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... - 3/8/2019 6:53:33 PM

jwolf

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Joined: 12/3/2013
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quote:

ORIGINAL: apbarog

This is all still about a month and a half away, I figure. I need to run the Darwin operation first, and get all the shipping from Australia to Ceylon first.

I'm curious about the timing. My casual estimate is that these things always take longer than is thought at first. So 1.5 months sounds rather optimistic. On the other hand, you proved in your game against Walker that you can keep up a relentless pace of operations that kept the enemy off balance.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 781

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/8/2019 7:23:35 PM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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It may be optimistic, but that's the current plan. Best case scenario is that the Allied carriers go to Darwin for that invasion, refuel from AOs there while guarding the landing, then jump up towards Koepang for a strike there. The purpose of that strike, however, would be to get into a position for a full speed run to the southwest, one that hopefully makes the carriers disappear and hides the fact that they went west. That would shorten the trip to Ceylon considerably.

I'm pre-postioning AOs at Melbourne now. xAPs from Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland will gather there and move towards Perth. They'll then move northwest after rounding the southwestern tip of Australia, to meet up with the carriers coming down from the Koepang strike. The gaggle will then continue to Ceylon.

If nothing is spotted, the Burma operation could be a complete surprise. If they are spotted, we'll probably go ahead anyway.

As for the pace, it's driven by how fast ground units can prepare. I don't waste any time. The Marine Division at Horn Island started prepping for Koepang immediately when Horn was cleared. A Koepang invasion wouldn't occur until after the Burma operation, so it's down the road, but that's how to keep on the offensive. Keep the pace up and keep hitting in different areas. Do that in '42 and the war will be shorter.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 782

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/9/2019 3:48:45 AM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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15 Nov 42

Lots of enemy subs along the Australian coast, mostly from Cairns south to Townsville.

Kusaie Island is back to getting bombed every day with Bettys, with both types of Zeros escorting and/or sweeping. With the airfield out of action, this is to be expected. Subs continue to bring in supply, and 3 APDs are positioning for a fast transport run in. All ground units on Kusaie have less supply than needed. But if OPilot doesn't land troops here, it does not matter.

Allied bombers hit Myitkyina, doing moderate damage in light rain. I want to keep the airfield damaged to keep Ledo's airfield safer, and to show interest in the interior of Burma.

B-24s moved to Chungking to hit an armor unit 3 hexes east of Ningsia. I didn't have recon on the unit initially, but I had SigInt. I set recon to the hex and set the bombers to hit the hex. That was yesterday. The recon flew but the bombers did not. I reassigned the B-24s to hit the troops at Ningsia today, but the unit they attacked was the 21st AA Regiment, and they hit nothing in moderate rain. In the clear terrain, I was hoping for more. I'm sending the bombers back to India now. Chungking gets enemy recon every day and the heavies are tempting targets.

Sallys and Oscars from Darwin bombed troops on Gove for the first time. Minor damage to a Marine Raider battalion. The base is building quickly, and could have a size 1 airfield tomorrow.

US troops attacked on the Kokoda Trail.

Ground combat at Kokoda (98,129)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12186 troops, 194 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 367

Defending force 4679 troops, 58 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Allied adjusted assault: 301

Japanese adjusted defense: 49

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kokoda !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1514 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 88 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (6 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 7

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

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
I US Corps

Defending units:
14th Naval Construction Battalion
3rd Base Force
8th JNAF AF Unit
41st Field AA Battalion
39th Field AA Battalion
15th Naval Construction Battalion
40th JNAF AF Unit

The enemy units were wrecked a second time, with the first being at Port Moresby. The enemy retreated to Buna, and the US troops are headed there also. Two engineer units at Port Moresby are headed inland: one to Kokoda and the other to Buna. MacArthur and the Southwest HQ are being shipped from Portland Roads to Port Moresby. About 1/3 of the HQ has arrived. 2 more trips of the task force used are needed to get the rest to New Guinea. The HQ bonus will be in effect for Buna, whether it's needed or not. MacArthur is getting tasked with a slow clearing of New Guinea. It is not a priority and will take time, using limited resources.

US carriers are spotted southbound hugging the Australian coast. Lots of shipping will get to Townsville tomorrow, including the Americal Division, which will unload and then do a combat load for Darwin.

Parts of a commando unit are shipping into Gove on APDs. Some arrived last night, others today. The rest awaits a couple of APDs to arrive at Normanton. I wanted a bit of combat strength there since we battled there and OPilot knows exactly what strength (or lack thereof) I have there.

< Message edited by apbarog -- 3/9/2019 3:49:11 AM >

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 783

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/9/2019 8:13:18 PM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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16 Nov 42

More enemy mines spotted near Horn Island. These are to the southeast. Minesweepers get to work immediately.

