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RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl

 
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RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 4/30/2005 6:07:02 AM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		Normally I wait until Dan and I have played 5-7 days before I do an AAR but things have gotten HOT AND HEAVY! This AAR covers August 18-19, 1942.

With Operation Southern Wind under operational planning, I MUST make Dan think I am going after his eastern islands above Luganville. My carrier raid to the area between Brisbane and Noumea has been outstanding but Dan is now after me with EVERYTING he has got!

August 18th
Subs WHAT A DAY!
I-22 blows SC 643 out of the water at Luganville
Ro-33 sinks AK Fomalhaut at Kouro
I-21 puts a TT into AO Cuyama
I-156 does the same to AO Sabine
Pickerel misses a crippled Aoba as it limps into Tulagi

Dan has got to be pulling his hair out with all these successful Japanese attacks and NO sinkings!!

At PM AK Murada sinks from earlier air attack from GG.

B-17s raid Lunga again and damage anothe of my AK.

Nagumo launches a magnificent set of raids on a troop convoy carrying elements of the 32nd US Division:
APs Hunter Liggett and Katoomba sink and 6 APs are damaged severely.

Additionally sensing an opportunity, he launches (at extreme range) a Val attack on Noumea (No CAP again!!! ) That raid damages 3 US DD. A follow-up raid in the afternoon sinks the DD McCall and damages 3 more. In all, 1DD sunk and 5 damaged!

For all this, my carrier lose only 3V and 2K. Got a lot damaged but really light casualties.

Battle of Wau O Jpn for 26 Ausies

Late-Afternoon Recon picks up the American carriers rapidly moving away from Luganville in an attempt to engage my carriers. THIS IS BAD! I can't let that happen. My carrier are way toooooo far away from base. I move westward towards Australia, take a gamble that he can't reach me and rest my pilots, and start thinking of ways to divert his attention...

August 19th
Subs
I-19 SINKS AO Guadaloupe at Luganville. In return, the sub is hit with 1DC for minimal damage. Dan must be screaming because it seems to me that subs have orders for hitting only AO/TK! They are being highly effective at this!!!

More men of the 32nd Division enter shark infested waters as the AP Fuller sinks from yesterday's raid.

Dan launches a B-25 raid that catches me by surprise. He hits 4 AP (none seriously) there that are unloading. Change my GG fighters for some CAP.

GG LBA nails and sinks AK Mildura.

THE GREAT CARRIER RACE! My carriers, who have orders NOT to react, make a westward lunge. Americans coming hard but not within striking range yet. My gamble to give my pilots a day of rest pays off. They drop from the mid-40s to mid-20s in fatigue value.


Battle of Wau 2 Jpn for 110 Aussies

PLAN
I am sending a decoy group of transports from Lunga and making them look like they are going to Nevea. Additionally I sortie two STF. One will go to Kouro to stir up trouble and the other heads to Truk with damaged ships. I hope that his Recon picks this up and he thinks I am now coming eat. Additionally (Psi-Ops occurring), I TAUNT Dan through an email telling him that it is about time he came SOUTH after me...

In the meantime...I feverishly move Nagumo west towards Australia. Carriers are still on Don't React. Planes begin a massive movement from all points to GG and Rossel. I am going to place three Zero Squardons on long-range CAO over the carriers when they begin their run north on the 20th. This should help Nagumo bulk up his CAP. More Zeroes and bombers move into GG for support.

Three Fast Transport missions depart Shortlands, Rabaul, and Tulagi carrying Base Forces to support all these planes. Most should get their inside of one day.

In short, I am hoping to draw Dan north again by threatening Nevea. If this doesn't work (Don't have TOO much hope here ) then we will fight a carrier battle on the 21st of August. I don't like my chances versus FOUR US carriers but with the additional CAP and LBA maybe I have a chance.

On a semi-happy note Shokaku is FINALLY coming to Truk. Ten days seem like an eternity right now...

SUMMARY of August 18-19
In a glorious two days, the Japanese sink 1SC, 6AK/P, 1AO, and 1DD. Damage to US Fleet is 5DD, 5AK/P, and 2AO. Only Japanese loss is DD Hibiki which sunk on 18th near Rabaul due to earlier damage and 5Ap/K damaged due to LBA raids. A GLORIOUS two days BANZAI!

I only PRAY I can say the same for the next installment of this AAR!!!!

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 31
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 4/30/2005 11:36:31 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		THE GREAT CARRIER RACE IS OVER! Adm. Nagumo successfully ran away (Excuse me--advanced successfully towards his home bases) from the entire American carrier air arm! Thank Goodness. I was pretty sure that my carriers were done for...

August 20th
Subs
I-21 sinks AO Cuyama w/3TT
S-41 is sunk by Nagumo's carrier escorts S-41's Commander probably had a heart attack raises his scope in my carrier force!

AP Manoora sinks while trying to get to Noumea--more of the 126th RCT goes swimming

Bombard PM and knock out 4 planes and damage 13 more.

Battle of Wau 0 Jpn for 27 Aussie

Nagumo approaches the Australia coast and is vastly aided by rain! American carriers don't know where I am headed so they approach somewhat cautiously. If I can slip closer to Australian coast in a NW direction, I don't think he can get close enough for a launch. Measure the distances and try several navigational possiblities before settling on this choice.

Reinforcements, in the form of BF, arrive at GG to bolster the plane capablities there. Rest my fliers at Rossel and GG for what might be to come. Rossel finally makes it to Lvl 2 as an airfield and I can now use it for active operations. GG is appraoching Lvl 4.

August 21st
No Sub action for a change.

My STF I sent to Kouro as a distraction manages only to catch 3 mines for its efforts! CA Myoko and 2DD minorly damaged.

B-17s raid GG and damage 2AP.

Battle of Wau 0 Jpn for 11 Aussie

My pullback from Wau with most of 35th Brigade reaches 1/2 point. They should be available for operations against PM at the end of the month.

August 22nd
Subs
I-2 makes an attack at Luganville but misses

Large AP J. Franklin Bell sinks appraoching Noumea and MORE troopers enter the water!

Battle of Wau
I choose to make a deliberate attack to get Dan's attention. Little do I know but he chooses to do the same thing. As a result...247 Jpn for 210 Aussie. He has four confirmed brigades at Wau.

Nagumo makes it as far west as possible. Now is the time to head due north towards GG and Rossel! If Dan's carriers can get me, it will be here. Set 3 Squadrons of LB Zeroes onto Long-Range CAP and get ready for the final run.

August 23rd
Subs
I-2 sinks SC642
I-27 damaged by B-17 near Townsville Sub sent to Shortlands so it doesn't sink.

AP Monrovia sinks near Noumea! The 126th RCT must be decimated!

Dan strikes at GG with B-17s and Hudson's. He catches my planes on the ground and I lose 4B and 1V with 6 more damaged. DAMMIT! I forgot in setting my Zeroes to Long-Range CAP, they set at 100%. OOOOPS...

