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A toe in the water - wobbly vs herb (I try again)

 
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A toe in the water - wobbly vs herb (I try again) - 7/13/2005 3:17:35 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		After a very long hiatus from the forums I have decided to return to play my old sparing partner Herb Hampson. Herb and I have had a crack at the Dec 7 scenario a couple of times and have called off continuing due to patch upgrade and recently because he started loosing divisions to the angry OOB monster – OKA patch 1.6.
Since we were sick of going through the initial period of the conquering of the DEI we decided to give the May 42 scenario a crack.
My initial thoughts were “well I wouldn’t have set up the area like this!” but I imagine this is as close to the OOB of the time that Matrix could get. By May in the main scenario I had supply and fuel mountains in most locations in the South Pacific with a very good cordon from Johnson to Palmyra to Canton to Nanomea. Support in depth included large bases at Fiji and Pago Pago. This was all created as a launching pad at the Gilberts.
Anyway enough musing – I don’t have all that lovely hard work. Lets look at what we’ve got and what I am planning – we’ll go by area.

India
Little of interest to report here. I’ve moved one of the tank Brigades in Karachi to Hyderabad as a rapid reaction force. I’ve moved most of the Artillery to Asansol and I’ve moved the two air regiments to Chandpur and Dacca respectively – these two are totally wasted in Karachi.
Most of the fleet is at Columbo and this is where it will stay for the time being. No operations are planned for the moment. I will go into an assessment phase, as I have no intelligence as to Herb OOB in this area. Recon and nuisance air raids the order of the day.

China
Playing Herb I know he is not that aggressive here. Therefore I have given orders to pull all the stragglers back to bases and attempt to build them up. At present I am not looking to retreat from the main rail line yet. We will see how much force he can bring to bear. If I think he is too powerful I will just retreat. The only location I don’t want to relinquish is Sian. The rest I can do without as long as I have adequate reserves to keep him under pressure and make him think twice about moving the units there out and to other locations.

DEI
Well it’s lost. As some of you will know I attempted to take Java as a location to hit PzB with, in my well published screw up game. He of course recognised the potential danger to oil and resource fields and took out his wooden spoon and spanked my botty raw! So, I am now somewhat chastened to have another crack here. I think this will only be a location for anti-shipping subs.

SW PAC
Is very well apportioned with air, land and sea assets, just not where I would have them. The biggest problem though is supplies. Everywhere is running on empty. To this end AK ships at Los Angeles start to load and 50 more are sent to the bigger supply dumps at San Fran to do the same. India will also supply Oz with a large TF at Bombay loading for the trip. I will send more from both locations as we go.

In the North, Darwin looks very lonely. I like to use Darwin to harass the southern DEI with a view to take Timor and further harass. I do know Herb has a liking to take Darwin as well. I have therefore sortied all the subs (17 I think) from Perth to work from out of Darwin. They will be its only protection. I have also ordered an AS ship to Darwin to keep them in torps. It will be touch and go as to whether it makes it…
The Oz Cavalry regiment at Brisbane is tasked to board trains and make its was to Darwin to bolster the ground composition. I am going to guard the hex SE of Darwin as well so that unloading unmolested and marching on Darwin is not a happy alternative if he chooses to do this. All ACs in Darwin are on search.

All other Oz cities and towns continue to build forts.

In the NE Townsville’s compliment ACs is increased with some Catalinas and Beauforts – more on this in a bit.

War Plan Alpha – the Liberation of the Solomons and New Guinea

A strategic plan to take these areas is handed to SWPAC and SOPAC.

Operation Rekindle – Holding Port Moresby
I have decided that I wont roll over in Port Moresby!!! This means we are likely to see some early fireworks! To this end I created:
Fast transport TF, consisting of 3 CA and 7 DD from Brisbane to bring in some much needed supplies.
Transport TF loading the 42nd Division and Aus Corp HQ from Brisbane
An AK in Sydney loading supplies. Both destined for PM
McCain’s Air combat TF of Yorktown and Lex escorted by 2 CA and 8 DD at Noumea
Lee’s Surface Combat TF of 3 CA, 2 CL and 8 DD at Noumea
These last two will move across towards oz in support of the reinforcement of PM. The battle of the Coral Sea may actually happen – gulp.
Little else is planned for War Plan Alpha at the moment. Lunga and Gili are going to be allowed to be lost in favour of the attempt to keep PM.
A construction Eng unit is being moved from Noumea to Luganville to establish a base there and an AV is being sent to Efate as PBYs are operating form there with no air support.

Centpac
Is actually quite well provisioned. There are units at Baker and Fanafoa (or something like that – below Nanomea). Air units are liberally mixed around these locations. Midway, Johnson and Palmyra are short of defensive capacity. To this end the 27th Division at Pearl is split and a regiment is sent to Midway – covered by Spruance with Saratoga, Enterprise, 2 CA and 6 DD
Another regiment is sent to Johnson covered by a surface TF of 2 BB, 2 CA, 3 CL and 7 DD.
The third regiment is earmarked for Canton but requires some serious support for cover.
Fuel and supplies are also sent to Palmyra – the F4F-3 s there return to Pearl (via Johnson) and Palmyra gets some PBYs.
Large numbers of subs have sortied from Pearl to create mayhem. They are on their way to Japan, the Marshals and around Truk.

War Plan Beta – Liberation of Gilberts and Marshals

Operation Rainbow – The Capture of Tarawa
This is a longer-range operation. The support for this isn’t in place yet. But already having a base force at Baker and another unit south of Nanomea has titivated the opportunity to mark Tarawa as a target.
To this end an FT mission at Pearl is put together to take the 4th marine CD unit to Baker. I want to try and keep Baker with a view to having it used as a close support jump off location.
The same thinking about Nanomea.
I am a long way from this situation for either of them. I also want to get Canton secure because it is the obvious location for damaged ships to retreat to and a strategic location for extra supply and fuel reserves. I also have an AS and AR earmarked for locating here.

West Coast USA

There are 150 AK at LA. I start loading supplies in a TF here for Oz, but 50 odd are heading to San Fran and its better supply base.
The Hornet and two slow BBs are off down to San Diego along with AP transports in order to pick up the 2nd Marines. They are tasked with moving to Noumea – as a mobile reserve.
3 heavy artillery Battalions are loaded in Seattle with a target of Pearl.

I have to coordinate my transport fleet a little better as I need to get the coffers in SOPAC full of war goodies. The benefit of the current position is that the areas around Canton are earmarked for expansion and this may mean that the route to SOPAC is made more direct.


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Post #: 1
RE: A toe in the water - wobbly vs herb (I try again) - 7/13/2005 4:34:06 AM   
cookie monster


Posts: 1693
Joined: 5/22/2005
From: Birmingham,England
Status: offline 		Good luck.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 2
RE: A toe in the water - wobbly vs herb (I try again) - 7/14/2005 6:07:55 PM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		Will be fun to follow this latest adventure

I'm pretty sure Herb isn't all to happy about the current dispositions in his game, and this may give you the time you need before
he moves on PM! Pretyy sure he will, it's a bugger to have that thorn in the side.

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to cookie monster)
Post #: 3
RE: A toe in the water - wobbly vs herb (I try again) - 7/14/2005 7:31:09 PM   
John III

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline 		I really enjoyed your last AAR and can only say GOOD LUCK!

(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 4
RE: A toe in the water - wobbly vs herb (I try again) - 7/15/2005 12:34:41 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Thanks cookie – glad to have you aboard – I hope to all allied fan boys I provide a better fight this time.

The arch Nemesis! PzB! It is going to be nice to have you on my side – or more important – not firmly rooted to the opposition. Yes he will try for PM – there is almost no doubt. Will he try straight away is the question….? I have size 3 forts there and if the miracle of ‘Operation Rekindle’ actually happens he will be facing the 42nd in PM as well as the forces already there. I imagine he is in the throws of starting the invasion now – makes sense – but he will probably want to bring quite a bit more to beer (Yes – I know it’s spelled wrong but it has a better look to it).

hey thanks John - hopefully I can come up to expectation.

