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RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Babar liberated

 
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RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Ba... - 9/10/2018 4:09:17 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		The skipper of USS Flasher has earned his Navy Cross - he managed to pursue Kaga and put two more fish into her - down she went...

What else on Jan 10/11, 1944:

Allied landing at Padang in central Sumatra, defended only by an AA unit. Night attacks by Bettys and Frances hit nothing - as usual. There is nothing between Padang and Palembang, and at Palembang only base forces and AA. The four IJA infantry brigades on Sumatra are to the north and the south of Padang. I'm toying with the idea to send an Inf Division from Malaya to delay the fall of Palembang and possible get some more drops of oil before the inevitable - but is it worth it?

At Saumlaki in the Banda Sea, air attacks by Jills escorted by Zeros and Georges get shredded by LRCAP of at least six different Allied fighter types - the kitchen sink...



_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to jwolf)
Post #: 271
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Ba... - 9/11/2018 4:18:16 AM   
PaxMondo


Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline 		Losing Palembang before 6/44 in most of my economic plans is NOT good. Losing it in Feb 44 would mean I will have to severely curtail IJN use OR lose the equivalent of 50,000 aircraft. Neither is a good thing.

Based on where you seem to be right now, the biggest thing is to not allow too many troops to get cut off. Choose what troops to defend which objectives carefully. The allies do not need to take Palembang, once it is isolated, it is as good as dead. They need nothing there, they are swimming in fuel and supply. They do need to take Singers though for the RSY. Once you lose moulmien, be careful with your retreat. If you go south to Bangkok remember they can go east to Vinh and cut everything off ... that could be far more troops than you can afford to lose. Java is another place where I have seen a lot of IJ players lose far too many units to simple bypass. There is nothing in Java that the allies need, so turning it into a prison is fine.

Good Luck!




< Message edited by PaxMondo -- 9/11/2018 4:19:42 AM >

_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 272
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Ba... - 11/5/2018 12:13:30 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		Game date Feb 04, 1944

China:
A defensive line has been established along the river north of Kweiyang. At the western end of that line, a chain of mountaineous terrain with 20k stacking limits has stalled any further advance in the direction of Kunming. One such hex has been surrounded and the defenders are being pounded by an arty concentration, but starving them out will take time - or forever if the Allies use air supply. In the east, the "gap" between the river bend and Chihkiang seems to have been rendered impassable as well, large stacks of Chinese units are now being backed by British tanks. The prospects to break through to Kweiyang are dim, especially since I have ceded air superiority - the fighter units allocated to the China theater are restricted to Oscars by the 'PDU off' settings and I need the unrestricted air units somewhere else even more urgently.

I will keep the defensive line in place and a reserve at Chungking, but will redeploy a sizeable force - several infantry divisions, most tanks and arty and all Combat Eng units in the direction of Changteh and from there to Ichang and then to Southern China to start fortifying the coast. This will take several months, I hope the Allies won't arrive by sea faster than expected.


Burma/Thailand/Malaya:
Still no indications of an Allied advance from Pegu southwards across the river line.

However, the deteriorating situation on Sumatra and the real danger of Allied landings anywhere along the long coastline from Moulmein to Singers makes a defence in strength of the river line less and less desirable. The defensive force in Northern Thailand / Southern Burma might get cut-off because there is no realistic chance to contain an Allied invasion along the coast and the Allied might get to Bangkok faster than my forces can withdraw from the river line. It is impossible to defend everywhere in strength and the Allies can bring overwhelming strength to any point they really want and/or can bypass any "hard point" the Empire may chose to defend.

I therefore have started a strategic redeployment. The new strategy is to delay at strategic points in good defensive terrain while not losing any big units in the process. To achieve this I will shamelessly take advantage of the game engine. At present almost all coastal bases from Moulmein to Singers are held by one division each. I have decided to split all divisions in Thailand and Malaya. In Thailand, the C elements will remain at the current locations as speedbumps, the B elements will defend Bangkok for as long as possible, the A elements will withdraw all the way to Hanoi to start digging at the river line east of the city. In Malaya, the C elements are in the process of moving to Palembang to delay the Allied advance in the good defensive swamp terrain. The B elements will defend Singers to the death. The A elements will move to Hanoi as well. At the coastal bases a token presence will be maintained by port engineers and other expendable units. Most of the arty, tanks and AA will move off to Hanoi as well.

The idea is that the C and B elements will be cut-off and destroyed eventually, but that the A elements will be preserved and eventually "grow" back into full divisions - time and supplies permitting. The A elements get a head-start to dig-in in the jungles east of Hanoi and will be backed by most of the arty and tanks, plus newly raised formations.


Sumatra:
Padang and Sawahloento, the base just inland, have been lost. Allied troops have advanced inland quickly on the roads, blocking the retreat paths of all our forces in Northern and Central Sumatra in the direction of Palembang. Only a handful of base forces and an Air HQ have managed to slip away. The remnants of 25th Army HQ, 3 infantry brigades, four base forces, three AA Rgts and two AA Bns will try to reach Bengkalis on Malakka strait trough jungle and swamps. From Bengkalis they might be evacuated to Malaya - if Malaya is still in Japanese hands when they arrive at their destination.

Another Allied column has advanced south from Padang on the coastal road and has reached Benkoelen. The base is defended by one infantry brigade, a tank regiment and a heavy mortar Bn behind level-3 forts. With luck they may hold for one attack or two.

The next base south - Oosthaven, is held only by a single garrison Bn. I am expecting an invasion any day.

The first "C" elements - as related above - have arrived at Palembang, three infantry brigades and one tank brigade. They will be deployed near Palembang to guard river crossings and jungle hexes, but will retreat to concentrate for a last stand in the swamps of Palembang.

I have launched a couple of naval attacks against Padang with Lily dive-bombers at 10k and Oscar IV on naval attack at 1k, covered by Tojos and Franks. About 60 planes lost for two APA sunk and a DE damaged.


Borneo:
I have found out the hard way that there are Liberator models with a range of more than 20 hexes. I still felt save for my Borneo oil, until a group of VLR Liberators - which are supposed to hunt submarines - showed up to bomb Miri. Allied dogs are mis-using specialized assets here! Probably because there are only eight Japanese submarines left in service and the specialized sub-hunting Liberators were complaining about unemployment.


Banda Sea:
After their defeat on Babar, the Allied dogs have landed on Saumlaki, Taberfane, Kai-eilanden and recently on Kaimana, dropping brigades reinforced with tanks, arty and combat engineers on each island under the cover of cruiser TFs, LBA and apparently also CVEs. Since each island is held only by regimental-sized units - punch-drunk from carpet-bombings by heavy and medium bombers - the Allies had little difficulties to capture each base. However, I am no longer willing to risk major fleet units in this area infested with enemy subs and mines. A small cruiser-destroyer TF sent to interfere was mauled, losing Furutaka and four DDs to LBA when the admiral in charge foolishly decided to stay in the area in broad daylight. Our offensive airpower in the area is weak, many fighter units have move out to protect the oil bases from long-range bombers and only a token force remains on Ambon.


New Guinea, Central Pacific, North Pacific - all quiet.


Economics:
The biggest four heavy industry complexes in the Home Islands have stopped working due to lack of fuel.

With the abundance of tankers, I can risk a few to continue shipping oil and fuel from Palembang as long as I still have air superiority over that base.

However, the days of obtaining oil from the SRA are counted, and I will need to go into strict conservation mode. I will stop fetching as many resources as possible from the SRA, disband the xAKs in the Home Islands and will only load resources on home-bound convoys which have brought reinforcements and supplies to the front. The stockpiles in the Home Islands and the supplies from Hokkaido and Manchukuo/Korea/China will have to suffice.

Production of planes will concentrate on fighters, anything else will be stopped.

Ship production will end soon, what is less than 60 days from completion will go ahead but all the rest is being stopped (except DD and SS).

Combined Fleet or what's left of it is disbanded at a classified location to conserve fuel and to await the occasion to strike under more favorable circumstances.



Air war:
Not surprisingly, the Allies have the edge in the air war through quantity and quality.

Fighter forces available at the moment (PDU off):

IJNAF LBA:

- 5 groups of Georges*
- one group of J2M3 Jack
- 3 groups flying the latest Zero version A6M8
- 9 groups flying the Zero A6M5c**
- about a dozen groups flying older versions of the Zero, half of them still using the old and worn A6M2 from the beginning of the war.

*Three of the five George groups are understrength because equipped with the N1 version which is no longer in production and no planes left in the pools due to bad production planning (blame staff). PDU off prevents upgrading to use the ample pools of the N2 model.
**Could upgrade to A6M8, but I keep the older model due to better range, armament and engine requirements.