Nagumo will make it home! Dan gives up and his carriers make a SW turn as mine swing very close to GG. HOW ABOUT THAT!

Battle of Wau Jpn 3 for 64 Aussie

Observations
That was TOO close! I was having kittens over the last several turns. Thank goodness the Japanese ships are fast! Nagumo will base out of Shortlands and get at least a week off for R&R, refit, and new planes. In nearly 2 weeks of flight operations, Nagumo only lost 17 planes. For this loss, he decimated an important Troop Convoy, damaged and sunk several DDs, and hit several other targets as well. No damage to Japanese ships and very little wear-and-tear SYS damage. The next time he comes out it will be for the invasion of PM.

I move all my Bomber squardons back to Rabaul for R&R. They will stand-down as long as Dan allows me to. My hope is to have 120 bombers and 27V ready for the offensive in about 10 days. My fighters will rotate back as well.

Summation of Action August 20-23, 1942
American Ships: Sunk 1AO, 3AP, 1SC, and 1SS. Many soldiers killed in AP sinkings.
Japanese Ships: 1SS damaged

I have had a VERY good two week period!

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 32
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/2/2005 1:07:44 AM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		After the massive amount of action that Dan and I have had over the last 2 weeks of gametime, things settle down for the period of August 24-28, 1942.

August 24th
Subs
I-2 and Ro-33 both have TT attacks that they miss.

Spot his carriers at Rockhampton, Aust.

Battle of Wau O Jpn for 27 Auusie

August 25th
Subs
SS Greenling conducts an aggressive set of attacks on a Jpn TK. Shoots TT-misses, Surfaces--Hits with 1 TT and 7 Sh but takes 7 shells back for the effort, and strikes for a 3rd time with another TT. That is some effort!

Ro-33 makes up for the earlier miss on the 24th by sinking SC645

DD Harusame sinks at Tulagi due to earlier damage.

Battle of Wau Spot elements of 5th Aussie Brigade there!!!
This is great! Dan launches a dleiberate attack against my Artie Bombardment 99 Jpn for 99 Aussie

August 26th
Subs
I-29 hits an APD at Luganville w/1TT

TK Kyokuto sinks from earlier damage by Greenling

Battle of Wau I Bombard and Dan launches a shock attack. 239 Jpn for 203 Aussie

August 27th
Subs
Greenling strikes yet again on another TK with 1TT. Dan should promote this Commander!

I-1 launches an attack at Noumea, misses, and gets sunk. I haven't lost many subs and this was a surprise.

TK Genyo Maru sinks due to Greenling damage

Battle of Wau I Bombard and Dan shock attacks (where are his supplies coming from???) 304 Jpn for 135 Aussie

Wau has my attention. Dan is still attacking at a 0 to 1 ratio but he is relentless. I place a squadron of Zeroes on L-R CAP to try to catch his reinforcements...

Reconaissance spots an Allied Convoy approaching from Brisbane. It is just passing Rockhampton. This is where he has three seperate TFs including a BB, many CA, and his carriers. If I am to hazard a guess, his PM supplies must be low. I have cut him off pretty well from heavy supply for nearly a month. He has to sustain those brigades at Wau as well.

I cannot let his supply convoy reach PM safely. I will have Shokaku to go with my other carriers in a couple of days. My bombers are resting and getting replacements. Concievably, we might have a MASSIVE battle over this! In LBA I have nearly 150 Fighter and 100 Bombers. The Carrier groups are at full strength.

There could be a massive opportunity here. If we have a big fight over his convoy then perhaps Operation Southern Wind will have a greater chance of success. He'll think I am simply trying to blunt his reinforcement while I am actually perparing a counter-stroke...

Back to the log...

August 28th
Subs
S-39 nails a TK His subs are getting frisky!

An AP damaged earlier sinks at Shortlands

Dan launches a B-17 raid against Wau with 25 planes--18Z intercept. Damage several Forts and lose 58 Jpn

Battle of Wau Forgot to write down casualties...oooopsss...wasn't too bad though.

August 29th
I get a squadron of A6M3s that I place in GG and my army planes (30 Oscars) arrive at Wewak. They are sent to Lae.

I decide to keep L-R CAP over Wau and send two squadrons of Zeroes over PM on a sweep to see what might be happening.

Summation for August 24-28, 1942
Japanese Losses: 1DD, 2TK, 1AP, and a SS.
Allied Losses: 1SC sunk and 1APD damaged.

With Dan having his 5th Brigade in Wau, he is TRULY committed to that fight. I am using it entirely as a diversion. The convoy that Nagumo nailed about 10 days ago was carrying troops from a US Infantry Division and RCT from Brisbane to Noumea. The impact of those losses is significant. With Wau happening, he cannot have much left in PM defending it. My Recon lists a HQ, 3-4 Inf Units, and Lots of Engineers.

Operation Southern Wind shall drop off an entire Infantry Div and 3 reinforced Brigades at PM. It will be a tough fight but I have at least a 50-50 chance. The 2nd (Sendai) Division is approaching Shortlands to join the two Brigades already there. The 3rd Brigade will come from Lae. Troopships are currently unloading supplies at Lae and will then load when needed. Additionally, I will use a Fast TF to drop off a SNLF unit to secure the beach west of PM.

Since I have been constantly sending convoys to GG, Buna, Lae, and Rossel I really HOPE he doesn't see any of this activity until it rounds the eastern point of New Guinea. If I can get that far then there is a chance of unloading with nearly no loss. I will use LOTS of fighters on L-R CAP to protect the convoys. Several STF Bombardments will occur in the time preceeding and during the landings. Carriers will be out to fight whomever and whatever gets in the way.

Of course, there might be a major battle prior to that with his approaching convoy...


When we reach the end of the month, I intend to do a complete map update on Bases, Aircraft, and shipping for the AAR. I will also display the Order-of-Battle for Southern Wind.


(in reply to John III)
Post #: 33
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/6/2005 9:09:12 AM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		This is going to be a long AAR Update on our Campaign. I have been dealing with Final Exams this week and grading a TON of papers and tests. Dan and I have kept up a good 2-3 turns a days and so this will cover the period of August 29-September 6, 1942:

Operational planning for Southern Wind is spinning up. The 2nd Division is approaching Shortlands. I will unload it, reorganize, and then load it plus two more brigades. The intention is to send two 25 ship convoys with surface escort towards PM starting around September 5th.

August 29th
No Sub Action. Most of mine have been called back to Truk in preparation for Southern Wind.

Send a fighter sweep over PM and find, to my surprise, 34 Allied fighter on CAP. I lose a fighter in exchange for five kills.

His carriers continue to hang out around Rockhampton. I would really like to move them away from my target. Decide to send the 2 CVL (Ryujo and Zuiho) with 1CL and 6 DD on a little raid towards his island bases north of Luganville. Perhaps they will draw his attention.