The timing might just fall on my side if he loads 2 divisions to take the place only to get there and face a Division plus regiments behind forts. He will then have to find more or look to retire. The difficulty will obviously be that we will both be funnelling ships, planes and troops into the place and at this time of the war all of these are more capable for him!
A couple of days have passed in the Pacific War since my first post. Imperial and Allied forces are still getting into position.
The only notable inclusions have been a sub getting attacked on the Southern coast of Japan but not found of depth charged and my Fast transport supply mission to Port Moresby; the first moves of ‘Rekindle’.
Things instantly turn against me as the surface ships decide not to retreat but stay in Harbour. Rabaul has been waiting for this and send in 30 odd Betties escorted by 30 more zeros. Oz Kittyhawks get in the air to meet them but loose 5 of their number. Thankfully the Betties have a bad day and only one torp finds it’s mark on the Hobart. It is a poor strike and the Hobart is still in the green on sys damage with a small size 1 fire.
The 42nd Division has almost loaded in Brisbane harbour and the supply ship in Sydney has finished its job and starts on its way.
McCain and Lee are almost at a point East of Townsville where they will hold to wait for the transport ships.
Operation Rainbow is still in its early stages – although the Fast Transport of the 4th marine CD unit is about half way from Pearl to Baker; as is the A regiment of the 27th USA Div to Midway. The B regiment is still loading at Pearl (bound for Johnson).
Back in San Fran a large 55 transport ship TF arrives from LA. It is broken into a mix of smaller TFs tasked with getting supply and fuel to Pago Pago, Auckland, Suva, Canton, Christchurch, Brisbane and of course – Pearl.
In San Diego The 2nd Marines, Paras and raider battalions start to load on AP shipping. They will be guarded by Hornet and no less than 5 slow BBs (plus escorts). They are targeted to mid water below Christmas Island but will have an ultimate target of Noumea.


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(in reply to John III)
Post #: 5
RE: A toe in the water - wobbly vs herb (I try again) - 7/15/2005 12:58:43 AM   
PzB74


Posts: 5076
Joined: 10/3/2000
From: No(r)way
Status: offline 		It will be interesting to fight on the same side in W@W - that's for sure!

Remember to move some troops to Cooktown and fill the place up with Dakotas - you can bring in troops and supplies in a steady stream from there.
Will make it very hard to capture PM if Herbs starts loosing his momentum.

Your plan sounds pretty good - don't give up on the idea about Java. If you had landed on Timor and surged towards Borneo I would have found myself in much
more trouble as Oz would have provided you with a lifeline.

So what about a strike against Timor and the northern edge of New Guinea in late 42? Bring your invasion force into Perth, sail it past Broome and land away.
If the enemy is concentrating far away in the Solomons it will be awfully difficult to relocate quickly enough to prevent the initial landings.
By sustaining PM and building the small bases on the west coast of NG you can actually form a cohesive front. Solid land bases will make your LBA more telling...and that's
your biggest sledge hammer by far.

If you sail the Long Island east of Lunga and probe into Gili Gili I'm pretty sure you'll get Herbs attention!-)

_____________________________



"The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 6
RE: A toe in the water - wobbly vs herb (I try again) - 7/16/2005 2:58:34 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		John - I have two sqds of C-49s there now but as yet nothing to transport in. I am short of shipping to get units there too as they are taking part in Rekindle. I think the 7th Oz Div may have to be split and become ready reaction force for such requirements.

Another couple of days go by in the Pacific war. Herb is coordinating in the rear and since he has the initiative I have to wait on what he will do. So I haven't written anything because there is little to add.

Today - 8th of May 42

In India another transport TF begins loading supplies and fuel for Australia. Little else to add expect Herbie-san is busy reconning Eastern india. There is little for him to see here as I have most of my larger units in Asansol (he hasn't reconned here as yet) acting as mobile reserve. There is still no plans to advance in this arena, although I might attempt retaking Andaman island - this is in the future.

China is about the only area with action. 4 Chinese Corps manage to oust the Jap 11th Indian Division. They retreat with the Chinese to follow. At present these units are low on supplies so I don't know how effective they can be - especially since another jap unit is in residence. Chinese air hit the troops before the attack and Herb will have noticed they were heavily escorted by the AVG.

Darwin air continues to train by bombing and strafing the island to the north. The susb out of Perth should reach Darwin in about 3 days and will probably be beaten by the AS out of Brisbane which has managed to thread the needle between Northern Oz and New Guinea.

Operation 'Rekindle' goes ahead well with the reinforcement group at the same latitude as about mid Rockhampton - Townsville. Air out of Port Moresby has sighted about 4 subs and it seems he may be trying to cordon PM with them. This poses more than the immediate problem of subs attacking my reinforcement effort - it also promises to give away the fact I have bought carriers as the dauntlesses I must use for seaching are likely to find the subs. For this reason I may take the carriers out to the East rather than keep them in close to PM and GG - still unsure about this.

Operation Rainbow's first phase is completed successfully with the 4th marine CD unit being dropped off at Baker. The island now requires supplies in order to be effective so I rustle up a transport in Pearl to deliver some.

Pearl is also short of supplies and the replenishment TFs at SF are so numerous that they are draining the supplies faster than they can be replenished!

Midway and Johnson Island continue to unload their various regiments of the 25th Division. A couple more days should see this completed then the escort assets can move over to operation Rainbow.

In San Diego the 2nd Marines has finished loading. I add to newly aquired PBY sqds to the TF and let it continue
to load to capacity in supplies.

_____________________________




(in reply to PzB74)
Post #: 7
RE: A toe in the water - wobbly vs herb (I try again) - 7/16/2005 10:43:52 AM   
Raverdave


Posts: 6520
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: Melb. Australia
Status: offline 		Good to see you two back at it again !

_____________________________




Never argue with an idiot, he will only drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 8
RE: A toe in the water - wobbly vs herb (I try again) - 7/17/2005 7:22:12 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Hey thanks Dave - it's good to be back on the horse. Hoefully this one isn't quite as unruly!

THings get a little more interesting in India and China today.

Herb attacks my airbase in China with unescorted Sallies. They meet the AVG and loose 6 of their number to no fighters lost, however the bombers do manage to damage a few of the defending fighters and do make it to bomb the airfield - however their aim is off and no damage is done.

A very large force of 30 oscars, 27 zeros and 24 sallies hit Chandpur from Mandalay. I have the 41st fighter group here with P-40Es. They take a hammering lossing 12 ACs and only managing to bring down two zeros. Not very good rewards.

I pull the P-40s back to calcutta. Since numbers of fighters have a very large effect on combat I am going to try and lay a trap for this kind of attack. If I can figure out which airfield he will attack I can try and get parity in AC numbers. Since he is fighting at range he should suffer more from operational losses.

Little else to add. Rekindle is getting close to PM - next turn I will post a screen shot of the progress it is making. I also move kittyhawks and warhawks up to Cooktown in rediness to fly to PM for defense above these convoys.

In SF the large replenishment forces put to sea. SF is in teh pink for supplies! I have never seen that before. The 2nd Marines continue to load.

_____________________________




(in reply to Raverdave)
Post #: 9
Rekindle discovered - 7/17/2005 10:01:40 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Only action in Northern India today. Herb gives me a slap on the wrist with oscars escorting a bombing riad on the small airbase of Kohima. I loose 12 Hurricanes (not 7 as this says - I think we may be suffering combat summary inequalities again..)

I am not running away though as I put more Hurricanes in there are set them to fly at 15K feet.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/09/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on Kohima , at 34,25

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 27
Ki-21 Sally x 54
Ki-15 Babs x 6

Allied aircraft
Lysander I x 3
Hurricane II x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Lysander I: 3 destroyed
Hurricane II: 7 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Rekindle starts to warm up. The attached image shows you the subs herb has placed in the way of PM. I will try and skirt them with a change of direction but his subs do have search AC on board and have managed to find both Task forces. This is not good as I wanted to get as close as I could without being seen. I don't know what information his scouting acheived but hopefully it does not display as aircraft carriers. He will jump at the chance of engaging me and I would rather he didn't - although I am pretty certain the whole of the KB is not in position to attack. If memory serves just Shokaku, Zuikaku and Shoho are in the area.