Thresher fired 4 torpedoes at RO-66 near Kavieng. One hit but was a dud. The applicable dud rate for the war is now 84.3%.

P-38s sweep Myitkyina, and many medium and heavy bombers hit the airfield. Damage is shockingly small for the number of bombers in severe storms.

Bettys bomb Kusaie. The base damage is increasing. No chance to move in fighters. Enemy ships now at Ponape. I will risk 3 APDs running into Kusaie tonight to drop off supply. I'll probably lose them.

I tried to sneak in 4 small cargo ships to Wessel Islands to drop off supply. Didn't work.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wessel Islands at 83,126

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
G3M3 Nell x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAKL Kindur, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Mulubinda, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
PC Yandra, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Karuah, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Just a dozen Nells sank 4 ships. One xAKL was not hit, and will move to Gove to unload supply. Gove just became a size 1 port and airfield, so I moved in 2 good fighter squadrons. Maybe the cargo ship will bait the Bettys into returning. I should have just waited for the air coverage and then moved in the ships.

I'd been alternating between bombing Buin and Shortlands in the Solomons. OPilot moved some fighters to a base just to the north and ambushed the bombers. 9 B-26s were lost.

Americal is unloading at Townsville. The US carriers are there. The US CVEs are also, but they are now leaving for Luganville. They may support a move to the Kusaie area and/or Kwajalein, given the opportunity.

Over the next 2 weeks, many xAKs will be converted to xAPs all over the map. The first batches finish tomorrow. Ships in the South Pacific will move to Melbourne, to wait to move to Ceylon. Ships at Capetown and Aden will move to Bombay. Before the Burma operation, they'll be moving all of the invasion troops from Bombay to Ceylon.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 784

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/10/2019 10:09:36 PM

apbarog

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17 Nov 42

Yesterday, Nells sank 3 xAKLs and an escort at Wessel Island. I sent the remaining xAKL to Gove to unload and hoped that it might draw more bombers, now that Gove has an airfield and CAP. That didn't work out. I-32 was at Gove during the night and engaged xAKL Sjobris with torpedoes and guns, sinking the lone ship.

But things didn't go well for the enemy at Gove either. 42 Oscars swept but found a squadron of P-40Ks and P-39Ds. These 2 squadrons have the best of the US pilots, and have seen action recently at Port Moresby. The Oscars were massacred. Then 13 Nells arrived, escorted by 36 Zeros, targeting PT boats that were just moved to Gove. Again, it was a slaughter. Total air losses were 23 Oscars, 11 Nells and 9 A6M2 Zeros for the loss of 4 P-39s and 2 P-40Ks. 3 pilots achieved ace status.

Top ace Cpt. W.E. Dyess shot down 2 more enemy, giving him 12 kills, flying a P-40K. The worst pilot in his unit has 75 experience and 71 air-to-air skill, so they are good. The unit now has 9 aces. The P-39s fought well also, but didn't achieve the kill numbers that the P-40s did. The P-39 unit will be outstanding when they upgrade to something better, but that won't be for awhile. Remember this is a PDU-OFF game.

I find it more interesting and more enjoyable having to use the older airframes. They can contribute and do well, in the right situation and with good pilots.

More clearing of Japanese mines around Horn Island.

East of Ningsia, B-25s bomb the 13th and 17th Tank Regiments in movement mode, destroying a tank and disabling 20. The tanks are in the far north of China, moving to flank Ningsia from the south. I have one of the few Chinese AT units in Ningsia. It will move to the south to help cover the flank.

Heavy bombers hit Myitkyina again, further damaging the airfield.

Pompano spotted 3 battleships near Ponape. It's the bombardment force that keeps hitting Kusaie. During the day, multiple enemy task forces are seen at and near Kusaie Island. KB is here too. I pull the undamaged Catalinas out. Kusaie is about to be counter-invaded.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 785

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/11/2019 8:58:11 PM

apbarog

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18 Nov 42

More mines spotted around Horn Island, and they are being cleared.

Grenadier braved the shallow waters at Wewak, where ships were spotted yesterday. 4 torpedoes were fired at destroyer Kamikaze. One hit but was a dud. Grenadier suffered minor damage from depth charges and will retreat out of the shallows.

Swordfish spotted a task force with 4 AO's due west of Truk. Torpedoes missed a patrol boat.

Be careful what you ask for. I've always wanted Kusaie Island to get the enemy's attention, and be a focal point for it, while I concentrated elsewhere. That has worked for months really. I've held the island, and the enemy keeps bombing it and sending in bombardment task forces, which destroy all of the supply and damage the troops. I sneak in some supply, and things improve a bit.

The day of reckoning has finally arrived. To say that OPilot sent in everything, as far as naval goes, is no understatement.

