Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Version

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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Uncommon Valor - Campaign for the South Pacific >> After Action Reports >> Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Version

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Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Version - 7/14/2005 11:30:24 PM

John III

Posts: 224
Joined: 3/29/2005
From: La Salle, CO
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This will be a new AAR starting between Canoerebel (Dan) and myself. We have decided to leave the standard post-Midway Guadalcanal Campaign Scenario and go with Scenario 17. Dan kicked my but in the last AAR: Copperas Bowl so I have high hopes with the addition of the entire Kido Butai, there might be a differing result...

I'll jump right in:

May 1, 1942 Thunderstorms
Massive reorginization taking place:
1. Shokaku and Zuikaku with little Shoho and accompaning warships head for Shortlands to keep an eye out for Yorktown and Lexington.
2. Fast Transport TF taking troops to quickly grab GG and Lunga.
3. All Rabaul AP loading up with supplies to take to Lae. Intend to strongly expand this base so want lots of supplies to start with.
4. Form convoy in Truk to bring most of Truk's AA, CD, and Inf units to Lunga plus a lot of supplies.
5. Form 2 Sub Minelaying TFs of 3 SS each to mine Efate and Noumea.
6. All tankers either loading with fuel from Truk or returning to Truk to get fuel.
7. Search planes moved to Lae and/or Shortlands.
8. Squadrons training to begin with.

1st Month Vision:
1. Build-Up following bases: Lae, Shortlands, and Lunga.
2. Acquire GG, Buna, Tulagi, Rossel, and Irau for future bases.
3. Begin to interdict PM whenever and whoever possible.
4. Wait for arrival of KB in 30 days to begin the true campaign.

I want to reign in my aggressive play and look for opportunities to strike at Allies without provoking a major engagement unless I am certain of outcome. I will habe plenty of firepower when KB arrives.

Anyone have any thoughts?

John

Post #: 1

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/15/2005 4:26:33 AM

John III

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

Some notes on my AAR style:
1. I like to write them in a 2-4 day collection so one can gain a sense of planning, reaction, and movement.
2. I'll start with date and Weather
3. Any Sub Action
4. Aerial and then Surface Combat
5. Ground Combat
6. Summary
7. Forward thoughts

I stayed to this pretty well in the Copperas AAR and will try to do so again.

Figure that Dan and I can do 2-3 turns a day until High School starts for me and then we will be lucky to get in one a day. Add to this my WitP obsession with TWO campaigns going and you can see how things will get crowded! I enjoy UV but LOVE WitP!

Here we go!

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 2

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/17/2005 6:27:16 PM

John III

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

This combat report shall cover the first week of action between Dan and I. It has already been quite active!

May 1st Thunderstorms
Set-up as detailed in my first entry. No action.

May 2nd Partly Cloudy
Land at Lunga and GG

May 3rd Thunderstorms
Capture Lunga

Run into elements of an Aussie Brigade at GG. What the Hell? He knows that I have, or soon will have, the combat power to destroy this unit. I guess I will take this as a gift chance to take out a unit that is NOT at PM! Detail two follow-on Fast TF groups carrying 3 Nav Gar and 10th Ind Engineers. If this isn't enough to do it, then I will use South Seas Detachment as their warm-up to the capture of PM!

I put my ONLY squadron of Zeros on LR CAP at GG in case he is bringing the troops in by air.

May 4th Thunderstorms
No activity.

Send Fast TF to Tulagi from Shortlands to capture base.

Convoy approaching Lae carrying 11th Air Fleet and 27,000+ supplies. Set useless Claude Squadron on CAP.

Carriers arrive at Shortlands and I send them to partol east of GG. Don't want to be TOO aggressive but do want to pounce if given the chance...

Find out that I will get substantial reinforcements on May 12th/16th/17th. The KB arrives around June 1st. Can't wait!

May 5th Partly Cloudy
Air Activity!
1. PM air raid on approaching Lae convoy. 1AP lightly damaged in attack.

Two Allied convoys retreat as Sho/Zui/Shoho TF move southwards. I think I will send the carriers a little more southwards to see if I can swipe and anything...they will be SE of GG after the movement.

May 6th Rainy
HOLY COW! I stumble on a Cruiser-DD TF with my Carrier Group!!