In Darwin my AS makes base successfully - the susb are still a fair way away though. They'll refuel at their new base and then go and cause some problems in Herbs resource locations.





Attachment (1)

_____________________________




(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 10
RE: Rekindle discovered - 7/17/2005 1:45:31 PM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		A very interesting turn indeed. Not alot occured in combat but manouvering aplenty.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/10/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 64,89

Japanese Ships
AK Atlas Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-38

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 49,48

Japanese Ships
AK Heimei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 16

Allied Ships
SS Triton

Two nice little sub actions both ships will probably survive though and neither carrying troops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was some air action in China and nothern Burma but the weather was bad so any operations Herb was mounting were grounded.

Some very intersting occurances in the sigint front:

32nd Special Base Force is loaded on AK,Tetsuwa Maru moving to Biak.

Biak is an island on the north tip of New Guinea. A strange place to put a base unit. This tells me Herb is already thinking of defence in depth. This is well away from the front lines.

128th IJA Base Force is loaded on AP,Nekka Maru moving to Taytay.

Another base unit is off to the phillipines. This I imagine is to try and cover the likely routes of his resource Transport TFs from my subs.

South Seas Det. is loaded on AP,Mogamigawa Maru at Rabaul.

But this is the really interesting one! He has the South Seas Detachment loaded in Rabaul! The most likely place he is heading with these guys is Port Moresby! If the 42nd Division manages to unload then the South Seas Detachment will definately not suffice!

Herb taunted me with his thinking. He is leaning in the direction of me reinforcing PM. He is of course, bang on the money. His bloody glen toting subs are furnishing him with very good intelligence - this turn they manage to scout my tanker ships following the carriers. I imagine every AC in Rabaul and any in Lae will be warming up their engines and readying for anti-naval work. To meet this I have the kitchen sink at PM. 2 sqds of Kittyhawks flying at 15K, 1 sqd of Warhawks at 17K, a whole group of P-39s at 6K and a sqd of Wirriways at 4K. That is a mighty amount of fighters - I hope he doesn't have too many zeros as they will have a field day. If hs is light on escort though it could be my pilots in clover.

I am having kittens about leaving my Carriers out there under Gili-Gili. I still think he hasn't had time to get an overwhelming Carrier force to the South Pacific and I should therefore have a reasonable chance at giving as good as I get. My dauntlesses are all primed to fly at 20K while the fighters stay down at 12K. I am hoping and defensive zeros will be much lower than my bombers.

More on Carriers - here is an exert from the operational summary:

B5N Kate sighting report: 1 Allied ship at 79,74 , Speed 7 , Moving West

This is 3 hexes to the east of Eniwetok. It could be out of Kwajalein but that is some distance. It is also strange that it would be searching if land based - better to use his other scout ACs for that than waste a Kate. I expect it is one of the smaller carriers. Is he looking to move South of the Gilberts too? He has many subs stationed around Baker Island. I am moving 6 Destroyers to Noumea from Pearl. They may have a crack at one of these on the way.

In other areas things are moving too. I receive the 1st marines and they begin loading at SF. I will wait on the 2nd marines and they can both go under the protective umbrella of the Hornet's ACs.

_____________________________




(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 11
RE: Rekindle discovered - 7/17/2005 2:30:39 PM   
Arstavidios

 

Posts: 780
Joined: 11/19/2004
Status: offline 		Hi, I'm playing the same scenario against Toast as the allies. We've reached October now.
I've had a slow start with the need to bring a lot of things fronm the West Coast especially engineers and the fact that that all the DEI, Malaya and PI units have been destroyed. A lot of units especially HQs also do not appear.

I'm having plenty of action in the air and in China for the moment and my first offensives in the Pacific should start rolling soon.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 12
RE: Rekindle discovered - 7/19/2005 3:05:54 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Arstavidios: Alot of the game is about getting th units you want to the locations you want. I have to agree. Sometimes, like today your opponent does not want you to accomplish this though

A day of quiet followed by the 12th of May. The day this scenario really burst into life.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/12/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 49,46

Japanese Ships
PG Kogyoku Maru
PG Kure Maru #5
PG Kozan Maru
PG Kongosan Maru
PG Kiso Maru
PG Keiko Maru

Allied Ships
SS Triton

Triton meets and ASW TF up by the gap between Taiwan and the Phillipines (in fact she meets twice - I've cut one). She is a feisty bird even if she can't hit anything and fires her torps before being missed by the hunters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 61
Ki-49 Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB-2c: 1 destroyed
IL-4c: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7

A massive high altitude bombing mission - with no escort - goes against the base of most of my Chinese bombers. A few are hit on the ground and unfortunately the AVG, who are ususally based here as well, are not in place to make this sort of thing painful.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kiungahan , at 39,41


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 6


Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 4 damaged

The Chinese try to retaliate but their planes are very wayward.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 70
G3M Nell x 25

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 15
Kittyhawk I x 26
P-39D Airacobra x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 16 destroyed, 1 damaged
G3M Nell: 7 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 13 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 16 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 16 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 12 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
CA New Orleans
CA Astoria
DD O'Brien
DD Selfridge

Herb does as I hoped he wouldn't and sends a massive escort with his bombing raid. The way the game sorts this out seems a little unrealistic as in real life, despite the escort, interceptors did get amongst the bombers. In WitPs case fighters duel first, before they can get to the bombers. When one side has a large numerical and capability bonus they will devastate the defending fighters before they get a chance at the bombers.
So in this case I lost screeds of fighters and never even contacted the bombers - bomber losses were caused by AAA from the surface fleet.
The surface fleet do very well at dodging the incoming bombers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 60
D3A Val x 41

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 3
Kittyhawk I x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 21
P-40E Warhawk x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A Val: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 3 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 8 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 20 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP Esperance Bay, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage

What I had not written was that I split the transport fleet into individual ships. The surface fleets stayed together and were to absorb as many attacks as possible while the transports unloaded.
It is obvious, form this report, that Herb has indeed bought up the carriers. He is very very unlucky with his attacks though. Some Kates fail to find targets but otherwise nothing but this large strike of Vals. You can see my heavily debilitated defence force just can't take on another 60 crack zero pilots.
Another strange thing to note is that the Esperence Bay appears empty??? No men are lost and the ship lists as having 1 supply left in its hold.

Strange

She is a colander though - 99 sys damage and 70 float. She is in PMs port so I try to save her by disbanding but I don't hold out much hope.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 56,102

Japanese Ships
SS I-17

Allied Ships
AO Neosho, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Sims

The Neosho - holding fuel for the Carrier group - is hit by a lurking sub. There are many of these little buggers south of PM and GG. the Neosho splits from Sims but I make an escort group and point them to Townsville. I imagine the subs will be circling.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So a new day dawns

The counting of costs comes to 75 allied ACs destroyed to 45 Japs - 20 of these are zeros. This is in all theatres. Operation Rekindle has suffered damage to the Neosho and the very likely loss of the Esperance Bay. Defending fighter numbers have been gutted while Jap fighter and especially bomber numbers are relatively unhurt.
Despite these painful losses they have done stirling work. If the combat report is to be believed the Esperance Bay unloaded any troops onboard during the night, so lost none in the bombing. 3 5ths of the 41st Division and most of the Aus 3rd Corps HQ have been unloaded. I expect the bulk of these guys to be ashore by the morning although the AP Kanimbla appears to not have obtained a berth at the port and still has 3700 cargo space worth of the 41st Division aboard. If Herb gets her he will hurt me.

So to tomorrow then. Rekindle can almost be counted a success. The point was to get the troops ashore. This has been mostly achieved and will be mainly achieved by the time ACs can intervene tomorrow. Only a surface attack will stop this and I have no scouting information that one is on the way.

The decision is made to retire the surface combat TFs to Townsville - this is a really big leap of faith that I have not seen a surface combat TF heading to PM. I have the willies just thinking about it! With carriers right next door though - I cannot get as lucky as I did today with aerial attacks. He would likely damage a majority of Lee's surface TF. If no enemy surface combat TF arrives then the carriers and LBA will have individual targets to hit. Hopefully this continues to lessen my damages and either way - it should be after the bulk of the men get ashore.