Night Naval bombardment of Kusaie Island at 125,118

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
CL Yubari

Allied ground losses:
310 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Port hits 2

and

Night Naval bombardment of Kusaie Island at 125,118

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Kinugasa
CL Agano

Allied ground losses:
529 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 23 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 19 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 26
Port hits 12
Port supply hits 2

Then the invasion task force(s) start to unload, and Yamato is embedded in one of them. Yes, 9 battleships hitting Kusaie Island. I've never seen that kind of concentration before. And KB is here too. I see the Guards Mixed Bde and the 24th Infantry Rgt unloading. There were over 400 enemy casualties from unloading, so they weren't fully prepped.

At Kusaie, I sent Dutch sub KXVII in to the shallows, on a mission that might be suicidal with so many enemy ships there. But the sub comes up big, firing 4 torpedoes at destroyer Fumizuki and hitting it once. Fumizuki is in the Hyuga task force. We didn't get a battleship, but we got something, and KXVII got away unscathed. It will now patrol around the island.

Bettys bombed the US armor unit on Kusaie, disabling some tanks.

Heavy bombers hit Darwin, and ran up against Oscars and Rufes. Losses were heavy, with 7 B-24s and 2 B-17s lost. 10 Oscars were lost today in total, some and maybe most at Darwin. Flak was heavy.

So, with 9 enemy battleships hitting Kusaie, it probably was a good thing that we didn't rush the carriers there for a huge carrier battle. Allied strikes would have been very diluted and hit battleships instead of carriers. The Allies, at this point, don't have the luxury of so many battleships with their carriers. Kusaie will be lost, maybe quickly. The only ground unit with supply is the armor unit. The full regiment is mostly disabled and disruption is 80. The partial regiment wasn't hit by the bombardments. Hopefully the defenders can put up a good showing. There's no help, other than supply from subs, coming.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 786

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/11/2019 9:13:17 PM

RangerJoe

Posts: 13450
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From: My Mother, although my Father had some small part.
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Get at least fragments out so you won't have to buy them back and you can start it rebuilding right away.

I wonder if that operation was named Kitchen Sink if he has that much force there . . .

_____________________________

Seek peace but keep your gun handy.

I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!

�Illegitemus non carborundum est (�Don�t let the bastards grind you down�).�
― Julia Child

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 787

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/12/2019 12:16:58 AM

apbarog

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Some of the fragment issue is already solved. The other half of one of the regiments never got to Kusaie. That unit, and the other full regiment, are part of the same division, with the 3rd regiment at Tabiteuea. So it can be rebuilt in the region. I have no fragment of the armor unit or the air support unit.

I won't be trying to fly anything out on Catalinas with KB right there covering the island in fighters. This die is already cast.

(in reply to RangerJoe)

Post #: 788

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/12/2019 1:32:53 PM

jwolf

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At least the IJN concentration at Kusaie gives you a near total free hand for your ops at Darwin and vicinity.

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 789

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/12/2019 4:49:17 PM

apbarog

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Well, that's the plan. Whether or not it is a good plan is debatable.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 790

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/13/2019 12:32:09 AM

apbarog

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19 Nov 42

Enemy troops continued to unload at Kusaie Island. The 2 task forces with 4 battleships each again bombarded the island, but did less damage having less ammo. Still over 250 casualties and added disruption. Argonaut was unloading supply at Kusaie, but 2 subchaser appeared and hunted the sub. Argonaut was hit with a depth charge in the shallow water. Damage was not great, with just 10 FLOT damage, but it's enough for the sub to leave the area. It will go back to Pearl Harbor for repair and an overdue upgrade.

56 Bettys bombed troops on Kusaie. Then 18 Bettys. Then 15 Bettys. Then 87 Vals and 20 Kates with 91 Zero escorts. (the carrier bombers hit nothing in clear sky) In the afternoon, carrier planes returned. More of them this time. 110 Vals and 130 Kates with 97 Zero escorts. They did cause over 100 casualties this time in light rain.

KB moved to just east of the island. Lots of Allied subs in the area but the big enemy ships have been lucky and avoided them so far.

And then no ground attack. Looks like OPilot will wait till the troops are well rested and continue to hammer the US troops for awhile.

Loading for the Darwin invasion begins at Townsville and Port Moresby. Loading will take one or two days. Allied efforts at minesweeping and sub-hunting near Horn Island are intensifying.

A few Tinas were ops losses today. This is very rare, and hasn't happened in a long time. I suspect that they are dropping supply on Kusaie, but they could be anywhere doing anything. OPilot does like to make use of transports to resupply ground units. I haven't had much of an opportunity to try to interdict this, so far.