The Japanese Sea Eagles swing into the attack:

Raid One: 19Z, 37V, and 38K Raid Two: 8Z and 8K Raid Losses: 1V and 3K
Impact:
CA Australia 5B and 6TT SUNK!
CA Chester No Damage
CA Chicago 12B 3TT into Chicago
CL Hobart 4B and 2TT
DD Farragut 1TT

Not Bad for an opening fight! One CA Sunk with another certain to go down with perhaps a DD and CL. Definitely worth my Carrier sortie.

Don't want to be TOO aggressive with Carriers so I will keep them in the area and advance only 2-3 heves further Southwards.

May 7th Overcast
Minelaying SS approaching targets.

Lunga convoy approaching its unloading site.

Air raid over Lae: 12 B-17s attack unloading Convoy at Lae. CAP damages several and they manage to hit a PG and AP--Light Damage to each.

I note the Kanga Force from Wau has moved to Marlilan. WHY? I think I will move an SNLF Unit from Lae and head for Wau to try to cut him off!

CVs do not spot anything new so I return them to port after a very successful raid on the cruisers. No reports of further sinkings but I expect to see the Chicago and/or Hobart reported sunk...

Summation and Thoughts:
I don't understand what Dan is trying to accomplish at GG by fighting for it. That is a strange choice but I happily kill an enemy brigade.

Why move the small infantry unit out of Wau? I couldn't take that DAMNED place in the last AAR!

CV sortie achieved very nice results. Would prefer sinking a merchant convoy but I am sure to have that opportunity soon. Want to cut PM off from the start!

Long-Range Planning I have REALLY learned the benefits of this from War in the Pacific!
1. Consolidate Lunga and Tulagi
2. Take GG and Buna
3. Plan PM Capture
4. Start looking SE towards Luganville and Efate

Thoughts from ANYONE?

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 3

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/17/2005 9:41:06 PM

Miller

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From: Ashington, England.
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A good start but I would suggest moving your Claude sqd to Truk and allow it to upgrade to the Zero (usually takes a month or so)....pilots average 90 exp but will do nothing in a Claude and will suffer losses.......

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 4

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/18/2005 7:26:19 AM

Sergeant

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From: Arizona
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Do you have the 38th and 2d Divisions on board yet? In my game I used 38th Div to take Wae and begin moving down the road to PM. They have not been spotted yet. I used 2d Division at Buna to cross the mountains. Finally, I turned Tulagi into a forward sub base. I also think it prudent to be certain that there is ample shore batteries at Gili-Gili. My opponent has made numorous night raids on surface there hindering supply ops.

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 5

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/18/2005 3:57:15 PM

TAIL GUNNER

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

quote:

ORIGINAL: John III

Long-Range Planning I have REALLY learned the benefits of this from War in the Pacific!
1. Consolidate Lunga and Tulagi
2. Take GG and Buna
3. Plan PM Capture
4. Start looking SE towards Luganville and Efate

Thoughts from ANYONE?

Try this on for size....

Keep PM subjugated...bomb the crap out of it on clear or partly cloudy days...
Also, occaisonally park KB one hex north of Buna and bomb PM some more...

He's gonna totally expect you to invade PM....it's a standard practice!

Once you have the entire 17th Army, load 'em all up.....it'll take about every medium and small Maru you have!

Set sail like you're on your merry way to PM, and when you're one turn away from landing, make a sharp left for Australia!

1 Div for Cairns, 1 for Cookstown, and 2 for Townsville.....

OR, if by then you've turned all his carriers to scrap-metal....I'd throw everything at Brisbane!

Chad

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 6

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/19/2005 10:36:26 AM

John III

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

I was going to wait a day to add to the AAR but my opponent is RAILING at the Stars and heavens for his poor luck! Thus, I will comment. In a literal accident, we have had our first Carrier duel!

Combat Report May 8-11, 1942

May 8th Clear
No Sub activity

Air
Dan is constantly attacking through my CAP at the convoy unloading at Lae! My Zeroes and useless Claudes are not doing much. In two raids of medium bombers and B-17s, he manages to hit 3AP and 2PG. Several are seriously damaged...

Ground
He takes Marilinan--I don't understand why...