IJAAF LBA:

- 2.5 groups of Frank-a
- 5 groups of Tojo II-c
- one group each of Ki-61 b and c
- 17 units equipped with Oscar IV
- 4 units equipped with older Oscars
- 4 units still flying Nates

So, for the whole PTO I have only 4.5 groups of first-rate planes (Frank and George), eight groups of mediocre planes and the rest is junk as far as air superiority missions are concerned. That means I can only defend in strength a few selected points - first and foremost Singers and Palembang - and very little strength is available for offensive sweep/escort missions.

All Nates, most Oscars and all unarmored Zeros are in the rear, training pilots. Results however are "hand to mouth", The program is hard-pressed to keep the standard of a "exp 50/air 70/def 70" pilot skill-sets before committing them to frontline units. More often than not, the defense skills are in the low 60s.

I have started a training program for the low naval attack skill, using non-fighter groups stuck with obsolete planes like Mabels, Jeans, Vals, Kates, Alfs, etc.

However, the pilots now come from the first flight school training cycle (Navy) respectively the third training cycle (Army).

Let's see what will run out first - HI points, supplies or bodies...

< Message edited by LargeSlowTarget -- 11/5/2018 12:50:25 PM >

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to jwolf)
Post #: 273
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Ba... - 11/6/2018 12:54:34 AM   
PaxMondo


Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline 		What about Jack?

And you may want to consider rebuilding an N1K1 factory. Just one. size it to be whatever it needs. You can't afford to be short N1K in any group.


In general for PDU OFF, you will need to build pretty much everything … one factory each in many cases, but you need to build it. And of course you need A7M ASAP for the IJN.

You need Frank r ASAP for the IJA.

Most, but NOT all fighter groups will upgrade to Frank r and A7M.


_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 274
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Ba... - 11/20/2018 4:06:33 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		Hello PaxMondo,

I have only one group allowed to fly the Jack. It is equipped with the M3 version and recently saw combat as point defense at Palembang and in an escort role in the recent air battles against the Allied Death-star off Sunda Strait. It is holding its own, having lost 16 Jacks for 15 kills on the unit roster, which is a good record compared to other models.

The bad news is that I have decided early in the game not to research the Sam, doubting that I would ever get far enough into the late game to reap the profit from the considerable research effort it would require while blocking research factories for years before they actually start repairing and researching.

The good new is that Frank-r just entered production with 150 planes per month. Could be 200 but I keep a 50-plane factory on hold with the Frank-a since I have groups in the reinforcement queue for Frank-a and I don't know if they are allowed to upgrade to other versions. It really sucks in PDU off that there is no visibility on the upgrade paths of reinforcement air groups.

The three groups flying Frank-a can upgrade as soon as enough Frank-r airframes are available.

There are three groups of Tojo-c which can upgrade to Frank-r - after having upgraded to Frank-b, which for some reason is a seperate development path and won't enter production before 4/45 (I just started researching it after having finished with the Frank-r).

However, none of the numerous Oscar groups can upgrade to the Frank, most end with the Oscar-IV or very late planes like Ki-94II which I am not going to research.


Game update: game date Feb 14th, 1944

I am throwing every modern plane I have at Southern and Central Sumatra - Franks, Georges, Jacks, Tojos, Tonys, Judys, Jills, Frances, Helens, and even some Zeros 5c. Feels like throwing good money after bad, since Sumatra will fall. But well, everything I do will get me killed, including doing nothing.

Air raids on Allied shipping off Padang and Allied ground units in the open have been costly failures, hundreds of planes lost for two APAs sunk and probably an DE as well.

The Allied Death-star has approached Sunda Strait again to cover an invasion force going for Oosthaven. The lone garrison Bn guarding Oostaven has been brushed aside by Marines.

In anticipation I rushed base forces and air groups to Northern Java from all over the SRA - no infantry reinforcements available to defend Oosthaven or Java (only token forces present on Java to cover garrison requirements) since everything is already committed to the plans related above for Singers, Bangkok etc.

However, my air groups impaled themselves on LRCAP over Oosthaven. Like eggs against a wall, even my best horses - a hundred Franks - made no impact, and 7 remained in flyable condition after the dust settled. All pilots committed had 50+ exp / 70+ Air / 60+def skills. I could cry... Must send almost my entire LBA back to Japan for rebuilding.

I also assembled most of Combined Fleet at Banjermarsin for "Operation Death or Glory", using fake home ports and destinations but patrol orders at Banjermasin to fool SIGINT. Not sure it worked.

I was planning for a "ranged attack" on the Death-star to profit from the longer reach of my TBs, but the sortie of Combined Fleet fizzled - the Allied task forces which have been camping in Sunda Strait for two turns have retreated out of range the turn I made my thrust. I had sent some subs and a cloud of midget subs to harass the Allies the turn before, probably an error since apparently the subs have triggered the Allied retreat. Should have thought twice.

The surprise is gone, and I'm not going to pursue the Death-star into the LBA from Padang. Well, Combined Fleet will die another day.

In the meantime in the Banda Sea, Allied forces have invaded Lautern on Timor. Only a weak South Sea garrison unit is offering token resistance. No sea and air power available to oppose / counterattack, everything has been sent to the botched Sumatra operation.

The house of cards called SRA is starting to collapse.

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 275
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Ba... - 11/21/2018 12:49:39 PM   
jwolf

 

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

Operation Death or Glory


It's possible to have both. Maybe the next time.

It's true that the SRA is beginning to collapse -- unless you manage a miracle victory somehow -- but on the other hand you're into Feb 1944. How long does it take for the economic effects to make a big difference back home in Japan?

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 276
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): CV... - 1/4/2019 11:03:26 AM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		Game date March 5th, 1944

Blows followed by setbacks followed by disasters - and rinse and repeat.

Massive Allied forces have crossed the Burma river defense line between Moulmein and Chiang-Mai, pushing back the weak Thai sub-units which have provided a thin screen, more a bluff than a defense. All units not engaged have been ordered to pull back as well and I will try to consolidate the sub-units again further south for a last stand before the Thai units will dissolve automatically in a few months. The two IJA divisions at Moulmein risk to be cut-off and have been ordered back towards Rahaeng.

In China, the Allied air force is becoming more active, with troop movement being hampered by ground attacks. The IJA fighter groups assigned to the China theater are limited by PDU off and stuck with Oscars IV, so they are useless except for training. I have assigned two precious George units to cover the Hanoi/ Haiphong area where I am preparing a defensive line. In Central China, troops are moving around in the Changhsa area trying to eliminate a few more Chinese units before heading for the coastal bases on defensive assignments.

Concerning the SRA:

After the non-battle off Sunda Strait I have rushed Combined Fleet into the Banda Sea to attack the invasion forces at Lautern on Timor. The surface navy bombarded Lautern with little success. A few Allied PTs got sunk and one cruiser managed to sink a DD by ramming - unfortunately it was one of ours. Lord, give me a surface action without friendlies colliding!

The carriers fared no better. Naval search discovered several TFs within easy striking range, but only a handful of feeble strikes were launched, sinking some small fry. Culprit is probably the weather, or my bad luck, or both. The Banda Sea being alive with enemy subs, one managed to torpedo CV Katsuragi several times. She split off the TF automatically with CLAA Tatsuta as escort and struggled into the nearest port - Kendari - for emergency repairs. With Kendari airbase having been thrashed thoroughly in the days before, no CAP was available. She couldn't run and she couldn't hide, so she got sunk next turn in port by 4Es, along with the CLAA.

Combined Fleet fled north away from the Allied sub carpet in the Banda Sea and out of range of the carpet bombings to replenish from the fleet train at Davao. Recon did spot increased shipping activities around Hollandia, so with the Allied carriers last seen off Sumatra and their subs concentrated in the Banda Sea, KB sortied again to look for easier pickings off New Guinea. As my rotten luck would have it, my carriers ran over yet another sub and CV Hiyo went down after two attacks with three torpedo hits each. "Radio intercepts" (i.e. email exchange with my opponent) revealed that it was the only Allied sub in the area - so my luck must be more than rotten...

With fuel supplies dwindling and no reasonable chance to inflict more damage than receiving, I have decided to terminate fleet operations in the SRA and to move Combined Fleet to Japan for upkeep, upgrades, pilot training and a final battle in home waters - if the B-29s soon to come won't sink the fleet in port...

Concerning ground and air units, preservation is the key word as well.