I got SigInt that an enemy CVE is moving to Soerabaja. I have no idea what the smaller enemy carriers have been doing for months. Never seen. I wonder if any have been on fishing expeditions between Australia and Ceylon. I've sent nothing on this route in many months. I wonder that now because soon I'll be sending a large fleet this way.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 791

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/13/2019 9:50:58 PM

apbarog

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20 Nov 42

Enemy troops continue to land at Kusaie Island. All of the battleships remained at the island but didn't engage again. KB has circled the island and is now just SW of it. No airstrikes from KB today, but a 72 Betty strike from Truk did hit the armor unit there.

There can be no doubt of the outcome at Kusaie tomorrow. During the replay, the total combat value of the US troops was shown as 0.

Ground combat at Kusaie Island (125,118)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13194 troops, 133 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 420

Defending force 4458 troops, 102 guns, 150 vehicles, Assault Value = 137

Assaulting units:
Guards Mixed Brigade
24th Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment
Sasebo 6th SNLF
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
54th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
148th Infantry Regiment
145th Infantry Rgt /5
13th MAG
5th Marine Defense Battalion
5th US Naval Construction Battalion

Catalinas will attempt to evacuate a fragment from 4 of the US units at Kusaie. The associated infantry regiment at Tabiteuea will head to Luganville to join the fragments of that division already there. The division will then rebuild.

Ships for Darwin are moving now.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 792

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/13/2019 11:29:30 PM

RangerJoe

Posts: 13450
Joined: 11/16/2015
From: My Mother, although my Father had some small part.
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If the KB and the BBs are in Cent Pac, does that leave the DEA/SRA open enough for you to exploit? Even if it is just to base bombers and pound oil centers

_____________________________

Seek peace but keep your gun handy.

I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!

�Illegitemus non carborundum est (�Don�t let the bastards grind you down�).�
― Julia Child

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 793

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/13/2019 11:50:20 PM

apbarog

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Yes. After Darwin, Timor is probably next. Preparations aren't very high yet for that, but it would be worth taking one of the smaller bases on eastern Timor and take the disruptions for an unprepared unit, then land other units afterwards and march to Koepang.

However, not much will probably happen after Darwin in the near term, since the US fleet is headed to Ceylon for a big amphibious landing in Burma. Reopening the Burma Road and getting supply into China is the priority there.

(in reply to RangerJoe)

Post #: 794

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/14/2019 1:44:40 AM

RangerJoe

Posts: 13450
Joined: 11/16/2015
From: My Mother, although my Father had some small part.
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Thank you.

He may regret being occupied in Cent Pac but be careful.

_____________________________

Seek peace but keep your gun handy.

I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!

�Illegitemus non carborundum est (�Don�t let the bastards grind you down�).�
― Julia Child

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 795

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/14/2019 6:42:11 PM

apbarog

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21 Nov 42

Subchasers near Kusaie Island hit Dutch sub KXVII twice with depth charges. Damage is moderate to severe, with SYS 31/FLOT 53-41/ENG 2/FIRE 0. It will most likely make it to safety at Tabiteuea.

The P-38Gs make their first appearance, and do well, sweeping Gasmata. 22 or so Lightnings found 29 A6M2 Zeros. 18 Zeros were downed for the loss of 3 Lightnings. 3 more aces were made, although one was MIA. These pilots are the best of the best. The goal was to clear the skies for the divebombers. Enemy ships were still at Gasmata, but the bombers didn't fly.

70 or 80 Bettys bombed US troops on Kusaie Island. KB remained nearby, and sent 110 Vals and 130 Kates with 101 Zeros to hit the troops. Catalinas successfully retrieved fragments of 4 of the units there. Only the armor unit remained there entirely.

Then Kusaie Island fell, as expected.

Ground combat at Kusaie Island (125,118)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14193 troops, 137 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 437

Defending force 4081 troops, 102 guns, 149 vehicles, Assault Value = 125

Japanese adjusted assault: 207

Allied adjusted defense: 19

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kusaie Island !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
623 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3179 casualties reported
Squads: 169 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 279 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 123 (123 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 159 (159 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 6

Assaulting units:
16th Infantry Regiment
Guards Mixed Brigade
24th Infantry Regiment
2nd Recon Regiment
Sasebo 6th SNLF
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
54th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
148th Infantry Regiment
145th Infantry Rgt /5
13th MAG
5th Marine Defense Battalion
5th US Naval Construction Battalion

Now the question is where will KB and the 9 battleships go next.

Darwin invasion shipping is now at and south of Horn Island. Allied carriers have not been spotted, so far, moving up the coast of Australia. Transports were seen leaving Port Moresby.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 796

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/16/2019 6:43:44 AM

apbarog

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22 Nov 42

Near Ponape, Scorpion fired 4 torpedoes at large AO Toho Maru. One torpedo hit and was NOT a dud. The ship had fuel and it was burning. Sinking audio was heard right after combat. I'm chalking that up as a big tanker sunk.