I order 2 SNLFs from Lae to advance at Wau and cut him off.

Stalemate at GG. I have more troops there but can't take the base.

Navy
My CVs continue their retirement after mauling that CA-CL-DD force.

May 9th Clear
Subs
An S-Boat makes a TT attack but misses. Read my other AAR about my feelings on S-Boats!

Air
No major strikes at Lae.

Ground
Nothing

Navy The Battle of the Solomon Sea, Day 1
ENEMY CARRIERS!!!! While approaching Shortlands, Yamaguchi hears of enemy CVs to the SE and swings the Sho/Zui/Shoho around for a fight. Using the advantage of longer flying range, he hurls a strike at CVs Yorktown and Lexington--TWO Bombs hit Lady Lex and put her on fire while one Bomb hits Yorktown. HEAVY COST--20Vals and 5Ks fall.

While a surprise, I happily welcome the chance to duke it out. Anything I can damage now is less to fight with the full KB arriving in amonth.

Order Yamaguchi South and pray to the Gods for some luck!

May 10th Clear
No Subs

Air
Another strike hits Lae Convoy. I lose 2AP and the convoy heads for Rabaul. I unloaded nearly everything and will come back when PM is a little less fiesty!

Ground
Occupy Tulagi

Attack at GG and have some success--will order a Shock Attack tomorrow.

Navy The Battle of the Solomon Sea, Day 2
Adm. Yamamguchi Tamon goes for the throat!

An early American attack of 30 Dauntlesses and Fighter Escort pierces the Japanese CAP and puts 1 Bomb on Zuikaku and 3 Bombs into Shoho. Shoho is a goner with these hits. Cost is VERY high, 10 SBDs are destroyed (and a Wildcat) and the rest are damaged.

The Japanese Counter-Attack is devastating! I 2 successive waves, the Japanese put 3TT into both Lexington and Yorktown!

BANZAI! BANZAI!! BANZAI!!! Cost is steep again as I lose 1Z, 2V, and 19K...OUCH!

In a wonderful sign...there is NO American strike during the afternoon and my bombers strike the Lexington for 11 Bombs! Don't hit Yorktown though...

HOLY COW! Send Yamaguchi in to kill off stragglers...

Bombard PM for minimal damage.

May 11th Clear
No Subs

Air
My convoy is attacked as it withdraws towards Rabaul from Lae. More damage to several ships. None in sinking condition.

Ground
BANZAI! Capture GG. Got the base and now I need to kill off the Aussie Brigade that is there. Still don't know why it was placed there...

Convoy unloading 4th Coastal CD, 4th AA, 4Nvl Gar, and 22,000+ Supply at Lunga.

Navy Battle of the Solomon Sea, Day 3
Continuing to capaitalize on the previous day's successes, Yamaguchi locates the heavily damaged USS Yorktown and PLANTS HER IN 15,000 Ft of water! 16Z, 19V, 17K finish her off...

Keep hunting for Lexington. Cannot imagine that she is still floating after all that damage yesterday but will look.

Bombard PM and do some damage to Airfield.

The Battle of the Solomon Sea
A tremendous victory to start things off. If BOTH CVs are down then life will be VERY good for the entire campaign. Cannot imagine why Dan sent them out but Yamaguchi took full advantage. Though Shoho hasn't sunk yet, I am certain that she is gone. I'll take that exchange.

Got to rest the Sho/Zui and rebuild their air groups.

How about that!!!!

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 7

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/19/2005 10:39:08 AM

John III

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From: La Salle, CO
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Juggalo is one WILD and CRAZY guy! I'll give that some thought...

I like taking out PM but lunging in a different direction is always interesting...

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 8

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/19/2005 10:41:05 AM

John III

Posts: 224
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From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline

Thanks for the comments guys! I don't have divisional support at the moment. All I really have is the South Seas Regimental team. Debating on their first deployment. I like CD units at Lunga and GG. Helps to keep those Bombardment forces honest.

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 9

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/19/2005 11:19:46 AM

jeffs

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From: Tokyo
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Very nicely done......Shoho for 2 CVs...Excellent trade.

