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The Battle of Coral Sea

 
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The Battle of Coral Sea - 5/29/2021 6:05:25 PM   
Remington700

 

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Status: offline 		The Battle of Coral Sea
The Kido Butai steams south to engage the US carriers but are first hit by low flying RAAF torpedo planes. The attack is uncoordinated and the bombers are shot from the sky like clay pigeons at the end of their arc. 4 SPs are lost.




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< Message edited by Remington700 -- 5/29/2021 6:06:03 PM >

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Post #: 151
RE: The Battle of Coral Sea - 5/29/2021 6:07:45 PM   
Remington700

 

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AMBUSH! US dive bombers and torpedo plans strike from the east. The Kaga is sunk! The Hiryu is on fire, trailing oil. Both the Shokaku and Zuikaku are hit but damage control parties worked surprisingly well to keep them operational. The IJN is in shock.




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Post #: 152
RE: The Battle of Coral Sea - 5/29/2021 6:10:26 PM   
Remington700

 

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The US carriers focus their CAP to the west to intercept IJN carrier-based planes. This leaves the enemy’s right flank unprotected. Land-based Nakajimas from Espirito Santo hit the US carries unopposed and sink the Lexington!

During the battle the 1st SNLF captures Port Vila.




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Post #: 153
RE: Japan May 24th - 5/29/2021 6:12:12 PM   
Remington700

 

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No Japanese builds this turn.




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Post #: 154
Battle of Coral Sea - 5/29/2021 6:14:45 PM   
Remington700

 

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The 1st RAAF from Noumea sends more land-based bombers equipped with torpedoes to hit the Japanese 1st Air Fleet. The bombers are met with CAP and heavy AA fire. They take another 3 SP of damage without scoring a hit on the damaged carriers.




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Post #: 155
RE: Battle of Coral Sea - 5/29/2021 6:19:49 PM   
Remington700

 

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After the Lexington was hit hard by “Kate” torpedo planes using a simultaneous “anvil” attack on both the port and starboard side of the ship, damage control crews were able to get flooding and fires under control in record time. It looked like the Lexington would resume operations however the fumes from leaking aviation fuel tanks started a firestorm and the ship is lost.

I could not resist paraphrasing some of Ian Toll’s account of the battle of the Coral Sea. After all, in my game it is May of 1942 in the Coral Sea, and the Lexington is sunk with the Yorktown sustaining heavy damage. Plus the Japanese lose a carrier – just too strange to ignore!

US Dive bombers and escorts cross within miles of Japanese carrier-based planes, each in search of targets. The US finds the 1st Air Fleet and sets the Mutsu on fire but were unable to hit the damaged Hiryu. Japanese D3A “Val” dive bombers find the US fleet, sinking the Battleship Mississippi and further damaging the Yorktown.




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Post #: 156
RE: Battle of Coral Sea - 5/29/2021 6:22:18 PM   
Remington700

 

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The 1st RAAF flies one more sortie against the Japanese fleet. They find and hit the Zuikaku but cannot sink her. This ends my version of the Battle of Coral Sea. Unlike history, the US loses the strategic advantage and steams to Fiji for repairs.




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Post #: 157
Allied May 24th - 5/29/2021 6:31:21 PM   
Remington700

 

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Burma
The Lahorne Division is attached to 4th Corps further strengthening the line just north of Dacca. 3rd Crops advances east turning the Indian National Army’s right flank. The line is strong, backed by Hurricanes flying CAP along the rail line and the Brahmaputra River.

The ABDACOM command is dissolved and replaced by the Southeast Asia Command (SEAC) which rails to Bombay. With low level recon in the area the headquarters will look like any other ground unit. This frees up the East Africa Division to rail to Calcutta. India Command HQ rails to the outskirts of Petna to improve supply to the 1st IAF.

Chaing Kai-shek takes control of the 2nd War Area command at Lijiang. The Chinese 5th Army pulls back to maintain close contact with headquarters. The 4th Army continues north to the Himalayas. There might be a way to pressure Ledo.

I worry my line is too strong. Calcutta is a concern as it may now be looked at as a viable option for invasion. It is the weakest position in the area. I need to do something about this soon.






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< Message edited by Remington700 -- 5/29/2021 6:38:41 PM >

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Post #: 158
RE: Allied May 24th - 5/29/2021 6:40:43 PM   
Remington700

 

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The 22nd Army group rails from Kweiyang to the outskirts of Changsha to be held in reserve. Rain continues to hamper Japanese operations – I wonder when it will end. The 23rd air group is at full strength and flies CAP over Changsha.