Shokaku is on her way to the Shortlands and can rendezvous with Zuikaku and Junyo.

Battle of Wau He attacks 230 Jpn vs. 91 Aussies dead.

August 30th
No sub action

Rainy weather covers my CVLs for an unobserved exit from Shortlands.

26 B-17s attack Wau and do little damage.

I send a sweep of 75 Zeroes and bag six kills.

August 31st
Subs
SS Drum puts 2TT into an AP.

An AP sinks at GG from an earlier raid.

Spot a convoy approaching PM. Move 26 Vals and 75B/N to GG and Lae. The daily fighter sweep yields 12 Destroyed Allied planes for 2 Japanese fighters.

I decide to send a small Surface TF to bombard PM. Perhaps they can catch the convoy heading there...

CVLs have not been seen. I continue them east towards the edge of the map before sending them south.

Move Zuikaku and Junyo to a covering position west of Rossel.

September 1st
No Sub Action

Thunderstorms for the weather.

Allied AO Brazos sinks from damage near Efate earlier.

Send CVLs south, CVs not seen as they sortie from Shortlands, and ditto for Surface TF.

DAMMIT! Dan knows my patterns pretty well. I moved all that LBA south yesterday and he massively nailed GG with medium and heavy bombers! I didn't even think to have CAP up since I was thinking of attacking and not defense. STUPID John! He closes down the field in one day and I lose 16 Zeroes, 9 B/N, and 3V. Will try long-range CAP tomorrow to see if I can slow him down to save my planes.

September 2nd
No Subs and rainy weather.

My Surface TF catches two AK unloading at PM! Can we all repeat together "I LOVE LONG LANCE TT??" Both transports go down!

I lose an AP at GG from earlier raids.

My CVL's announce their presense by hitting Luganville with 3Z and 26K! Thankfully he only has a few Wildcats up on CAP! My Kates nail three SC and put them down! I seem to like sinking those little ships. The raid only costs me 1 Kate.

UHHHHH OOOOHHHHHHH...I spot a massive fleet concentration coming up from Rockhampton. APs, Surface TFs, and a convoy=big trouble! I cannot stand up to his four heavy American Carriers. It will be nearly week until he gets to GG or Rossel or PM. Going to have to think about this!

Even worse, he continues to pound the Hell out of GG. My long-range CAP knocks down some bombers but isn't nearly enough. MORE planes destroyed on the ground and the runways are shot!

September 3rd
No sub activity.

GG Nailed AGAIN! I've lost 50% of my planes there and I can't even get off the ground...

The fencing at Wau continues. I bombard and Shock attacks! 227 Jpn for 306 Aussies. He stages a bomber raid there as well.

I have got to figure out what to do regarding this approaching armada. Dan won't spread things out where I could pounce. If I know him, he will keep 3-4 TFs together and DARE me to attack. HMMMMMMMMMMM...

September 4th
No sub activity.

There are two surprise naval bombardments at GG. Is that his target??? I think he is really going to simply try to reinforce PM but cannot count on that. Send a Fast TF to drop off an SNLF unit and CD unit from Lae to GG. TF will then pick up a Base Force from GG and bring it back to Lae.

GG is pasted during the day as well.

Good News--His raiding TFs that hit GG get to take a little punnishment! Zuikaku and Junyo launch their Vals at exptreme range. BB North Carolina takes SEVEN bombs and CA Chicago takes two. Can't expect too much here but at least it is some damage. Of the 43 Vals; however, I lose 18! OUCH!

Time to get serious:
1. Send Shokaku to NE of Rossel to rendezvous with Zui and Junyo. That should put enough teeth into the TF to help.
2. I had the CVLs returning towards Rossel but decide to send them due South for some commerce raiding. Perhaps they can divert Dan's attention...
3. BB group of Nagato and Mutsu formed and sent to Rossel.
4. BB Group formed around Kongo and Hiei to NE of GG and NW of Rossel.
5. All subs to converge on PM.

September 5th
Subs--Nothing

PM has a lot of aircraft in it. Small raids come from it during the day. Two fo my AS are hit minorly as they bring back a Base Force from GG to Lae.

I'm losing my planes at GG terribly quick. I decide to withdraw a Zero Squadron so it can reform in 60 Days. Can't do anything else until he leaves the base alone long enough for it to repair.


September 6th
Subs
SS Greenling misses an attack south of Rossel.
SS Drum misses an attack NE of Shortlands
SS S-37 nails an AP wth 3TT north of Rossel. It sinks.

CVLs are now on a line between Brisbane and Noumea. Spot an AO Convoy to the east and pursue!

Decide to drag the remainder of the carriers southwards as well. Nagato and Mutsu are going to attack Cooktown and see if I can catch North Carolina or Chicago there...

His massive force is about 3 days from PM. That has to be his goal. This has taken long enough for me to get SS into the area. 3 will be on station by tomorrow with four more there by the 8th.


That is the action to date. Big things about to occur!

I thought I would provide Campaign info at this point before all Hell breaks lose. Sinkings to this point in the campaign:

Japan: 36 ships for 506 VP--BB Haruna, CA Haguro, 3CL, 7DD, 3APD, 3MSW/ML, 4AO?TK, 3SS, and 11AP Most of the big losses come from that DAMNED AI mistake of keeping my surfaceTF around in daylight to be creamed!

Allied Powers: 53 ships for 413VP--CA Salt Lake City, CL Phoenix, 4DD, 3 DM/S, 2MSW, 3AO, 2SS, 12SC, 11AP, and 14AK. Serious escort and merchant losses but not near enough!

Base Status:
Irau--AC 2, PC 1, Fort 5, and Assault Strength 49
Lunga--AC 5, PC 3, Fort 3, and AS 147
Tulagi--AC 0, PC 5, Fort 1, and AS 21
Munda--AC 1, PC 1, Fort 0, and AS 52
Shortlands--AC 2, PC 6, Fort 4, and AS 738 Sendai Division and 2 Brigades
Gasmata--AC 2, PC 2, Fort 1, and AS 3
Wewak--AC 2, PC 1, Fort 0, and AS 0
Lae--AC 5, PC 5, Fort 4, and AS 80
Nadzab--AC 2
Buna--AC 1 and PC 1 AS 7
GG--AC 4, PC 3, Fort 2, AS 114
Rossel--AC 2, PC 2, Fort 3, and AS 80

That is a rundown of my bases and loses to this point.

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 34
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/6/2005 6:48:27 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		I got so far behind with my last AAR installment, I thought perhaps I would do one at a time for a little while.

Let me cover September 9th first before going into thoughts:
The weather continues to suck! Rain again today.

I now have seven subs ready and waiting for Dan near PM. I think I am going to spread them out 2-3 deep coming out of the PM hexes. Hopefully, they will hit him in successive hexes and wear him down some. I expect to take SS losses.