_____________________________

To quote from Evans/Peattie`s {Kaigun}
"Mistakes in operations and tactics can be corrected, but
political and strategic mistakes live forever". The authors were refering to Japan but the same could be said of the US misadventure in Iraq

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 10

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/19/2005 4:26:07 PM

TAIL GUNNER

Posts: 1152
Joined: 4/27/2005
From: Los Osos, CA
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Yes, nicely done!

Your opponent seems to disperse his land forces way too early!!
....GG and Marilan????

Make him pay by destroying Australia!!!!!!!!

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 11

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/19/2005 4:46:03 PM

John III

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

Do you think Australia is a good place to grow...rice???

We shouldn't gloat TOO much. Dan is an excellent player and has kicked the crap out of me in two previous scenarios. It is simply VERY nice to be on the WINNING side of a carrier engagement for a change...

(in reply to TAIL GUNNER)

Post #: 12

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 7/19/2005 6:44:58 PM

John III

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

I am sitting here baord getting ready to go to work. Was hoping to have a WitP turn to work on this morning but my two opponents must be sleeping in. Dan; however, was not and we did a turn earlier:

Combat Log
May 12th
3 IJN Subs drop off their mines at Efate! That should make life fun there...

Air
Dan plinks at a small convoy from PM with minor damage to two AP.

Just noticed that Shoho got her entire Zero Squadron off the deck and transfered to Shortlands before she was hit by Dan's Dauntlesses. Transfer those planes to buttress Lae's CAP.

Ground
Attack again at GG and inflict casualties on Aussie Brigade there.

To finish them off and begin prepping GG as a staging base for further operations, I am sending 11th Air Fleet and 8th Nvl Garrison to strength position and hasten construction of base facilities.

Navy
The poor DD USS Anderson is psotted by Yamaguchi and get sent to Davy Jones--4 Bombs and 2 TT should sink ANY DD!

I will move Yamaguchi east towards Noumea for a day or so and then reitre. Want to make sure that Lexington is sunk...

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 13

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/7/2005 7:57:36 PM

John III

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From: La Salle, CO
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Hey All! I have been a VERY bad boy in not keeping up my AAR! Dan and I are in early June and I am nearly a month behind. With relatives visiting, that won't change for the next couple of days but I shall post by Wednesday or Thursday.

I have been moving all my assault troops (3 Brigades) to Shortlands and have Infantry Division due in less then a week. I am still not sure where to attack. PM is obvious choice. Luganville/Efate is next. I could go after mainland Australia or directly attack Noumea. I am seeking a vision as to where to go. Does anyone have any comments?

He has lost Lexington and Yorktown. I get the FULL KB in six days. I'll have the firepower--question is where to direct it.

THOUGHTS??? Any are appreciated...

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 14

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/11/2005 1:30:30 AM

John III

Posts: 224
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From: La Salle, CO
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I am going to do a shortened combat report dating from May 13 to June 5th.

Anyone who has read my opponents AAR probably knows that little-to-nothing has occurred since the carrier battle at the beginning of the game. Dan has been forced to be exceedingly conservative with his shipping. I expect that he will have two carriers at Noumea by the middle of June. He might be a little more frisky at that point!

I want to specifically cover Mat 13-17 and then be general with the rest.

Admiral Yamaguchi was traveling around the Coral Sea when we last left off. Shoho had succumbed to the Lex's and Yorktown's bombers but Shokaku and Zuikaku were out looking for trouble. They found it!

During the course of this time period, they a small convoy of AKs (3 I believe) and headed for Shortlands for R&R. In the process of rampaging north of Australia, they scared another convoy into PM where my LBA sank 2-3 APs. It was a nice trip worth only 2-3 losses!

His LBA has remained active. He has hit several of my convoys and I have lost 1 I-Boat, 2APs, 1MSW, and 1PG. About double that has been damaged.

I have raided PM several times doing port, airfield, and sweep actions. Have lost a few more planes then I want but have managed to keep his LBA honest and his fighters weaker. Additionally, I have sent a couple of Surface TF to bombard PM. Manage to shoot up the runways and kill a few planes.

The ground action has been very STRANGE.