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Post #: 159
RE: Allied May 24th - 5/29/2021 6:42:19 PM   
Remington700

 

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MacArthur takes command of the 1st US Army and heads to Australia, joined by the 4th bomber group and the 32nd Division. They are escorted by the 17 DD squad.

US code breaking attempts fail once again. HYPO goes back to the drawing board to start again.




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Post #: 160
RE: Allied May 24th - 5/29/2021 6:43:13 PM   
Remington700

 

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India: 1 infantry division
UK: 1 naval dive bomber
US: 2 Landing ships, 3 Oilers and 3 Supply trucks




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Post #: 161
Japan June 7th - 5/29/2021 11:13:17 PM   
Remington700

 

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Burma
The 23rd Brigade moves forward the Brahmaputra River towards the right flank of the line. The Imperial Guards move through Myitkyina towards Ledo. The Zuiho CVL taskforce steams to blockade Calcutta. This should improve intelligence in the region. No combat this turn.




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Post #: 162
RE: Japan June 7th - 5/29/2021 11:15:19 PM   
Remington700

 

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The weather is clear and Japanese forces take advantage. Supported by the 29th Air, the 1st Tactical Air strikes positions south of Changsha. The sortie was contested by the 23rd Fighter group which sustained 5 SPs of damage. A second sortie resulted in a further loss of 6 SPs. Japanese losses were minimal.

A full-scale attack by the 12th,13th and 16th armies finally succeeds in pushing the Chinese 33rd army off the rail line. Casualties were very high with both sides losing 9 SPs of infantry. The 34th Division advances to cutoff Changsha from the south and digs in to hold at all costs. A counterattack will be coming as China can ill afford to lose this position.

The 1st army rails to the port of Busan in Korea. It is assigned to the 25th Army group in Burma. They will be shipping out next turn




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Post #: 163
RE: Japan June 7th - 5/29/2021 11:17:21 PM   
Remington700

 

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The picture below from last turn shows the damage done to the Japanese supply net by partisans. I cannot afford for this to happen on a good weather turn. I plan to move divisions into the locations shown. It is overkill but will stop the problem. I can always move the divisions later if needed.

The outlined area in Korea shows the ports needed to supply the 160 SPs garrisoning Kwantung.




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< Message edited by Remington700 -- 5/29/2021 11:21:40 PM >

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Post #: 164
RE: Japan June 7th - 5/29/2021 11:23:59 PM   
Remington700

 

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The US fleet has escaped. They need repairs so they could have steamed to Fiji, Sydney or San Diego. The battered Kido Butai steams to Rabaul for Naval repairs. The Matsu will continue on to Nagasaki.




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Post #: 165
RE: Japan June 7th - 5/29/2021 11:26:08 PM   
Remington700

 

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The damage from the Coral Sea battle is a problem. While only the Kaga was sunk, the Zuikaku and Hiryu lose two SPs while the Shokaku loses 1 SP. Japan does not have the resources to repair carriers at regular intervals.

Per the manual “repair costs are based on production cost as a fraction of their strength being repaired and their technology level”. The cost in PPs is as follows: Production cost of a “1942 carrier operations” unit is (624 x 25% naval repair cost)/3 = 52 PPs per SP repaired.

The three carriers are set to priority to be patched up this turn. The 12th, 13th and 16th armies need replacements so are also marked as priority. I use the unit list to identify all units receiving priority replacements (in green) so the toggle can be disengaged. The carriers will be first to receive replacements with the remaining PPs going to the afore mentioned armies in China and then prioritized air units.




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Post #: 166
RE: Japan June 7th - 5/29/2021 11:27:20 PM   
Remington700

 

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No builds this turn. All PPs will be allocated to repairs. I need 156 PPs for the carriers and 45 PPs for the land unit replacements. The rest will go to prioritized air units.




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Post #: 167
Allied June 7th - 5/29/2021 11:28:52 PM   
Remington700

 

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Burma
No movement on the Dacca line. Units continue to dig in awaiting attack. A large fleet with 3 CVs and 4 BBs sits offshore of Calcutta where the East African division digs in, holding at all costs.

The 4th army moves southeast towards Lijiang after unsuccessfully drawing the Japanese 23rd brigade into combat. The 5th army advances on Myitkyina cutting the rail to Ledo.




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Post #: 168
RE: Allied June 7th - 5/29/2021 11:30:00 PM   
Remington700

 

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The 17th, 22nd and Reserve armies counterattack the Japanese 34 Division. After taking 4 hits the unit retreats. The 12th army advances to secure the right flank of the 17th army in Changsha.