An ABDA light cruiser task force went to Milne Bay, to threaten a move to intercept enemy activity going to Buna, and to cover an inbound transport task force to Milne Bay. At Milne Bay, the ships found enemy mines. 2 destroyers cleared a few mines, then CL Hobart hit one. Hobart is SYS 32/FLOT 28-22/ENG 11-10/FIRE 0 and will retire to Brisbane for repairs. 3 CLs and 1 DD will move a bit south to rendezvous with the inbound transports, and then escort the transports the rest of the way to Milne Bay. There are no enemy mines seen at Milne Bay today, so, as often seems to happen, the last mine is swept in the most unfortunate way.

Medium bombers hit Merauke. I'm increasing the bombing today as the Darwin armada will probably be seen just west of Horn Island today. Might as well make it look like Merauke is the target on the way to Darwin.

With Kusaie Island lost yesterday, the Allies have lost eyes in that area. No sign of KB today. They may be with the AO that was sunk. OPilot uses his replenishment ships regularly with KB, even with large ports nearby.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 797

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/16/2019 12:12:27 PM

Lowpe

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So, instead of dropping everything to stop the advance into the SRA, Japan continued on with their counter attack at Kusaie, and now are poised to do what I wonder.

Very interesting and bodes well for a great continuing game with plenty of surprises.

Can't wait to see what happens next!

(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 798

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/16/2019 4:53:11 PM

apbarog

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My opponent could be wondering the same of my actions. No intervention when Kusaie was being counter-attacked. I would have had to been in the area, and unseen, for a long period of time, waiting for a counter-invasion that I didn't know was going to happen. I held Kusaie for months. I would have made no progress elsewhere. But my opponent could see things differently.

Once Darwin is taken, Timor is threatened, and with Taberfane and Dobo, a move to north to Boela or Ambon is possible. There gets to be so many places for the Japanese to defend that it becomes impossible. The best they can do is bring KB there and have the inevitable big battle.

And if the Japanese concentrate there, I'll move back to Kusaie/Ponape or Kwajalein/Roi Namur.

And let's not forget, immediately after Darwin, the US fleet is going to Ceylon.

(in reply to Lowpe)

Post #: 799

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/16/2019 9:45:39 PM

apbarog

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23 Nov 42

Oscars swept Dobo, followed by about 20 Lilys. No CAP. Very minor damage to the airfield, all of which is repaired by the end of the day. I moved fighters into Dobo and Taberfane today, with each range capping the other base.

B-25s and B-17s bombed Merauke, including the troops there. Just 2 units there, and almost no combat strength. I'll be taking the base, but not just yet.

The Allied armada for Darwin will near Gove today. OPilot has had support ships at Darwin. Some days they are at Darwin, in a task force. Other days they move northwest of the base. I think he fears putting them into port, as I've bombed the port before, and he moves them to Darwin when he needs to rearm ships. Only thing I can figure.

P-38s moved to Gove to prepare to sweep Darwin with the invasion.

And oddly, there's still lots of battleships at Kusaie Island.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 800

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/16/2019 11:12:27 PM

RangerJoe

Posts: 13450
Joined: 11/16/2015
From: My Mother, although my Father had some small part.
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Can you swarm subs with decent torpedoes into his SLOC for Kusaie Island. Maybe even a fresh sub laid minefield from one equipped with poor torpedoes.

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(in reply to apbarog)

Post #: 801

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/17/2019 12:29:52 AM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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I have had a number of subs between Truk and Ponape and between Ponape and Kusaie. I did just get an AO with a US sub, but I haven't had much luck even spotting carriers or battleships lately. OPilot was running battleship bombardment task forces between Truk and Kusaie and my subs didn't see them, and when they did, they went after destroyers. It's just luck, and it'll even out. I micromanage every sub every turn, so I generally do well with them. Once the US torpedoes start working better, the results will improve.

But I have had a number of Dutch subs near Kusaie. I wouldn't say that I've swarmed the area, but there is a concentration there.

(in reply to RangerJoe)

Post #: 802

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/17/2019 10:30:26 PM

apbarog

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

Near Port Blair, Grayling fired 2 torpedoes at xAKL Rumeo Maru, hitting it once. And it wasn't a dud. Sinking audio heard immediately after combat. I've had subs outside Port Blair and have rarely seen enemy ships. This was probably a small resupply effort. Port Blair has at least an enemy regiment on it, and is the first major target of the planned invasions in the area.

2 US subs are patrolling near the Sorong, at the northern tip of New Guinea. Today they spotted subchasers. I wouldn't be surprised if the SCs are the vanguard for KB heading from Truk to the Timor area.

The Darwin invasion armada is just south of Gove, and is almost completely spotted. There's a bunch of enemy subs just east of Wessel and Gove Islands, in a line. They spotted the ships and many SBDs spotted them, with just one bomb hit. It's all shallow water here, and dangerous for subs.