For some reason, Dan has decided to move troops onto my side of the Owen Stanleys. He has taken Nadzab, Salamaua, and has a brigade at Buna. None of this makes sense to me. He knows that I will come for PM but he has dispersed his troops. To put it simply, I have ignored them. I am comfortably sitting in Lae and hanging out. Once I have PM then I will mop these units up...

MAIN ACTIVTY:
1. Moving all troops to Shortlands. Currently 3 Brigades there. Two Infantry Divisions about to arrive and they will be sent there as well.
2. New Bases: Am taking Irau and Rossel for future operations.
3. Supplies and support troops are moving to all bases giving them a firm stockpile to expand bases.

UPCOMING:
1. The KB will arrive June 10th! We will move into some serious activity then. Heavy Fleet units arrive throughout June to support the carriers.
2. I think that I will take PM. It is a standard opening move and I think a logical one. If this was WitP, I would have Prep point already going.
3. AUSTRALIA! I think I might be crazy and try to take Aussieland. WHY NOT?

This summarizes activities and status.

Any questions and/or thoughts??!!

3.

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 15

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/11/2005 1:54:57 PM

Miller

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From: Ashington, England.
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Personally I would not bother trying for Aus....you will need the kitchen sink to hold onto one of the auto-victory ports.....the problem is he can quickly move his ground units by road so no need to risk his transports in the face of the KB.....plus mass LBA strikes on port supplies can knock out huge chunks at a time.....all in my honest opinion of course!

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 16

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/12/2005 8:26:50 AM

John III

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That is a fine point.

If not Australia then what is the good/bad of Lugan/Efate/Noumea? You almost have to take the first two so you have air cover for the last one.

(in reply to Miller)

Post #: 17

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/12/2005 1:23:59 PM

Miller

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I think Luganville is the only realistic shot at an auto-victory, but as you say you will need to take the other bases nearby to lessen the LBA threat.....timing is critical though, and if he has managed to get plenty of troops there before you land it can be nearly impossible to take.....

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 18

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/12/2005 3:20:52 PM

jeffs

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From: Tokyo
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More important than the port though might be the timing...I think you should try for a late nov to Dec invasion if feasible (depending on the CV situation)...As said, the LBA can rip out supply quickly.....If you take the city in late Dec, there might not be enough time to rip out your supply that way....If you get it in August, he was months to blow up your supply (and the ships trying to give the supply)

_____________________________

(in reply to Miller)

Post #: 19

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/19/2005 2:14:25 AM

John III

Posts: 224
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From: La Salle, CO
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This update shall cover June 6-16, 1942.

Things are definately beginning to pick up within the theatre of operations. I now have to six heavy units of the KB and strong support arriving almost daily.

My troops are nearly finished gathering in Shortlands for the first major offensive against Dan.

It is my intention to 'go for the throat,' I had asked for advice earlier and got some decent responses. My decision is to swing for the fence and try to take ALL of New Caledonia. This means Koumac, that middle port, and Noumea! Dan will expect me to go after PM or Luganville/Efate as normal (typical) opening move. I will go after the main base and hope to surprise him. With the destruction of Lexington and Yorktown, I have naval superiority. My intent is to force a fight. He CANNOT let me take these bases without a battle. My hope is for a Midway-like battle (in a POSITIVE manner). The most he can throw at me at this point would be 2-3 carriers (Enterprise/Hornet/Saratoga). I can destroy them.

Synopsis of the action:
June 6th Thunderstorm
Subs
I have four SS along Australia and an equal number patroling around Noumea.
No activity otherwise.

Send a Bomb TF to hit PM. This will become a diversion to make him THINK I am coming there.

June 7th Overcast
Subs
I-28 near Townville is hit by ASW aircraft.

June 8th Clear
Subs
I-28 sinks

Kill a couple a planes with my Naval Bombardment.

24 B17s hit Rossel AP TF and sink one AP.

My B-17 Naval Attack Thread in WitP ignited a firestorm there so I WON'T say anything...

June 9th Thunderstorm
No Sub activity

Another AP sinks from Rossel attacks. Take Rossel as a future staging base and make him think I am coming at PM.

Move SNLFs towards Nadzab and Salamaua to retake them.

Send Shokaku and Zuikaku to Truk for minor repairs. They will mate up with Junyo and two CVLs to create my mini-KB.