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Post #: 169
RE: Allied June 7th - 5/29/2021 11:31:05 PM   
Remington700

 

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Intelligence places the 1st Air Fleet in Rabaul for re-supply and repairs. There are five carriers in port.




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Post #: 170
RE: Allied June 7th - 5/29/2021 11:33:16 PM   
Remington700

 

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Repairs continue with the Yorktown. It will be ready in two weeks. The beat-up 1st RAAF air unit is replaced by US Tactical Naval Air. New Zealand Tactical Air moves to Tonga making way for the newly arrived 4th Tactical Air unit.

MacArthur sets up command in New Castle just north of Sydney. The US buildup in Australia is underway. Mac wants to take the battle to the Japanese taking back the New Hebrides and Santa Cruz Islands. Using the carrier groups for support.

Admiral Nimitz has a different use for the carriers. He is building a plan to invade Kwajalein in the Marshalls to secure Hawaii. (Holding Kwajalein negates supply to the Japanese if they occupy the Hawaiian Islands). The first phase would be the invasion of Tarawa in the Gilberts. President Roosevelt has yet to decide which should be the prime US direction in the PTO.




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Post #: 171
RE: Allied June 7th - 5/29/2021 11:35:00 PM   
Remington700

 

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India: Large Corps
UK: No builds. Increased convoyed SPs to India by 1 – now at 17 per turn.
US: Builds are 3 Merchant Marine due to arrive in December. Adds 20 SP to the Australian convoy of 2 oil per turn.




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Post #: 172
Japan June 21st - 5/30/2021 11:24:21 PM   
Remington700

 

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Burma
Intelligence on force strength is weak in Calcutta. Clicking on the hex does show it is a small formation. Which could mean it is either an infantry division or an HQ unit. The Zuiho CVL taskforce launches a ground strike with recon to better understand the defenses. Calcutta is defended by the East African Division.

The CVLs land planes and the taskforce heads off to raid the India convoy. They will be on station for a few turns as the fleet does far greater damage to MMs than submarines. This may also draw the British navy into a decisive battle with the odds greatly in Japan’s favor.






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< Message edited by Remington700 -- 5/30/2021 11:25:23 PM >

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Post #: 173
RE: Japan June 21st - 5/30/2021 11:27:09 PM   
Remington700

 

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The resupplied 12th, 13th and 16th armies smash the Chinese 12th army at the Changsha rail junction. The 12th retreats after taking 5 SP hits. Casualties were light for the Japanese and the 12th IJA advances, setting up a perimeter at the junction. They are instructed to hold at all costs. Supply trucks are low so this may be the end of the offensive until more resources can be devoted to the area. General Sadamu screams loudly as all supply is going to the Kido Butai in Rabaul. The Navy has priority.




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Post #: 174
RE: Japan June 21st - 5/30/2021 11:29:02 PM   
Remington700

 

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Repairs continue with the Zuikaku and Hiryu with the expectation they will be complete in two weeks. The Junyo CV joins the Kido Butai replacing the lost Kaga. The 5th Tactical Air flies from Guadalcanal to Namuga to be in range of the new Hebrides Islands. There is little supply on the island so the air group will only stage there for a couple of turns.




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Post #: 175
RE: Japan June 21st - 5/30/2021 11:30:05 PM   
Remington700

 

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No builds this turn. The majority of the PPs continue to be allocated to naval repairs Rabaul.




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Post #: 176
Allied June 21st - 5/30/2021 11:32:00 PM   
Remington700

 

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Burma
Rain continues in the area. The Dacca line continues to dig in. My position is weaker than I would like in Calcutta. I have a British infantry corps in Africa ready to board transports. However, the CVL taskforce raiding my convoys may cause a problem reinforcing India. The loss in Merchant Marine has become as real problem. An additional 10 were lost this turn.




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Post #: 177
RE: Allied June 21st - 5/30/2021 11:34:18 PM   
Remington700

 

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I consider counterattacking out of Changsha with the 17th army supported by the 22nd and Reserve armies. The odds are 2:1 which is just not enough. Combat will reduce effectiveness but most likely will not move the enemy. All it will do is weaken my defense. I decide to hold my ground and hope for rain.




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Post #: 178
RE: Allied June 21st - 5/30/2021 11:36:06 PM   
Remington700

 

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The continued loss of MM in the Indian Ocean is unacceptable. The US CV taskforce slips out of Fiji and secretly steams to ambush the raiding Imperial fleet. This is a big gamble as it leaves the Pacific without a CV force.




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Post #: 179
RE: Allied June 21st - 5/30/2021 11:37:21 PM   
Remington700

 

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The US Pacific submarine fleet surrounds Tarawa to choke off supply.




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Post #: 180
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