McCain unloads all his fighters and dauntlesses from his carriers to PM. I want to persuade Herb that sitting where he is with Carriers is a dangerous prospect. Especially if he continues to use such a large force for escort rather than defence of his flat tops. The dauntlesses are slated to fly in at 21K while two sqds of beauforts are charged with a wavetop mission. Escorting them will be the remains of the Warhawks - 8 of - and the 20 F4F -4s off the carriers.

PM air defence is also bolstered by 21 F4F-3s and 5 Kittyhawks. If this battle continues for much longer though I will be down to the dregs. Herb can just continue to fly sweep missions and he will gut the South Pacific fighter force. I therefore want to get as much supply off the boats as possible.

Subs around PM are also off after the carriers or at least to make him worry about steaming around the area so brazenly.

Oh and one more thing about PM - she just upgraded to level 5. So if I can hang on the heavies will be able to use it.

Other than this massive conflagration the Pacific is warming up as well. Recon is now taking place over Baker. I will need to get some more supplies to the defenders here and this is a task for the same group that got the Marine CD unit ashore earlier. Operation Rainbow is obviously moving more slowly than Rekindle but most of the transport ships with fuel and supplies are now away from the West Coast. This does not include the 1st Marines who are loading in SF or the 2nd Marines who are waiting for them under Hornets aircover.




_____________________________




(in reply to Arstavidios)
Post #: 13
RE: Rekindle discovered - 7/19/2005 10:39:10 PM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Well the outcome of the day is good - such as that is.

Herb moves his carriers forward to put pressure on Port Moresby and probably to put pressure on my reinforcements. He has managed this but in the meantime also tried a fast transport to Buna. It is found by the combined might of the airpower at PM and thumped.

I have included the combat report - and I know I hit him as a CL is listed as sunk. But in my turn I sunk 3 CLs and the attack he has on PM hits nothing - while in fact I have a sunk PG and another very sick.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/13/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 96,94

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Chew
DD Litchfield
DD John D. Ford
DD Barker
DD Allen

Be nice if it happened - Destroyers on their way to Noumea find a sub mid ocean.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 18,24

Japanese Ships
SS I-10

Allied Ships
DD Fortune, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Foxhound
DD Express
DD Decoy
DD Arrow
DD Tjerk Hiddes

He pays me back by attacking a Brit DD off Ceylon. It is listed as sunk - yet again I got no listing of this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Dacca , at 31,24

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 72
Ki-21 Sally x 63
Ki-49 Helen x 26
Ki-15 Babs x 5

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 13 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 15 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Oil hits 2

I think this one did take place. I loose 12 Hurricanes and 2 Warhawks while he looses 12 oscars and some Helens.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 24
Ki-49 Helen x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
Kittyhawk I x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Runway hits 1

Now this one doesn't appear to have happened either as I destroy no Rufes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 50th Chinese Corps, at 40,38

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 34
Ki-21 Sally x 20
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported

THis is the last of 3 attacks in China as Herb repulses a ground attack I tried at Nanning with pretty awful results.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,90


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
SBD Dauntless x 66
Kittyhawk I x 4
Beaufort I x 9
Beaufort V-IX x 11
P-39D Airacobra x 30
P-40E Warhawk x 3


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 4 damaged
Beaufort I: 2 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Minazuki
AV Kamikawa Maru, Shell hits 12
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 8
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 16, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nagatsuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD APD-38, Shell hits 8
APD APD-39, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fumizuki, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Somethign to make a grown allied fanboy smile like an idiot. I just do not know how well this actually went.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 74
G4M1 Betty x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
Kittyhawk I x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 9 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
PG Swan

This is the attack I get against the Swan only I find it sunk after the fact.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,90


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
SBD Dauntless x 53
Kittyhawk I x 4
Beaufort I x 9
Beaufort V-IX x 8
P-39D Airacobra x 30


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AV Kamikawa Maru, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 4
CL Yubari, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Satsuki
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fumizuki, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nagatsuki, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

More attacks in the afternoon but the bombers seem to have lost their aim.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well I know I attacked him but I really don't know how things went. This turn I set up all my planes to naval attack with full fighter escort. He is likely to move against PM with his carriers - which are now just above Giligili.

This will obviously mean he now has his fighters heavily on defence and I may just be throwing these planes away - hope not.
The main part of the Division is now ashore with just 2000 stubborn troops pissing about on the ships. The vital size 6000 APs - still with supplies aboard are melded with some other APs and head for the Torres staight. Hopefully Herb goes away at some time and they can come back - but if not they will have to travel the whole way around Oz.
The rest of the transports here stay to continue offloading the vital supplies and the few remaining troops. I am very likely to loose most of these ships including 3 type 4000 APs and 5 4500 AKs. Crews are given life Jackets and told to unload as best as their bodies will let them - this will be their 3rd straight night.
The Surface units that ran away are now at Cairns. Unless he parks the CVs by PM these guys will always be a thorn. Trouble is I now really do not have many fighters to defend them. The Carrier continue down towards Brisbane. Now that the KB is here they really don't want to be in the neighbourhood. All things going well they can get their airwings back later.
So Operation Rekindle continues, and really in the face of some stubborn resistance. Many brave pilots have fallen and now a number of naval ships and some of their crews as well, but the troops have yet to take a bomb on board a ship with troops - truely it is going well. Things WILL change this turn I think.

IN Darwin the subs make their new home base and then refuel and head out to the DEI. Hoefully they can cause some mayhem.

In India I think I am taking reasonable toll of his attack formations so I rest a couple of Hurricane sqds and move two others up to Dacca. The Warhawks are not getting reinforcements as they are needed for the South Pacific.

At San Fran the 1st Marines leave in their transports bound for Noumea.

Again the air scores were 45 allied planes lost 75 Jap ones - so this is a turn around from the day before.

_____________________________




(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 14
RE: Rekindle discovered - 7/20/2005 6:33:35 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		The vicious battles about Operation Rekindle continue. At last herb uses a surface combat force and it wrecks teh remnants of rekindle that have stayed behind - thank god I moved out the other APs!! They escape to the West through Torres Strait.
PM air takes revenge during the day by attacking their friends the FastTransport TF which has limped to Lae.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/14/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese Ships
DD Okikaze
DD Yukaze
DD Numakaze
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake

Allied Ships
AP Manoora, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

AP Manunda, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

AK Barwon, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

AK Adelong, Shell hits 21, on fire, heavy damage

AK Rhesus, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

AP Kanimba, Shell hits 34, and is sunk

AK Mungana, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
164 casualties reported

185 casualties reported

185 casualties reported

All of these were individual comabts and they were all VERY one sided. the 3 priceless APs are the real loss, then the loss of the supplies on board the AKs. However, this was not exactly unexpected and really it could be considered bolting the door after the horse has left - or more aplty got bak into it's stall (if that makes any sense?). The most important point is that the APs that had unloaded (other than supplies) had run away and escaped this fate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 31

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 8 damaged

The first tentative air raid by my heavies is an unmitigated failure. The escorts don't go with it and despite battling through the oscars my Liberators don't do a thing to the airstrip or the planes on it...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 7
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 52
Kittyhawk I x 6
Beaufort I x 10
Beaufort V-IX x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 3 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Satsuki
CL Tenryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD APD-31, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minazuki, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AV Kamikawa Maru, Shell hits 32, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
APD APD-46, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fumizuki, Shell hits 8
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 16

Another good attack on the dregs at Lae. APD-31 and Minazuki are reported sunk during the day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 9
Kittyhawk I x 5
Beaufort V-IX x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Sunten Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sasago Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire

There also appears to be APs at Lae and I hit 2 of them - Sunten Maru can't be feeling well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 18,24

Japanese Ships
SS I-10, hits 9, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Arrow
DD Foxhound
DD Express
DD Decoy

