda.

B-17s from Tabiteuea hit the 48th Naval Guard Unit at Majuro. Another recon by force.

We attack at Lunga again. The enemy is being destroyed, and is now out of supply. Still over 10,000 enemy troops there in the jungle.

Ground combat at Lunga (114,138)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27173 troops, 504 guns, 432 vehicles, Assault Value = 802

Defending force 9955 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 52

Allied adjusted assault: 242

Japanese adjusted defense: 59

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1472 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 15 (11 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
754th Tank Battalion
2nd Marine Division
193rd Tank Battalion
2nd RAA Med Arty Regiment
1st Marine Defense Battalion
29th RNZA Lt AA Regiment
94th Coast AA Regiment
43rd Base Group
97th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
6th Port Maint Engineer Battalion
II US Fighter Cmnd

Defending units:
88th Naval Guard Unit
Kure 3rd SNLF
83rd Naval Guard Unit
87th Naval Guard Unit
6th Indpt SNLF Coy
43rd JNAF AF Unit
13th Naval Construction Battalion
38th JNAF AF Unit
17th Naval Construction Battalion
23rd Air Flotilla
46th JNAF AF Unit

Americal cleans up the remaining enemy on Tulagi, eliminating the 55th JNAF AF Unit. Fragments of Americal will head to Tulagi from Rennell Island and Noumea. Base support and engineers are already on the way to Tulagi.

Interesting note: Katherine got enemy recon. Darwin gets it every day. First time for Katherine. Recon is coming from Timor. Darwin, and the whole northern Australian coast, is practically undefended, and has been for months.

Another note: Haiphong has been built to a level 6 airfield. This is the area that the enemy could use units from Luzon, and push north into western China. Or support a move north from Canton.

< Message edited by apbarog -- 12/10/2018 4:40:04 AM >

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 597

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/10/2018 1:18:21 PM

jwolf

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

Very much agree about the Catalinas; they are more precious than gold. Recon is absolutely vital, especially during the critical period when the Allies are so weak.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 598

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/10/2018 7:51:41 PM

apbarog

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

31 Aug 42

I-24 spotted xAK Mana headed south from Guadalcanal. 2 torpedoes were fired and one hit. A bit later in the morning, I-24 attacked again and hit Mana with 2 more torpedoes, sinking the ship. It was empty headed back to Sydney.

2 US destroyer ASW task forces are hunting subs that have been consistently due southwest of Pearl Harbor. Walke found I-17 and hit it with a depth charge.

Sian bombed heavily.

US bombers hit Portland Roads, doing more damage to the airfield and port. Repairs here are slow to non-existent. Most importantly, the infantry and armor at Coen was hit again today, very effectively in the clear terrain, and the units have turned around and are headed back to Portland Roads.

B-24s finally fly from Tarawa to hit Kwajalein, making their first combat appearance in the war. Surprise was complete as the bombers hit the port.

Morning Air attack on Kwajalein Island , at 132,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 13

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DMS W-4, Bomb hits 1
xAKL Kaito Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PB Chokai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PB Yahada Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKE Burma Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AD Shintoku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CM Tokiwa, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
AG Uji Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
DMS W-3, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AS Yasukuni Maru, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 2

Massive explosion on DMS W-4

and

Morning Air attack on Kwajalein Island , at 132,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 7

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DMS W-3, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AG Daido Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
CM Tokiwa, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS I-26, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
AD Shintoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Yahada Maru, and is sunk

It's always nice to hit valuable support ships.

The enemy finally moves inland in Borneo and clears out Melak, finishing off the starving Dutch battalion there.

Enemy CVEs and battleships move to a point 3 hexes west of Ponape, with something following them by a hex. This move keeps them 10 hexes from Kusaie, so I'm not sure what their intentions are. All that is in their way are submarines.

A new month, moving into September 1942. Lots of ship upgrades, mostly cargo ships. I see a Fletcher class destroyer has appeared in Panama. This may be my first one. Battleship South Dakota appeared yesterday and is headed from Panama to Pearl Harbor. Battleship Washington appears tomorrow and will do the same.

Enemy troops are now starting to move up a trail southwest of Sian, into the woods. Another flanking move. I should have enough with the terrain there. OPilot is moving into hexes with lower stacking limits as he goes into the woods.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 599

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 12/11/2018 5:35:36 AM

apbarog

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

1 Sep 42

Sub Grampus spotted battleship Hyuga and escorts just southeast of Truk. Grampus fired 4 torpedoes at light cruiser Natori, and one hit, and it wasn't a dud! This breaks a streak of 14 consecutive dud torpedoes by US subs with Mark 14 torpedoes. For the war, Mark 14's have hit 44 times with 38 of those being duds, which is 86%.

Sian attacked heavily, with a total of 103 bombers and 102 fighters, including about 40 Tojos. Remember this is a PDU OFF game, so there won't be many Tojo units. This is the only one I've seen. OPilot is pushing hard in the north, and I'm struggling to hold a line. Supply is critical, with units here and there low on supply. OPilot doesn't know that yet though.

US bombers hit Portland Roads and troops retreating north at Coen, both to good effect. The small enemy tank company may cease to exist soon.

I'm considering invading Wake Island just before an invasion of Milne Bay and islands near Milne Bay. The original defenders of Wake were mostly extracted before the island was lost, and these would be the same troops to take it back. They are fully prepped and upgraded. 2 US carriers are in refit at Pearl Harbor and could be used in a few weeks, as well as 2 CVEs that will be at Pearl. I wouldn't expect enemy carriers there, but I may be able to draw them in that direction with an invasion, helping out my bigger move to New Guinea. Just a thought at this point.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 600

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