Since the Allied need only a turn or two to thrash the CAP and flatten an airbase but the Japanese engineers need two weeks to repair it, the only Japanese airfield still operational within reach of the Banda Sea is Makassar - and with Lautern captured, Dili under attack and Endeh (Flores islands) invaded recently, Makassar is in range of Allied fighters and it's days are surely numbered. I am evacuating the base forces, Air HQs and Engineers from the inoperable air bases at Kendari, Ambon and Boela and in anticipation of the blow to fall from Makassar as well - I will need the AV support for the 'end game'. All airmobile squads and devices are being airlifted to Menando, fast transport TFs are trying the bring back the heavy stuff liker radar sets and motorized support. From Menando, the evacuated units will move to prepare defenses on Luzon, Formosa and the Ryukus.

The infantry units in the area - 2nd ID on Ambon, various elements of the 31st ID scattered between Babar, Kendari and Makassar, one independent brigade each on Boela, Koepang, Roti and Waingapoe, two IJA South Sea garrison units at Dili and assorted naval guard forces and SNFL on the Moluccas and other islands around the Ceram Sea - will stay put for the moment to fight it out if invaded. If bypassed, I will try to get the airmobile parts out by flying boat.

Some base forces and fighter units will keep watch over the remaining oil port while tankers will continue to ship home as much fuel and oil as possible, but no efforts will be made anymore to interfere with Allied invasions in the SRA.

I hope I will have enough time to create and train a Kamikaze Corps for the mutually supporting airbases in the Formosa - Ryukus - home islands area to be ready when the enemy arrives. The latest turn brought some good news which will surely strike fear into the hearts of our enemies - 12 Ki-27b Nate replacements arrived at Tokyo.

In the North, dead calm. Reinforcing and digging-in continues on the Kuriles Islands.

< Message edited by LargeSlowTarget -- 1/4/2019 11:07:31 AM >

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to jwolf)
Post #: 277
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 2/13/2019 12:54:28 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		Game date March 25th, 1944.

Have been looking for an opportunity to test the Kamikazes, using the airgroups stuck with older airframes and scheduled to withdraw in a few months - use them or lose them.

The occasion came this turn - my opponent untypically made the mistake to leave a Japanese airfield operational within range of an Allied invasion site.

After the easy capture of Dili on Timor and the uneventful and unopposed invasion of Flores, Ed has crossed the Banda Sea to land at Kolaka on Celebes - the back door to Kendari.

In preparation, his Death Star has made a stab at Manado, but my naval search saw it coming and most of the shipping - Manado was my major hub for the evacuation of base forces and construction units from the doomed bases around the Banda Sea - got away.

Damage to Manado from the Death Star and the coordinated 4E strikes was comparatively light, and with all the construction units and base forces present the airbase was 100% operational again when the Allied invasion force arrived at Kolaka - range 10 hexes as the crow resp. the Kamikaze flies.

Naval search showed a bunch of CVEs in the base hex providing cover for the bombardment and amhib TFs, with an estimated 160 fighters available. The Death Star was observed heading East into the Philippine Sea, apparently covering the invasion of Sorong at the Northern tip of New Guinea.

A golden opportunity to strike at the CVE soutside effective land-based LRCAP (closest Allied airbase 8 hexes away at Endeh on flores) and with the Death Star being somewhere else.

The Kamikaze Corps has been training on Luzon, assembled at Tarakan when NEws of the Kolaka landing arrived and moved to Manado for this turn.

The screeny shows the forces assembled.

To make it short, the results were short of expectations and hopes, but still better than nothing.




quote:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 23, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 187 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 62 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
A6M5 Zero x 18
A6M5c Zero x 90

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
FM-2 Wildcat x 46
F6F-3 Hellcat x 100

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 15 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed by flak
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed by flak
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Anzio
CVE Prince William, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
CVE Casablanca, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 1
CVE Chenango
CVE Suwannee
CVE Breton
CVE Nassau, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x A6M2 Zero flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
12 x A6M5 Zero flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
19 x A6M2 Zero flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VF-38/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VF-38/B with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
VF-38/C with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VC(F)-33 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 12 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 12 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 30390.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 30100.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes

Massive explosion on CVE Casablanca
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Prince William
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Casablanca
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Casablanca


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 183 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 60 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
A6M5c Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
FM-2 Wildcat x 46
F6F-3 Hellcat x 97

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 3 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 15520 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VF-38/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VF-38/B with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 3 on standby, 1 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 66 minutes
VC(F)-33 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 11 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (4 airborne, 4 on standby, 11 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 25590.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VF-38/C with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 141 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Sen Baku x 21

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
FM-2 Wildcat x 46
F6F-3 Hellcat x 94

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Sen Baku: 8 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 10560 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VF-38/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VC(F)-33 with FM-2 Wildcat (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 11920 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 24150 and 33960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 18560 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 35960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 68 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 25590.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-38/B with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 1 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 25740 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-38/C with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 12
B6N1 Jill x 24

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
FM-2 Wildcat x 42
F6F-3 Hellcat x 91

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 4 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 18 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Anzio, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B6N1 Jill flying as kamikaze *
Kamikaze: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-38/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-33 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 33960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 26780.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 30100.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 25590.
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-38/B with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 1 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-38/C with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 151 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 68

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
FM-2 Wildcat x 39
F6F-3 Hellcat x 85

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 23 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (6 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VF-38/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VC(F)-33 with FM-2 Wildcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 23740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 81 minutes
VMF-212 with F4F-4 Wildcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 25590.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
VF-38/B with F6F-3 Hellcat (7 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VF-38/C with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 24, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 198 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 65 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M5 Zero x 3
A6M5c Zero x 54

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3
FM-2 Wildcat x 23
F6F-3 Hellcat x 62

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Prince William
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A6M5 Zero flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 12 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 30390.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 31000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
A6M5c Zero x 23

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3
FM-2 Wildcat x 23
F6F-3 Hellcat x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 12560 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15930 and 33960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 66 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 34550.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 175 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 58 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M2 Sen Baku x 7
A6M5c Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3
FM-2 Wildcat x 22
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M2 Sen Baku: 2 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 23560 and 32960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 33960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 55 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 35370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 33960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 34550.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 165 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 54 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M5c Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 2
FM-2 Wildcat x 18
F6F-3 Hellcat x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 16560 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 34960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32370.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 34550.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 10
B6N1 Jill x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
FM-2 Wildcat x 16
F6F-3 Hellcat x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 5 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 16560 and 25740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 34960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 25740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 25960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
475th FG/432nd FS with P-38G Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters to 34550.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kolaka at 68,105

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 182 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 29

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 13
F6F-3 Hellcat x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 17 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-40/A with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-35 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 34960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
VF-60 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VC(F)-63 with FM-2 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 25960.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes


Attachment (1)

< Message edited by LargeSlowTarget -- 2/13/2019 1:00:04 PM >

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 278
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 2/13/2019 2:10:16 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		So, 200+ Kamikazes and 27+ escorts expended for 11 Kamikaze hits:

CVE Prince William, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire, Ammo storage explosion
CVE Casablanca, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire, Massive explosion, Ammo storage explosion, Heavy smoke from fires
CVE Anzio, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire
CVE Natoma Bay, Kamikaze hits 3, on fire
CVE Nassau, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire

11 out of 200+ is worse than the historical record (14 percent of Kamikazes survived CAP and AA to score a hit on a ship), hope I will do better in the future. CVE Casablanca looks like a goner, the others will probably survive .

The Kamikaze fighters and all escorts were set to 29k altitude, the Jills to 1k. The detection ranges show that altitude seems to have an impact in the game, the high strikes have been detected much father out than the Jills. Suprisingly, the Jills at 1k have been escorted, although the escorts were all set to the much higher 29k altitude.

I expect that the future invasions will have cover from the Death Star and possibly LBA. Next time I should probably sweep the landing hex heavily before sending in the Divine Wind. This will probably happen around Luzon.