About 12 P-38s will sweep Darwin from Gove. A couple of heavy bomber squadrons from Normanton will bomb Darwin's airfield.

OPilot knows I'm coming.

And the game enters a brief break until next Saturday.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 803

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/17/2019 11:28:55 PM

BBfanboy

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

Have Grayling check the area of the sinking for floating wooden chopsticks to determine whether supply had been offloaded or not ...

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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 #: 804

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/24/2019 4:22:20 AM

apbarog

Posts: 3769
Joined: 5/23/2002
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25 Nov 42 - Back to the War

An enemy patrol boat discovered my minefield placed at the exit to Balikpapan. SC-707 hit RO-68 with a depth charge between Townsville and Port Moresby. Lots of enemy air near Sian again. Heavy rain prevented much damage to the Chinese troops.

My air plans for the day didn't work out at all. I had a plan for P-38s to make a surprise appearance in northern China and sweep some Oscars that have been guarding 2 tank regiments approaching the front. But first the B-25s arrived, and 3 were lost to the 9 Oscars there. Then 10 B-17s arrived and found 4 Oscars. No bombers lost, but no tanks hit by either bomber groups. Then 3 P-38s finally arrived, but found just 1 Oscar, and shot it down. Then the rest of the P-38s showed up, 21 of them, and found no enemy. Sweep came last.

At Darwin, B-24s arrived first and found 36 Oscars. 3 bombers were lost, and almost no damage to the airfield. Then 18 SBDs with 36 Wildcats attacked a lone AMc at Darwin. 5 Wildcats were downed, as were 6 SBDs. A total of 14 Oscars were downed here and in the earlier engagements. Yes, the tiny minesweeper was sunk.

The Darwin invasion shipping will move to Darwin today. Carriers will support from the north. BC Repulse's group will escort the transports in, along with a slow US battleship group that will not bombard just yet. Another battleship group will move with the carriers. AOs are moving with the carriers too, to refuel the task forces before a possible move towards Koepang and a sprint to the southwest to disappear. All after the successful taking of Darwin, of course. We'll see.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 805

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/25/2019 4:59:18 AM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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[26 Nov 42

S-27 fired 4 torpedoes at destroyer Teruzuki near Finschhafen but missed. The enemy is still running ships from Rabaul to Buna and back at night.

Near Manado, Sturgeion fired 4 torpedoes at AO Naruto. One hit but it was a dud. Northwest of Timor, Plunger fired 2 torpedoes at TK Eiyo Maru. One hit but it was a dud. It then made another attack, firing 2 more torpedoes at the tanker. Again, one hit. Again, it was a dud. A radio report was sent back to Pearl about the defective fish.

The enemy resumed air activity over China. Hengyang and the Sian area, and troops outside of Kukong were hit. In Burma, 29 Sallys with 42 Oscars hit Cox's Bazar, doing minor airfield damage.

9 B-17s bombed Darwin's airfield, finding 25 Oscars on CAP. A squadron of F4Fs from the carriers were LRCAP here, over the transports, and it appears that they participated in the fight, as 13 of them were lost. Just one Oscar was downed. Gove just went to a size 2 airfield today, so P-38s will sweep Darwin tomorrow. A different result is hoped for.

Darwin was invaded late in the day, so not everything has been unloaded. All of the good AP transports are involved, and should finish unloading and start back toward Gove today. Here's the order of battle at Darwin:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3126 troops, 77 guns, 39 vehicles, Assault Value = 563

Defending force 20875 troops, 448 guns, 532 vehicles, Assault Value = 752

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
7th Tank Regiment
16th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
56th Const Co
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
38th Field Const Co
48th Field AA Battalion
55th Const Co
3rd Construction Battalion
14th Army
5th Air Division
34th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
754th Tank Bn /1
Americal Infantry Div /1
3rd USMC Tank Bn /1
762nd Tank Bn /1
2nd Marine Div /1
193rd Tank Bn /1
97th Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAAF Base Wing /3

Losses were heavy for the Japanese in the amphibious bombardments, with over 1000 casualties reported. Losses were heavy in the US landings too, as the Marines were only 68% prepped for Darwin:

Amphibious Assault at Darwin (76,124)

TF 263 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 76,124

Allied ground losses:
1221 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 160 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 99 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 119 (0 destroyed, 119 disabled)
Vehicles lost 133 (1 destroyed, 132 disabled)

The US troops should prevail here, but it won't be immediate. Bombardments and bombings will tip the scale. No sign of KB but with an AO spotted near Manado, it could appear near Darwin. There's been enough time.

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(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 806

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/26/2019 7:41:44 AM

apbarog

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

27 Nov 42

The unopposed Allied moves around Darwin were suddenly interrupted.