In the tit for tat battle of ASW and Sub by Ceylon - my ASW ships manage to get one back on the lost DD yesterday. There is another sub in the vacinity and it is the next target.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The focus of the war is still down in the SW Pacific. A better turn there for Herbie–san as he manages to upset Rekindle and really up the cost of this OP. Not unexpected and still a better result than if I hadn’t moved the priceless AP shipping away.
I have the single main problem now – supplies. The newly unloaded Division has no supplies and PM is still at amber stage 5500 of a wanted 6200. My air Ops are of course putting a strain on here too. Herb will know this. There is only one relief on the horizon for this and it is in the shape of a singular 7000 type AK now sitting 4 hexes to the West of PM (see map). He has cleaned PM harbour out now and will probably think that he doesn’t need to repeat this – especially since these DDs were only saved by weather from PM’s wrath today. So this AK is heading for PM with orders to disband. Hopefully a single AK does not invoke the interest of all the Jap AC and can negotiate the subs. In a way she is like the Ohio was to the Pedestal Operation in WW2 to Malta. I have started loading another 4500 type AK in Townsville to attempt another run – this is starting to push the boundaries of my supply capacity in Australia though – relief is still weeks away!
It has definitely not escaped my notice that it is one thing to move a large force to an isolated location; it is another thing entirely to keep them in chow and shells. We shall see how I manage I suppose.
The most important and impactful opposition is obviously the enemy carrier force – now caught in the island archipelago East of GG. What will herb do with it? I would have thought he would have thrust through last turn if that were his intention. I must give them breathing room. If he moves on PM then I still have plans to hit him as best I can – the object to put a few holes in the deck of a carrier or two. He will be wary of this of course. I have been flying my Dauntlesses in at 20K. He will know they are above 15K as they are diving in groups of 9. I have done this for two turns. Time to change and they go down to 8K. This could badly backfire as he already knows my Beauforts and airacobras have been on the deck. I suppose if I just manage to make him put his fighters up above 15K then it might make a difference.

Elsewhere the Chinese army I have at Nanning suffered bombing again today but I didn’t add it to the combat report. They have been stuck as I am not able to make a target of another base without the AI preferring to march me towards Canton. To me this is a trap so I am trying to march on Hanoi with a view to changing it later.





Attachment (1)

_____________________________




(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 15
Awful day - 7/20/2005 1:34:17 PM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Not a red letter day at all for the allies.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/15/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 50,100

Japanese Ships
SS I-7

Allied Ships
DD Meredith
DD Cummings
DD MacDonough
DD Dewey
DD Phelps
DD Selfridge

I try to clear some of the umpteen subs he has between Townsville carins and PM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 5 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 8 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 4 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
Beaufort I: 1 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranuhi
DD Isokaze
DD Maikaze
DD Hayashio
DD Yukikaze
DD Hatsukaze
CL Jintsu
CL Sendai
BB Hiei
BB Haruna


Allied ground losses:
569 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 93
Port supply hits 1

Oh crap - ouch and double ouch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 7 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 2 destroyed
Beaufort I: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Asagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Natsugumo
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami


Allied ground losses:
442 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 3

Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 121

THe double whammy - what a horrible mess.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 135 encounters mine field at Tarawa (85,91)

Japanese Ships
AP Akashisan Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Well the target of operation rainbow is getting reinforced - at least I make him pay to do so.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kohima , at 34,25

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 29
Ki-21 Sally x 43
Ki-49 Helen x 17

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 32

Now he is also hitting in the North. I move the AVG here to welcome him this turn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on 50th Chinese Corps, at 40,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Ki-21 Sally x 18

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

No matter what I try I cannot get these guys to move back. Ok AI you win - I'll go south - but if you cut me off I'll be very grumpy!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 50,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
D3A Val x 101
B5N Kate x 102

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD MacDonough, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Meredith, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Phelps, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Dewey, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Selfridge, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
DD Cummings, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

The whole bloody carrier force the Japs have decide to pop up in the South and they are just in range of the ASW group I had. I am a bloody plonka and this day proves it. What the hell was I thinking trying to mount ASW operations with all his carriers about - it is not as if he hasn't warned me!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Goodenough island, 56,93


Japanese ground losses:
146 casualties reported

Hello - landings on GOodenough Island...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An awful day at the office. It is not as if I had buggered things up enough but I also left "allow replacements" on my ACs at PM. They off course follow my orders and now I have 64 unservicable dauntlesses plus countless other aircraft that can't fly out.

The only silver lining is: it does not appear he is bringing invasion TFs - although I never saw yesterday's surface force or todays bombardment forces so why should this change? So I may be able to repair and fly these planes out - who knows! Another benefit is none of the pilots die and they are the priceless cammodity.

All planes abandon PM (that can fly) and it is up to the engineers to get the place working again. I do have a serious engineering contingent now - and the 5000 supplies arrived after teh bombardment forces. The AK is put into port and will slowly unload - I may try sneaking it out if I can get the chance. Time to hunker down and take my medicine.

Every surface force in teh norht of Oz either puts into port or heads south at best speed.

Another bitter pill was the Neosho - damaged by sub torpedo has burnt to the waterline and seccumbed - she wasn't the first and she wont be the last. Two hexees from port.

If there is no invasion force, what is he going to do? Hopefully he will stooge around looking for targets while I try and dry those up, and then bugger off north. If he makes a play for PM it is all up to the defenders and the amount of supplies I can get in. Witht he damage he has done I am not going to be building forts for a while. I was at level 3 half way to 4. The damage at PM could take as long as a week to repair even if he leaves me alone. I don't imagine I'll get that respite - he is more likely to hit me with level bombers now. It is all up to the engineers - of course they will consume vital supplies trying to get teh place back and running. I think I may have to look at a few fast transport missions! KB has to leave for that though - hmmm my fortunes are not in my own hands.

I loose 84 ACs to his 10 - talk about turn the tables!

Today the Illustrious arrived doubling my POM carrier capacity.


_____________________________




(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 16
RE: Awful day - 7/20/2005 3:57:09 PM   
Raverdave


Posts: 6520
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: Melb. Australia
Status: offline 		Just keep pouring fighters into PM, it is quantity not quality that is important.

_____________________________




Never argue with an idiot, he will only drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 17
RE: Awful day - 7/20/2005 8:18:33 PM   
EUBanana


Posts: 4552
Joined: 9/30/2003
From: Little England
Status: offline 		Subs as the sole defence for Darwin...

well, your gonna lose that then.


(in reply to Raverdave)
Post #: 18
RE: Awful day - 7/21/2005 3:10:49 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Dave - yeah - got ta get some replacements and get the buggers airworthy first. he keeps using those bloody BBs to flatten my airfields! Very un-neighbourly!

EUBanana - Yeah no loss though. It's too humid the beaches are either closed for bottle jellyfish one season or crocs the next - better without it!

A strange but still very eventful turn. I think it is herbie's turn to stuff up and all my troops, in all their guises hunker up under what appears to be the whole combined fleet!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/16/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91

Japanese Ships
DD Oyashio
DD Kuroshio
DD Kagero
DD Makigumo
DD Akigumo
DD Yugumo
CL Katori
BB Kirishima
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Runway hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Port Moresby endures 3 more nightly bombardments. From 3 more Bombardment groups!!! they could be fogiven for thinking that someone doesn't like them. Two points of note are that the DDs bombarded yet all the field guns of the 41st Division don't take any part in repelling them AND that despite there still being 174 planes on PM (all damaged) he doesn't hit a single one!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on Cairns , at 47,100

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 115
B5N Kate x 100

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 15
Port fuel hits 7
Port supply hits 7

I think he may have left Port attack on for his naval bombers as they scream down on Cairns. The problem for him is there are no ships in Cairns harbour and he only ends up loosing more Naval bombers than he did against my ASW group (yesterday). The port takes a pounding and I loose a tonne of vital supplies, but otherwise it is not a big deal. He will be better served strike the port in Townsville. There is a heap of shipping there I could not get out. Hopefully he has naval attack and port attack secondary orders as I have given him a target to hit instead of the port.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 56,96

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranuhi
DD Isokaze
DD Maikaze
DD Hayashio
DD Yukikaze
DD Hatsukaze
CL Sendai