What has happened elsewhere:

- Sansapor, a a lightly defended dot base next to Sorong, has been invaded and captured by the Allies




- west of Changsha, Allied counterattack in open terrain including Chinese troops and Commonwealth infantry and tanks and supported by LBA - two IJA divisions mauled and forced to retreat

- Allied advance from Burma into Thailand on multiple vectors, a first ground attack on the vector Moulmein-Bangkok repulsed :

quote:

Ground combat at 55,58 (near Tavoy)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32949 troops, 616 guns, 623 vehicles, Assault Value = 1006

Defending force 17789 troops, 173 guns, 20 vehicles, Assault Value = 548

Allied adjusted assault: 66

Japanese adjusted defense: 2233

Allied assault odds: 1 to 33

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

Japanese ground losses:
387 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1679 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 167 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 73 (5 destroyed, 68 disabled)
Vehicles lost 30 (1 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
14th Indian Division
5th Indian Division

Defending units:
21st/B Division
21st/C Division
21st/A Division
55th/B Division
28th Field AA Machinecannon Company
1st RF Gun Battalion


- first ground attack goes in at Palembang and receives a bloody nose :

quote:

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 37775 troops, 605 guns, 517 vehicles, Assault Value = 1287

Defending force 23293 troops, 224 guns, 426 vehicles, Assault Value = 717

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 1198

Japanese adjusted defense: 1855

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
483 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 109 (14 destroyed, 95 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2489 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 241 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 69 disabled
Guns lost 51 (1 destroyed, 50 disabled)

Assaulting units:
29th British Brigade
25th Indian Division
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
16th LRP Brigade
50th Cmbt Engineer Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
9th Australian Division
181st Field Artillery Battalion
30th Field Artillery Regiment
XIV US Corps
168th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
4th Tank Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
18th/C Division
5th/C Division
33rd/C Division
48th/C Division
2nd Tank/C Division
19th JAAF AF Bn /1
106th JAAF AF Bn /1
16th AA Regiment
93rd JAAF AF Bn /1
35th JAAF AF Bn
41st JAAF AF Bn /1
39th JNAF AF Unit
55th Construction Battalion
3rd Ship Engineer Regiment
3rd Air Div /1
22nd JAAF AF Bn /1
90th JAAF AF Bn
28th JAAF AF Bn /1


Note that the base forces, construction units and the Air HQ have been airlifted out right under the nose of the Allied airbases nearby - only non-airmobile devices remain.

- the Allies have cleared all mines in Sunda Strait and a naval bombardment has tested defenses at Merak:

quote:

Night Naval bombardment of Merak at 48,97

Allied Ships
BC Renown
CA Cornwall
CA Suffolk
CL Newcastle
CL Ceylon
CL Gambia

Japanese ground losses:
160 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 35
Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 5

BC Renown firing at II/124th Infantry Battalion
CA Cornwall firing at Merak
CA Suffolk firing at Merak
CL Newcastle firing at Merak
CL Ceylon firing at Merak
CL Gambia firing at Merak


Java has long been evacuated and only token units remain - the island won't become an Allied POW camp.

Except for Palembang, Singapore and Bangok, the deep SRA has been largely abandoned and valuable assets - base forces and engineers have been or are in the process of moving to the "main defensive line" spanning from the river east of Hanoi (with speedbumps at the Mekong crossings and Vinh) through Formosa and Luzon.

With the SRA oil centers already lost or as good as cut-off with the Allies on Celebes and the Death Star roaming freely, the aim is now to delay the bombing of the home islands. The Marianas have been reinforced to about 20-25k men each, a division plus AA, arty and AT, behind level-6 forts and slowly rising. Frantic digging is going on on all islands between Iwo Jima and Formosa.

The fuel situation is becoming more and more desperate, most of the heavy industry is no longer producing. Refuleing of TFs has been suspended, and the first AKs have been run dry and disbanded in port. I will retain one replenish TF with oilers for a last sortie of Combined Fleet.

There are 520k HI points left in the pool, and factory output has been severely curtailed - no floatplanes, no transport planes, no Oscars, no Zeros, no ships except a few DDs, subs and MTBs. Production of Frank-r, George, Ki-100 Tonies and Nick night-fighters continues at full speed.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by LargeSlowTarget -- 2/13/2019 2:15:37 PM >

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 279
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 2/13/2019 3:28:49 PM   
jwolf

 

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline 		It's interesting -- and maybe a bit horrifying -- to see the effects of the fuel shortage already being felt.

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 280
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 2/26/2019 10:28:35 AM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		Game date April 01, 1944

Banzai! Our Imperial falcons have scored a great victory against the Allied dogs and have sunk five carriers, four battleships and numerous cruisers and destroyers.






_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to jwolf)
Post #: 281
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 2/26/2019 1:45:14 PM   
jwolf

 

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline 		Since the Japanese don't have (?) the April 1 tradition, I am certain these reports are entirely accurate.

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 282
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 2/27/2019 2:15:22 AM   
Capt. Harlock


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

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Since the Japanese don't have (?) the April 1 tradition, I am certain these reports are entirely accurate.


If you can't trust Tokyo Rose, who can you trust?

_____________________________

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

--Victor Hugo

(in reply to jwolf)
Post #: 283
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 2/27/2019 1:46:21 PM   
tarkalak

 

Posts: 289
Joined: 6/26/2017
From: Bulgaria
Status: offline 		What!?

No sign of instrument of surrender in nice white house yet.

_____________________________

I do not know what is scarier: that I do understand nothing of this demonic script or that I am starting to see the demons that it evokes.

Me, studying for a PHD entry exam in Applied Mathematics.

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)
Post #: 284
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 3/1/2019 10:13:36 PM   
PaxMondo


Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget


Java has long been evacuated and only token units remain - the island won't become an Allied POW camp.

Except for Palembang, Singapore and Bangok, the deep SRA has been largely abandoned and valuable assets - base forces and engineers have been or are in the process of moving to the "main defensive line" spanning from the river east of Hanoi (with speedbumps at the Mekong crossings and Vinh) through Formosa and Luzon.

With the SRA oil centers already lost or as good as cut-off with the Allies on Celebes and the Death Star roaming freely, the aim is now to delay the bombing of the home islands. The Marianas have been reinforced to about 20-25k men each, a division plus AA, arty and AT, behind level-6 forts and slowly rising. Frantic digging is going on on all islands between Iwo Jima and Formosa.

The fuel situation is becoming more and more desperate, most of the heavy industry is no longer producing. Refuleing of TFs has been suspended, and the first AKs have been run dry and disbanded in port. I will retain one replenish TF with oilers for a last sortie of Combined Fleet.

There are 520k HI points left in the pool, and factory output has been severely curtailed - no floatplanes, no transport planes, no Oscars, no Zeros, no ships except a few DDs, subs and MTBs. Production of Frank-r, George, Ki-100 Tonies and Nick night-fighters continues at full speed.

Java: good job. Many players are not able to do so.

Hanoi: watch out with your forces so far west, if they force a landing at HK and drive North you don't want those cut off. I don't think pull back, but just watch out and be prepared to exit further east. Maybe think about another line from Changsha to Kukong … something like that.

Fuel: ouch. suck all the fuel outta the xAK's and disband everything. TF's use fuel even in port, only disbanded do they use zero.

Oil: what is your oil in HI? Hopefully high, and if so your fuel will rebound if you disband enough TF's.

HI pts: that is really low unless your ARM/VEH are high.

Please keep posting econ data. You are at an interesting stage in the game and unusual situation. Very interested to see how your economy plays out.

Thanks!!!



_____________________________

Pax

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 285
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Fi... - 4/15/2019 6:58:42 AM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		NEWS FLASH!!!

Fresh from the latest turn:




Full story later, the previous turn / reports leading to this engagement are on a different computer at home.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by LargeSlowTarget -- 4/15/2019 6:59:09 AM >

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 286
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Fi... - 4/15/2019 1:28:53 PM   
jwolf

 

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline 		Score one for the little guys! Why did the Allies only have one DD with that carrier?

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 287
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): Fi... - 4/16/2019 9:44:20 AM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		So, game date April 26th.

Since the Kamikaze strike a month ago, the Allies have advanced with impunity.

Bases lost in the meantime:

- Sumatra: Palembang, Benkolen > no Japanese forces left on Sumatra
- Java: Merak
- Celebes: Kendari, Koala, Makassar, Madjene and bases in-between
- Ceram Sea: Bara and Obi (near Ambon), Ternate. Morotai invaded but not captured yet
- PNG: Sorong
- CentPac: Satawal, Woleai

With southern Celebes in Allied hands, the oil centers at Balikpapan, Samarinda and Tarakan are effectively isolated - they are in Allied fighter-range and bombers have begun to destroy the oil facilities. I am not contesting this in the air - no point to defend the oil centers when no tanker survives the air blockade and the roving destroyer task forces Ed has sent out to hunt my convoys.

However, it was time to "show the flag" again to inject some caution into Ed's aggressive destroyer sweeps. So I have sent a handful of old cruisers and DDs to disband and hide at the dot base of Tapul (next to Tawi Tawi), waiting for naval search to announce a new enemy sweep of the waters off Tarakan. By pure coincidence rather than shrewd planning, this happened in a period of waning moon.

Alas - the next naval stab of the Allies wasn't a destroyer sweep, but the whole bloody Death Star!

With two-day turns, the fast-moving gaggle was upon me without time to react. I did write-off my ships and without real hope gave orders to flee to Manila.

To create some confusion among the Allies and to give my ships a fighting chance, I spawned a MTB squadron at Tarakan and sent them charging.