First, the rest of the invasion troops unloaded at Darwin. Then a large enemy cruiser force appeared in the same hex as all of the Allied carriers. First the enemy engaged other task forces.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 76,122, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
SC-700, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC-705, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC-708, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC-739, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

I had 2 US cruiser task forces guarding the carriers. I sent the smaller one, with 2 cruisers, to Darwin, to replace the British task force with Repulse, which then moved to where the Allied carriers were supposed to move to. This resulted in just the bigger US cruiser force being in position to engage the enemy.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 77,122, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
CL Yura
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
CA Astoria, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Minneapolis
CA San Francisco
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Drayton, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Lamson
DD Case, Shell hits 2
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Shaw, Shell hits 1

Vincennes drew most of the enemy cruiser fire, and sank just after combat. The two destroyers hit by torpedoes were targeted by enemy destroyers.

Then the enemy found the reserve battleship bombardment force, moving with the carriers for air cover.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 77,122, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
DD Kuroshio, on fire
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 5
BB Idaho, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Isaac Sweers

The enemy was showing signs of being low on ammo. Takao was hit by a 14 inch shell. Other than that, the slow US battleships were ineffective. They were very lucky to not be hit by more torpedoes. Idaho is SYS 46/FLOT 33-21/ENG 5/FIRE 0 and should make it to a hex adjacent to the carriers.

Then the enemy found the carriers. First they found Enterprise, Hornet and Wasp and escorts. Visibility was 8,000 yards. The range closed from 24,000 to 9,000 yards. Then the carrier task force attempted to evade combat, and the range slowly increased in increments of just 1,000 yards, until the Allied ships escaped.

The second carrier task force wasn't so lucky. The range closed to 8,000 and the fight began. It got down to 6,000 yards before increasing to 13,000 yards, where the carriers escaped. But a fight ensued first.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 77,122, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Yura
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Arashio, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Shell hits 1
CV Saratoga, Shell hits 1
CV Illustrious
BB Washington, Shell hits 2
BB South Dakota
CA New Orleans
CL Achilles, Shell hits 3
CLAA Atlanta, Shell hits 2
CLAA Juneau
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 1
DD Dunlap
DD Fanning
DD Mahan
DD Smith
DD Preston
DD Cummings

The enemy was low on ammo. Hits on Lexington and Saratoga amounted to absolutely no damage. Lex and Sara scored 4 or 5 5 inch hits, a couple of which were penetrating on destroyers. Washington soaked up a couple of non-penetrating shells, but couldn't hit anything. Nor could South Dakota. Atlanta has 15 SYS damage, and Achilles has 10 SYS damage. Phoenix has 11 SYS damage. Nothing else to note. Dodged a bullet here.

The enemy then found a 3 DMS task force in the same hex, and sank DMS Lamberton. Destroyer Oshio then sank from previous damage.

Mississippi and New Mexico then bombarded Darwin, damaging lots of Oscars and the base, and causing 831 casualties.

When daylight appeared, 13 Bettys with 18 Zeros and 35 Oscars attacked shipping at Darwin, after tangling with 13 Wildcats on LRCAP. 12 Bettys dropped torpedoes. Battleship Warspite was hit by a torpedo (SYS 7/FLOT 21-10/ENG 1/FIRE 0). AK Castor was also hit and is gravely damaged with SYS 29/FLOT 80-51/ENG 2/FIRE 1. AP Henderson was hit by 3 torpedoes and sunk.

Then US troops at Darwin were bombed by 29 Sallys and 26 Lilys with 18 Zeros and 7 Oscars, with just 7 Wildcats still overhead. 263 US casualties.

18 P-38s then swept Darwin, finding 10 Oscars. Most of the Oscars were destroyed.

The enemy ships had not gotten far enough away, probably due to damage. The Allied carriers had decided to retreat towards Gove, but they were still in range of the enemy. The fairly fragmented strikes began.

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 48
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Atago, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 1
CA Haguro
DD Michishio
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 2, on fire

and

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 4, on fire

and

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Michishio, Bomb hits 1
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Maya, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Jintsu

In the afternoon, 8 Bettys found an APD task force where the carriers were supposed to have gone. The ships have an air support unit loaded, and were waiting to move into Darwin to unload. APD Gilmer was hit by 2 torpedoes and sunk. 314 casualties.

More US naval airstrikes.

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Chokai, on fire

and

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, on fire
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Michishio, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CA Haguro, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Arashio, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Isuzu, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ships are now ordered to leave the Darwin area. Carriers should be able to cover all of the task forces tomorrow, with a range 1 CAP. What could have been a real disaster turned into a battle with losses on both sides. Confirmed losses for the Allies are CA Vincennes and destroyers Drayton and Conygnham, and APD, a DMS, and AP, and 4 SCs. An AK will soon sink also. The enemy lost a destroyer and has most of their combat task force badly damaged.