His massive set of TFs are still about 2-3 days from PM. He is midway from Cooktown to PM.

He hit GG today with a just a few bombers. I checked out the base and found to my excitement that I could fly planes out. The repaired survivors FLEE to Rabaul. Out of 54Z, 27B, 27N, and 26V, I pull out 18Z, 7 B/N, and 7V. What a disaster. There are still about 25 planes at GG that are damaged. I will try to get them out one-at-a-time.

My CVLs begin to attack his Sealanes between Noumea and Brisbane. AP Ormiston takes 6TT and down she goes. I order the TF to move slowly towards Brisbane.

My Bombardment group with Nagato and Mutsu approach Townsville and is hit with some LBA: Atago takes 3B, a CL takes 1B, and a DD 2B. Atago has serious issues so send her back to Rossel. Dan could have her easily with his carriers but I bet he won't move them from covering (in the same hex) his convoy.

Main CVs are drawing even with Townsville but are midway between Australia and New Caledonia.

Two BB TF sit at Rossel. Yamato and her consorts sit along Hiei and Kongo with their escorts. Two squadrons of Fighters fly 90% CAP over them.

I get Zero reinforcements! Two complete squadrons arrive and they are sent to Lae. I now have 125 Fighters with 40 Bombers there. Everyone prepped to attack convoy. Having learned a lesson with GG, each of my fighter squadrons have CAP at 30%. Shoul dbe enough to deter an attack.

Make another deliberate attack at Wau: 65 Jpn for 85 Aussie. His 5 Brigades are all at "0" attack strength.

QUESTIONS for anyone who want to jump in:
1. I don't think I can fight his CVs toe-to-toe. How should I go about damaging as much as possible without losing my CVs?
2. Should I ignore the convoy and go hunting elsewhere?
3. Should I make an all-out effort and risk it all?
4. Should I simply retire back to Tuagi and Shortlands and wait to pick the fight when I WANT IT?

I am truly at a loss right now. Any thoughts would be well accepted!

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 35
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/6/2005 9:33:47 PM   
TAIL GUNNER

 

Posts: 1152
Joined: 4/27/2005
From: Los Osos, CA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: John III

QUESTIONS for anyone who want to jump in:
1. I don't think I can fight his CVs toe-to-toe. How should I go about damaging as much as possible without losing my CVs?
2. Should I ignore the convoy and go hunting elsewhere?
3. Should I make an all-out effort and risk it all?
4. Should I simply retire back to Tuagi and Shortlands and wait to pick the fight when I WANT IT?

I am truly at a loss right now. Any thoughts would be well accepted!


1. I would closely protect my Betties and Nells as much as possible. Only use them for PM airfield attacks on clear days. 10% naval search at 1000 ft. for ASW the rest of the time. If you can amass 200-300, I'd launch an all out strike the next time he shows his CVs. It'll be an ugly slaughter, but there is strength in numbers. Then race your CVs down to (hopefully) kill off stragglers.
2. Since his CVs are escorting....I'd go elsewhere. You would need extreme luck to come out on top of that engagement I thinks. Besides, PM is such a supply hog. I'd let him unload his supplys and then bomb the airfield and port when he retires. Soon he'll need supplies again. Continually bombing PM will also make him think twice about basing his precious B-17s there, which are your only real threat to Rabaul. However, if thunderstorms are forecast, I might risk a bombardment mission and pray for bad weather on the way in and out. Also use your own CVs when it's safe to raid PM's airfield. I like to use Vals for airfield attack (they're great at that) and Kates bombing port facilities from about 10000 feet to avoid most flak. You might not get alot of port supply hits, but only one takes away about 2000 supply! Then get the hell out of there!
3. Only if you want to lose all your CVs......besides, who likes to play a game with no CVs? Yawwwwwwn...
4. Yep, wait for your chance.....it'll happen. One great gem I learned from herbieh is to use your Mavis and Emily for night port attacks. You can hit Noumea from Lunga, and Brisbane from Gili-Gili! If his CVs are holed up in port, you'll might get some lucky 500lb bomb hits.

Why did you pick this scenario anyways?
No Midway carriers.........impossible to win?

Chad

< Message edited by Juggalo -- 5/6/2005 10:13:01 PM >

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 36
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/6/2005 10:46:50 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		Thanks Juggalo.

DAN and I chose this scenario for the very reason you mention. The KB has been crippled from the losses at Midway. This scenario is about even in terms of numbers. It makes the challenge much higher and greater. We have had a GREAT campaign that has run 3.5 months of game time right now and it is clearly anyone's game.

If I want the FULL KB, I will keep playing WitP where I can use them to strike anywhere and everywhere!

(in reply to TAIL GUNNER)
Post #: 37
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/10/2005 11:32:23 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		This is the second time I have had to write this AAR because my computer lost power right when I was getting finished! A waste of 30 minutes.

This is the chronicle of the Second Battle of the Coral Sea that was fought September 8-11, 1942. The results were decidely in favor of the Allies and near disaster for the Japanese.

As stated in the earlier AAR, I had decided to retreat from the advancing Allied TFs containing a BB TF, all FOUR American CVs, and a large convoy. I wanted to fight a major battle at a time of my choosing. With this in mind, I order all TFs to return to either Shortlands or Tulagi. Unfortunately, Dan had other ideas. He suddenly swings his TFs east instead of continuing along the Australian coast. This move precipitates a major battle.

Sept 8th
Subs
No activity. I have seven subs stationed near PM waiting...

Other Odds and Ends
A Japanese PG hits a mine at Irau

Bombard Townsville with Nagato and Mutsu. TF is ordered out due east so as to NOT run into the American fleet.

He continues to hit GG with LBA.

A raid also hits Lae and damages several transports.

Air Battle over PM: 4 Jpn Ftrs for 11 Allied Ftrs.

He swings his Carriers out towards the east and I am forced to give battle:
The Japanese Carriers (Sho/Zui/Junyo) are hit by four seperate air strikes. Luck shines on the Japanese side for most of the attack. Shokaku is not hit, Zuikaku takes 1 1000lb B, and Junyo is hit hard with 1 500lb and 2 1000lb bombs. She is in bad shape (75% SS and 25 Fires). I detach her and order her to withdraw towards Rossel. Same thing for Sho/Zui. The attacks are tremendously costly for the Americans: 24W/39Daunt/7Avenge fall and MANY more are damaged. Considering everything, I got off WAY light!

The American Carriers decimate my bomber squadrons. THREE (2 Kate/1Val) go in UNESCORTED! Nearly 50 Wildcats wipe them out. Only good thing to say is that I do manage to put 2 TT into Saratoga. The day costs me: 5Z, 23V, and 31K. I had CAP at 60% over my carriers and cannot understand why a coordinated strike did not occur!!!

Historically it was the Americans who had this problem and NOT the Japanese...

