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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring

 
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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 1:41:05 AM   
DanielAClark

 

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22-23rd September

The massive raids on Milne Bay continue, they beat down the CAP and sink the freighter with all of her supplies. Now we have to get another freighter convoy setup.

We send massive P39 reinforcements...so on the next day the enemy switches to attacking the ships unloading supplies in the slot. Helena takes 2 torpedoes, but everything else misses. She gets sent towards Espirito Santo.

The 1st Marine Division is now complete and constituted at Henderson Field and is commanded by Vandegrift. Time to begin the advance on Tasafaronga.

If the enemy Betties stay so strong, I will abandon the plan to constitute the 5th Australian Division, and will setup a 32nd Infantry Division transport to Port Moresby instead.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 12:00:30 PM   
RangerJoe


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If you have APDs, they can do fast transport missions to get at least some supplies where you need them. In and out fast. Otherwise, send you freighters with a lot of CAP at various levels, including low CAP to mess with the torpedo bombers.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 1:34:16 PM   
DanielAClark

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If you have APDs, they can do fast transport missions to get at least some supplies where you need them. In and out fast. Otherwise, send you freighters with a lot of CAP at various levels, including low CAP to mess with the torpedo bombers.


The APDs have been supplying Tulagi. I have debated using them for Milne Bay...but I cant use them for both. I have too few of them.

I added more fighters to Milne Bay specifically to deal with the attacks. The enemy just sent more Zeros and we never really dented the Betty attacks. Milnes airfield is just too small to offer real defense against raids of over 50 planes.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 1:44:40 PM   
HansBolter


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Airlift and submarine delivery are good, albeit, light weight, stand ins for emergency supply delivery.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 2:54:14 PM   
DanielAClark

 

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Yes...I am considering the options.

The real message here seems to be that Milne cant be part of the buildup towards a Buna offensive so long as Rabaul has large numbers of aircraft.

Now that Tulagi is more secure, I can and will most likely switch the APDs to supporting Milne...as the enemy Betties have a hard time hitting the DD speed ships.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 5:01:57 PM   
HansBolter


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quote:

ORIGINAL: DanielAClark

Yes...I am considering the options.

The real message here seems to be that Milne cant be part of the buildup towards a Buna offensive so long as Rabaul has large numbers of aircraft.

Now that Tulagi is more secure, I can and will most likely switch the APDs to supporting Milne...as the enemy Betties have a hard time hitting the DD speed ships.


Is he bombing and suppressing the construction of the airfield at Milne?
Do you have sufficient engineers there to make buildup of the airfield happen in a timely manner?

If you can't use Milne for the build up against Buna, it at least continues to serve as a flank protector.


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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 5:58:20 PM   
DanielAClark

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: HansBolter


quote:

ORIGINAL: DanielAClark

Yes...I am considering the options.

The real message here seems to be that Milne cant be part of the buildup towards a Buna offensive so long as Rabaul has large numbers of aircraft.

Now that Tulagi is more secure, I can and will most likely switch the APDs to supporting Milne...as the enemy Betties have a hard time hitting the DD speed ships.


Is he bombing and suppressing the construction of the airfield at Milne?
Do you have sufficient engineers there to make buildup of the airfield happen in a timely manner?

If you can't use Milne for the build up against Buna, it at least continues to serve as a flank protector.



The airfield is level 1 with a capacity of 1. I assume it can be expanded a bit above this, but long term I dont want to.

What I want to do is replace the current garrison with another unit and unite the current garrison with the rest of the Australian 5th division...which is cheaper in political points to use than my other options to launch at Buna.

I am struggling to get sufficient cap up to cover such an action for a few days.

I am perfectly ok just leaving Milne as flank protection and supplying her by APD, if necessary.

I will then just use the 32nd Infantry Division directly through PM, which has sufficient air defense to allow the required transport moves.

The 5th division idea was a potential shortcut on PP so that I could move on Buna earlier.

Unfortunately, I havent been winning the air war sufficiently to let me do the little transport moves to pull it off.

None of this is critical to winning the scenario as I can just hold defensively and win. But I am trying out new things and seeing how stuff works.

;)

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 7:54:31 PM   
HansBolter


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Experimentation is the best way to learn what does and doesn't work.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 8:03:58 PM   
DanielAClark

 

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Yes.

I would be doing better if I had started with a plan for the PP points.