Allied Ships
SS S-41, hits 2, on fire

One of the 22 subs in or on it's way to the area is caught by the Jap DDs of a retiring Bombardment force.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 40 troops unloading over beach at Deboyne Island, 58,96


Japanese ground losses:
2442 casualties reported

The big Faux Pas for Admiral herbie-san. I count 5 units unloading on this Island. I can imagine he had Patrol orders and aimed at this little dot in the ocean. Now his troops have started unloading here. He will have to wait to load them up again and he has lost 2442 casualties into the bargain:

A momentary reprieve for PM?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A lack of supplies and the quadruplicate bombardments during the night mean only 6 ACs have been repaired and that the facilities are still pretty beaten up. The AK that made it to PM harbour will be a life saviour though. Despite not being part of a TF it still manages to unload about 800 supplies and has another 4500 to deliver. If all of these get ashore then the supply situation will be abated for the meantime. C-49s out of Cooktown continue to add to the stockpile though. Either way I will have to be very frugal with flight operations.
I imagine Herb has blown his bolt in the Bombardment stakes for the meantime and I may get a little rest. The KB will of course continue to harass, but every sortie will eat into his ammo stocks and he has a reasonable distance to get back to a replenishment location.
This unintended unloading at Deboyne Island will surely through a spanner in the timing of his invasion. He has also commented that he doesn’t know how I got so many troops to PM so fast. He should he killed half of the transports! I have sown a bit of discord here by saying there was quite a number there originally. Either way I am pretty sure he will have underdone the amount required. The vital thing is the supplies.
The other things is the couple of dozen subs I have heading to the area. Some are as much as 5 days away but I think this thing is going to go on as long as this if not more.
I am lining myself up for a few risks – mainly in fast transport of supplies to the beleaguered defenders but also in bolstering the garrison further if this is required. Another little titbit to add is that the strain on my AC numbers has required me to downgrade a 24-plane P50E sqd to Tomahawks (in Townsville). It will take a while to get them airworthy but their numbers will be useful.
In India I plan large bombing raids on Akyab.
The Chinese units stuck at Nanning at last move – had to let the AI have its way. Herb may see this as an opportunity to cut them off so I much Chinese troops out from Wuchow to try and stop such a move.
Elsewhere reinforcements in the shape of the C regiment of the 25th Division board ships in Pearl. They are bound for Canton Island on the continued preparations for Rainbow. They are being escorted by Saratoga and Enterprise (with escorts) and 4 BBs plus escorts. With his Carriers attacking PM any other attempt to stop this reinforcement should meet a sticky end!
In San Fran a group of Mitchells load for the South Pacific along with more supplies. The ocean to the SE of Hawaii is green with Task forces. It is reasonably comforting to know where the KB currently sits!



_____________________________




(in reply to EUBanana)
Post #: 19
RE: Awful day - 7/21/2005 12:19:24 PM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Another strange turn. Herb's Carriers take off down the coast of Oz but I am not hanging around again and have headed further south. It comes down to ASW and Sub action which i loose hands down.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/17/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 56,95

Japanese Ships
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Asagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Natsugumo

Allied Ships
SS S-38, hits 2, heavy damage

Ouch

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 55,95

Japanese Ships
DD Oyashio
DD Kuroshio
DD Kagero
DD Makigumo
DD Akigumo
DD Yugumo

Allied Ships
SS S-41, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 56,96

Japanese Ships
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
SS S-38, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

And that is the end of two S class subs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Very little to add in this turn. It appears I am not making much headway with repairs at PM due to lack of supplies. The Ak there is unloading but it isn't going very quickly. I think Herb will start to bomb PM now that he knows there are no fighters there - he swept it this turn.

He wrote in an email that he was retiring now but I can see AKs heading west. If he turns these around - fine - but it is still code red until the boshiedo boogey man is obviously retreating.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 20
PM or Bust - 7/22/2005 4:27:54 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		It is official! First I have overwritten the combat summary, and second, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know Herb is gunning for PM. I am either lucky I got in in time or I have just signed the death or POW warrants on all the extra men that landed. If the misplaced landings on the dot island are anything to go by then the invasion force consists of the 65th Brigade, the 21st Mixed and the South Seas Detachment; along with this were two engineering units. This is a pretty capable force. The main problems are: is it all there is? How much damage will he take upon landing – he did lose about 2300 man landing on the dot island?
This turn he bombarded PM again and it killed about 300 men and some guns – at last mine fired back!!! 2 hits on one of the BBs [L] so almost not worth writing about.
The ASW war goes back my direction this time when an S boat catches up to a singleton AK heading for PM and heavily damages it.
The Jap Carriers have appeared to move off the coast. I think he is trying to ‘hide’ them as if they are no longer there. It is a viable ploy, as I want to see if I can get some more supplies into PM via Fast transport. With the Carriers about this is obviously VERY dangerous. Speaking of supplies nothing unloaded from my docked AK this turn. The Dakota’s continued to do their work – although loosing 5 of their number to operations – but the vital AK is no longer doing it’s job.
It very much looks like Herb will be making landfall in the next turn or so. He hasn’t had time to go all the way back to Rabaul to reload the big bombardment guns and return but that will occur in the next few days. I have to find a way to get more supplies to the combatants to give them half a chance. At present the best way to accomplish this is C-47s and fast transport – Only fast transport from Darwin could do this though due to the KB – and I only have one DD in Darwin to do the job. He will have surface combatant defenders and they will eat my singleton DD alive. I have to make a decision as to whether I continue to try and resupply in dribs and drabs or try to resupply in a big effort. The big effort can only mean risking my carriers – everyone on these boards and myself inclusive – would not sanction that at mid 42. It may just be fend for themselves and hope the subs can make the bombardment runs dangerous. There will also be opportunities – like I am thinking I may try to move a surface force north of the KB and try a mid ocean intercept of transport ships – a very long shot and very dangerous so unlikely. Plenty more to muse about

China is still an area of Japanese air attack as he molests my retreating Nanning attackers. He was also attacking Homan with Oscars on training missions – I moved two squads of I-16s there and killed 4 of his fighters for no loss – just a little warning shot – you haven’t beaten me there yet to start using it as your training play ground!
Elsewhere things are quiet: Rainbow continues to load at Pearl. The two marine Divisions are making slow progress across the ocean and I am umming and aarrring as to whether this is not an opportunity to take Tarawa as he is obviously very much engaged with Port Moresby.


_____________________________




(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 21
The attack at baker Island! - 7/22/2005 2:14:55 PM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Holy Mother! Action everywhere. Port Moresby invaded. Attacks in India from the air. Clashes at Baker Island. It is all happening!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/19/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 56,95

Japanese Ships
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
DD Oshio
DD Asashio
DD Tanikaze
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
SS Greenling, hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

A very sour note as Herb takes the honous in the sub hunt - another falls in teh shallows trying to get to the deeper water S of PM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Baker Island at 94,92

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
DD Uranami
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami, Torpedo hits 1
DD Asagiri, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
PT PT-25
PT PT-27
PT PT-28
PT PT-45

I didn't note before that I had moved the PTs at Pearl to Johnson-Palmyra-Canton and then sent 4 up to Baker. Well it pays of handsomely as to shot provide two hits!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Baker Island at 94,92

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Aoba, Shell hits 3
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kako, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Uranami, Shell hits 1
DD Shikinami, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Asagiri, on fire
DD Akebono

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Vincennes
CL Nashville, Shell hits 2
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 3
DD Jarvis
DD Craven, Shell hits 1
DD Fanning
DD Drayton
DD Lamson
DD Case, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Conyngham
DD Perkins
DD Smith, Shell hits 1
DD Preston, Shell hits 1

However, the PTs aren't the only show in town and my fst transport mission that landed the 4th Marine CD unit are back with shells and chow. Instead they are greeted by burning DDs and a whole lot more to boot! The action is furious but I think this is an allied minor victory. It is the CLs Nashville and Honolulu that do the damage with good penetrating hits on Furutaka and Kako - follow up explosions mark fires. In return San Francisco and Case are sporting small to medium fires, light flooding and 40 Sys damage. They head for Palmyra.
I move the 4 Dutch O class subs on screen to locations I think the wounded ships should head and hope for the best.
I think that will wake Herb up to the fact he has a fight on his hand at Baker as well as Port Moresby!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 40
TF 40 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91