To protect my CVs, I order nearly 100Z from Rossel to fly L-R CAP over Sho/Zui. With as many losses as Dan's air groups have taken today, it should be enough to protect my CVs.

My CVLs are well on the way back to Tulagi. I will not risk them.

Decide to detach 2CA and 2DD to raid Noumea from the CVL TF. Perhaps it will distract Dan...

Additionally, send Hiei and Kongo towards Townsville to see if I can catch Saratoga. It is a risk but perhaps the BBs will slip through with all the other activity.

Vector 3 SS to Townsville from PM for the same reason.

Sept 9th
Subs
Nothing

2 Japanese AP sink from earlier attacks.

Another Lae raid nets 2 APs damaged.

Surface TF catches several Allied AK at Noumea! This starts the day off well! At the end of the fight: 2 large AK (Titania and Electra), 1 AK, and an SC go down! 3 AK are damaged as well. On the way home, my CAs take some damage from LBA. Takao and Myoko both take several bombs and run for home! They are not in any real danger of sinking...

My L-R CAP over Sho/Zui DOESN'T DO A DAMNED THING! They don't fly...

Dan lunges eastward to further attack my ships.

Four smaller strikes bore in on my CVs. By the end of the day, Shokaku takes 4 1000lb bombs and Zuikaku takes 2 more. Both are in deep trouble...70+ SYS and 30+ Fires. I migth lose all three of my larger CVs. Dan loses 20 more planes and has 40 more damaged. He cannot have TOO much striking power left.

I feebly counterattack with 25Z, 22V, and 3K. Down go 1Z, 10V, and 3K. I manage to place 1 Bomb onto Enterprise.

BB TF appraoching Townsville and haven't been spotted. Perhaps I will get lucky.

Air Battle over PM: 2 Jpn Ftrs for 2 Allied Ftrs.

Sept 10th
Subs
I-158 misses an attack near PM

An AP sinks from damage earlier at Lae.

PM Sweeps: 1 Jpn Ftr for 6 Allies.

All three carriers are in sinking condition. None go down yet. We'll see.

Dan pulls back towards Australia.

Sept 11th
Sub
Ro-34 nails AK Barwon in two attacks with 4 TTs. Down she goes! My subs are back!!!
Still have four at PM and 3 appraoching Townsville.

Due to damage sustained earlier I lose; CA Atago, Cls Tatsuta and Katori.

I GET LUCKY!!!! My BBs NAIL Saratoga! She and DDs Helm and Drayton sink! Finally, something positive! The BBs manage to get away without getting hit.

PM Sweep: 5 Jpn Ftr for 3 Allied. I add two rested Zero Squadrons onto the PM Sweeps.

All three Japanese CVs are still floating. Sho and Zui are not TOO far away from Rossel and docking. Don't think they will make it but one must have hopes...

With the sinking of Saratoga, the battle effectively ends. I won't do a summation until we see how many (probably all) of the Japanese carriers sink.

Sept 12th
Subs My subs are now on the prowl and scoring...
I-156 hits the large AP American Legion with 2TT near Townsville
I-33 sinks SC708 with 3TT
S-44 makes an attack but fails.

BIG Air Battle over PM: 4 Jpn Ftrs for 33 Allied Ftrs!!!!! WOW!

His CVs have gone into Townsville.

I am seriously thinking about launching Operation Southern Wind RIGHT NOW! Though my CVs are in deep trouble, his LBA and CBA is severly damaged. Might not be a better time. I have nearly 200 Zeroes that can be called upon for cover. That is...IF they actually fly and provide help...

That is the news on the Second Battle of the Coral Sea.






(in reply to John III)
Post #: 38
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/11/2005 12:40:41 AM   
Veer


Posts: 2231
Joined: 6/25/2002
From: Excuse me
Status: offline
quote:


My L-R CAP over Sho/Zui DOESN'T DO A DAMNED THING! They don't fly...




This was a design decision, and has been in UV for some time. LRCAP does not work over carrier TFs. Something about play balance and historical reasons.

Great game so far!

_____________________________

In time of war the first casualty is truth. - Boake Carter

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 39
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/11/2005 8:03:19 AM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		I wish I had known about the CAP rule before. Would have played out that day differently. Sink your own CVs and learn, that is my policy!

Final results of the Second Battle of the Coral Sea are in and it was a terribly lopsided Allied victory. Shokaku and Zuikaku (even while docked at Rossel) sank on September 14th. Junyo sank on the 13th. This is a strategic defeat of massive proportions. I just have my two CVLs and hope for Hiyo within two weeks.

I officially admit that I SUCK in carrier engagements. Of course, I was up against every American CV left... I wonder if that should be a house rule? The Americans, historically, NEVER put all their eggs in one basket. They always sailed the CVs in their own defensive rings and usually paired them in the same area. Putting FOUR Fleet Carriers in one TF would not have happened until late-43 or early-44. Oh well...

Back to the war:

Sept 13th Partly Cloudy
Subs
Drum misses attack at Munda
I-33 misses DD at Townsville

Junyo sinks

Sho/Zui dock at Rossel. Both are at 99% SYS damage and have a couple of fires.

Air-to-Air
56Z vs 58 Allied Ftrs at PM 5Z fall in exchange for 14 Allied

Raids occur at GG and Lae.

Set my Betty's, with Zero escort to perform a Port Attack on Townsville with the hope of getting a lucky hit.

Battle of Wau: 171 Japanese for 114 Aussies

Sept 14th
Subs
I-33 sinks DD Anderson at Townsville

SC647 hits a mine at Kouro and sinks.

Shokaku and Zuikaku both sink at Rossel. War over...

I cannot believe the scale of his bombing attacks! He closes Lae in ONE raid today. 30+ Fighters and 100 Bombers blast it to pieces despite CAP. I shot down 10 planes and damage about 15 more but the base is closed.

My Air-to-Air at PM brings O losses for 7 Allied Ftrs

No luck on the my raid at Townsville. 20 Betty attack, 6 are lost and no shipping hits... Won't try that again.

I'm going to try a different tack with PM. Three seperate Bombardment groups are closing on the base. BBs accompany each TF. Let us see if some damage can be done there.

Southern Wind is Greenlighted. All troops are loaded at Shortlands and Lae. They will rendezvous West of Rossel near GG and then commence their run into PM. If all goes well, they will be lost in the shipping clutter until one-two days out. We shall see.


(in reply to Veer)
Post #: 40
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/11/2005 6:52:59 PM   
Sergeant


Posts: 176
Joined: 4/1/2005
From: Arizona
Status: offline 		What do you mean LRCAP doesn't work over carrier TF? Ever? Is ther some sort of rule? Are you talking about LRCAP from land based air covering CV grps?
Sergeant----*

(in reply to Veer)
Post #: 41
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/11/2005 10:36:16 PM   
anarchyintheuk

 

Posts: 3921
Joined: 5/5/2004
From: Dallas
Status: offline 		Lr-cap over a cvtf is only effective up to a total of 25% of the number of planes sent, subject to the usual distance/endurance/moral/fatigue qualifiers. I believe it's supposed to represent difficulties associated w/ coordinating cv and lba cap. It's in the manual i thinkl. You can avoid the penalty by having the lr-cap set to a stf and have the cvtfs follow the stf. React movement can still bugger that up tho.