This has led to a rather hectic night and day:


quote:


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 22, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawi Tawi at 72,91, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asashimo
DD Umigiri
DD Isokaze

Allied Ships
DD Bennion
DD Haraden
DD Healy

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Healy at 8,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Haraden at 8,000 yards
DD Haraden engages DD Asashimo at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Healy at 4,000 yards
DD Umigiri engages DD Haraden at 4,000 yards
DD Asashimo engages DD Healy at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Healy at 3,000 yards
DD Haraden engages DD Isokaze at 3,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Bennion at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Healy at 5,000 yards
DD Haraden engages DD Asashimo at 5,000 yards
DD Healy engages DD Asashimo at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Asashimo engages DD Healy at 8,000 yards
DD Haraden engages DD Asashimo at 8,000 yards
DD Bennion engages DD Isokaze at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Healy engages DD Isokaze at 10,000 yards
DD Healy engages DD Umigiri at 10,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Bennion at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Healy engages DD Isokaze at 13,000 yards
DD Haraden engages DD Umigiri at 13,000 yards
DD Umigiri engages DD Bennion at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...


Caught a DD sweep - now, that was the original intention.

But it turned out to be just the ASW cover for...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawi Tawi at 72,91, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 2
CL Tama
CL Kiso, Shell hits 2
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Kiyonami

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Wasp, Shell hits 3, on fire
CV Bunker Hill, Shell hits 2
CV Intrepid, Shell hits 1, on fire
CVL Bataan
CVL San Jacinto
CVL Unicorn, Shell hits 2
BB Washington
BB South Dakota
CA Wichita
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
DD Fletcher
DD Ammen
DD Anthony
DD Beale
DD Bell
DD Clarence Bronson
DD Conner
DD Dashiell
DD Dyson
DD Halligan
DD Stembel
CA Boise II

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 10,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CV Bunker Hill at 10,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Wasp at 10,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages CV Intrepid at 10,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CA Wichita at 10,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Stembel at 10,000 yards
DD Conner engages DD Kiyonami at 10,000 yards
DD Beale engages DD Kiyonami at 10,000 yards
DD Anthony engages DD Shimakaze at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 9,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CV Bunker Hill at 9,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Intrepid at 9,000 yards
DD Stembel engages DD Kiyonami at 9,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages CVL Unicorn at 9,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CL Montpelier at 9,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Ammen at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 7,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CV Wasp at 7,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Intrepid at 7,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CVL Unicorn at 7,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Clarence Bronson at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 8,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Bunker Hill at 8,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Intrepid at 8,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Stembel at 8,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CVL Unicorn at 8,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CA Wichita at 8,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Fletcher at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 11,000 yards
CL Kiso engages CV Bunker Hill at 11,000 yards
CL Tama engages CV Intrepid at 11,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Hornet at 11,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CVL Unicorn at 11,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CL Montpelier at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Intrepid at 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Bunker Hill at 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CV Wasp at 12,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...


Then what looks like a genuine anti-convoy SAG (wondering why the CLAA isn't with the carriers?)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tapul at 73,90, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asashimo, Shell hits 1
DD Umigiri, Shell hits 1
DD Isokaze, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CLAA Reno
DD Lansdowne
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Sterett

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Sterett at 8,000 yards
CLAA Reno engages DD Asashimo at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Isokaze at 4,000 yards
DD Asashimo engages DD Sterett at 4,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CLAA Reno engages DD Isokaze at 2,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Umigiri at 2,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Umigiri at 2,000 yards
Imazato, Hiroshi orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CLAA Reno engages DD Isokaze at 7,000 yards
DD Asashimo engages DD Ralph Talbot at 7,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages DD Isokaze at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CLAA Reno engages DD Isokaze at 11,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Sterett at 11,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Isokaze at 11,000 yards
DD Lansdowne engages DD Isokaze at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...


My cruisers find them as well:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tapul at 73,90, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 3
CL Tama
CL Kiso
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Kiyonami

Allied Ships
CLAA Reno, Shell hits 1
DD Lansdowne
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Sterett

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CLAA Reno at 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages DD Sterett at 12,000 yards
CL Tama engages DD Ralph Talbot at 12,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages DD Lansdowne at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CLAA Reno at 6,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages DD Sterett at 6,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages CL Tama at 6,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Lansdowne at 6,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Shimakaze at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Sterett engages DD Shimakaze at 4,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Shimakaze at 4,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Lansdowne at 4,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages CLAA Reno at 4,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Sterett at 4,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Shimakaze at 4,000 yards
DD Kiyonami engages DD Sterett at 4,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CLAA Reno engages CA Kinugasa at 10,000 yards
CL Kiso engages DD Sterett at 10,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Ralph Talbot at 10,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Lansdowne at 10,000 yards
DD Shimakaze engages DD Lansdowne at 10,000 yards
Task forces break off...


Attracted by the light of burning ships, the cavalry arrives - first detachment:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawau at 69,91, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-542
MTB G-543
MTB G-544
MTB G-546

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Wasp, heavy fires
CV Bunker Hill
CV Intrepid, on fire
CVL Bataan
CVL San Jacinto
CVL Unicorn, on fire
BB Washington
BB South Dakota
CA Wichita
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
DD Fletcher
DD Ammen
DD Anthony
DD Beale
DD Bell
DD Clarence Bronson
DD Conner
DD Dashiell
DD Dyson
DD Halligan
DD Stembel
CA Boise II

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
MTB G-546 engages CVL San Jacinto at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Boise II engages MTB G-546 at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
MTB G-546 engages CV Wasp at 5,000 yards
DD Anthony engages MTB G-546 at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
BB South Dakota engages MTB G-546 at 6,000 yards
DD Dyson engages MTB G-542 at 6,000 yards
DD Beale engages MTB G-542 at 6,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages MTB G-546 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
MTB G-546 engages CV Hornet at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...


Second detachment doing better, a "shell" hit causing panic among the Allies:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawau at 69,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-547
MTB G-552
MTB G-553
MTB G-554, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Shell hits 1
CV Wasp, heavy fires
CV Bunker Hill
CV Intrepid, heavy fires > fires increasing - good!
CVL Bataan
CVL San Jacinto
CVL Unicorn, on fire
BB Washington
BB South Dakota
CA Wichita
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
DD Fletcher
DD Ammen
DD Anthony
DD Beale
DD Bell
DD Clarence Bronson
DD Conner
DD Dashiell
DD Dyson
DD Halligan
DD Stembel
CA Boise II

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
CL Santa Fe engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
DD Stembel engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
DD Anthony engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
BB South Dakota engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
CA Boise II engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
CA Wichita engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
CA Wichita engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
CV Intrepid collides with CL Montpelier at 69 , 91 > must have been blinded by the fires!
CA Boise II engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-547 engages CV Intrepid at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
MTB G-553 engages CV Intrepid at 3,000 yards
MTB G-547 engages CV Intrepid at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
MTB G-554 engages CV Intrepid at 2,000 yards
MTB G-552 engages CV Intrepid at 2,000 yards
MTB G-554 engages CV Hornet at 2,000 yards
MTB G-554 engages CV Bunker Hill at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
MTB G-547 engages DD Fletcher at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Bell collides with CL Santa Fe at 69 , 91 > what's their excuse?
CA Boise II engages MTB G-554 at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...


3rd detachment:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tawi Tawi at 70,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-548
MTB G-549
MTB G-550
MTB G-551

Allied Ships
DD Caperton
DD Hickox
DD Walker

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
MTB G-551 engages DD Walker at 2,000 yards
DD Hickox engages MTB G-550 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-551 engages DD Caperton at 2,000 yards
MTB G-548 engages DD Caperton at 2,000 yards
MTB G-551 engages DD Walker at 2,000 yards
DD Hickox engages MTB G-551 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-549 engages DD Walker at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...


The Allies get some revenge:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 67,91, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-71, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC CHa-76, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Bennion
DD Haraden
DD Healy

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 5,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
Sauerbrey, N.B. crosses the 'T'
DD Healy engages SC CHa-76 at 5,000 yards
DD Healy engages SC CHa-71 at 5,000 yards
DD Bennion engages SC CHa-76 at 5,000 yards
DD Healy engages SC CHa-76 at 5,000 yards
SC CHa-76 sunk by DD Haraden at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
SC CHa-71 sunk by DD Healy at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


And some more:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 67,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-547
MTB G-552
MTB G-553
MTB G-554, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
CA Vincennes
DD Cotten
DD Evans
DD Albert Grant
DD Haggard
DD McDermut
DD Melvin
DD Spence
DD Stevens

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Scott, Norman crosses the 'T'
DD Stevens engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-547 at 2,000 yards
DD Haggard engages MTB G-547 at 2,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-547 at 2,000 yards
DD Spence engages MTB G-547 at 2,000 yards
DD Melvin engages MTB G-547 at 2,000 yards
DD McDermut engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
DD Haggard engages MTB G-554 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-554 sunk by DD Evans at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-547 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-547 at 7,000 yards
DD McDermut engages MTB G-553 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-547 at 8,000 yards
DD Albert Grant engages MTB G-553 at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...