875 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
DD Kikuzuki
AP Teiyo Maru
AP Seattle Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Ryoyo Maru
MSW Toshi Maru #1, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
2942 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 40
TF 40 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91


588 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #1, Shell hits 3
DD Yuzuki
DD Kikuzuki
DD Mochizuki, Shell hits 4
DD Oite
AP Kaika Maru, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
2510 casualties reported
Guns lost 22

These two landings - costing 5000 casualties - along with the aborted landing at De longre Island (another 2500) have meant that his force must be hurting!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 13
Blenheim IV x 26
Wellington III x 11
LB-30 Liberator x 41


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 27

At last the bombers from Calcutta take to the air - good training but little else.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Chinese Corps, at 42,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Ki-21 Sally x 27

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Here is a sample of the 4 attacks going in against the Chinese - I move the AVG back to China to try and persuade Herb to think twice about tis kind of attack

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24740 troops, 282 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 22137 troops, 219 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

It is offcial. I am up against the 21st Mixed, 65th Brigaes, south seas detachments - a nalval guards unit and an Naval HQ. I don't think this is all of it - I would expect some engineers - however to me this is not enough. He has to look to get more in.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rennell Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1704 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 33 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Rennell Island base !!!

What I didn't report is that he also took Rennel Island - the Solomons should be rename the swallowmans.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have hit upon a bit of a plan.

It all surrounds the carriers. I am going to try and get some surface ships up through the straits of Torres and load supplies in Darwin for delivery to Port Moresby. They will come in after I show the Carriers to Herb - maybe around Lunga. I have tried another throw of the dice this turn by moving some Mitchells into PM for a low level attack - just to keep him honest. More planes - maybe 8 - are repaired this turn and so far I have 20 of the dauntlesses out of PM. The carriers are slowly getting their teeth back.

For whatever reason the AK in PM starts unloading again - 450 odd supplies added. With bombardment requirements though thi will become a problem before long. The bombardments will lack verocity without supplies of shells to fire. It is fighting on a shoe string.

The surface combat TFs - currently South of Brisbane tentatively return to Brisbane. At the first sign of a chance they will move up to townsville to sneak through.

As to Baker - what is the story here? No men wee lost so it wasn't a fast transport. I imagine it was a bombardment run that obviously thought better of the situation and bugged out.


_____________________________




(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 22
herb strikes back - 7/23/2005 6:44:29 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		The pendulum of power that was twisted in Herb's favour - that may have swung back towards me a bit swings heaftily back in his direction. The KB moves on Townsville wit two giant anti port raids - I don't have any ships out as bait to stop this - doh. And more CV action as another bunch of them turns up by Baker and I take an obvious retreat course with my fast transport mission - they pay.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/20/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Port Moresby, 53,91, firing at TF 40
TF 40 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 53,91


1646 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki, Shell hits 1
MSW Toshi Maru #1, Shell hits 26, on fire
DD Mochizuki, Shell hits 5, on fire
AP Tsunushima Maru
DD Kikuzuki

Japanese ground losses:
796 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

At last the artillery at PM start to make themselves felt. It is negligible but better than nothing - damaged ships are going to have to run the sub gauntlet.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 90,91

Japanese Ships
DD Shikinami, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O19

My dutch subs screen Baker find a mark.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Townsville , at 46,103

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
D3A Val x 40
B5N Kate x 60

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Idomeneus, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Asphalion, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Illinoian, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Empire Liberty, Bomb hits 1
AK West Planter, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mobile City, Bomb hits 1
AK Mildura, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Admiral Wood, Bomb hits 1
AK Lewis Luckenbach, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 1

THe first of the port attacks. There was little I could do here. He was sitting off the coast so any transports trying to run as a TF would be found and despatched. Just figured I was better off being able to hit the planes that attacked with port based Flak.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 49,103

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 102

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 11
Beaufort V-IX x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 11 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 12 destroyed

This is also my fault. There is no use going up against the KB without adequate escort fighters - wirraways most certainly don't count.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
MSW Tama Maru
AP Midori Maru

This is the third of the completely pointless attacks against the shipping at PM. The level bombers just aren't of the calibre to pull it off - no hits and two Mitchells lost.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 98,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
B5N Kate x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 3 destroyed, 20 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage
CL Honolulu, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Vincennes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Nashville

And then... Crap - he has carriers about Baker Island and my wish to get the supplies into Baker means the carriers arrive right next door to where the retreat path goes. The Boise sinks and Vincennes is in a very bad way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 98,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N Kate x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 16 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Boise, heavy damage
DD Conyngham

Adding to Vincennes' pain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 98,90

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 3 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Nashville, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Vincennes, on fire, heavy damage

Now Nashville is on the receiving end. She is still afloat at the end of the day but he has to taste blood in the water. Undamaged ships put on full steam and head for Pearl. Damaged ships head South and South East. The problem about both these directions is they aren't really close to repair yards and may mean I loose the ships anyway...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Townsville , at 46,103

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
D3A Val x 78
B5N Kate x 87

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK West Planter, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Idomeneus, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Steel Voyager, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Empire Liberty, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alabaman, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lewis Luckenbach, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Echuca, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Lycaon, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AK Murada, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Pacific, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Illinoian, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Cairns, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Admiral Wood, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mobile City, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Neleus, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Demodocus, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Empire Selwyn, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Asphalion, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Pennsylvanian, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kahuku, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK San Gabriel, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Nightingale, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MSW Latrobe, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Diomed, Bomb hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 8
Port supply hits 3

Then the real kicker - he just hammers the shipping in townsville plus depletes my already meagre supplies. Of the 24 ships in harbour only 2 escape damage and 2 sink immediately - as you will see by the attached ship's roster many more are likely to sink as well. A

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 97,89

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
B5N Kate x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Another attack by Baker Carriers and San Francisco seccumbs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The large strike on Townsville was regretable and will give Herb unnecessary points but it doesn't change tactical flxibility much. I still can't use them to move supplies as I don't have enough and their reason for being here - to move the 7th Oz Division to Cooktown for Dakota transport to PM - has fallen on its face with the KB around.

Not much to add really. Shipping around Pearl that was heading West turns to the South to put distance between them and likely interception by the Jap Carriers. Enterprise and Saratoga go to full steam and head West - this may be foolhardy but I know this is the small er of the two carrier forces and it is not impossible to imagine I can put some real hurt on him here.
I loose 40 ACs to his 16 - mainly the wirraways and Beauforts that sacrificed themselves against the zeros aboard KB. However - a small silver lining is that 10 kates and 3 vals (with their priceless pilots) are lost.
Essentially it is retreat everywhere again. However I do put 60 P-40 Es and Bs over Townsville. I don't think he will attack there again there and he certainly doesn't need to - but he is heavily defending KB and I may just be able to cull some of the priceless carrier pilots if he attacks again. The P-40Es especially have a good leader and 67 average expereince after training out of Darwin.

In China I move the AVG back and cover the retreating Nanning units. He has zeros here but he is using them as ground strafing so they may actually not manage to take part.

The Illustrious makes it to Columbo and I may take the RN on a foray to try and stretch him. I am looking at Andaman Island as a bombardment target.





Attachment (1)

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 23
RE: herb strikes back - 7/23/2005 6:45:41 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Here is the sorry state of the shipping in townsville after his hit on the shipping there




Attachment (1)

_____________________________




(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 24
RE: herb strikes back - 7/24/2005 8:12:28 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		I have overwritten the combat replay again - doh. I went to a ball last night so my brain is not where it should be at the moment - it feels more like it is more floating in alcoholic dregs for preservation than winding up to do battle with Herbie-san.

Anyway; the meat and drink of the turn revolved around Herb bombarding Port Moresby from Sea and air. This time he is far more successful at destroying aircraft and I loose 43 in the day - not good. However come end of the day and the engineers have fixed the damage ancd actually managed to make headway in cleaning up the place. Supplies continue to go up but Herb LRCAPed PM today and bought down 5 C-47s. I rest them for a day. My miracle AK wears a bombardment shell but still unloads about 500 supplies. PM needs 4800 and is currently at 4100. However the infantry are at half rations - I need to up this to give them a chance.