I feel like this is going to help me when I eventually get to the grand campaign.

I also really want to get a feel for what is necessary for a proper land offensive.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 8:59:22 PM   
RangerJoe


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Yes, struggle now you so you will learn. Try the scenario a few times since you will learn and improve each time - at least, you should!

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 10:03:05 PM   
DanielAClark

 

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If I win as the Allies, then I will try my hand as the Japanese...

...not even sure how I would figure out how to win.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/23/2020 10:05:36 PM   
BBfanboy


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quote:

ORIGINAL: DanielAClark

If I win as the Allies, then I will try my hand as the Japanese...

...not even sure how I would figure out how to win.

The Japanese absolutely need to stop the US transports and supply ships and sink their carriers. It is the only way they get control of the seas and then suppress Henderson Field to get control of the skies in that area. Buna and Port Moresby are distractions - the Japanese should not split their attention between Guadalcanal and New Guinea.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/24/2020 12:13:19 AM   
RangerJoe


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Control the Seas and you can bombard the airfields and destroy aircraft. It will also disrupt the ground units there and use up supply. If you can get the strength to attack there, make sure that it follows some sea bombardments as well as air attacks.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 4/30/2020 3:58:10 AM   
DanielAClark

 

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24 September

We bomb Lae heavily and well.

The enemy stops bombing Milne Bay, now that there are no ships there. Definitely going to supply here by APD now. The ships are on their way from Espirito Santo to accomplish this. I will have to figure out a way to supply Tulagi now, but at least that area has good air defense...right?

We get 7 B17s to bomb Tasafaronga today.

16 enemy Betties make an unescorted run at the ships landing the last of the most recent supply run to Lunga Point. San Francisco takes a torpedo after the bombers were only challenged by 1! fighter. The cruiser has only 11 flooding damage, but picks up and prepares to leave for a shipyard. Our transports and surface vessels will leave during the night phase anyway as all of the supplies have been landed.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/3/2020 9:19:29 PM   
DanielAClark

 

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25 September

We again bomb Lae with the B26s. Once the newly arrived B25s are up, I will have to decide where to send them.

All ships complete unloading at Lunga Point and withdraw. One of our sub chasers sinks one of the mini-subs around Tulagi. There is at least one more.

Hornet group begins withdraw to refuel and re-arm, and will then support the next supply push...which will be a tanker group into Henderson Field...and an experiment by me...a flak trap freighter task force to resupply Tulagi. We will see what our pair of AA cruisers can do to cover an enticing supply ship.

Without targets, Rabaul sends about 20ish Betties at Milne Bay again...the morning group escorted by 15 A6M2s. Our CAP manages to evade the enemy fighters and engage the bombers only...and shoot down six over the course of the day with no losses to themselves (just the usual OPs losses). The enemy did some good port damage strikes...but our soldiers patch it up ok by the beginning of the next day.

APD group will arrive in Townsville in a day or two to begin the fast transport shuttle.

Our AKA group is also heading to Brisbane to prepare a large supply convoy for Port Moresby...preparation to landing the 32nd Infantry Division and beginning the push towards Buna.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/3/2020 10:40:31 PM   
BBfanboy


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quote:

ORIGINAL: DanielAClark

25 September

We again bomb Lae with the B26s. Once the newly arrived B25s are up, I will have to decide where to send them.

All ships complete unloading at Lunga Point and withdraw. One of our sub chasers sinks one of the mini-subs around Tulagi. There is at least one more.

Hornet group begins withdraw to refuel and re-arm, and will then support the next supply push...which will be a tanker group into Henderson Field...and an experiment by me...a flak trap freighter task force to resupply Tulagi. We will see what our pair of AA cruisers can do to cover an enticing supply ship.

Without targets, Rabaul sends about 20ish Betties at Milne Bay again...the morning group escorted by 15 A6M2s. Our CAP manages to evade the enemy fighters and engage the bombers only...and shoot down six over the course of the day with no losses to themselves (just the usual OPs losses). The enemy did some good port damage strikes...but our soldiers patch it up ok by the beginning of the next day.

APD group will arrive in Townsville in a day or two to begin the fast transport shuttle.

Our AKA group is also heading to Brisbane to prepare a large supply convoy for Port Moresby...preparation to landing the 32nd Infantry Division and beginning the push towards Buna.