And some more yet:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 67,91, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-542
MTB G-543, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-544
MTB G-546

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
CA Vincennes
DD Cotten
DD Evans
DD Albert Grant
DD Haggard
DD McDermut
DD Melvin
DD Spence
DD Stevens

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
MTB G-543 sunk by DD Stevens at 2,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-542 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-542 engages DD McDermut at 2,000 yards
DD Cotten engages MTB G-542 at 2,000 yards
MTB G-546 engages DD McDermut at 2,000 yards
CA Vincennes engages MTB G-544 at 2,000 yards
DD Stevens engages MTB G-544 at 2,000 yards
DD Melvin engages MTB G-542 at 2,000 yards
DD McDermut engages MTB G-546 at 2,000 yards
DD Albert Grant engages MTB G-546 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Haggard engages MTB G-544 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Massachusetts engages MTB G-544 at 8,000 yards
DD Melvin engages MTB G-542 at 8,000 yards
DD Albert Grant engages MTB G-542 at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...


Then it's Tarakan's turn to take it on the chin:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Tarakan at 67,91

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 42 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 5 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
AG Indus Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
CA Vincennes
DD Stevens
DD Spence
DD Melvin
DD McDermut
DD Haggard
DD Albert Grant
DD Evans
DD Cotten

Japanese ground losses:
656 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 50
Port fuel hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Massachusetts
BB Massachusetts firing at Tarakan
CA Vincennes firing at Tarakan
DD Stevens firing at Tarakan
DD Spence firing at Tarakan
DD Melvin firing at Tarakan
DD McDermut firing at Tarakan
DD Haggard firing at Tarakan
DD Albert Grant firing at Tarakan
DD Evans firing at Tarakan
DD Cotten firing at Tarakan


Dawn breaks and it isn't over yet:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Tandjoengselor (near Tarakan) at 68,92, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-542, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-544, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-546, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Bennion
DD Haraden
DD Healy

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
DD Haraden engages MTB G-544 at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
DD Bennion engages MTB G-544 at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
DD Healy engages MTB G-544 at 14,000 yards
MTB G-546 sunk by DD Haraden at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Healy engages MTB G-542 at 11,000 yards
DD Haraden engages MTB G-542 at 11,000 yards
DD Bennion engages MTB G-542 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Haraden engages MTB G-544 at 8,000 yards
DD Haraden engages MTB G-542 at 8,000 yards
DD Bennion engages MTB G-542 at 8,000 yards
Niimi, W. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Bennion engages MTB G-544 at 13,000 yards
MTB G-544 sunk by DD Haraden at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DD Healy engages MTB G-542 at 16,000 yards
MTB G-542 sunk by DD Bennion at 16,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


Japanese MTBs creating panic again even in broad daylight - those Allied sissies...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Tawau at 70,92, Range 28,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-548
MTB G-549
MTB G-550
MTB G-551

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Bunker Hill
CV Intrepid > Fires out on the CVs - bloody efficient Allied damage control!
CVL Bataan
CVL San Jacinto
CVL Unicorn
BB Washington
BB South Dakota
CA Wichita
CL Montpelier
CL Santa Fe
DD Fletcher
DD Ammen
DD Anthony
DD Beale
DD Bell
DD Clarence Bronson
DD Conner
DD Dashiell
DD Dyson
DD Halligan
CA Boise II

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 30,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 27,000 yards
Yokoo, G. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 24,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards
CA Boise II engages MTB G-549 at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards
DD Bell collides with CL Santa Fe at 70 , 92 > another kiss between the two - they must love each other!
CA Wichita engages MTB G-549 at 20,000 yards
Yokoo, G. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 17,000 yards
MTB G-549 engages CV Intrepid at 17,000 yards
CL Santa Fe engages MTB G-551 at 17,000 yards
DD Ammen engages MTB G-551 at 17,000 yards
DD Fletcher engages MTB G-551 at 17,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
CL Santa Fe engages MTB G-551 at 26,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Tandjoengselor at 68,92, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-547
MTB G-552
MTB G-553

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
CA Vincennes
DD Cotten
DD Evans
DD Albert Grant
DD Haggard
DD McDermut
DD Melvin
DD Spence
DD Stevens

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat


Meanwhile, down at Balikpapan, small fry is sparring:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 64,97, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MGB G-225
MGB G-226

Allied Ships
PT-62
PT-64
PT-84
PT-111
PT-113
PT-184
PT-238
PT-252
PT-277
PT-303
PT-305
PT-312

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF begins to get underway
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
PT-312 engages MGB G-226 at 2,000 yards
PT-113 engages MGB G-225 at 2,000 yards
MGB G-226 engages PT-312 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
Task forces break off...


Thus ended the engagement in the Celebes Sea - the 23rd of April was anticlimatic.

For the next turn, I figured some damaged Allied ships may retire from the area towards the nearest Allied port. The shortest path passed through the channel NE of Manado. Manado air base is thrashed, but the base has had enough supplies left to spawn midget subs and MTBs - so I emptied the pools and stacked the small fry in the channel.

It paid off, apparently "Evil I" has been damaged enough to split-off during the April 24th turn with a lone DD escort - to be sunk by the MTB.

BANZAI!!!






Attachment (1)

< Message edited by LargeSlowTarget -- 4/16/2019 9:49:51 AM >

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to jwolf)
Post #: 288
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 4/16/2019 10:10:41 AM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Java: good job. Many players are not able to do so.

Hanoi: watch out with your forces so far west, if they force a landing at HK and drive North you don't want those cut off. I don't think pull back, but just watch out and be prepared to exit further east. Maybe think about another line from Changsha to Kukong … something like that.

Fuel: ouch. suck all the fuel outta the xAK's and disband everything. TF's use fuel even in port, only disbanded do they use zero.

Oil: what is your oil in HI? Hopefully high, and if so your fuel will rebound if you disband enough TF's.

HI pts: that is really low unless your ARM/VEH are high.

Please keep posting econ data. You are at an interesting stage in the game and unusual situation. Very interested to see how your economy plays out.



Missed that post, will grab some econ screenshots next turn. Oil in HI is very low, 20k. Some convoys with a few more thousand tons are still at sea. The SRA oil centers are lost or under air and naval blockade. I try to sneak single-ship TKs to Java, Tarakan and Miri to see if I can get a few more drops. No success so far, Allied subs everywhere, air blockades and DD sweeps pick them off. But since I won't need TKs anymore with the oil centers gone, I might as well try my luck instead of waiting to have them sunk at port later - maybe one will get trough. Regarding ARM/VEH points - VEH is low at 1700, ARM about 100k - no idea if this is high or not. Re Hanoi-HK backstop - couple of divisions and plenty arty have marched all the way from the Chungking front via Changsha to Wuchow. Will try a stab against Kweilin. When the Allies discover the Hanoi defense line, I hope to have time to shift the Kweilin gaggle south.

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to PaxMondo)
Post #: 289
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 4/16/2019 11:30:23 PM   
Bif1961


Posts: 2014
Joined: 6/26/2008
From: Phenix City, Alabama
Status: offline 		Might have been due to the collision it suffered with the CL earlier, that resulted with the Evil I being split off with a lone escort.

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 290
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 4/19/2019 3:36:38 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		For PaxMondo






Attachment (1)

< Message edited by LargeSlowTarget -- 4/19/2019 3:37:32 PM >

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to Bif1961)
Post #: 291
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 7/1/2019 2:00:47 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		Game date June 1st, 1944.

Overall: So far my retreats stay ahead of my opponent's advances, no unplanned large-scale losses of ground forces. However, soon fighting will start for some stand-and-die locations. The lack of supplies is being felt more and more, exclamation marks pop-up all over the map. Frank-R, George-2, Jack-5and Tony-100-I are in production, as well as Nick-D, Irving, Judy and Zero night fighters.


Thailand:

The forces blocking the three roads from Burma to Thailand have been outflanked by an enemy column advancing through the jungles and by amphib invasions of Tavoy and Mergui. Frontal assaults have pushed back the defenders of the Moulmein-Bangkok road. A sacrificial brigade tries to occupy the enemy while the balance of the forces is in full retreat towards Bangkok for a last stand. About 1000AV of "B" and "C" detachments will die in place - probably pretty quickly despite fort level = 5 since supplies are very low. In the North, Rahaeng and Utaradit are being held by the remnants of the Thai Army, which will "withdraw" in 61 days. From Mergui, enemy units are moving south into the Kra Isthmus. There is nothing to stop them from advancing down to Singers, just some logistic troops like port companies etc. to establish a presence. At Singers, five "B" and "C" detachments are digging in to deny the base as long as possible.