Elsewhere, Sunfish spots the big enemy battleship task force near Ponape. Haddo makes the first US sub appearance west of Nagasaki and spots a huge tanker task force. 2 torpedoes were fired at tanker Sansho Maru. One hit and it was not a dud. The tanker is on fire and heavily damaged, but there was no fuel on it. It could survive.

Enemy airstrikes targeted the Chinese capital, and the 3 Chinese squadrons did well there.

Total air losses for the day, including the action around Darwin and at Chungking, were:

33 Oscars
11 Helens
7 Bettys
5 Sallys
4 Petes (on sunk ships)
2 Jakes (on sunk ships)
3 Zeros

7 P-66s
5 F4F-4s
3 P-43s

It was quite an exciting day to watch.

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(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 807

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/26/2019 3:37:27 PM

BBfanboy

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

Nice to see the Allied carriers get a punch in on the brash enemy CAs. I guess from the FP losses two of the CAs went under and more are likely to.

I have my concerns about trying to exit to the east - any counterpunch coming from Truk or the Marshalls can easily close that door before your plodding herd gets to safety, unless you have enough LBA to make them stay out of range of shore. I suppose the alternative to go past Darwin and south of the DEI leaves you open to Nettie attack, but the carrier fighters should be able to stem that?

_____________________________

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 #: 808

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/26/2019 3:54:24 PM

apbarog

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

The carriers could probably move west of Darwin and protect themselves sufficiently. I think it would now look more like what it really is: a repositioning to the Indian Ocean. I decided it was more important to shepherd all the task forces, and most importantly, the nice APs, back to safety.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 809

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 3/27/2019 7:13:16 AM

apbarog

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

28 Nov 42

Battlecruiser Repulse and British escorts bombard Darwin and do good work. An ACM is hit in port, 414 casualties on the ground, and the base takes moderate damage. Two US cruisers and 6 destroyers also bombard and cause an additional 270 casualties.

Sailfish hit xAK Asakasan Maru with a dud torpedo east of Pagan. This is probably on the route from Tokyo to Truk.

Shark spotted an interesting convoy near Phuket. Direction of the ships is unknown, but I imagine that they are northbound. Shark hit a patrol boat with a dud torpedo.

Sub attack near Phuket at 48,68

Japanese Ships
PB Yamabato Maru
AD Choko Maru
AR Yamabiko Maru
AKE Takao Maru
PB Yamadori Maru

Allied Ships
SS Shark

I witnessed a unique set of engagements today. The series of battles was something I had never seen before. 3 Allied AMs were on ASW duty between Luganville and Guadalcanal.

Submarine attack near Kirakira at 116,143

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 13, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AM Outarde
AM Chignecto
AM Ungava, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

SS I-4 is located by AM Outarde
AM Chignecto fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Chignecto attacking submerged sub ....
AM Chignecto attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-4 forced to surface!
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

then

ASW attack near Kirakira at 116,143

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 4, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AM Ungava, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Chignecto, Shell hits 2, on fire

SS I-4 is sighted by escort
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

and finally

Submarine attack near Kirakira at 116,143

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
AM Ungava, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Chignecto, Shell hits 1

AM Ungava is sighted by SS I-4
SS I-4 cannot submerge, must engage on the surface
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

Ungava did sink, as did the sub, after the 3rd engagement. Sinking audio was heard. After the sub was forced to surface, it engaged with its gun but didn't fire any torpedoes. A running gun battle with 3 engagements. After the first two, the sub was erroneously presumed sunk. Chignecto is SYS 34/FLOT 26-9/ENG 4-1/FIRE 6. Fun to watch these fights.

Allied troops attack at Darwin for the first time.

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25878 troops, 473 guns, 669 vehicles, Assault Value = 815

Defending force 24080 troops, 252 guns, 271 vehicles, Assault Value = 535

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 398

Japanese adjusted defense: 212

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
998 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 72 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 34 (3 destroyed, 31 disabled)
Vehicles lost 76 (21 destroyed, 55 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
401 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (5 destroyed, 34 disabled)

Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
2nd Marine Division
193rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAAF Base Wing

Defending units:
7th Tank Regiment
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
16th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
3rd Construction Battalion
5th Air Division
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Const Co
10th RF Gun Battalion
38th Field Const Co
55th Const Co
14th Army
48th Field AA Battalion
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
34th JNAF AF Unit

This is a good result. The two naval bombardments must have helped. Bombers will support and we'll attack again today.

The Darwin invasion armada task forces all made it safely to the Gove area. Most will continue on to the east coast of Australia, including the carriers and battleships. Some shipping has been unloading support troops at Taberfane undetected, but the task force was spotted today. Fighters are protecting, but there's no protection against ships. They'll stay one more day to unload and then leave, empty or not.

(in reply to jwolf)

Post #: 810

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