Early in the war - before radar/computer fire control and proximity fuses - I haven't found the AA cruisers to be deadly enough to hold off an attack by Japanese planes. They will take a small toll shot down and a lot more damaged, some of which will become ops losses on their way home. But expect to lose some ships. In the Guadalcanal scenario, you need every ship you can keep safe. CAP seems to work better at spoiling bombers' aim.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/3/2020 11:25:27 PM   
mind_messing

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy


quote:

ORIGINAL: DanielAClark

25 September

We again bomb Lae with the B26s. Once the newly arrived B25s are up, I will have to decide where to send them.

All ships complete unloading at Lunga Point and withdraw. One of our sub chasers sinks one of the mini-subs around Tulagi. There is at least one more.

Hornet group begins withdraw to refuel and re-arm, and will then support the next supply push...which will be a tanker group into Henderson Field...and an experiment by me...a flak trap freighter task force to resupply Tulagi. We will see what our pair of AA cruisers can do to cover an enticing supply ship.

Without targets, Rabaul sends about 20ish Betties at Milne Bay again...the morning group escorted by 15 A6M2s. Our CAP manages to evade the enemy fighters and engage the bombers only...and shoot down six over the course of the day with no losses to themselves (just the usual OPs losses). The enemy did some good port damage strikes...but our soldiers patch it up ok by the beginning of the next day.

APD group will arrive in Townsville in a day or two to begin the fast transport shuttle.

Our AKA group is also heading to Brisbane to prepare a large supply convoy for Port Moresby...preparation to landing the 32nd Infantry Division and beginning the push towards Buna.

Early in the war - before radar/computer fire control and proximity fuses - I haven't found the AA cruisers to be deadly enough to hold off an attack by Japanese planes. They will take a small toll shot down and a lot more damaged, some of which will become ops losses on their way home. But expect to lose some ships. In the Guadalcanal scenario, you need every ship you can keep safe. CAP seems to work better at spoiling bombers' aim.


Besides the yearly incremental improvement to Allied AA, the biggest jump in terms of effectiveness tends to occur when the pretty poor 1.1 inch AA guns get swapped out for the 20mm and (especially) the 40mm Bofors. Once that happens, Allied ships really have teeth.

However, in most cases the only practical benefit is as a revenge weapon against attacking Japanese aircraft, so the first line of defence should be CAP. Even token CAP is worthwhile IMO.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/4/2020 3:51:28 AM   
DanielAClark

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Early in the war - before radar/computer fire control and proximity fuses - I haven't found the AA cruisers to be deadly enough to hold off an attack by Japanese planes. They will take a small toll shot down and a lot more damaged, some of which will become ops losses on their way home. But expect to lose some ships. In the Guadalcanal scenario, you need every ship you can keep safe. CAP seems to work better at spoiling bombers' aim.


I agree.

The issue here is that the CAP alone is not enough to keep the transports safe. At Milne Bay even a strong CAP was swept aside by the fighter escort.

At the Slot, I have had some days where the CAP just doesn't get up in time. I have been saved from losses by having some other targets with the ships. (Seems odd to describe my heavy cruisers as sacrificial targets...but that's what they are...that and the sub chasers).

So, in this case...the idea is to have the transport...plus his ASW coverage, plus a surface force including the two AA cruisers...PLUS the CAP.

HOPEFULLY, that should be enough to let me unload enough supplies to not have to do this again for awhile.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/4/2020 9:42:42 PM   
BBfanboy


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Now THAT, sounds like a plan!




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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/6/2020 9:32:24 PM   
DanielAClark

 

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26th September

The enemy raids Port Moresby with escorted Betties. They sink both AMs conducting anti-sub warfare.

Our B17s newly based in Espirito Santo hit Buka...now I'll have to see if I can disrupt the Shortlands base. <evil grin>

Other than that, I nothing much. I am shifting assets around to be able to push supplies into the New Guinea area...and then will shift back to supporting Guadalcanal.

Yet again, CAP alone is proving to be insufficient protection for ships supplying bases within air range of Rabaul.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/24/2020 9:11:36 PM   
DanielAClark

 

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27th September

The enemy raids Port Moresby with 15 Betties, unescorted. Nine do not return home...seven were claimed by the CAP, with two destroyed by the anti-aircraft guns.

Our bombing raids on Buna and the track are unmolested.

My stock of AKAs will begin loading supplies in Brisbane to pump up Port Moresby for the coming land campaign. We won't have the political points to free up the forces we need to engage there until next month...but we need to have supplies in place.