June 10th Partly Cloudy
Bomb PM and knock down three planes for effort.

2nd Division loads for Shortlands.

June 11th Partly Cloudy
Land at Irau for future staging base.

No interesting developments.

June 12th Thunderstorm
Irau falls.

June 13th Rain
No interesting developments.

Send Bomb TF to Luganville. Send Main KB (Yamaguchi)--Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, Soryu--on raiding mission due south between Australia and Noumea.

June 14th Partly Cloudy
Hit Luganville and don't do much. Looks like he is hunkered down and hiding. AS WELL HE SHOULD!!!!

Aerial fighting over PM--2 P-40 and a C-47 destroyed.

38th Division loading and headed for Shortlands.

June 15th Thunderstorms
Aerial fighting over PM--7 P-39 and 1 P-40 for 2Z and 2B

June 16th Clear
Heavily Raid PM--sweeps from Lae and bombing runs from Rabaul--2 P-40 and 2 P-39 for 2Z, 3N, and 2B. Numerous Allied Fighter damaged.

Last Troops Convoy departs for Shortlands.

Status:
In about a week, I should have 2 complete Infantry Divisions and 3 Brigades at Shortlands. They have strong supporting units. The question is, should I land them at Koumac and the Middle base and drive south towards Noumea or land EVERYTHING at Noumea? Could use some advice here. THOUGHTS???

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 20

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/19/2005 9:38:42 PM

Miller

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From: Ashington, England.
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If you are going for Noumea you will have to land EVERYTHING you have there to take (and hold) it.....and then you have the massive problem of keeping it supplied

If your intention is to lure out his carriers how about a fient move at Noumea with a few AP's......although some players would regard this as "gamey"

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 21

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/20/2005 7:03:59 AM

John III

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From: La Salle, CO
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That is not a bad idea. I like the fake move! I could actually land a force at Koumac with the intention of then lifting it off.

If I can sink a couple of more carriers, then I can do whatever I want!

Any other thoughts?

(in reply to Miller)

Post #: 22

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/20/2005 7:25:13 AM

John III

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From: La Salle, CO
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Combat Report June 17-19, 1942

June 17th Partly Cloudy
No Sub Activity

Troops arrive to find Nadzab and Salamaua empty.

Good day of Aerial Combat over PM: 9 Allied Ftrs fall to only 2Z. Rest planes and pilots.

June 18th Partly Cloudy
No Sub Activity

Recapture above areas.

June 19th Thunderstorms
No Sub Activity

Recon Wau and see that it is abandoned. Perhaps dan realized how dangerous his earlier moves were?

Bet he used is Aerial Transports to move the Brigades in and take them out...

CVs are closing on Brisbane. He has no ships out on the seas so I will hit this port. Maybe I can catch something worthwhile!

Thoughts: I agree with the above email. I am going to load a set of 1000 capacity Transports and send them towards Koumac. They will be empty. If he sorties out, then I can nail him! If not, I will make a real attack upon PM to grab that essential target. Hopefully he will be focused on Koumac and I'll take PM by surprise...as much as one can with 10Knot APs!!!

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 23

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/22/2005 12:20:55 AM

John III

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From: La Salle, CO
Status: offline

Jeff gave a good comment a while back in the AAR. I think I will grab PM and then wait for the opportunity to hit Noumea in late-Nov/early-Dec. My whole point is to draw out his carriers. I just reconed Noumea and spotted two CVs. I'll try to get them, grab PM, and then prepare for Noumea. Be a lot easier if this game had Prep Points like WitP. Could better reflect training, thorough planning, and thoughtful preparation.

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 24

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/22/2005 12:35:29 AM

John III

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

Combat Report for June 20-24, 1942

Things continue to gain steam on the Japanese side. I now have TEN Carriers!

I have commenced Operation Southern Fortitude (named in honor of Eisenhower's deception of the Germans prior to and after Normandy).

June 20th Thunderstorm
No SS Activity

Send Shokaku, Junyo, and 2 CVLs south from Truk to join Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu. With them also goes a STF of 2BC and CAs.

Current Yamaguchi location is NE of Brisbane cruising the Aussie Coast.

June 21st Overcast
No SS Activity

My KB planes nail Rockhampton as they go by. Useless P-400's prove to be NOT so useless. Shoot down nearly a full squadron but lose 5V and 2K!