Indochina:
The next defensive line at Vinh is getting ready with about 800 AV made up of independent brigades and forts at level 4.5. The main line east of Haipong holds a dozen "A" detachments and independent brigades which have had time to dig-in to level-3 and 4.


China:
The theatre has stabilised for the moment in a giant U-shaped front around the bases in south-central China which remain out of reach for the IJA. The Chinese forces have been reinforced with Allied tanks, but there are no enemy ground and air activities. The quiet before the storm? Most hexes of the long line contain just one IJA division, and supplies are low throughout the theatre. Another house of cards waiting to collapse... Japanese forces are conducting a limited offensive operation between Liuchow and Kweilin with the faint hope to open a corridor through Nanning to Hanoi, but this will probably be aborted soon in favor of coastal defence.

Pakhoi, Kwangchowan and Hong Kong are being held by one brigade each, but these brigades will grow to divisions with "sister units" scheduled to arrive at Peiping and Tientsin within two months. Fingers crossed that I will have the time to move them down into place. From Swatow on east the coast is lightly defended, but I hope "fortress Formosa" will offer some protection - I have evacuated all AV support from Burma, Thailand and Malaya to Formosa and the Pescadores, the five good airbases in close proximity will create a "hornet's nest".


Java:
Java has been lost within two weeks or so after initial landings, being occupied by just enough troops to cover the minimum garrison requirements. Everything else has been pulled-out successfully when the Allied success on Sumatra and Timor made it clear that the days of the ARA are numbered.


Borneo:
Balikpapan and Samarinda have been invaded against just a token defence. No point to invest heavily into ground defences of the oil centres when the oil cannot be moved out any longer due to air blockade and surface threats. Airdrops of Commando units have taken all the other - undefended - bases in western Borneo and even Brunei. Before pulling-out the base forces from Kuching, I managed to punish some enemy DDs which had ventured up to Miri with a Kamikaze strike, sinking at least one DD. I have airlifted most base units to the Phillipines, leaving radars and mot support behind. Those remnants will be marched to the nearest enemy base to die.


Philippines:
Enemy submarines everywhere, but I have several "hunter killer groups" working on them and plenty of Jakes flying ASW. Fast TFs and transport planes have pulled lots of units and splinters from bypassed bases further south as far as Roti, Koepang, Babar, Ambon, Noemfoer and Biak. At some locations only the heavy gear remains behind.
The enemy is sweeping and bombing the central transport hub at Cagayan, but here I do offer resistance with George-2 and Frank-R fighters - losses against Lightnings, Corsairs and T-Bolts are about 2:1. Last turn saw a furball when a huge convoy including several CVEs providing additional fighter cover pulled into Cagayan to take off several brigades and assorted units that need rebuilding, they will eventually die defending Manila.
I really hope Ed will attack the Philippines soon - I have 800+ Kamikaze planes waiting which are in groups due to withdraw on or about July 10th...


Cent Pac:
Has been the focus in the past month, with enemy landing and capturing Talaud Is., Yap and Ulithi. The attackers again did cut through the defenders and level-4 forts like a hot knife through butter. Is building forts really worth the efforts?!? I have tried some long-range bombing and Kamikaze attacks with obsolete Betties and Nells, string TFs of Ulitihi from the Marianas - nothing to show for. This last turn Rota in the Marianas has been invaded. Cowardly Allied dogs going for the weakest of the four southern Marianas. Well, guess they have to try Saipan and Tinian one day - hope level-6 forts will do better.

< Message edited by LargeSlowTarget -- 7/1/2019 2:07:30 PM >

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 292
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 7/1/2019 2:01:31 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		Thailand





Attachment (1)

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 293
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 7/1/2019 2:02:14 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		China






Attachment (1)

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 294
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 7/1/2019 2:02:39 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		Borneo





Attachment (1)

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 295
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): En... - 7/1/2019 2:03:09 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		CentPac





Attachment (1)

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 296
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): No... - 9/24/2019 2:20:53 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		The game is motoring on in slow motion with one to three turns max per week, real life getting into the way. Another game month has passed, we are at July 7th, 1944 now.

In his emails my opponent Ed is wondering where the Empire will make a real stand and resist. He is right – I am running away faster than the Allies can advance. The problem is - for the Japanese, the game is no longer about fighting a war, it is merely awaiting death and destruction. The lack of fuel and supplies is paralysing everything. Total supplies Empire-wide are less than 1.2 Million supply units and there is less than 360k fuel left - and dropping. The import of resources from Korea, China and Sakhalin is dropping as well as merchant ships run out of fuel one by one and are being disbanded in port. I hope the resource stockpiles in the Home Islands will last until the end. Heavy Industries have largely grounded to a halt for lack of fuel - and so did their supply production (I have deliberately stopped production at some places in order keep a fuel reserve for naval operations by small fry like MTBs and midget subs). Light industries do produce about 10k units of supply per day (and I will lose a large chunk when Bangkok, Saigon, Singers and Manila will fall).

This is not enough to sustain the existing forces, and there are also many LCU reinforcements (finally – but too late) to flesh-out, fortifications to be constructed (even if they seem to be useless for Japan) and pilots to train. Look at the image below – there are just seven bases with more than 20k supplies, and two of them are isolated island bastions in the Marianas. What little supplies can be scrapped together from the Home Islands to be shipped-out is a drop in the bucket – and it prevents the building-up of reserves in the Home Islands for the end game. Choices, choices…




In short, there are not enough supplies and fuel to conduct any meaningful operations anymore. Offensive ground actions are simply impossible to sustain, prolonged defensive actions are severely impacted – without ample supplies, arty and AA won’t fire. Air operations have become almost impossible as well. Even defensive CAP is no longer an option outside the Home Islands since only a sizeable number of aircraft on CAP have a chance to succeed – and the lack of supplies prevents the use of huge numbers of aircraft on bases which already lack supplies just to sustain the ground forces present. All that remains are pinprick actions by weak forces and waiting for the hammer blows to fall.

Therefore, my “strategy” if you may call it such is to delay with expendable units like Port Engineers etc. as speedbumps where available and to defend with a limited number of infantry units a few strategic as long as possible – Bangkok, Vinh, Singers, Manila and Hongkong. All other forces are being redeployed, combat units to bases close to the Home Islands to delay the establishment of enemy airbases within fighter range of Japan, base forces and AA to the Home Islands itself to prepare their air defense (almost the entire AV support available is being concentrated in the Home Islands).

In the last month I have conducted and continue to conduct large-scale evacuations of “eaters” from the SRA and China which are useless without ample supplies – engineers, arty, AA, AV support, air units. This was largely successful, although I have lost a bunch of barges and a few hundred troops to low-level strafing / skip-bombing and a few merchantmen to subs. The timing was good, the main evacuation convoys from Haiphong and Manila sailed a few days before the Allied Death Star arrived in Philippine waters. The remaining forces in China, Indochina, Thailand, Malaya and the Philippines are basically written off and must make-do with locally produced supplies. As a consequence, red exclamation marks indicating a lack of supplies litter the map.

The Air Forces are largely in “preservation mode” as well and training in the Home Islands. Fighter units and float planes train air combat and bomber units train low naval attack for the Kamikaze Corps. Experienced fighter pilots are in very short supply by now, most pilots are run-of-the mill replacements. While it is relatively easy to get their air skills up to 70, I struggle to increase def skills – training sweeps at 1000 feet is supposed to work, but I see little progress. Same for bomber pilots trained for conventional attacks – practically no reserves in the pools and those deployed in LBA units are not fully trained yet (the good guys are on the carriers). However, I have about a thousand pilots trained to 70 skill in low naval in the reserve, a mix of inexperienced fresh recruits and experienced old hands with skills no longer needed, like ground attack and ASW re-trained.
A large number of air units is scheduled to withdraw around July 10th, I have withdrawn them a bit earlier because this yields a few political points in order to repurchase destroyed units – of limited value since it takes supplies to flesh them out.

The production of airplanes is concentrated on modern fighters – I have about 400 each of Frank and George in the pools, plus lesser numbers for Zeros, Oscars and Tonies. Limited numbers of bombers remain in production, mainly the Torpedo-totting Peggy version and the Judy version that carries the 800kg bomb. There are about 200.000 HI points left, in theory enough to build 5000 planes – but there also is need for HI points for vehicles, armament, the monthly pilot training costs and a few naval shipyard points to finish the last few subs and DDs whose construction has advanced too far for wanting to stop them. I estimate that I might be able to produce about 2000 additional planes.