KB has moved back out into the middle of the Coral Sea. He has given my quite a bit of manouever room if I can find the Cajones to take him up on the offer. Possibly when my fighter numbers on the mainland increase I may be able to adequately LRCAP a fast transport mission to PM.

The wounded from the battle around Baker Island are all still afloat as it appears Herb retreated his carriers. I still think I will loose a few to floatation damage.

In china Herb does attack the retreating Chinese - oscars escorting sonias and it is carnage. The AVG kills 16 of the Sonias and 3 oscars for no loss.

More oscars and Helens attack Dacca and meet Hurricanes. The losses are about even.

Operation Audacity starts in COlumbo with 2 Brit Carriers escorting a bombardment force bound for Andaman Island.

_____________________________




(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 25
RE: herb strikes back - 7/24/2005 8:28:43 AM   
Raverdave


Posts: 6520
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: Melb. Australia
Status: offline 		Looks like you are not going to be able to support PM with more troops for awhile. Will the current garrison be able to hold out? Where the hell are the US CVs???????

_____________________________




Never argue with an idiot, he will only drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 26
RE: herb strikes back - 7/24/2005 9:26:36 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Dave - currently Herb has the 21st Mixed, the 65th Brigade and the South Seas Detachment there. He also has elements of 3 Naval guards units and an HQ. No engineers. They took some fearsome casualties landing as much as 8000! During the attacks so far conducted all the naval guards units have had assault values of 0 - they ar hurting. I am also moving the B-17Es and Cs that I have in Oz up to bomb his troops. This will obviously mean I loose some but I need to keep him surpressed.

I have the 41st Division, an Aussie brigade, the Port Moresby defense Brigade/base force, two base engieering units (with infantry squads attached) and the Aus 1 corps HQ. A total (although it is falling due to action) of 586 assult points and about 37,000 troops. He has about 27,000 men - that isn't enough - especially with 3 forts and no engineers. He wants to be bringing up at least another Division and they will have the same trouble landing.

US Carriers: Yortown and Lexington are East of Brisbane - they have been nuetered somewhat by their dauntlesses and F4Fs being damaged in the bombardments of Port Moresby. I am getting about 5 ACs of this 120 odd component out of PM a day - currently 35 ACs are out.

The Enterprise and the Saratoga are just north of Palmyra Island and are tasked with covering the Canton Island reinforcements.

Hornet is SE of Pearl escorting the 1st and 2nd Marines on their way to Noumea.

They are all coming together to the South Pacific but wont be there for some time yet. That god awful lump of Jap CVs off the coast of Townsville has some 250 odd ACs on it. That would probably ruin my day. I am toying with an attack but I want him to stooge around and get lower on fuel for a bit.

_____________________________




(in reply to Raverdave)
Post #: 27
RE: herb strikes back - 7/24/2005 9:44:18 AM   
Raverdave


Posts: 6520
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: Melb. Australia
Status: offline 		Don't forget that the jap CVs only have about 3 good raids' worth of munitions before thay have to resupply (from Rabal nodoubt). Sounds like you two have gotten into a good old fashioned UV fight.

_____________________________




Never argue with an idiot, he will only drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

(in reply to wobbly)
Post #: 28
RE: herb strikes back - 7/24/2005 11:53:31 AM   
String


Posts: 2661
Joined: 10/7/2003
From: Estonia
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Raverdave

Don't forget that the jap CVs only have about 3 good raids' worth of munitions before thay have to resupply (from Rabal nodoubt). Sounds like you two have gotten into a good old fashioned UV fight.



I think you are talking about jap CVE's. Jap CV's have plenty of mission points

(in reply to Raverdave)
Post #: 29
RE: herb strikes back - 7/25/2005 3:30:20 AM   
wobbly

 

Posts: 1095
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Status: offline 		Hi dave - yeah this is so like a UV bash. there are of course a few important differences: The Torres strait rather than the end of the map, all the other areas you have to look after. herb seriously looks like he is putting most of his power into the South Pacific. I ahve to make him pay elsewhere for this singularity of purpose.

String - i side with you on this. I have had the KB mount more than 3 successful attacks. He will be starting to run low though.

PM is really starting to feel the hammer. There are (or hopefully were) 6 BBs in PM harbour last night and they have destroyed all the good work the engineers have done in repairing the place.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/22/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 99,86

Japanese Ships
SS I-122

Allied Ships
DD Case, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

The Case is found mid-ocean by a Jap sub and sent to Davy Jones' locker.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 42,49

Japanese Ships
AK Natisan Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire

Allied Ships
SS Saury

Above the Philipines the Saury finds a lone AK and surfaces to engage her. Despite two spreads of torps she cannot hit with them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Dacca , at 31,24

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 69
Ki-49 Helen x 20
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 11 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Herb is still gunning for Dacca with some purpose. He losses 9 oscars and 1 helen while I loose 14 hurricanes. These losses are high but much better than the 2 or 3 to 1 I would be suffering if the escorts were zeros. I have bolstered the defense here still further with 2 more hurricane squads and 20 warhawks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 19
Ki-49 Helen x 17

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 21

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 75
G4M1 Betty x 105

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 6 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 3 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 51

Two vicious aerial attacks from Lae and Rabaul destroy many of the damaged ACs that are still stuck in PM. With the deliberate damage Herb is doing to PM I am unable to get them in the air again. The damage to facilities is also causing problems. I need to point his direction elsewhere and in a hurry. There are still 74 ACs stuck on the ground in PM though. I am gathering fighters together and may try to suddenly create an air umbrella there. It will have to have good timing as the Bombardments are likely to catch the fighters on the ground.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 53,91


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Oyashio
DD Kuroshio
DD Kagero
DD Makigumo
DD Akigumo
DD Yugumo
CL Katori
BB Kirishima
BB Kongo

Allied Ships
AK West Portal, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
531 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 37
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 7

There were many bombardments today but this was the one that really did the damage. The good ship West Portal at last runs out of luck and wears many heavy calibre shells. The supplies in her hold burn along with everything else flammable on board. Many men are lost and the cache of supplies on the ground takes sharp dip downwards. Supplies now at 3,300. Only Dakotas can bring them in now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 129 troops unloading over beach at Irau, 69,98


Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported

Herb continue to take out the rest of the Solomons.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I still have more troops at PM than Herb. He knows this now and will be bringing up more. He also has so much of the combined fleet that it is almost impossible for me to get in and support my own troops without suffering massive damage. The problem with this -as always - is the KB. While it hangs around I can't intervene too directly. With all the heavy metal at PM I have to bring at least 2 surface combat TFs of reasonable size to the party. I don't want them hit on the way by naval ACs!!! many of my subs are now in position. However there is only really a small corridor down which the enemy travel and since most of my subs are the larger fleet types, I have half a sozne now going to ferry supplies into PM. This is a dribble but I have to accomplish more of this.
If I don't intervene though, I am going to loose PM and the troops in it - not good! The one small silver lining is the time this will have taken that he didn't expect. He is also having to attribute massive effort to this. I think the Brits and operations Rainbow may be bought forward to stretch him. I have to be very careful I don't try this too-ahead of schedule though as I paid badly for that against PzB attacking Java.

I have sent a TF of of surface ships up towards Townsville - in other words I have caved to my own pressure. The KB only needs to move back into Oz and I will wear this one badly. I am going to try and load them with supplies and then find an opportune moment to sneak them in. they have a sqd of tomahawks slated to cover them - this is a little like pissing into the breeze considering my opponent is the KB, but I couldn't provide no cover and keep faith with myslef.

In Burma I have kept Inchon empty of defensive ACs for some time now. He has continued to recon it. This turn I moved the AVG back in hoping to catch him trying to bomb it. The Tomahawks of the AVG should do better agasint his oscars than the hurricanes are managing.

_____________________________




(in reply to String)
Post #: 30
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