There are advantages and disadvantages to a 1-4cv tf and 4-1cv tfs. I prefer the latter if you have enough escorts and don't screw up your follow commands.

(in reply to Sergeant)
Post #: 42
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/11/2005 10:37:42 PM   
anarchyintheuk

 

Posts: 3921
Joined: 5/5/2004
From: Dallas
Status: offline 		Only refers to lba lr-cap over cvtfs.

(in reply to Sergeant)
Post #: 43
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/11/2005 11:23:09 PM   
unurkan

 

Posts: 8
Joined: 5/10/2005
Status: offline 		Very nice AAR John. Keep it coming. Too bad you lost all those CVs. I am playing the same scenario right now vs AI and I have lost only 1 CVL and 1 CV for 3 CVs sunk and 1 damaged severely.

Out of curiosity...you seem to be getting superb K/D ratio on your Zeros. I never get that even though I make sure they are rested. What altitude do you fly yours at on sweep and CAP missions?

(in reply to anarchyintheuk)
Post #: 44
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 5/25/2005 10:33:58 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		Good day All. I haven't been able to keep up with the AAR because life in La Salle has been most difficult. I am transitioning jobs from Adjunct Professor of History to Social Studies Department Chair of a rural High School and life has fallen apart. My family and I are trying to keep the home afloat until the new job starts and are not having much success. My UV playing has stopped until life gets itself back together.

Dan and I played turns from September 15-28, 1942 before everything got exciting.

I don't have time to write my normal AAR entry but would like to at least explain the developments that have occured. Don't know when we will get rolling again but I fully intend to get things back in order within a couple of weeks.

Developments:
As stated in my last couple of AARs, I had decided to initiate an attempt to take PM with my surface forces. Since my carrier fleet had been shattered and Dan's air groups had taken heavy casualties, I figured that this would be the best time to try to roll the dice.

Simply put...I was sadly mistaken. I had no idea how quick the Americans could replace their plane and pilot losses. Considering that I am a historian, I should have known better. Let me provide a short synopsis:

Sept 15-19th
My AP convoys move out from Shortlands and Lae. The equivelent of two infantry divisions with support troops head for PM. Several Battleship TF are escorting and preparing for bombardment missions at PM.

His LBA continues to pound down my airstrips making GG and Lae wasteland. Rossel stays active only because he didn't pay any attention to it.

Sept 20-23rd
My convoys reach PM, begin unloading, and are FULLY unloaded by the 23rd. I have NO real losses to this point. Got some 'good' bad weather to help.

Dan sends in surface TF over several nights and wild brawls ensue. Disappointed is hardly a word to describe the outcomes. In every engagement I have the heavier ships. Who loses more ships??? Guess. Only Japanese solice was the sinking of USS North Carolina.

His carriers, FULLY reloaded with aircraft, begint o pound my ships on the 23rd.

Sept 24-28th
Retire while being systematically destroyed by seemingly infinite numbers of Dauntlesses and LBA.

Come DAMN close to grabbing PM but he has several convoys that arrive in the nick of time with supplies and troops. Can't ehlp but imagine what might have been had I avoided the carrier battle as I hoped a few weeks earlier...

Summation:
Japanese Ship Losses
1 BB Hiei
2 CL
9 DD
32 AP
3 CS
3 APD
2 SS

American Losses
1 BB North Carolina
2 DD
2 AP
1 AV

Simply put--A disaster. I had planned to take losses and I thought about 20 ships would be acceptable for the operation. Had no idea that:
1. He would be able to attack with 4 CV fully loaded with aircraft
2. My Surface TFs would be incapable of sinking his ships
3. That his LBA would be so devastating to my bases EVERY day.

That summarizes the current situation.

I have my troops withdrawing towards Buna. They will make it. How I get them off is another story... Nearly my entire remaining surface fleet is damaged and headed for Rabaul/Truk for long repairs.

I have reinforced Guadalcanal with the 38th Division (en route).

That is the story as September closes. Quite different then at the end of August.

Don't know when Dan and I will be able to crank out more turns but will hope this occurs sometime in the next few weeks.





(in reply to John III)
Post #: 45
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 6/9/2005 8:47:59 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		This is my first posting in nearly three weeks. Life seems to be settling down here in La Salle and I can get back to active campaigning. Dan might have had a heart in getting the first turn from me in over a month.

September 29th
Subs
S-42 sinks an AP damaged in the brawl near PM.

Dan raids GG hard. I have been forced to dock most of my cripples there and he knows it! During the day, I lose 2 DD, a PC, and 4 AP. Most of these were in sinking condition so it doesn't come as a surprise.

I am crippled after the loss of my heavy carriers and merchant shipping. For the next few weeks, I will seek to do the following:
1. Draw back and rebuild my LBA.
2. Save all the ships I can, send them to Truk, and then to Japan for repairs.
3. I already have the entire 38th Division headed to reinforce Guadalcanal. They need to get there.
4. Reorganize my remaining combat vessels so I can react when the hammer falls.

I know Dan is smart enough to realize how vulnerable I am so I expect him to launch an invasion within the next two weeks of game time. Won't be able to do much. We'll see...

Still have my two light carriers and should get Hiyo sometime soon. Once I can pool those three together, I will have a limited attack capacity.

Nearly all of my bases have HUGE amounts of supply so I should be good there for about a month or more.

I will need to evacuate my troops that were sent to PM once they make the trek across the Owen-Stanley's to Buna. That'll be interesting...

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 46
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 6/15/2005 8:29:32 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		We are playing turns but a lot more slowly then before with my new work schedule. It is rather frustrating to only get a single turn in a day but that is better then nothing.

Sept 30--Oct 4
I continue to pull back ALL combatant ships to Truk and send seriously damaged ships to Japan. This will make the naval presense in the campaign practically zero for at least two weeks. I chose to do this because:
1. I HAD TO!
2. Need to time to reorganize.

Reinforcements are certain, it is just a case of when.

My current strength is centered on 2 CVL, 2 BB, about 10 CA/CL, and 15-20 DD. Everything else is sunk or on its way back to Japan. I have enough strength to chose when to fight but that is about all...

My LBA situation is better. I have over 200 available fighters, 100 Betty's/Nell's, and 25 Vals. Plenty of recon available as well for scouting. The VAST majority of my planes are at Lunga or Rabaul. I have some strength at Irau and Rossel. Nothing anywhere else.
I will be getting another squadron of Bettys soon and that will continue to help. Most of my planes are training so their morale comes up.