Cannot afford to lose those planes/pilots when it does not involve sinking enemy shipping. Bring Yamagichi home.

June 22nd Clear
No SS Activity

Recon PM and set planes to attack PM.

June 23rd Partly Cloudy
No SS Activity

Hit PM throughout the day: 5 Allied Fgtrs fall for 2 Zeroes. Hit port facilities pretty hard.

Send a Surface Bomb Fleet from Shortlands to PM

June 24th Partly Cloudy
There are now 6 SS around Noumea: 3 to the west and 3 to the NE. No activity...

Naval Bombardment nets 4 Fighters and damages 10 more. Send another Bomb Fleet to hit there again.

NO Fighter cover as I sweep and bomb PM during the day...

Recon PM and Noumea: Noumea shows 150+ planes of various types, 2CV and escort ships...YUMMY!

Glad to know I have targets there!

Operation Southern Fortitude
I am loading a Transport TF with 4 small Naval Garrisions. These 18 ships (8 1,000 AP and 10 Escorts) shall serve as the bait. They are loading and will head for Koumac. An escort force shall accompany them. I want it to look like the REAL deal.

CVs shall follow behind some. Dan will HAVE to attack these ships. When he does, I attack! Willing to sacrifice the convoy to get the CVs.

Once that battle is joined, I will load 3 Infantry Divisions and 3 Inf Brigades to attack PM. All LBA will protect this move.

Regardless of how things work out to the SE, I should win a major victory!

Thoughts????

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 25

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 8/22/2005 12:47:37 AM

Miller

Posts: 2226
Joined: 9/14/2004
From: Ashington, England.
Status: offline

Taking some of my advice, I am honored

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 26

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 9/9/2005 5:59:24 AM

John III

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

There hasn't been any activity in the last ten days between Dan and I. He has been having computer problems--not to mention a Hurricane that dumped a BUNCH of rain on him--and hasn't been able to get a turn off. As soon as he does, life will return to normal with our AAR!

(in reply to Miller)

Post #: 27

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 10/12/2005 8:07:05 PM

John 3rd

Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline

After nearly a month off, Dan and I will be rejoining the world of the combatants with this AAR today or tomorrow! He has had computer problems (two weeks) and I had to buy a new computer (two weeks) so we have gotten NOTHING done. This will soon change...

(in reply to John III)

Post #: 28

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 10/14/2005 10:47:08 PM

John 3rd

Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline

Dan and I are back in the world of the active gamers! I have playing my WitP from a different location while my computer got replaced. We are back and here we go!

July 8, 1942

I-1 to the west of Noumea hits PG Kiwi with 1TT and it sinks.

Bombard PM for 12 cas

I am in the process of landing at PM and have two BB groups in the hex as PM. I am rotating them for bombardment. The Nagato and Mutsu Group are sailing from Shortlands to Bombard if needed. Troops are about 1/3 unloaded and I will start attacking tomorrow.

There have been no counter-attacks whatsoever.

I think Dan is hiding after losing those two CV at the start of the campaign.

Speaking of CV--both Carrier TF are returning to Shortlands after short raiding missions. I will rotate them and make sure one is at sea at all times.

Since it has been along time since we played, I will recap what I have on the map:
1. I have Lae, Buna, Gili-Gili, and Rossel Island--all are well-supplied and building up.
2. I have Lunga, Tulagi, Nevea, and Irau--same goes for them.

Once PM falls, then I will make some serious decisions...

(in reply to John 3rd)

Post #: 29

RE: Eagle vs Sun: Death in the Coral Sea--Japanese Ver... - 10/15/2005 8:02:52 PM

John III

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

July 9, 1942

Operations continued as normal. Troops continue to unload at PM and two more convoys carrying two full Brigades will commence landing tomorrow. Should have PM in the bag within 4-5 days!

There was a fight at Lea Lea where his Kanga Force is trying to get back into PM to help. Both sides shock attacked and inflicted about 400 casualties to each other. I have a regiment there.

I disbanded the CTFs so they could get some R&R at Shortlands.

Forgot to mention that I had Luganville as well.

(in reply to John 3rd)

Post #: 30

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