In a day or so, we will begin the fast transport runs to Milne Bay.

No real activity in the slot. Our naval forces have withdrawn since there is no enemy activity and all bases are nicely supplied. I am focusing on building up Espirito Santo to be a decent heavy bomber base. Also, will rebuild the surface force ships into useable squadrons for the next round of fighting.

South Dakota and more destroyers and light ships arrived today.

Our B17s out of Espirito Santo hit Shortlands Harbor and Buka, inflicting damage to each port.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/25/2020 4:14:20 AM   
DanielAClark

 

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28th September

A xAKL heading to Milne Bay, in the company of two destroyers...is set upon by a dozen Betties with 2 Zeros for escort. The xAKL takes 3 torpedoes, and each of the destroyers takes one. At sundown, one destroyer remained (barely) afloat. Trying to pump out the 94 flooding, with a max speed of 1 knot...she is unlikely to survive.

The enemy also uses 19 Zeroes to escort 8 Kates to bomb Milne Bay. Minor damage to the airfield and they damage one Catalina. Our fighters are unable to brush aside the escort.

Supplies still loading at Brisbane for Port Moresby. The other xAKL heading into Port Moresby has just about arrived and will add her supplies to the area. Port Moresby fortifications have reached level 4, and I will stop expanding them. The airfield is almost expanded to level 5.

Fast transports are away from Townsville for Milne Bay.

I've sent a Commonwealth cruiser force to harrass any shipping at Tassafaronga.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/29/2020 3:29:42 AM   
DanielAClark

 

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29th September

The enemy launches a major pair of airstrikes on Milne Bay. The first is escorted by 15 Zeros.

For the first time, our CAP responds perfectly and the Kittyhawks and Airacobras overwhelm the escorts.

The second strike unescorted, and consists of both Betties and Kates.

We lose one fighter, the enemy loses 26 bombers. A very good day.

Supply loading in Brisbane is now waiting on supplies to arrive at the port from around Australia. I guess I'm going to have to learn good ways to encourage proper stockpiling of resources at my supply priming ports. Didn't think about it before launching this strategy...a thing to add to the list.

Four cruisers and eight escorting destroyers are heading to Brisbane from Noumea to provide 'AA defense' (actually just other targets than my AKAs) for when the fleet is ready to move out.

I stand down the B17s out of Espirito Santo to rest, repair, and refit. Not much else happening in theater. Our marines continue the long advance towards Tassafaronga. The Commonwealth ships don't encounter any enemies during their trip through the slot.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/29/2020 5:24:21 AM   
BBfanboy


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Set the supply draw at Brisbane to over 8333 so that it accumulates 25K+ supply. This will help aircraft upgrades as well as provide a stock for loading on ships. If you think you will load more than 15K, set the supply draw even higher at Brisbane.

Typically, Sydney draws all the extra supply to itself and ends up with a million or so while the rest of Oz has bare minimum. I usually move at least one Army HQ and one Corps HQ to Brisbane because these will draw supply to themselves too. I build Brisbane's AF to 5 so it can host heavy bombers, then switch to developing the port to 7. It will get lots of use. Rather than develop interior dot bases, I move the extra BFs and Engs or Combat units with Engs to Brisbane to move construction along.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/30/2020 4:07:24 AM   
DanielAClark

 

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30 September

Multiple enemy strikes on both Milne Bay and Port Moresby.

The Port Moresby CAP arrives disjointed, but the enemy raid is small (fewer than a dozen bombers) and we trade 1:1 essentially. The enemy gets good luck on hitting the airfield, damaging some of the B26s...which have been pounding the enemy on the track lately.

The Milne Bay CAP suffers 1:1 today, high fatigue from yesterday sapping their performance. The enemy only has 2 Kates as a strike force today though, and lose one destroyed and the other retreats with damage.

The AI could have been doing so much better if they ever just tried to sweep my fighters. My pilots are not the equal of his...and the majority of my planes are inferior. Ah well...don't interrupt your enemy when making a mistake.

Helena nearly reaches Noumea today. More B17s arrive in Noumea. Once I get them out to Espirito Santo and deployed, I want to hit the enemy airfield at Buka.