I need about two weeks to get re-organized.

Dan WON'T give me that. He is a smart and crafty opponent. Even as I write, a massive invasion force is bearing down on GG. They will begin landing by Oct 6th. Nothing I can really do about it. I will let him land and then take one swipe at him with my LBA.

He is raiding GG and Wau everyday with at least 250 bombers creaming the combined targets.

My troops have withdrawn to their first hex away from PM and are retreating in good order with little harrassment. They will be my first priority. I will use Fast Transport TFs to pull out the troops and spread them around the map. This will take some time but it is essential.

MY losses dictate the fact that I am finished. My sole job now is to sting him periodically and try to drag this out as long as possible.

That is the state-of-the-state currently. Will update in another couple of turns.


(in reply to John III)
Post #: 47
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 6/23/2005 11:03:44 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		Well, things continue to be interesting in the Copperas Bowl! This posting covers developments from October 7-16, 1942.

As I suspected, Dan is launching a full scale invasion of the New Guinea area. I felt he would go after GG but he has chosen a more daring plan. He has taken Lae. Normally, this would be a HIGHLY risky move but I am so damaged that I consider it a smart and bold beginning to his counter-offensive.

He is the recap:

Oct 7th Thunderstorms
He has started some convoy and supply activites in the eastern bases: Nevea, Wunpuko, and Kouro. If I had any naval strength left, I would go after these! He has nearly everything in the west and little in the east. Maybe in time...

Consider for log purposes an everyday entry that he hits GG and/or Wau with at least 50-100 bombers each.

The Battle of Wau is over. I have been pulling my two regiments back so he just took the hex.

His convoy with at least 2 CV and support ships appears to be headed for GG.

Send more damaged ships to Japan.

October 8th Partly Cloudy
An AP hits one of my mines at Nevea.

Send more ships to Japan.

Convoy slowly approaching GG.

October 9th Overcast
DAMMIT! He has remined Truk and one of my precious DDs hit one...GRRRRRRRR

His massive fleet passes GG and turns west...Buna??? This could be a REAL threat to me. All my troops from the failed PM assault are retreating along the trail to Buna for Fast TF pick-up. If he takes the base, I run the risk of losing 40,000+ troops. The campaign would be completely over if he does that!

October 10th Partly Cloudy
Fleet just north of GG. Still could go there--might be headed for Lae. I HOPE it is Lae. I won't recover from losing all those men...

12 Betty attack this fleet without fighter escort--against orders--and are slaughtered.

Hey! Good News--Ro-33 puts 4TT into AP Lycaon and sinks her!

October 11th Clear
My first good turn in AGES!

Nearly 50 Betty pounce on a convoy at Cairns and manages to sink 2SC, 1WSW, and 2TK for no losses! YEA!!

18Z and 24B try to get into his invasion fleet. They are met by nearly 70 F4Fs and are cut in half--6Z and 12B fall for 4 Wildcats. No damage to his fleet. Move all Bombers to Lunga for training and morale improvement. Will call on them again when I feel like I have a better chance.

NAVAL REINFORCEMENTS!!! The AI is finally releasing to me some ships. CV Hiyo, 1CL, and about 10DD are on their way! With Hiyo, Zuiho, and Ryuho I should have some CBA to work with. Problem is, the AI did not release Musashi! I want that BB...

Oct 12th Clear
He is landing at Lae. This is daring but there isn't anything I can do about it. No fleet and not enough LBA to get through his fighter screen. I need to eliminate some of those F4Fs--RIGHT!

His CVs nail a small convoy entering Madang. I lose an AP.

Decide to move 3 of my best Zero Squadrons to Wewak and see if I can ambush his planes...

Oct 13th Partly Cloudy
I sent out a severely damaged Ap and PC from lae yesterday to distract him. It work--about 2,000,000 sorties were flown by his CVs to sink them. He has Wasp and Enterprise there I think.

Lae falls...Nadzab will be my rally point. I have the airfield at Lvl 3 there with plenty of support. Might use it as a nasty surprise sometime...

My convoys carrying an entire division and support troops are done unloading at Lunga, Tulagi, and Irau. They are pretty tough right now and heavily supplied.

Oct 14th Thunderstorms
Lose another AP from that raid two days ago.

He moves his fleet out again and appears headed for Finschafen...Makes sense. I don't have anything there and it is my logical jumping off point for a counter-attack.

Oct 15th Overcast
Two more AP go down from that raid at Madang.

Another TK of his sinks from my Betty raid of a few days ago.

I-33 attacks a group of APD and pays for it by sinking...

Oct 16th Partly Cloudy
S-44 puts a TT into an AP near Truk.

A TOAST of SAKI is raised to the intrepid Zero pilots of the three squadrons I moved to Wewak a few days ago. The day shall be known as " The Great Madang Wildcat Turkey Shoot!" My Z ambush a strike force coming into Madang. 65 F4Fs vs. 23Z--should be a slaughter! It is and I do the slaughtering! Dan loses nearly 30 (officially 21) F4Fs for a cost of only 2Z!!! Ohhhhh yaaa!

This loss must account for nearly 50% of two CV and/or 33% of 3 CV Fighter's force. I have an opportunity. I move all my Betty/Nell to Rabaul. I get two squadrons as reinforcements tomorrow and will add them to a (hopefully) massive strike! It is a roll of the dice but I don't have much to lose.


Those are the events through Oct 16th. My naval reinforcements shall be here in another 5-6 days. I will have some flexiblity at that point to try limited fleet counter-attacks.

_____________________________


(in reply to John III)
Post #: 48
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 7/7/2005 5:53:26 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		This AAR Update covers from October 17-27, 1942.

Things remain grim for the Japanese player. Dan has been very aggressive. I sensed and now knows how vulnerable I am since the carrier disaster and ill-fated PM invasion.

There is no strategy right now as the Japanese player. I am simply trying to pick-up some of the pieces and see if I can put together some sort of coherent defence against the Allies.

October 17th Partly Cloudy
Sub Action
I-157 puts a TT into a MSW and sinks her near Wunpuko

He appears to be moving ships and convoys to his eastern bases again. I keep getting the MSW notes about clearing paths. Nevea now has SBDs in it. Not sure about Kouro and Wunpuko. This sector has been VERY quiet and I cannot expect that to last.

Oct 18th Thunderstorms
A GOOD Note: 2 of his APDs hit mines at Kouro! I don't think they sank but it is good news.

He is moving his CVs away from Lae and leaving his convoys potentially vulnerable. I am moving planes into Nadzab to try to surprise him from nextdoor to Lae.

Fast TF arrives in Shortlands. I will begin to haul out troops from Buna. There are nearly 3 divisions worth of soldiers there and I desperately need them. The war would have been TOTALLY over had Dan chosen to invade Buna instead of Lae!