Concerning the Navy, lack of fuel has forced it into hiding as well. There are a lot of long upgrades in June and July so a large part of the combat ships are currently in the yards. I have reserved a few AOs with fuel for a last sortie of the Combined Fleet. What is available of the fleet is being kept in the North. Sub-launched Glen recon flight show that the Allies have built-up the Aleutian islands – maybe in order to support a new front up in the North? I have read a couple of AAR sporting Allied landings in the Kuriles, it seems to be a popular avenue of advance for the Allied dogs.

Let’s turn to the different regions.

In Thailand, Bangkok has been encircled. An attempt to cut-off some exposed elements of the Allied pincer had to be aborted under a hail of bombs – 4Es on ground attack are murderous, two brigades of infantry plus supporting arty and tanks have been reduced to battalion strength in a few days. The sacrificial troops at Bangkok and Ayuthia have been digging in behind the protective river, but without a roof they are suffering heavy attrition from heavy bombing as well. Worse, the few supplies available are being destroyed, dooming any hope for a prolonged defense. Last turn, a single Indian Mot Brigade has shock-attacked across the river into Ayuthia – in move mode! (some brigadier misunderstood orders it seems). Apparently, the personnel of the two defending infantry brigades were busy scanning the sky for bombers and didn’t see the Indians coming – my troops have been ejected from their trenches without much of a fight and heavy losses. Maybe I should have saved the supplies instead of wasting it on apparently useless fortifications? With the Allies across the river, the fate of Bangkok is sealed – four relatively fresh brigades plus the shattered remnants from Ayuthia will act as speedbump – they won’t last long without supplies.
What is left of the loyal Thai troops have finally been pushed out of the “Iron Triangle”, the three bases in Northern Thailand around Rahaeng, into the surrounding jungles. The units will disband at the end of the month, I hope the Allies will send units in pursuit anyway. In Eastern Thailand, Udon Thani is under siege. Soon the Allies will enter Indochina from Thailand.

In Indochina, they will link-up with paratroopers which have captured undefended Quinhon and Soc Trang. Without a doubt other troops will be airlifted and there are probably convoys bringing heavy stuff and supplies as well. I can only assume – Japanese airpower is non-existent in the entire area and even the AV support has gone. Apart from real estate there is little of interest to defend in Indochina, the resources produced there cannot be shipped home anymore for lack of fuel and the menace of enemy bombers based in Borneo and Thailand. Therefore there are only token defenses at Saigon and Cam Ranh Bay. But a hardpoint has been prepared at Vinh with a second line at Haiphong and east of Hanoi in order to delay the link-up between the Allied liberators of the SRA and the Chinese troops in southern China.

These positions however are in danger of being cut-off by amphib operations in Southern China. I have reinforcements spawning in Peiping and Shanghai earmarked to defend Pakhoi and Kwangchowan, but those troops need to move down which takes many weeks – I hope they will arrive in time. In order to “demonstrate strength” (yes, a bluff) which may give my opponent second thoughts to attack Southern China, I have been conducting limited fighter sweeps and a ground offensive against Kweilin. However, Ed has deployed the dreaded P-47-D25 and I have exhausted the supplies in Southern China, so even this last show of offensive spirit had to stop. The stretch of coast between Hongkong and Shanghai remains weakly defended – it is giving me nightmares already although the enemy is not even close yet. No further offensive ground operations are being planned or conducted in China – from my side. I have a lot of recon planes in China trying to keep an eye on any signs of an Allied counteroffensive. The long and overextended frontline in China cannot be held, if the Allies move, I plan to withdraw the forces in the interior to “Fortress Chungking” and the forces closer to the coast to Hongkong resp. Shanghai – but with the superior mobility of the Allies, China might turn into a catastrophe. But what can I do to prevent it?

South of China, the Allies have liberated most of Borneo - except Tarakan. Some remnants of Japanese ground forces are moving around, some of it is heavy equipment like radars and mot support that had to be left behind when airlifting out the balance of units heading towards Allied bases in order to be destroyed, other units with airliftable devices left are heading towards Tarakan in the hope of escape.

The Allies have also captured several bases on the approaches to Luzon, like Jolo and Palawan, and have recently landed on Mindanao and Panay. Resistance has been light to non-existent on the ground, nothing bigger than a Naval Guard force per base. There are more substantial forces at the main bases at Davao and Cagayan, but mostly elements of bypassed garrisons further south which have been airlifted out from places like Koepang, Ambon, Boela, Manado, Northern New Guinea. Few if any heavy weapons – which doesn’t matter since there are no supplies to fire them. Davao has 20 units of supplies, Cagayan about 600 – I don’t expect any prolonged resistance. Still, better than the situation at Koepang, Ambon, Boela, Manado etc. where supplies are nil.

The only naval resistance came from a stab in the direction of Jolo by a light cruiser and two DDs which happened to be available from a convoy escorted into Manila – to find a few PTs and lots of aircraft who sank my task force. In the air, on two separate occasions I have sent small Kamikaze strikes from Luzon against transport task forces in the Palawan area, 27 Lilys and 18 Irvings. They have hit two LCI, an LST, an AK type and two destroyers, I believe all of them sank. Looks like the initial Kamikaze strike of a day has good chances to get through CAP, but follow-on strikes get butchered. I actually had prepared airfields on Luzon with lots of AV support and about 800 Kamikaze planes (mostly the groups scheduled to withdraw in July), hoping that the Allied would advance into the PI before the withdrawal date. But quickly I had to realize that the supplies on Luzon were nowhere near the required amount to sustain such a large air ops effort - and more supplies just not to be had. So, in order to preserve a minimum of supplies for the stand-and-die defense of Manila by the poor souls in the infantry, almost all air units and AV has been moved out, as related above.

In the CentPac, Rota has fallen quickly despite level-5 forts and Pagan at the northern end of the Marianas island chain has been lost as well. This effectively isolates the three bigger Mariana islands. The only excitement was a mass sortie of MTBs (about three dozen) sponsored by the well-stocked supply depots on Saipan against the Allied Death Star covering the landings – alas, nothing to show for since moonshine was 100%. Heavy and medium bombers are now pounding Guam, Tinian and Saipan – either to prepare landings or just in order to neutralise the airfields, I don’t know. Doesn’t matter since I cannot change the fate of those islands – although they among the best-supplied bases I have left, I won’t commit LBA to contest the bombings. Any planes sent south would be easily destroyed on the ground by naval bombardments.

Around the Home Islands, i.e. the Bonins and Ryukus, garrison forces have been put in place to prevent quick grabs. Iwo Jima and Okinawa are heavily defended, with garrisons up to stacking limits and forts at 5 and rising. But you know the song by now – the supply stockpiles are low and thus the prospects of prolonged resistance are low as well. The Home Islands itself are being prepared for incoming air attacks and Kamikaze retribution. The base forces and AA units evacuated from the SRA have been deployed to the main industrial centers around Tokyo, Nagoya and Kobe. These main bases have about 300 Army fighters each assigned, a mix of Frank-R, Ki-61-d, Ki-61-II and Ki-100-I plus Ki-45c and Ki-45d as night-fighters. Yokohama and Hiroshima are being covered by the Navy with a mix of groups flying Zero M5c, Zero M8 and George-2. Neighbouring bases like Maebashi, Gifu and Tsu also have fighter planes assigned for mutual support. The bases on Kyushu are holding a mix of Army and Navy fighters and bombers, including Lily dive-bombers, Torpedo-Peggys, Jills and ablative armor i.e. Oscars and Zeros. The planes are optimised by range to be able to reach Naha on Okinawa from multiple bases on Kyushu, with lots of Air HQs present. Have to check the HQ alignments of bases, groups and HQs in order to optimize the chain of command and then hope for a coordinated strike if the Allies stumble into range. But as they say, no battle plan survives contact with the enemy…

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< Message edited by LargeSlowTarget -- 9/24/2019 2:55:05 PM >

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 297
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): No... - 9/24/2019 2:49:50 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		Situation in Thailand, Malaya, Indochina




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AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 298
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): No... - 9/24/2019 2:51:30 PM   
LargeSlowTarget


Posts: 4443
Joined: 9/23/2000
From: Hessen, Germany - now living in France
Status: offline 		Borneo - PI




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< Message edited by LargeSlowTarget -- 9/24/2019 2:52:07 PM >

_____________________________

AE Mod "Bottlenecks" UPDATED 01/2022

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 299
RE: Duel of the tankers - IdahoNYer vs. LST (J AAR): No... - 9/24/2019 4:55:56 PM   
jwolf

 

Posts: 2493
Joined: 12/3/2013
Status: offline 		Thanks for the update. That is a fascinating -- and grim! -- presentation of the awful strategic problems faced by Japan. It seems very historical, not in terms of the front line, but in terms of the terrible squeeze on vital resources that the real Japan faced as well.

(in reply to LargeSlowTarget)
Post #: 300
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