Supply draw at Brisbane adjusted, will try to experiment with that to see how it goes.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 5/31/2020 8:48:23 PM   
DanielAClark

 

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1st October

Two enemy airstrikes at Milne Bay. Our fighters are mostly on the ground resting as the last few days have been very taxing. They do scramble and tangle some with the enemy fighters, who seem reluctant to press home and fully defend the bombers. We get 2 or 3 of the little more than half dozen bombers that go after the base. No losses beyond OPs losses, and I don't think we shoot down any Zeros. Everyone involved in this fight just seems exhausted after the last few days.

Our bombings of Lae, Buna, and the track continue unmolested.

Enterprise, San Francisco, Boise, etc. enter refits while in shipyard at Sydney. Enterprise may return in about 7 weeks.

We send a few B17s all the way to Buka to strike at their airfield. Hard to say if it was successful.

The big news is that two light cruisers were spotted NW of the slot heading south east. Hornet (with Washington, South Dakota, two AA light cruisers, and screening destroyers) will head north to see if she can take advantage of any openings that the Cactus air force brings. Hornet will not move to intervene directly. Force preservation here is paramount.

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 6/1/2020 2:14:18 AM   
DanielAClark

 

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2nd October

The daily airstrike on Milne Bay. We shoot 2 of the 3 Betties down by waiting for the dozen Zeroes to drive off the CAP, then sneak in under their CAP and shoot down the planes.

Our B26s hit Lae...and our B17s also hit the port oil tanks at Lae.

Hornet leaves port, along with four heavy cruisers and a minelaying force.

The enemy cruiser force has the CA Suzuya, at least one destroyer, and several AK freighters. Our B17s out of Espirito Santo have a hard time finding this force...but two flights of three do manage to find and strafe the enemy force. A few bombs are dropped which all miss.

To the north of the slot, we spot a CM and an E...which likely means more transports. Are they reinforcing or withdrawing?

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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 6/3/2020 2:21:59 PM   
DanielAClark

 

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3rd October

For the first time in a while, NO enemy air activity over New Guinea. We hit the usual targets (Lae, Buna, Track) without opposition. I now have a few B17Fs in theater. Only 12, but the additional range opens up some interesting possibilities.

Our AKAs continue loading at Brisbane, slowly but surely sucking all the supplies out of Australia to dump them into Port Moresby. When they make their run to New Guinea, I plan to pull the B26s out of Port Moresby temporarily and load up on fighters at the now size 5 airbase there...to punish any attempt to halt my supply push.

The next battle begins in the slot overnight, as Suzuya and Kumano run past Tulagi and sink two sub chasers in the slot. They do not bombard the airfield, and do not escape far enough by morning to clear the area. The morning air attacks by the Cactus air force focus on the transport group approaching Tassafaronga. We hit heavily at least two of the transports, which are carrying men and vehicles. A reinforcement of the garrison is underway. I now believe that we will have to fight our way through this force...rather than just mopping it up.

In the afternoon, Cactus Air Force splits its focus between the enemy cruisers and the transports. More hits against transports, no hits against the two heavy cruisers. My B17s from Espirito Santo come in piecemeal and go after the transports...getting one bomb hit and strafing the ships.

Hornet will be in range of the area tomorrow. Our heavy cruiser force will probably look to interdict the enemy transports tonight, if I can get them to engage. Our mine laying force avoided the slot overnight due to the enemy activity.




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RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 6/3/2020 8:58:11 PM   
DanielAClark

 

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4th October

Our B17s and B26s hit the usual targets in New Guinea. No enemy response.

Our four heavy cruisers and eight destroyers arrive at Tassafaronga and surprise the Kashima and some Es and PCs unloading. All enemy ships sink for three small hits on Portland.

The enemy heavy cruiser force clears the area to the north.

Cactus Air Force and our B17s begin working over the multiple transport groups approaching from the north. At least one freighter sinks, and several others are damaged.

After the day's activity, the enemy fleets pull back...but at least two fleets are still incoming. One identified as tankers, and one with more AKs and AKLs. No enemy air activity has been used to defend this push, and there is yet no sign of an enemy aircraft carrier. Although the enemy has good detection on my various fleets in and around the slot.

(in reply to DanielAClark)
Post #: 119
RE: Rookie Problems - Operation Shoestring - 6/4/2020 3:27:13 AM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline
You should spread some subs around in the area between Lunga and Rabaul/Truk. Even if the subs do not spot carriers, if their D/L jumps to 10/10 you will know the carriers are nearby that sub.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to DanielAClark)
Post #: 120
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