Oct 19th Thunderstorms
Subs
I-157 get in another kill by finishing off APD Little who had hit a mine yesterday!

Ominous moment--A bombing raid of twin engine bombers hit Rabaul from Lae...

I try a fighter sweep of PM and manage to shoot down just two planes. My pilots and squadrons are tired and depressed. They need rest and I think I had better give it to them.

On the OTHER hand: 24 Vals nail a convoy leaving Lae from Nadzab! I hit 4 AP and damage 2 seriously! A small victory. Bet that was a surprise. I'll try again tomorrow and then pull out of Nadzab before he flattens it...

Oct 20th Thunderstorms
NOTHING happens!

Oct 21st Overcast
My opponent takes swipe at Rossel with a Surface Bombardment. CA San Fransisco hits a mine and the attacks does nothing.

Lose an AP due to earlier damage.

Oct 22nd Overcast
Bombers FLATTEN Nadzab! I have a squadron of Zeros and Vals there. Had pulled out one of each of those squadrons yesterday (thank goodness). If Dan follows form, he will hit the base over and over until I cannot do anything.

I am fearful of a pincers movement coming from Wau and Lae and have decided to retreat towards Madang with everything. If he cuts me off, there is nothing I can do.

I successfully have loaded and unloaded (at Shortlands) my first regiment from Buna.

Form my remaining carriers for a raid on the eastern side of the board. Perhaps I can catch one of his convoys and get some victory points...his carriers are still in Australia.

Oct 23rd Overcast
Set-Up CAP over Nadzab and do VERY well: 15 Allied fighter and bombers for 3Z. Of course about 60 bombers still get through and trash the base...

Going for a second regiment at Buna with Fast TF.

Oct 24th Partly Cloudy
18Z versus HORDES of Allied fighters and Bombers over Nadzab! Lose 4Z for 6 Fgtrs/Bombers. Pulling CAP out from there. The base and total air dominance is his.

Oct 25th Partly Cloudy
A MSW hits a mine at Kouro.

Air Raid Nadzab

In another serious development--Avengers flying from Nevea hit a convoy at Irau. 2 AP damaged. Move a semi-rested Zero Squadron there...

Oct 26th Partly Cloudy
He now has bombers operating in numbers out of Lae. They hit two of my convoys heading into Kavieng and Rabaul. This, quite probably, signals the end. VERY BAD!

Lose a MSW from these raids and have 3 AP seriously damaged.

Unload 2nd Regiment from Buna at Shortlands.

Oct 27th Partly Cloudy
My Carrier raid is closing in on Nevea and Kouro. Hope to catch him napping...

Fast TF headed for Buna to get 3rd Regiment. These DDs and CLs are getting tired fast.

Bomber Status: I have two concentrations of Bombers right now. There are 44 in Rossel and 56 in Lunga. Moral is up and they are rested. My Zeros are all tired.

Got an entire new Infantry Division at Truk today. Am going to concentrate my APs and move it to Shortlands.

I REALLY Need more warships. All those ships I sent back to Japan are getting repaired pretty quickly. I expect to get substantial reinforcements within 2 weeks. We'll see...


Dan and I discussed surrender options yesterday. I have decided to keep this AAR up for another month of gametime to Dec 1st and decide at that point whether or not to keep going. This isn't too much fun at the moment; however, it is interesting to try to accomplish something with nothing...

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 49
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 7/11/2005 10:57:40 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		We are going to run at least one more month of game time.

I just got back from a little vacation up in the mountains and should get some turns in over the next couple of days.

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 50
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 7/14/2005 5:32:04 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		Having just read my 'one more month' statement, I must now admit that I am done. I am ending this AAR not because of losing to my fine opponent but due to the DAMNED AI within the game. Let me update and you shall see...

Oct 28th Thunderstorms
Thank Goddness for the weather. Little to no air activity.

Dan's troops enter Nadzab and I am panicking. If his other soldiers from Wau cut me off from Madang then I will lose all those troops. Thankfully, he does a shock attack and kicks me back a hex towards Madang.

He also takes Finschaven and Salamaua. New Guinea is his. I have Gili-Gili, Buna, Madang, and Wewak. He will have to backtrack and get rid of these bases sometime soon as I can raid from them.

My Carriers--Hiyo and 2 CVLs are now moving into strike range of his eastern island bases--Nevea, Kouro, etc...I hope to sting him with convoy raid and then head for Tulagi. Prep planes for 70% CAP and Naval Strikes. Need Victory Points...

Oct 29th Partly Cloudy
Sub Action
Sculpin puts a TT into a Jap AP
I-158 does the same to APD Stringham

Ohhhhhh for bad weather! Massive raid flattens GG for about 1,000,000th time!

Sucessfully pull out 3rd Inf Regiment and two command HQ from Buna. Shortlands is getting crowded with troops! Still only about 50% complete with Evac.

What should I do with these troops. Strengthen remaining bases? Counter-Attack in New Guinea through Madang or Finschaven?? Hmmmmm...

REINFORCEMENTS! BB Musashi, 2CA, and DD are on their way from Japan. Maybe I can begin to develop a fleet again...

Oct 30th Partly Cloudy
ABJECT DEPRESSION! My carriers enter into strike range and don't fly a single sortie! By that I mean NO CAP, NO Strikes, NOTHING! They are hit by Dauntlesses and Avengers and are soon to be sunk! Can't believe this. WTF??? What is the point to this if the CVs don't even try to protect themselves?

Ro-33 nails an AK north of Noumea with 2TT.


Just when I beginning to get back into the game, this happens. Has anyone else had something like that occur? Want to shoot the AI! Going to go and drink a bit!!



(in reply to John III)
Post #: 51
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 7/14/2005 7:21:52 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		Dan and I have decided to close out our AAR and start a new campaign with Scenario 17. Hope the readers enjoyed this. Apologise for occasionally basking in TOTAL depression over the AI.

My worthy opponent did quite well and I look forward to reading his AAR now.
John

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 52
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 7/14/2005 8:01:52 PM   
anarchyintheuk

 

Posts: 3921
Joined: 5/5/2004
From: Dallas
Status: offline 		Enjoyed the AAR and I am looking forward to the next one.

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 53
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 7/14/2005 9:57:49 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		Good News! I have been writing back and forth with Dan today and we plan to start a new AAR but with Sc 17 instead. We'll get that off the ground sometime today.

(in reply to anarchyintheuk)
Post #: 54
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 7/14/2005 10:02:34 PM   
TAIL GUNNER

 

Posts: 1152
Joined: 4/27/2005
From: Los Osos, CA
Status: offline 		Cool, you should really be able to give Canoerebel massive fits with the addition of the Midway carriers....

(in reply to John III)
Post #: 55
RE: Colorado vs. Georgia: The Copperas Bowl - 7/14/2005 11:16:26 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		Damned right!

(in reply to TAIL GUNNER)
Post #: 56
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